Top 10 Low Maintenance Garden Ideas

Having a beautiful garden is a dream for many, but the upkeep can be tough. Not everyone has a lot of spare time to dedicate to their outdoor areas. From planting and lawn maintenance to garden landscaping, it can sometimes take a lot of work to keep your garden in good shape.

These 10 low maintenance garden ideas can help you save time, exercise sustainability, and limit the amount of future upkeep required by your garden. Most importantly, these ideas could help you spend more time enjoying your garden and less time looking after it!

1. Choose Perennials Over Annuals

If you have started your journey into the world of gardening already, you may recognise the terms ‘perennials’ and ‘annuals’, but what exactly do they mean?
Annuals can be quickly summed up as plants that flower and die in one season. On the other hand, Perennials can come back season after season.

From Artemisia, to Hydrangea, Irises, Lilies, Peonies and Salvia, the list of low maintenance perennial plants is extensive.

One of the biggest advantages of perennials is of course the fact that they do not need to be replanted every year. Their longevity and suitability for various climates and garden styles make them perfect for a low maintenance garden.
Annual plants tend to all bloom within the same period but if you plan your garden landscaping correctly, you can stagger the blooming of your perennial garden to get flowers for most of the year.
Perennials tend to do best when planted in the autumn or spring. Browse our range of outdoor plants and get those seeds in the ground!

2. Incorporate Mulching

What is mulch? In short, mulch is any material used to cover soil’s surface.

Not only can mulching improve the overall aesthetics of your garden but incorporating mulching into your garden can have a multitude of benefits. Different types of soils can have different needs, and mulches are great for helping regulate soil temperature and protecting your soil as a whole.
From weed suppression to moisture retention, mulches can offer quite a helping hand to your low maintenance garden.

Mulching should be done after weeding and is best done in either spring or autumn. If mulching in spring, be sure not to do it too early and bury any emerging plants accidentally. Mulching in the autumn, however, is great for conserving moisture and protecting soil from harsh winter temperatures! Explore our range of compost and bark to find the perfect mulching option for your garden.

3. Use Drought Resistant Plants

Choosing drought-resistant plants for your garden is a sustainable and practical way to ensure that your garden can flourish even without a regular watering schedule.
Not only do they require less watering, but overall, they are incredibly well-suited for living in various environments. Thriving with minimal care, these plants can make your easy garden dreams a reality.

From lavender, aster, coneflower to verbena, sage, geranium and yarrow, there are plenty of drought resistant plant options that serve simple garden ideas with major rewards.
It is best to plant small specimens at a time so they’re gradually accustomed to their environment. Any silver leafed plants are best planted in April so that their roots are well established by the time winter arrives.

4. Opt for Ground Covers

Ground covers are great for preventing weeds and reducing the need for regular lawn maintenance. They can help fill gaps and thrive in tricky areas where other plants will struggle to grow, creating a lush green look with minimal effort.

Once established ground covers are fantastic for a low maintenance garden as they need very little tending to and also provide a great base for taller plant varieties to flourish in.

Flowers like carpet roses, bellflowers and hardy geraniums are great ground covers that look good in almost all planting styles. 
Quick Tip:  Weed the area thoroughly before planting, as doing so afterwards is very difficult.

5. Install Automated Irrigation Systems

Automated irrigation systems are great at saving you time while also ensuring your plants receive consistent watering without manual labour.

Drip irrigation is great for flower beds, vegetable gardens and shrubbery. It is typically made up of a series of tubes that send a steady and controlled flow of water directly to the roots of your plants. Because they are placed on or in the soil, the water supply is immediate and allows for better absorption, promoting healthy plant life.

Sprinkler irrigation on the other hand is better used for broad or irregular lawn maintenance. It is designed to mimic rainfall, by spraying water in the air to fall on the plants below.

Choosing the right system for your garden can be tricky, so make sure to assess the area and your plant's specific needs before making any decisions. Explore our garden watering options to find the best fit for your garden.

6. Incorporate Composite Decking for a Modern Look

Deckings are a great addition to any garden, they create a special place for socialising and relaxing. Composite decking is great for a low maintenance garden as it’s more durable and weather-resistant than its traditional wooden counterpart. It also requires very little upkeep and generally just looks great!

Composite decking can be easily cleaned with soap and water and requires no painting or staining. As a result, it has become a very popular garden design idea in recent years.

For best results, ensure you choose high quality composite decking materials  and a deck that compliments the features, design and layout of your garden.

7. Switch to Artificial Grass

There are plenty of reasons why artificial grass is an excellent addition to your low maintenance garden. Aesthetically, modern artificial grass looks just as good as the most well-maintained lawns. The difference is that these require little to none of the attention and effort the real ones do.

Artificial grass eliminates the need for mowing, watering and fertilising. Making it the perfect solution for busy homeowners. It is extremely durable and can withstand harsh weather conditions. Providing a lush, green look all year round.

Selecting high-quality artificial grass and ensuring you install it properly will result in a long-lasting, low maintenance lawn for years to come. Make sure to check out our top tips on how to lay artificial grass for best results.

8. Use Gravel or Stone Pathways

Gravel and stone pathways can add a huge amount of texture and visual appeal to any back garden designs. The best part is once they are implemented the maintenance of keeping them so appealing is very low in comparison to traditional lawns or paved paths.

The wide range of decorative gravel and stone, in various colours and shapes also allows you to really get creative with its installation.

High quality gravel requires minimal upkeep and can be quick and easy to install. From rock gardens to intricate pathways, the options are endless and cost effective too, especially when sourced locally!

9. Incorporate Containers and Raised Beds

For many gardeners growing space is limited, incorporating raised beds and containers is an easy way to pack lots of plants into a small area. By creating artistically designed raised garden beds, you can also create an attractive focal point in your garden.

Not only that, but these raised beds allow you to control your soil quality, ensuring a nutrient-rich environment for your plants. This means that you benefit from reduced weeds. For practical advice on what tools are needed for maintaining raised beds, check out our Guide to Garden Hand Tools.

A wide variety of styles and materials can be used to create these raised beds. Wood, bricks, logs, concrete, straw bales or palettes - it’s up to you to get creative! Using durable, high-quality timber is always a good option.

The added control over the soil quality of these beds can make them perfect for planting your favourite vegetables and herbs. A border of marigolds surrounding these would also attract beneficial insects, eliminating other pests in the garden and increasing pollination for your plants.

10. Add Low Maintenance Water Features

Anyone looking for garden inspiration will likely consider a good water feature.
Water features such as fountains or small ponds can enhance your garden's aesthetics without requiring extensive ongoing care or attention.

Low maintenance water features can invite local wildlife into your garden. From birds to butterflies, once you install a water feature in your garden, you will notice a huge increase in visits from beneficial wildlife of all shapes and sizes.

Not only this, but water features can provide calming sounds and sights within your garden, promoting relaxation and stress reduction. You can even increase their aesthetics further by adding lighting. 

Transform Your Garden with Ease

Implementing any of these 10 low maintenance garden ideas can help you create a beautiful, stress-free outdoor space for your home. The ease of upkeep for these ideas can also ensure that your beautiful outdoor space will last for a long time to come!

Shop online or visit your local store today to pick up the right supplies and explore our Ideas & Advice page for more great gardening tips.