10 low-maintenance plants that will make your garden a breeze

These 10 low-maintenance plants require virtually no work, do not grow wildly and flower continuously. Just the thing for lazy gardeners! Get to know the low-maintenance garden plants now.

Don’t have the time to garden? Don’t worry, it’s possible to have lush, flowering beds in your garden even if you’re a lazy gardener. If you want to enjoy your garden from the comfort of your deckchair, I recommend these hardy, low-maintenance garden plants – because they’ll always grow.

Which garden plants are easy to care for?

Plants are considered low-maintenance if they are not very susceptible to disease, their flowers do not bend easily, they need little soil and do not tend to grow wildly. And, of course, low-maintenance plants are hardy, so you don’t have to start planting again next spring. If these criteria are met, you will save yourself the hassle of fighting diseases, tying up flowers, preparing the soil, replanting and weeding. So get out there and enjoy your garden with these easy to care for and gorgeous garden plants.

Here is a list of 10 easy to care for and hardy garden plants

These plants will grow in the garden with almost no maintenance. There are others, of course, but these are not only easy to care for, they are also very beautiful.

1. Bleeding heart plant (Lamprocapnos spectabilis)

Bleeding heart plant, or crying herat plant, is perfect for filling gaps in the border with colourful flowers in spring. The plant takes its name from the heart-shaped flowers, one of which appears to have a drop of tears dripping from it. This easy-to-care-for perennial needs a position in light shade, preferably on the edge of a border or among other perennials. As the perennial sheds its leaves in the autumn, it does not need to be cut back. To propagate the plant, it is best to divide the perennial after a few years to get cuttings.

Position: out of the sun to half shade
Soil: well-drained, humic, nutritious, fresh to moist
Flowering time: April to June
Flower colour: white, pink

2. Plantain lilies (Hosta)

Few plants are easier to keep in the garden than hostas. They don’t need pruning and even weeds can’t harm these evergreens. Hostas come in many sizes and shades of green, so there is a variety to suit every garden and taste. Hostas grow best in full shade to partial shade in moist, humus-rich soil. Although Hostas are most popular for their foliage, the white or purple hanging bell flowers that appear on most varieties in June and July are also very attractive.

Position: Shady to partly shady
Soil: Well-drained, humic, moist to fresh
Flowering season: June to July
Flower colour: white, mauve, dark mauve

3. Daylilies (Hemerocallis)

Daylilies seem to grow everywhere, in full sun or shade, and are happy in any garden soil. As the name suggests, each flower only blooms for one day – but each mature plant produces a large number of flowers every day. A plant will flower for about four weeks and with a clever combination of different varieties you can enjoy daylily flowers in your garden from June to September. The foliage of the daylily is so dense that no weeds will grow under it.

Position: Sunny to partly shady
Soil: Well-drained, nutritious, humic, not too dry but will tolerate other soils.
Flowering time: May to frost
Colour: yellow, pink, brown, red, orange

4. Bearded Irises (Iris)

The range of iris colours is vast: this perennial seems to have no colour off-limits. Irises flower from spring to early summer, depending on the variety. Despite their elegant flowers, these perennials are very easy to look after. However, the soil should be well aerated and not allowed to dry out.

Position: sunny
Soil: Well-drained, rather dry, nutritious
Flowering time: from April depending on the variety
Colour: almost all colours like white, purple, yellow, various shades of violet, multi-coloured

5. Garden Sage (Salvia officinalis)

Sage is best known as an herb. What is often overlooked is that sage flowers beautifully, is a magnet for bees and is a reliable year-round plant. The fact that its leaves can also be used in tea and as a culinary herb makes it even more attractive. Sage prefers a sunny spot.

Position: sunny
Soil: well-drained, not too rich in nitrogen
Flowering time: June to August
Flower colour: various shades of purple

6. Cranesbill (Geranium)

Cranesbill is an ideal perennial for shady spots, both in the border and under shrubs. The dense foliage prevents the growth of weeds and the pretty purple flowers are a feast for the eyes from May to June.

Position: Sunny
Soil: Moderately moist, well-drained, nutritious
Flowering time: March to October, depending on variety
Flower colour: white, pink, blue, crimson, white, pink, crimson, purple

7. Lady’s mantle (Alchemilla)

For me, the low-growing lady’s mantle is an ideal perennial for the edge of a bed in a partially shaded location. It grows so densely that it doesn’t give weeds a chance and has delightful small, light yellow flowers. The only disadvantage is that it spreads rapidly by seed. So if it becomes too numerous, you have to take the trouble to cut off the withered flowers.

Location: sunny to partially shaded
Soil: permeable, rather nutrient-rich, but also tolerates other soils
Flowering time: June to July
Flower colour: various shades of purple

8. Lavender (Lavendula)

Lavender needs little more than a sunny spot to grow into a beautiful perennial. Lavender also tolerates drought in the summer. The only care it needs is pruning in spring to prevent it from becoming overgrown.

Position: sunny
Soil: well-drained, rather poor, sandy
Flowering season: June to August
Flower colour: Various shades of purple

9. Globe Thistle (Echinops)

This perennial takes its name from its spherical flowers. It thrives in sunny places and can withstand drought. The faded flowers of the globe thistle look very pretty even in winter and so do not need to be cut back in autumn. The only disadvantage – or advantage, depending on your point of view – is that many small perennials will grow from the seeds. So if you don’t want new thistles, you’ll have to cut off the seeds.

Location: sunny
Soil: Well-drained, rather poor, relatively dry.
Flowering time: July to September
Flower colour: white to pale blue

10. Hylotelephium telephium (Sedum)

This stonecrop is a sun lover. It doesn’t need much care other than a sunny spot. Its thick leaves store water so it can cope well with dry conditions. The flowers are a bee magnet and look very pretty when withered in winter.

Position: sunny
Soil: Well-drained, nutritious
Flowering period: July to September
Colour: greenish-yellow to purple