Which shrubs require the least maintenance?
Written by
Nguyen Minh
Reviewed by
Prof. Martin Thorne, Ph.D.Low-maintenance shrubs provide an effortless transition from manicured gardens to self-sustaining landscapes that require minimal effort. These resilient plants will enhance your leisure time, allowing you to enjoy your garden throughout the year. Lavender and Barberry top the listing for hardy plants. With low-maintenance shrubs, achieving a beautiful result does not require total attention.
Lavender
- Fragrant oils naturally repel deer and insects
- Thrives in poor soil with excellent drainage
- Requires only annual pruning after flowering
Manzanita
- Adapts to rocky infertile soils without amendments
- Peeling red bark adds winter visual interest
- Native resilience eliminates fertilizer needs
Heavenly Bamboo
- Maintains neat shape without regular pruning
- Color-changing foliage provides seasonal interest
- Berry clusters persist through winter months
Barberry
- Thorny branches deter deer and trespassers
- Dwarf varieties stay compact naturally
- Tolerates urban pollution and neglect
These shrubs possess inherent defensive/adaptive traits that lessen the need for care. The fragrance of lavender is unappealing or masked to insects. Barberry's thorns are a physical barrier. Manzanita's waxy leaves prevent moisture loss. Heavenly Bamboo's sturdiness protects it from storms. Nature is doing your job of protecting your plants.
By strategically placing your shrubs, you can maximize their self-sufficiency. For example, group Lavender in full sun, particularly in sunny and well-drained areas, and avoid placing anything that competes with or shades the area. Place Manzanita to create a slope for water to run off naturally; Barberry can be placed along your property lines for security purposes. I actually group my Barberry near patios for fragrance!
Initially, there is a greater focus, but interest subsequently declines considerably. It is essential to keep the soil regularly moist by watering your new plants once a week during the first growing season to help them establish a deeper root system. You should also add some mulch around the base of your new plants to help deter weeds. After twelve months, the surviving plants become self-sufficient. For example, my Lavender now survives without any additional help from me.
The benefits of low maintenance extend to shrub planting design. Landscape shrubs form structured landscape elements that do not require any shaping. Lavender creates fragrant borders. Barberry makes colorful hedges. Heavenly Bamboo can be planted to use as a focal point in the landscape. Manzanita works beautifully as an anchor plant in rock gardens.
Read the full article: Top Drought Tolerant Shrubs for Every Garden
