As we move from winter into the full swing of spring and summer, everything in the garden starts to grow at speed. For many, this is a joy but for others, especially those short on time or energy, keeping on top of a fast-growing garden can feel overwhelming.

As a professional garden designer, I always say a garden should bring joy, not stress. And that’s exactly why low maintenance garden design is growing in popularity. With a little thought and the right approach, it’s entirely possible to create a beautiful outdoor space that’s easy to care for and I’ll show you how.

Why Low Maintenance Garden Design Works

A well-designed garden doesn’t have to mean high maintenance. The secret lies in designing your garden to suit your lifestyle. If you're someone who enjoys pottering about every weekend, then great, your garden can reflect that. But if you'd rather enjoy your garden with a cup of tea in hand and minimal work, that’s perfectly fine too.

A low maintenance garden, when planned correctly, can be every bit as stunning and fulfilling as a more hands-on space. It’s all about smart design, thoughtful plant selection, and some clever tricks of the trade.

Choosing the Right Plants

The foundation of any good garden design, especially one that’s low maintenance, is in the planting.

Evergreen Shrubs

These are the real workhorses of the garden, offering structure, texture, and colour year-round. My top picks include:

• Choisya (Mexican orange blossom): Scented white flowers in spring and summer.

• Pittosporum: Dense, tidy growth that stays looking great without much attention.

• Mahonia: Bright yellow winter flowers and perfect for shaded areas.

Perennials That Come Back Year After Year

These save time and money because you don’t need to replant every year:

• Geranium 'Rozanne': Masses of purple-blue flowers all season long.

• Nepeta (Catmint): Loved by bees, with soft lavender-blue blooms.

• Echinacea (Coneflower): Bold and colourful with minimal fuss.

Ornamental Grasses

Low effort and high impact. My favourites:

• Stipa tenuissima (Mexican feather grass): Soft and wispy, it dances in the breeze.

• Miscanthus ‘Gracillimus’: Adds height, structure and winter interest.

Design Tricks from an Expert Garden Designer

When it comes to creating a garden that’s easy to manage, structure is everything. Focus on:

• Shrubs and hedges over bedding plants, for long-term impact.

• Hard landscaping like gravel paths and paved areas to cut back on weeding.

• Fewer plant varieties, repeated in patterns, for a cohesive and low-effort scheme.

Keeping the plant palette simple makes a huge difference. Too many different types and you’ll spend your life tweaking and rearranging.

Lawns and Weeds: Managing the Big Time-Consumers

Let’s be honest, lawns can be a full-time job on their own. If you haven’t done so already, it’s well worth considering a robot lawnmower to handle the mowing for you.

Weeds? They’re inevitable, but smart planning can keep them at bay:

• Mulch heavily in early spring with bark or compost. It suppresses weeds and helps retain moisture while feeding the soil.

The Joy of a Garden That Works for You

Whether you’re looking for a full garden redesign or just want to reduce the workload, a low maintenance garden design gives you the best of both worlds—beauty and simplicity.

As a garden designer, I always tell clients that a successful garden is one that reflects your life. If it looks good all year without demanding constant care, then you’ve done it right.

🌿 Ready to Create Your Dream Low Maintenance Garden?

Whether you’re starting from scratch or want to simplify an existing space, I offer Online Garden Consultations and full Garden Design Services tailored to your needs.

Let’s design a garden that works beautifully for you.