If you have always wanted to garden but don’t think your green thumb has developed yet, or if you’d rather spend your time enjoying your outdoor space than tending to it regularly, this little read below is for you. It is the perfect starter kit for low-maintenance plants with your name on it.
To begin with, what are low-maintenance garden plants?
The meaning varies from person to person. To some, it might be drought-tolerant plants or even artificial such as synthetic turf and silk patio plants. To others, it can be just as simple as having an underground irrigation system to water plants for them. That being said, the one thing they all have in common is that they lessen the time spent on maintaining our yards.
If you’ve ever heard of the saying ‘all that shines isn’t gold,’ you’ll be surprised to learn that plants have their version. Some plants that look good and are seemingly simple to maintain are actually aggressive and challenging to keep up with over time.
When we look at low-maintenance plants, we think of choosing ones that need little to no care. Certain low-maintenance plants tend to be more aggressive than the average perennial and, if left unattended, can take over the garden, choking out other plants and even kill ornamental trees. These aggressive plants compete for soil nutrients, moisture, and growing space. After a few years, the lovely low-maintenance yard you wanted has turned into a lot of work.
Some examples of aggressive climbers that can be found in garden centres:
Many plants have been introduced to Canada because of their ornamental qualities. These plants can look beautiful in the garden, but some are classified as invasive species to BC. Plants such as Yellow Flag Iris, Ox-eye Daisy, and Himalayan Balsam are invasive and are more common in many of the older landscapes in our province.
If you would like to stay on top of your garden planning, here is an excellent BC-based informational website that will show you photos of invasive plants and what you can grow instead of them. All you need to do is type in ‘grow me instead.’
Low-maintenance plants need little care, pruning, or deadheading. Shrubs that qualify as low-maintenance are the ones that just require pruning once a year.
Evergreens such as Yews, Dwarf Pines, and Spruce. Deciduous shrubs like Potentilla, Spiraea and Burning Bush. All spring bulbs and ornamental grasses are low-maintenance. Perennials like Yuccas, Sedums and Yarrow are a good choice too.
Create a stunning garden with less effort! Say goodbye to constant upkeep. Our Kelowna-based team at Synergy specialize in easy-care plants, from beautiful shrubs to no-fuss perennials. Enjoy your outdoor space hassle-free. Reach out to us today for a low-maintenance paradise.