Landscaping doesn’t have to mean constant pruning, watering, and worrying. In fact, choosing the best low maintenance landscape plants can save you time, money, and weekend headaches—while still making your yard look amazing. Whether you’re planting a new bed, refreshing an old one, or just want to spend less time doing yard work, these reliable plants deliver big beauty with minimal effort.
Let’s dive into the top picks that thrive with less fuss.
What Makes a Plant “Low Maintenance”?
Low maintenance plants don’t ask for much. They grow well in average soil, can handle dry spells, resist pests, and don’t need constant trimming to look good. That means fewer tasks for you—and more time to enjoy your yard instead of working in it.
1. Boxwood (Buxus spp.)
Type: Evergreen Shrub
Boxwoods are a classic for a reason. They’re evergreen, so you get year-round structure, and they grow in neat, tidy shapes that rarely need pruning. Plant them along walkways, in foundation beds, or even in containers near your front door.
Pro tip: Choose a compact variety like ‘Green Velvet’ or ‘Winter Gem’ to reduce the need for shaping.
2. Catmint (Nepeta spp.)
Type: Perennial
This plant is a pollinator magnet and a champion bloomer. Once it’s in the ground, catmint needs very little from you. It thrives in full sun, tolerates drought, and blooms from late spring to early fall with soft lavender-blue flowers.
Bonus: Deer and rabbits tend to leave it alone.
3. Black-Eyed Susan (Rudbeckia ‘Goldsturm’)
Type: Perennial
Tough, cheerful, and made for repeat performances, Black-Eyed Susans bloom for weeks. They love full sun, can handle dry conditions, and come back year after year. These golden yellow flowers brighten any landscape and blend well with other perennials.
Maintenance tip: Deadhead spent flowers if you want more blooms, or let them go to seed to feed birds.
4. Feather Reed Grass (‘Karl Foerster’)
Type: Ornamental Grass
Want something vertical, elegant, and completely stress-free? This grass is it. It grows in tidy clumps and adds movement and height to beds without spreading aggressively. It stays upright even in rain and snow, giving your garden winter interest too.
To-do: Cut back in early spring before new growth starts.
5. Coral Bells (Heuchera spp.)
Type: Perennial
If you need a pop of color in a shady spot, coral bells deliver. Their foliage comes in purples, silvers, reds, and greens, and they’re great for edging or underplanting. They’re also drought-tolerant once established.
Bonus: They pair beautifully with hostas and ferns for a layered look.
6. Knock Out® Roses
Type: Flowering Shrub
Traditional roses can be needy. Knock Out® Roses are not. These shrubs bloom nonstop from late spring until frost, resist disease, and rarely need fussing. Just plant them in a sunny spot and enjoy the color.
Quick care: Prune lightly in early spring to keep them looking full.
7. Spirea (Spiraea japonica)
Type: Deciduous Shrub
Spirea is the kind of plant you can forget about—and it will still perform. It tolerates heat, poor soil, and pruning (or no pruning at all). You get clusters of small, colorful flowers in spring or summer, depending on the variety.
Landscape tip: Use it in mass plantings or as a foundation shrub.
8. Hostas (Hosta spp.)
Type: Perennial
No shade garden is complete without hostas. They come in all shapes, sizes, and leaf colors, and they’re incredibly dependable. Once planted, they spread slowly and return every spring without fail.
Maintenance note: Watch for slugs and give them some mulch—otherwise, they’re no trouble at all.
Tips for Designing with the Best Low Maintenance Landscape Plants
Group by sun and water needs. This helps plants thrive and cuts down on overwatering.
Use mulch. It retains moisture and keeps weeds down.
Choose the right spot. Even low maintenance plants need proper placement. Don’t put shade lovers in full sun or vice versa.
Go native when you can. Native plants are adapted to your local conditions and often require the least upkeep.
A Beautiful Yard Doesn’t Have to Be a Chore
Choosing the best low maintenance landscape plants is one of the smartest moves a homeowner can make. Not only do these plants save you time and effort, but they also create a polished, thriving landscape that enhances your home’s curb appeal.
Start small—replace a needy plant with one from this list, or build an entire bed with these reliable performers. You’ll spend less time maintaining and more time enjoying your outdoor space.
Want expert help choosing the right low maintenance plants for your yard? Contact us today—we’d love to help you design a landscape that’s easy to love and easy to live with.
Plant photos courtesy of our friends at RightPlantz
At Allentuck Landscaping Company, our mission is to create beautiful environments for people to enjoy. We see landscaping as a way to improve people’s lives.
The Allentuck Landscaping Company team has been delighting homeowners in Maryland, Washington DC and Northern Virginia for over 28 years with our turnkey approach to landscape design, installation, construction and maintenance. Most companies try to serve many types of customers at the same time; homeowners, shopping centers, office buildings and the list goes on. At Allentuck Landscaping Company, we focus on one customer, you, the homeowner. We have a singular focus on bringing you the best landscape practices, the best customer service, and the best value for your home.
Branches are drooping. Evergreens are buried. Your garden suddenly looks like it’s been flattened overnight. And the question hits fast: Does snow damage landscape plants? Sometimes yes. Often no.The real answer depends on what kind of snow you get, what plants you have, and whether you step in at the right moment—or make things worse by doing too much. Let’s break it down in a simple, homeowner-friendly way. Does Snow Damage Landscape Plants in Winter? Most of the time, snow
February is a crucial month for gardeners, making it the perfect time to focus on the top February garden tips to prepare for the upcoming spring season. While winter still lingers, small signs of new growth begin to appear, signaling that it’s time to start planning, pruning, and protecting your landscape. By tackling key gardening tasks now, you’ll set the stage for a vibrant and thriving garden in the months ahead. 1. Prune Trees and Shrubs: Top February Garden Tips
January marks the start of a new year, making it the perfect time to focus on the top January gardening tips for planning, preparing, and caring for your landscape during the quiet winter months. While most plants are dormant, there’s still plenty you can do to ensure a healthy and productive garden come spring. 1. Top January Gardening Tips for Pruning and Maintenance January is the ideal time for pruning deciduous trees and shrubs while they’re dormant: Remove Deadwood: Cut
Something big is happening out there, and it’s not subtle. Homeowners are rethinking yards — not as green fields to mow, but as spaces that work harder, feel better, and look unmistakably intentional. Welcome to the world of 2026 Landscape Trends, where beauty meets purpose and everyday life gets better outside. These aren’t wild ideas. They’re grounded in how people are actually using their outdoor spaces — from morning coffee to sunset gatherings. Let’s dive into six trends that are
They look wild. A little messy. Maybe even forgotten.And every winter, homeowners stare out the window and ask the same question: Should ornamental grasses be cut back in winter, or left alone? The answer isn’t a simple yes or no. It depends on what you want your landscape to do during the cold months—and how you want it to perform come spring. Cut too early and you can weaken the plant. Leave them too long without a plan and things
Winter landscaping ideas often get overlooked. It’s easy to assume your yard will look dull and lifeless once the leaves fall and snow starts to settle. But that’s just not true. You can have a beautiful, eye-catching landscape that shines through the quietest, coldest months. The key is knowing where to focus your efforts and what to plant, build, or highlight to keep your outdoor space alive with color, texture, and interest. Let’s break down some simple, practical winter landscaping
