Maintenance-Free Gardens

This time of year blooms are pretty scarce in my gardens.  As I prepare my clients’ garden beds for the fast-approaching winter, I take note (mentally) of which perennials are best for maintenance-free gardens.  That feature is in great demand for busy gardeners.

Heucheras are one of these.  They look great all year, even after the first few touches of frost turn other perennial stalks and leaves to mush.  They are absolutely perfect for maintenance-free gardens in the fall and require next to nothing in the spring.  Remove any crispy leaves and they are good to go.  I particularly love the dark burgundy colored varieties, but there are many others, including rusty orange and chartreuse. More and more I am using them as edging plants in my gardens…

zone 4,5
heucheras

Other (almost) maintenance-free perennials include the ornamental grasses that are so popular today.  One of the reasons they are so popular is the fact that cutting them back to the ground first thing in the spring before new growth appears is the only maintenance required.  Another reason for their popularity is the growing number of gorgeous varieties available.  Remember though to check tags for their hardiness before purchasing. Here are just a few…

blue oat grass

Although sedges look like they belong in the ornamental grass family, they don’t.  They are grass-like in appearance and grow in tufts, especially well in wet marshy areas.  Unlike the ornamental grasses, they don’t do well in the hot dry conditions of full sunspots in your garden.  They do however look great in shadier spots and tolerate part sun conditions.  Remaining green all year, they are maintenance-free.  Another bonus is that they are very easy (unlike ornamental grasses) to divide and move around.  So easy in fact that I have even used them in winter containers with evergreen boughs.

maintenance free
sedge

Although roses are not completely maintenance-free, the newest varieties are pretty close.  Some don’t need any pruning (shrub roses) and others need only minor pruning after the last frost date in spring.  Many of the newest varieties bloom all summer long too.  Shrub roses do not need winter protection and many are hardy to zone 2!  To protect other hardy roses I mound soil around the base/crown of the plant after the ground freezes.  This prevents damage from freeze and thaw cycles through the winter.

Take your pick.  Most of these perennials pictured here are relatively maintenance-free.  Just what busy garden lovers want.

Drought-Tolerant Perennials

drought tolerant

Drought-tolerant perennials are popular these days, especially with those of you in the midst of a heatwave as we are here in Ontario. 

Irrigation Systems

Even if you have an irrigation system, these hardy perennials should be a staple in your garden to avoid wasting your money on plants and water.  Just be sure to place the hoses or plants (whichever you install last) strategically.  For example, ornamental grasses do not appreciate wet feet.  In fact, the quickest way to kill them off is to overwater them.

Read the Labels or Research to Find Drought-Tolerant Plants

One way to determine if plants (annuals or perennials) are drought resistant is to read the labels at the nurseries or stores where you purchase your plants. Some (larger) nurseries even have separate drought-tolerant sections to make your search easier. I have discovered asking nursery staff which plants are suitable is hit and miss.

Another more proactive plan is to research drought-resistant plants hardy to your garden zone before you head out the door to shop for plants.

Here are a few of my favourite outstanding perennials that I rely on in my gardens for hot summer color:

  • lavender
  • Russian sage
  • ornamental grasses
  • tickseed
  • stonecrop and sedum, available in multiple colors, great for hot borders
  • daisies

If you haven’t already, consider adding some to your gardens. Just be sure to wait until the heatwave is over to do so!