Our 5 Favorite Easy to Care for Plants
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- February 3, 2021
Whether you’re a beginner or an expert, every gardener can appreciate a plant that is easy to care for. Low maintenance plants are perfect for those just dabbling in the world of gardening and those who just want to spend more time relaxing in and enjoying their garden and less time trying to care for and maintain it. We’ve gathered a list of 5 of our favorite easy to care for outdoor plants that are perfect for gardeners of any skill level; we hope you love them just as much as we do.
1. Sedum
Sedum or stonecrop, as many gardeners have come to know it by is an easy-care ground cover perfect for gardeners of any skill level, but it’s especially forgiving for beginner gardeners. Sedum thrives in heat, humidity and does well with very little water. Perfect for those with dry soils, those who experience periods of drought, or those who just forget to water their plants often. It is one of those “plant it and forget it” plants, meaning you won’t have much to worry about once it gets settled into your garden or your container. It’s quick growing and perfect for transforming neglected or hard to grow in spaces in your landscape, or if you’re short on space, it’s the perfect perennial for transforming containers. While sedum may be remarkably easy to care for, it certainly doesn’t lack good looks and garden appeal. Depending on the sedum you choose, you can enjoy bright yellow foliage, pops of pink, or lush green leaves. Did we mention sedum gets topped with delicate flowers in summer? Year after year we’re reminded why gardeners everywhere love this low-maintenance succulent; its ease of care and good looks keep us adding it to our collection time and time again. Sedum is nearly impossible to kill!
What Are Our Favorite Sedums?
Sunsparkler® ‘ Dream Dazzler’ sedum (Sedum sp.) is a fan favorite over here at Great Garden Plants, and for a good reason. Its durable foliage is a rich purple hue, with its scalloped edges lined with the perfect pink shade. We find this sedum adds just the right amount of color to the garden.
We’re also big fans of ‘Lidakense’ (Sedum sp.). Its leaves are a unique blue and form to create a fountain-like habit. Pair ‘Lidakense’ with other sedums, or try adding it to mixed containers with sempervivum or ice plants to make a lush blanket of unique foliage, texture, and color!
2. Hosta
When it comes to low-maintenance outdoor plants, hosta is a garden staple for gardeners everywhere, especially those whose gardens and yards are filled with shade. Sometimes called plantain lily, hostas are perfect for adding color to shaded and woodland gardens; hosta provides interest with little effort. Hosta comes in all shapes and sizes, from ‘Waterslide’ hosta (Hosta hybrid) with its rich blue-green wavy leaves to ‘Blue Mouse Ears’ miniature hosta (Hosta x), a small hosta that adds the perfect amount of charm to small spaces. Hostas foliage steals the show all season long, but come summer, each hosta plant will be graced with icy-purple flowers (sometimes near white), giving this plant an encore performance in the garden. Plus, hummingbirds adore these cheery blooms. If you’ve had slug issues in the past with hosta, be sure to look for varieties with thick foliage as this provides added slug resistance, ensuring your plant stays attractive and pest-free all season long.
Hostas With Improved Slug-Resistance Include:
3. Panicle Hydrangea
Hydrangeas are up on the list of “favorite flowering shrubs” for many gardeners, us included. While there are six different hydrangea types, Panicle Hydrangea, sometimes known as peegee hydrangea or Limelight hydrangea, is by far one of the easiest hydrangeas to care for. While this hydrangea may look daunting to care for, it’s remarkably easy to grow! Add its hardiness into the mix, and you’ve got a shrub that will produce a bounty of blooms, even after harsh winters.
Our favorite panicle hydrangeas include: ‘Limelight’ Hydrangea (Hydrangea paniculata) and Zinfin Doll® panicle hydrangea (Hydrangea paniculata), amongst others. While both plants boast panicle hydrangeas football-shaped and sized blooms, ‘Limelight’ features creamy green flowers that age to a rich red, and Zinfin Doll® white blooms quickly take on pink tones, creating an ombré effect.
And don’t worry, pruning your panicle hydrangea is easier than you think! Simply cut back by about one-third of its total height in spring.
4. Ornamental Grasses
Ornamental grasses are versatile perennials and perfect for gardeners seeking plants that add drama and interest to their landscape without much work. Low effort, big impact! Ornamental grasses are perfect for adding multi-season color, texture, and appeal to your garden; they can also add some privacy- an added bonus.
If you’re looking for an easy-to-care-for plant that also looks great all year round, ornamental grasses are your best bet; check out our favorite grasses for winter interest. Some of these grasses, like ‘Karley Rose’ fountain grass are deer resistant!
Our Favorite Ornamental Grasses:
5. Roses
Suprise, you read that right; roses made our list of easy to care for plants! Not all roses are created equally, though, and in our opinion, one series of roses reigns supreme, at least when it comes to ease of care. That series would come from Proven Winners® Color Choice® and their Oso Easy® roses. While roses are often thought of as hard to care for, Oso Easy roses break that mold while maintaining the classic beauty you’ve come to know and expect from roses. Coming in a range of colors, from classic reds and pinks to a yellow rose that doesn’t fade, there is a rose in this series for every gardener.
So What Makes These Roses So Easy To Care For?
First, there is no spraying required. It’s typically recommended for gardeners to spray roses to protect against pests, such as aphids. Lucky for you, Oso Easy roses maintain their good looks all season long, spray-free. Next up, Oso Easy roses don’t require deadheading. Rose lovers everywhere no longer need to spend time plucking off spent blooms; Oso Easy roses are self cleaners. They clear off their old flowers to make room for new ones all on their own. To make this series of roses even better, they are highly disease resistant, making them practically worry-free.
Prepare to enjoy their bright blooms all season long as these reblooming roses produce an abundance of flowers. Oso Easy roses are a great low maintenance option for just about any gardener!
Plants For Gardeners Of Every Skill Level
This selection of plants is perfect for gardeners of any skill level. Whether you’re just starting your gardening journey, have been gardening for years, or somewhere in between, every gardener can benefit from adding a few easy-care plants to their landscape. They add interest without adding extra work, and it’s a win-win. In our opinion, the best type of garden is the one that you have time to enjoy, and adding a few of these low-maintenance plants may just give you the extra time to enjoy your garden without the worry of how you’ll care for it. For every gardener out there, even those who forget about watering their plants on occasion, we encourage adding a few of these plants to your landscape. If you do, we’d love to hear what you think!
Are you a beginner gardener or just looking for even easier to care for plants? You’re in luck; we’ve curated an entire collection of plants that are great for those just starting their gardens or those just looking for something simple to grow.
Explore The Collection Below:
Written by: Miranda Niemic, click here to read bio.
Questions, comments, or concerns? Let us know! We have an experienced, knowledgeable staff ready to make sure your garden turns out perfect. Or check out our other blogs, here.
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