Are you looking for some quick, low maintenance plants to make the curb appeal of your home really pop? There are dozens of low-maintenance shrubs, plants, and trees you can plant that will help create a professional-looking appearance in your yard without the need for constant maintenance.
The first thing you'll need to consider is the amount of sunlight your yard gets and which areas, if any, are dominated by shade. Individual plants and vegetation will have varying needs when it comes to light and moisture, so taking the time to select the appropriate plant for your yard conditions will put you on a path to DIY landscaping success.
ORNAMENTAL GRASSES
Ornamental grass, like ribbon grass, thrives in moist soil and partial sunlight, but will also grow in full shade or sun. This versatile plant can be used to create borders on your beds or walkways or even steep terrain. Plus, since it rarely grows above 1 foot tall, you won't have to worry about trimming it.
BARBERRY SHRUBS
These attractive shrubs are a fantastic landscaping choice for many reasons besides their relatively low maintenance. They are deer resistant and drought tolerant with deciduous leaves that change from orange to chartreuse as seasons progress. Although this shrub is dense and may require occasional trimming to the desired shape, many homeowners find their thorny stems help improve their home security. If you’re planning to plant these, the best locations are in partial or full sun as well as moist soil. Be sure to check with your local extension service before planting as some varieties of barberry are considered invasive and may not be grown in some states.
TEXAS RANGER
If you're looking to impress your neighbors with something that looks beautiful but doesn't tie you up with maintenance, you'd be hard-pressed to find a better plant than the Texas Ranger. This beautiful plant can survive on very little water, so all you'll need to do is plant it in full sunlight and water occasionally during hot summer months or drought.
YEW
Many people plant Yew shrubs along borders and entryways because they look great year-round, have a high tolerance for drought, and can be planted in almost any type of soil. Plant in partial to full sunlight for the best results.
JUNIPER
This hearty shrub looks great and requires almost no maintenance on your part. You'll enjoy the yellow-green foliage in spring months as they give way to a deeper bronze tone in the fall and winter. These plants can be pruned to fit the look and feel of your yard or you can let them grow free.
HAWTHORN TREE
Hawthorns are native to parts of the U.S. with brilliant leaves that turn purple to red in the autumn. Attractive white blooms in the spring give way to orange-red fruits making for a year-round, attractive addition to your yard. These hearty trees can tolerate urban pollution, partial shade, and drought. They should be planted in full sunlight and well-drained soil.
BERGENIA
Bergenia are great because they can grow in sunny as well as shaded conditions with beautiful pink blooms and large leaves to add beauty to your yard. We should note that for a better chance of multicolored blooms, these should be planted in full sun.
CREEPING PLANTS
Plants like Ivy and Ajuga are great for creating large swaths of low-maintenance ground cover. Not only do they look great, but their leaves and creeping nature mean that they suppress weeds wherever they are planted. One caution is that they will spread if you don't prune and control them semi-regularly.
PEONY
With giant and fragrant spring blooms, it's hard to beat the Peony when it comes to beautiful flowers. These hardy plants can be cut down to the ground in the fall and will come back strong as ever again next spring. Plant them 1-2 inches down in areas that get full morning sun and afternoon shade for best results.
PERIWINKLE
These low-maintenance flowering plants are great for boosting the color in your beds and will also help control weeds. Plant these and you'll be enjoying purple blooms throughout the spring and summer months.
