We all want beautiful and hardy plants in our flower garden, but sometimes it is hard to determine which low maintenance shrubs are best. For example, there are certain shrubs that have very thick branches that need trimming regularly. Then there are shrubs like the California Redwood that grow slowly and only need minimal pruning, if any. And then, there are some that don’t require much pruning at all. These are low maintenance shrubs you can choose for your landscape flowers.
The Pohutukawa is a low maintenance shrub with a broad spreading trunk. The branch span of this shrub is two to three feet wide and the trunk has a straight appearance. It’s easy to maintain and is one of the most popular shrubs for use as a backdrop flower. This shrub is native to the Pacific Northwest and Eastern Washington. Its wood doesn’t have noticeable white spots.
The Bird’s Nest is a medium height evergreen shrub. It has an upright growth habit and is a brownish green in color with gray bands and spots. The bark of the bird’s nest is smooth and hard and the leaves appear to be feathery. The branches of this landscaping shrub are short and tapering. This shrub is easy to grow, needs little maintenance and is perfect for the beginning gardener.
The Cherokee Purple boasts purple blossoms. The flowers have black-purple petals and a lemon-red center. This is a medium-height low maintenance shrub perfect for flower beds. It grows up to three feet tall. The Cherokee Purple flowers last for two weeks in the winter. They bloom again in the spring.
The Red Maple is a deciduous shrub. It has gray needles and a gray trunk. It has red leaves which are to be expected when the tree is in its full growth. This low maintenance shrub blooms in the fall. The trees have fissures on the bark and this makes them vulnerable to insects.
The Grape Vine can be found in most states. It is a hardy deciduous shrub. In the spring the vines will rise and begin to form thickets. In the summer it will move to the ground to start new growth. This is a fairly easy low maintenance shrub that loves well-drained soils.
The Boston Pine is a medium height evergreen shrub. It has a straight upright trunk and gray needles. It loves acidic soils and well drained woody clays. It is an ideal landscaping shrub for landscaping around pools, patios and sloped lawns.
The Green Bean is another low maintenance shrub. It is a hardy deciduous shrub that grows in the tropical and subtropical areas. It forms a colorful carpet in the fall. It is great for border planting or as a free-standing plant. These are just a few of the answers to the question, “what are the best low maintenance shrubs?”
One of my favorite landscaping plants is the Pecan. Its beautiful green leaves make it perfect for the front yard. It has spiny leaves and has been known to climb walls. They will grow just about anywhere that has some level of hardness such as in rocks, sand, soil, clay or brick. It is also resistant to most diseases and pests.
The Penny Ash is also known by many names such as Bluebell, Black Eyed Susan, or Creeping moment. Its full Latin name is “Piper nigrum” and is a low lying shrub with fleshy gray-green leaves. It forms the ground Covertonii in North America. It prefers full sunlight and well drained soil.
One of my favorite landscaping plants is the Purple Coneflower. It comes from the wilds of Northern India and China. It has been known to attract butterflies and birds due to its dainty flowers. It can be found in different colors depending on the species. If you want a bright sunny landscape, this would be the plant for you.
These are just some of the low maintenance landscaping plants that will add a lot of color and beauty to your landscape. Before deciding on one, consider what you need the plant for and how much maintenance you can give it. Your landscaping will look amazing and be the envy of everyone on your block. Good Luck!