For many of us, gardening is a form of self-care, meditation, exploration, and relaxation. Often called a "happy place," the garden is a place for us to slow down and enjoy the serenity of nature. And some gardeners enjoy spending hours fussing, pruning, feeding, and watering. However, it's safe to say that many of us don't want to add more tasks to our "to-do" list. We also don't want to add stress to our busy lives. We enjoy a more relaxed approach to enjoying the beauty of nature in our gardens.
(Above) Hardy, low-maintenance flowers and plants, including coneflowers, montbretia, catmint, and ornamental grasses, surround this gold-winning "Meadow View" design by Jim Douthit. Photo courtesy of APLD.
We've compiled a list of nearly 30 beautiful, easy-to-grow plants. This will help you take the stress out of gardening and get the most out of your happy place. Whether you're new to gardening or consider yourself an expert, you'll love the easy beauty of these low-maintenance plants.
Our list of favorites includes easy-care flowering perennials and shrubs that offer dynamic color, form, and durability. There's something here for everyone; we include options for Zones 4-11.
Find more easy-care plants for your specific conditions by using the My Plantfinder tool. Then select "Easy Care" in the "Special Feature" filter. Remember to sign up for the Grow Beautifully newsletter. Here you'll get design inspiration, garden tips, how-tos, and first access to new, exclusive plants.
Pictured here: A delightful low-maintenance shrub or small tree with feathery plumes, dark foliage, and artful branching. Grace Smoke Tree performs in a variety of conditions, including rocky, infertile soils. Other low-maintenance plants seen here include lamb's ear, sedum, thrift, and hosta.
Low-Maintenance Flowers
A beautiful garden isn't complete until you add dramatic color, intriguing texture, and pollinator-friendly nectar. Our favorite low-maintenance flowers have it all! Easy-care perennials require little maintenance when it comes to pruning, watering, feeding, or soil conditions. Most perennials do appreciate a once-a-year pruning and compost application. You can also deadhead spent blooms if you want to encourage consistent blooming. These gorgeous flowers do require a touch more maintenance than flowering shrubs (see our favorite selections further down). However, they offer dependable beauty year after year, providing colorful interest to borders, beds, and landscapes of all kinds.
Pictured here: A low-maintenance, pollinator-friendly, and colorful wildflower garden with Blue Boa Agastache, coneflowers, and coreopsis.
Hardy perennials that grow easily in cooler zones. These include coneflower, coreopsis, Texas yucca, sedum, heuchera, hellebore, beardtongue, cold-hardy salvia, and daylily (which also grow in warm climates). Our warm-zone favorites include easy-going beauties like montbretia, agapanthus, cape fuchsia, salvia, kangaroo paw, and of course, the beloved bougainvillea.
Take a look below to find exceptional selections of these already outstanding low-maintenance plants.
Easy-Care Perennials for Zones 4-8
Evolution™ Colorific™
Coneflower
A bright-green central cone accents the center of every bloom, framed by dense petals in a palette of pink. Sturdy stems and lush foliage serve as a beautiful backdrop. Especially to the continuous profusion of blooms from late spring through fall. Adaptable to a variety of soils and waterwise once established. Up to 20" tall, 18" wide. Zones 4-9.
Explore the Evolution coneflower collection to see additional vibrant color choices.
Sunstar™ Gold
Coreopsis
A well-behaved, easy-care perennial that's a must-have for the low-maintenance garden. Molten-gold flowers with large, deep-red centers smother the feathery, mildew-resistant foliage all summer long. This drought-tolerant and adaptable plant attracts butterflies, too. Up to 24" tall, 30" wide. Zones 4-9.
Stoplights
Red Yucca
A compact yucca-like plant with soft, green leaves. Both the flowers and the tall stalks are stunning crimson-red. The tubular flowers are a favorite of hummingbirds and many pollinators. This desert plant thrives in poor soils and hot, arid climates. Up to 3' tall, 2' wide. Zones 5-11.
Evolution™ Purple
Crush Sedum
Another low-water, low-maintenance perennial that can handle tough growing conditions. This exclusive variety was bred for its vigorous basal branching that doesn't fall open like other tall sedums. Distinctive blue-green foliage has a deep purple hue. Pink flowers attract pollinators. Up to 15" tall and wide. Zones 4-9.
Sirens' Song™ Dark n' Bright
Heuchera
A captivating variety that sends up sprays of hummingbird-attracting hot-pink blooms in late spring. The bright flowers pop against the deep, dark, fade-resistant foliage. This hardy perennial is perfect for the shady garden. Up to 18" tall, 15" wide. Zones 4-9.
Ice N' Roses® Red
Hellebore
This impressive new hybrid has perked up the traditional drooping flowers of hellebores with blooms facing outwards, and even upwards, to greet the spring. A delightful cool-season bloomer, a wonderful addition to lightly to deeply shaded beds. Up to 2' tall and wide. Zones 5-9.
Harlequin™ Purple
Beardtongue
Showy, long-blooming, and abundant spikes of large purple flowers provide nectar for bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds. Plus a vibrant pop of color to perennial borders, rock gardens, containers, and flower arrangements. This exclusive variety is vigorous, bushy, compact, and waterwise once established. Zones 5-9.
Easy-Care Perennials Zones 7-10
Titan Skye™
Daylily
An exceptional reblooming daylily, with a compact habit and long-lasting blooms. Huge burnt-orange flowers have exceptionally frilly edges and a bright yellow eye. Tolerates a vast range of climates, soils, and conditions. Does well in warm climates and is also very cold hardy. Up to 18" tall and wide. Zones 4-11.
Discover more Skye daylilies in shades of yellows, purples, and pinks.
Dark Fire
Montbretia
Truly unique and eye-catching! Smokey purple-green foliage gives this plant a moody air before going ablaze with red and yellow bi-color flowers in summer. A vigorous, clump-forming perennial that hummingbirds adore. Extremely low maintenance in gardens that get more reliable rainfall. Zones 6-9.
Bridal Veil®
Agapanthus
Clusters of big pure-white flowers are held on shorter stems above wide, strap-like leaves. Both foliage and blooms are densely held, making for a wonderfully compact plant. The smaller size is great for containers or for massing in the front of perennial beds. Reaches only 1' tall and wide. Zones 7-11.
Colorburst™ Orange
Cape Fuchsia
A profusion of dangling, tubular, bright-orange flowers steals the show from midsummer to fall, providing nectar for butterflies and hummingbirds. The bushy, upright habit looks great with very little effort. Up to 3' tall, 2' wide, gently spreading wider by underground stems. Zones 6-10.
VIBE® Ignition
Purple Salvia
A humidity-, heat- and drought-tolerant selection of an already very tough perennial. This petite sage bursts in dark purple buds that open to vibrant purple flowers all summer long. Perfect for borders, containers, and wildlife or cutting gardens. Up to 24" tall and wide. Zones 7-11.
Celebrations™ Fireworks
Kangaroo Paw
This tough, durable, drought-resistant perennial provides vibrant color unlike any other with clusters of fuzzy flowers in teal and green with a hot pink base. An excellent, long-lasting cut flower. Great for adding color and texture to borders and containers. Up to 16" tall, 20" wide. Zones 9-11.
Purple Queen®
Bougainvillea
A gorgeous selection of a beloved easy-care warm-climate favorite. With rich purple petal-like bracts that pop against the deep green foliage. The compact, upright, and spreading form makes it perfect for planter boxes, fences, and arbors. Climbs to 15' with support. 11.5' tall and 8' wide as a groundcover. Zones 10-11.
Low-Maintenance Shrubs
There's nothing better than fuss-free flowering shrubs when it comes to easy, colorful beauty in the garden. To achieve an award-winning look without the work, look for disease-resistant flowering shrubs. Ones that don't require consistent pruning, watering, or feeding.
Our dependable favorites for cooler climates include varieties of bluebeard, Spirea, sand cherry, lilac, potentilla, and viburnum. And, not all roses are low-maintenance. Although, you'll find Nitty Gritty™ and Grace N' Grit™ roses to be incredibly tough and easy to grow. Warm-climate favorites that won't disappoint include crape myrtle, Indian hawthorn, cotoneaster, abelia, pineapple guava, false heather, and hebe. You'll find stand-out selections of these easy-going yet beautiful shrubs below.
(Above) Petite Pillar™ Dwarf Boxwoods and Blackhawks Big Bluestem grass add low-maintenance structure in front of the vibrant, easy-care Nitty Gritty™ Pink Roses in a sleek container.
Easy-Care Flowering Shrubs for Zones 4-8
Nitty Gritty™
Pink Rose
If you've been writing roses off because of their high-maintenance reputation, it's time to bring a Nitty Gritty Rose home. These durable, own-root, fuss-free groundcover roses offer excellent disease resistance and a self-cleaning easy-to-care-for habit. Magenta-pink double blooms provide vibrant warm-season color and are the perfect option for low-maintenance curb appeal. Up to 3' tall, 4' wide. Zones 4-9.
The Nitty Gritty Rose collection also includes selections in peach, white, red, and yellow. If you're looking for a taller low-maintenance shrub rose, take a look at the Grace N' Grit™ Rose collection.
Darkstar® Purple Leaf
Sand Cherry
An improved, compact variety of sand cherry. It is known to be a beautiful low-maintenance plant for just about any garden. Dark foliage doesn't fade in the heat of the summer. White-pink flowers smother it in spring before the foliage emerges. Up to 5' tall, 4' wide. Zones 3-9.
Chateau® de Versailles
Rose of Sharon
The large, showy, blue-violet flowers will cover the stems from top to bottom, each featuring a deep red-violet center and a prominent stamen. Its height and scale, long bloom season, and attractive green foliage are ideal for providing high impact in borders and island beds. Up to 6' tall, 4' wide. Zones 5-9.
Little Darling®
Lilac
A fragrant lilac that is rare in its twice-annual bloom and neat, compact shape. Large clusters of lilac flowers bloom in spring and again in fall. This easy-care favorite is drought-tolerant once established. Up to 4' tall and wide. Zones 4-8.
Butterscotch Baby™
Spirea
Spireas are well-known to be tough, adaptable, and drought-tolerant shrubs that thrive in a wide spectrum of conditions. This exceptionally compact variety provides three seasons of color. Foliage is a beautiful, deep caramel color when first emerging in spring, and again in fall. In between, pink summer blooms attract pollinators. Reaches only 18" tall, 24" wide. Zones 4-9.
Gingersnap™
Potentilla
A unique and gorgeous selection of a flowering shrub that is beloved for its reliable hardiness. The stunning flowers bloom in ombre shades of yellow and apricot all summer long without fading. This highly adaptable shrub is drought-tolerant when established and perfect for minimal-care gardens. Up to 3' tall and wide. Zones 3-8.
Early Evolution
Hydrangea
Perhaps the most unique panicle hydrangea on the market. The flower color evolution begins earlier than others, with buds forming in late spring. Flowers start lime-white before turning pure white, then blush as they age, ending up dark pink in September; five months of blooms! With very compact growth, it requires no more than a quick deadhead. Reaches 2' tall and wide. Zones 4-9.
Easy-Care Flowering Shrubs for Zones 7-10
Summerlasting™ Strawberry
Crape Myrtle
Dense, bright-pink blooms cover this low-maintenance shrub in summer, making for a dramatic display that attracts butterflies, bees, and hummingbirds. A compact, dwarf variety that's perfect for smaller landscapes. Plant en masse for a vibrant swath of color. Waterwise once established. Up to 3' tall and wide. Zones 7-10.
Want the same performance in a different color? Check out the other colors of Summerlasting Crape Myrtle.
Majestic Beauty®
Indian Hawthorn
A versatile and easy-to-grow evergreen shrub with glossy foliage and huge clusters of fragrant, pink flowers that bloom in spring. A favorite for locations where other shrubs can't handle the heat. That large size makes it useful as a background shrub, privacy screen, or small tree. Waterwise once established. Up to 25' tall and 10' wide. Zones 7-11.
Nuccio's Gem
Camellia
Sparkling white, formal, double blooms contrast well with the glossy, dark green foliage. This mid-season bloomer is a prized plant of the milder regions of the U.S. Once established in a shady garden, its care needs are minimal. Reaches 6' to 8' tall and wide, larger with age. Zones 8-10.
Angel's Blush
Abelia
Small green and white variegated leaves take on a rose-pink hue in cold weather. White summer blooms are loved by hummingbirds. Use in shrub borders or as a single potted specimen on a balcony or terrace. Very compact, tidy growth mean little pruning is needed. 2' tall, 3' wide. Zones 6-9.
Double Shot® Salmon
Azalea
A beautiful reblooming variety, its self-cleaning nature means more flowers with less work. This compact, vigorous, evergreen shrub with dense, dark green foliage is both cold hardy and heat tolerant. Excellent as a container specimen or landscape accent, or for a showy mass planting. Up to 3 ft. tall and wide. Zones 6-9.
Grace N' Grit™ Yellow
Shrub Rose
Upright bouquets of gorgeous, clean, yellow, double roses on a fuss-free shrub that will endure the trials of a long, hot summer with an unwavering blooming zeal. This own-root rose has outstanding disease resistance, is self-cleaning, and has proven to thrive coast to coast in heat and humidity as well as dry, hot summers. 5' tall, 4' wide. Zones 4-9.
Surf™ Break
Hebe
A compact selection with variegated creamy yellow and green foliage and purple-pink new growth. Soft pink flower spikes add interest summer to fall. A wonderful addition to a rock garden or border front. A perfect size for containers. Up to 20" tall and wide. Zones 8-9.
Learn More About Growing Beautiful, Low-Maintenance Plants
- Sign up for our Grow Beautifully newsletter to get design inspiration, garden tips, how-tos, and first access to new, exclusive plants.
- Show us your favorite low-maintenance plant on social media by tagging @MonroviaPlants.
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- Heat-Tolerant Plants: Cool shades for hot gardens
- Best Pollinator Plants
- Bold and Beautiful Drought-Tolerant Plants
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- Using Layers to Wow in a Low-Water Shade Garden
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