Low Maintenance Gardening Tips

​Gardening can become a chore for those who are time poor, but there are ways to reduce the time and effort it takes to keep the garden looking good all year round.  When i visit new clients to discuss their needs for their gardens and look at how i can design or enhance their spaces to fulfil their requirements, one of the first questions i ask is how much time they can devote to looking after the plants, lawns and hedges and so on so that i can tailor the design to suit.
From my experience it is often the lawn which requires most care during the spring and summer as it grows abundantly and needs a trim every week or two.   Some planting demands deadheading and regular trimming to keep it in shape and then hedges need a haircut once or twice during the year to keep them looking at their best.  For some it is weeding which takes up so much of their time and it is difficult to keep on top of the weeds if they are allowed to run riot early in the season.......

There are ways to reduce the ongoing maintenance in the garden but ‘no maintenance’ is improbable if you would like a space which is a joy to look at too!
Key tips for low maintenance planting:
Chose well behaved evergreen shrubs when considering planting, to give all year round structure. Eg. Hebes, Choisya, Euonymous, Buxus, Skimmia
Select dwarf and compact forms of plants so that they don’t over grow their space and can be easily trimmed without the need for a ladder or long handled equipment. E.g Choisya ‘White Dazzler’
Look for plant varieties which are repeat flowerers so you get a long period of colour without much effort – e.g Geranium Rozanne will flower from June – September without any deadheading or trimming.
Select the right plant for the right place – Plants always look healthier and grow better if they are sited in an appropriate situation.  If you have a sunny garden make sure you buy plants which are suited to that aspect - some shade loving plants will soon look tatty in a sunny spot.
Use ground covering plants to spread beneath shrubs and trees to reduce the emergence of weeds. E.g Heuchera, Tiarella, Geranium ‘Spessart’
Membrane and a covering mulch of wood chip or gravel stops weeds growing in newly planted areas. Lay the membrane on the prepared soil and cut crosses through to enable planting. Cover with mulch and water the plants well.  A word of warning through – Black birds love to flick through wood chip and bark looking for insects and it often makes it’s way on to the lawn causing difficulties during mowing.
Start again with the planting – this gives the opportunity to remove thuggish and overgrown plants and start a fresh with plants chosen to give interest throughout the year without high demands on time.  Clearing out a border allows invasive weeds to be tackled thoroughly once and for all before the new plants are added.  Well worth the work to get a new easily tamed look.  
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I hope i have given you some ideas for reducing maintenance in your garden. If you are in need of further help to create a manageable garden space, i’d be happy to help. I offer a bespoke service from consultations through to full design packages. Take a look at my website for more details  Garden Design Services  Planting Design  or give me a ring on 07506 750250. 

Author: Bel Grierson

Expert Plantswoman and Garden Designer with 20 years experience in horticulture.  Bel loves to share her knowledge and enthusiasm with those with gardens large and small.

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