How To Have A Low Maintenance Garden

Gardens needn’t be hard work. With the right plants, and a few tips and tricks, you can cut the workload and up the enjoyment, says Tamsin Hope Thomson.

- Tamsin Hope Thomson

TIME pressures, health problems and other commitments can make it hard to get out in the garden. Planting, weeding, feeding, watering, mulching… The yearly to-do list can seem overwhelming. But whether you’re limited by time or mobility, it is possible to have a beautiful plot without spending hours each day tending it – you just need the right plants.

When planning your planting for next year, think about what will give great results for little effort. A low-maintenance garden needs specimens that are easy to care for - reliable performers with a long flowering season. Some of the easiest are evergreen shrubs, which offer year-round interest and require little pruning. Many of them – such as hebes, camellias and viburnums – also have gorgeous flowers.