Best Low Maintenance Perennials for Busy Gardeners
Nicole Dillon celebrating Pumpkin Spice Latte Day!
So if you follow me on social you know that I celebrate PSL Day! 🎃(psst…that’s Pumpkin Spice Latte Day for those of you who aren’t in the know. PSL Day was yesterday! So go get you one!)☕ It’s an annual tradition for me to go and get a special Pumpkin Spice related beverage. My favorite is the Pumpkin Cream Cold Brew with no vanilla syrup. Why do I get so excited for this day every year? It’s August still…don’t rush summer you might say, but for me, it’s a sign that Fall is right around the corner. And Fall is my favorite season! Fall is planting season (📰News Flash: It’s Fall…not Spring)! Many people think that Fall is for clean-up and Spring is for planting, but the opposite is actually true. Leaving your plants as they are provides seeds for birds and small mammals and dried stems are nesting places for bees and beneficial insects. It is beneficial to plant in the Fall because plants can focus all of their energy on root growth and development without having to worry about pushing out leaves and flowers too.
Maintaining a beautiful garden shouldn’t feel like a full-time job, especially for busy gardeners. If you're feeling overwhelmed by planning and maintaining your garden, I offer personalized garden consulting services to help you choose the right low-maintenance plants for your space. Whether you need advice on soil conditions, garden design, or creating a sustainable, beautiful garden that thrives year after year, I'm here to guide you every step of the way. With my expertise, we'll create a perennial garden that fits your lifestyle—so you can spend less time working and more time enjoying your garden's beauty!
Low-maintenance perennials are a fantastic option for anyone seeking a vibrant garden with the least amount of maintenance. These hardy plants thrive in a variety of conditions, returning year after year with minimal care, all while delivering brilliant color, diverse textures, and even attracting pollinators. Here are some of the easiest perennials to grow that will keep your garden blooming from early spring to late winter with little effort. I've listed these plants first by their common name and their botanical name is in parentheses.
1. Black-Eyed Susan (Rudbeckia hirta)
Size: 2-3 feet tall
Growing Conditions: Full sun to part shade, well-drained soil, or even poor soils
My Favorite Varietals: Prairie Sun, Indian Summer, Cherry Brandy, Mega Millions
Why I Love It: These cheerful, yellow flowers with daisy-like blooms appear in late summer and continue into early fall, adding a burst of vibrant color to any garden. Black-eyed Susans are among the most drought-tolerant perennials, which means they’ll thrive even in dry conditions and summer heat. Native to North America, this hardy native perennial requires minimal care and adapts well to various soil types, including clay soils. Their vibrant flower heads also make great cut flowers for floral arrangements. Whether planted in flower beds, borders, or as part of a pollinator garden, this American native perennial is perfect for gardeners looking to add beauty with minimal effort. These low maintenance perennials can also easily be grown from seed and mass plantings look stunning! Mass plantings also tell pollinators “Hi! I’m here! Come see me!” Here is a seed mix that you might enjoy in your garden: https://amzn.to/46Z9VwW
2. False Indigo (Baptisia australis)
Size: 3-4 feet tall
Growing Conditions: Full sun to partial shade, well-drained soil
My Favorite Varietals: the straight species (baptisia australis), Pink Lemonade (pictured here), Lemon Meringue, Vanilla Cream, and the Dwarf Pixie Periwinkle
Why I Love It: A staple in perennial gardens, False Indigo is known for its tall spikes of striking, blue flowers that emerge in late spring and persist through early summer. Not only does this herbaceous perennial provide long-lasting color, but it is also highly tolerant of poor soils and even thrives in clay. This makes it an excellent choice for busy gardeners who want a hardy plant that performs well without constant attention. Its low water needs make it suitable for dry conditions, and its sturdy stems and unique shape make it a great cut flower. Once established, False Indigo requires little maintenance and adds texture and interest to any garden. If you want to know what pollinators think are the best plants read this article from Mt. Cuba Center.
3. Russian Sage (Perovskia atriplicifolia)
Size: 3-5 feet tall
Growing Conditions: Full sun, well-drained soil
My Favorite Varietals: Dwarf Little Spire, Denim 'n Lace, Blue Jean Baby
Why I Love It: Russian Sage is one of the most popular drought-tolerant perennials, loved for its fragrant flowers and ability to thrive in dry conditions. Its lavender-blue flower heads bloom in late summer and persist into early fall, attracting pollinators while adding a soft, airy look to your garden. Russian Sage is extremely low-maintenance, tolerating poor soils and requiring little water once established. Its silvery foliage remains attractive even when not in bloom, offering year-round interest. Plant it in sunny borders, where it can be combined with other drought-tolerant plants to create a garden that’s as easy to care for as it is beautiful.
4. Ornamental Grasses
Size: 2-6 feet tall (varies)
Growing Conditions: Full sun to partial shade, adaptable to a variety of soil conditions
My Favorite Varietals: Zebra Grass (Miscanthus sinensis 'Zebrinus'), Little Blue Stem (Schizachyrium scoparium), Switchgrass (Panicum virgatum), Pink Muhly Grass (Muhlenbergia capillaries)
Why I Love It: Ornamental grasses like Zebra Grass (Miscanthus sinensis 'Zebrinus') offer more than just lush foliage. They add texture, height, and movement to the garden, as well as a variety of colors throughout the growing season. Whether you have moist soil, dry spots, or poor drainage, these hardy perennials are adaptable to various soil conditions, making them a versatile addition to any garden. Ornamental grasses require very little maintenance once established and can thrive in both full sun and part shade. Their feathery flower heads remain attractive into late winter, providing structure and visual interest even when the garden has gone dormant. Perfect for adding a touch of elegance to borders, flower beds, or shade gardens, these grasses are a must-have for gardeners looking for effortless beauty. Grasses also provide critical winter protection and shelter to birds, small mammals, and beneficial insects.
5. Hydrangea (SPECIFICALLY hydrangea paniculata)
Size: 3-10 feet tall
Growing Conditions: Full sun to partial shade, organic matter-enriched soil
My Favorite Varietals: Limelight, Little Lime, Little Lime Punch, Puffer Fish, Bobo, Little Quick Fire, Pinky Winky (honestly there are too many great ones to list. You can't go wrong with any of these perennial flowers as long as you go with the species paniculata)
Why I Love It: Among the various hydrangea species, Hydrangea paniculata stands out as one of the easiest to grow. Unlike other hydrangeas that can be picky about soil pH, moisture, pruning, etc. this deciduous shrub thrives in a wide range of soil types, including clay, as long as there's good drainage. It tolerates more sun than many other hydrangeas and requires less water, making it one of the best easy-care perennials for busy gardeners. The large, conical flower heads, which bloom in shades of white and pink, add beauty to the garden from mid-summer to late fall. With little care, this hardy shrub provides stunning cut flowers and long-lasting garden interest.
Tips for a Low-Maintenance Perennial Garden
To create a perennial garden that thrives with minimal effort, follow these simple tips:
Pick the Right Plant for the Right Place: Ensure that each perennial is suited to your garden’s soil conditions, light exposure, and hardiness zone.
This will save you time and energy in the long run, ensuring your plants grow strong and healthy. Don't know your hardiness zone? Find out here. I also created a YouTube video about the recent hardiness zone changes.
Amend Soil as Needed: For areas with poor or clay soil, improve the soil with organic matter like compost or leaf mold to enhance water retention and drainage. This is especially important for plants that need moist soil. I find that local garden centers have better quality amendments than the big box stores. If you live in the Richmond, VA area, here is a listing of local garden centers in Hanover.
Group Plants by Water Needs: Plant drought-tolerant perennials like Russian Sage or Black-Eyed Susans together to minimize watering requirements. In contrast, plant moisture-loving varieties in one area where they can easily get the water they need.
Extend the Blooming Season: Include perennials that flower at different times throughout the year, from early spring to late fall. This ensures continuous color and keeps your garden full of vibrant colors with little maintenance.
Mulch for Weed Control: Use organic mulch to suppress weeds and retain moisture, reducing the need for constant weeding and watering.
Consider Shade Tolerant Perennials: For gardens with partial or full shade, choose perennials like ornamental grasses or deciduous shrubs, like hydrangeas, that thrive with less sunlight. This ensures you can enjoy a beautiful garden no matter your site’s conditions.
Add Native Plants: Native Plants are naturally adapted to where you are living so they will thrive as low-maintenance plants on their own accord simply because that's where they were born to grow! The environmental conditions are perfect for native plants allowing them to have drought tolerance and disease resistance.
By following these tips and selecting the right mix of easy-care perennial plants, you can create a beautiful garden that thrives from early spring to late winter without the stress of high maintenance. Whether you’re looking to fill flower beds, add texture with ornamental grasses, or enjoy fragrant flowers, these hardy perennials offer a wide variety of colors, forms, and growth habits to suit any garden style. With minimal effort, you can establish a perennial garden that not only looks stunning year-round but also supports local wildlife and pollinators, contributing to a healthy ecosystem. These plants are perfect for busy gardeners, offering seasonal interest, vibrant blooms, and foliage with very little care—allowing you to enjoy the beauty of your garden without constant upkeep while promoting sustainability and biodiversity in your landscape.
Keep blooming! 🌸
Nicole Dillon
Breemar Flower Farm | Ashland, VA | Zone 7
