Whether you're new to gardening or just looking to keep things stress-free, these resilient flowers will liven up your landscape without causing you to constantly fuss around with them.
11 Low-Maintenance Flowers You (Practically) Can’t Kill
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Low-Maintenance Perennial Flowers: Peonies
Peonies are hardy plants. There are peony varieties growing in most U.S. states. These low-maintenance perennial flowers love the sun and will handle six or more hours per day with ease. Despite their easy disposition, peonies have some of the largest, prettiest and best-smelling blooms on this list. Just a few blossoms look nice in a vase. Here are some more flowers that smell amazing.
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Petunias
So long as petunias are given partial or full sun, they’ll flourish all spring, summer and fall. The best part? They only need to be watered once a week! Supertunia Vista varieties are especially low-maintenance, as they last an extra month in southern states, and into the fall in moderate climates. There’s also no deadheading required for these flowers to bloom profusely! You have to check out these gorgeous night sky petunias, too.
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Begonias
Begonias handle the shade well, so if you have a garden that’s low on sun, these flowers are the best bet. And, they can also tolerate drought conditions and a lot of sun. These easy-to-grow flowers do well in containers or when planted directly into the ground. You’ll be especially impressed by Surefire Begonias, which have very thick, durable stems and larger flowers that continue to bloom without deadheading. Take a look at more flowers that do well in the shade.
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Low-Maintenance Annual Flowers: Zinnias
When these adaptable flowers get full sun, they can grow up to three feet in height. However, they will also do well in shade. Drought-tolerant zinnias grow fast. Because they’re annuals, they transform from seed to flower in record time and their blooms last all summer long. If you’re not planting a lot of annuals, be sure to avoid these common perennial garden mistakes.
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Marigolds
These very low-maintenance flowers prefer full sun, and require just a touch of deadheading in order to bloom well into fall. They can handle infrequent watering, too! Marigolds are also pest-free flowers, and so are great for companion planting in vegetable gardens to ward off potentially damaging insects. On the other hand, these are the plants you shouldn’t grow next to each other.
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Pansies
One of the most popular cool-season flowers, undemanding pansies require minimal deadheading to keep blooming throughout the spring. They’re also one of the top-selling bedding plants for fall landscapes, since they require soil temperatures between 45° F and 65° F for best growth. They need sun and soil that drains easily. These are going to be the biggest landscaping trends of the year.
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Snapdragons
These flowers bloom energetically and can withstand unforgiving weather in spring and fall. They require full sun and well-drained, fertile soil. Another selling point? Deer don’t like to eat them! Spring planters will love these early-blooming flowers.
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Butterfly Milkweed
These plants thrive in any type of soil. Once planted, they require little water to survive. They’re great for attracting butterflies, as well as hummingbirds, bees and other pollinators.
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Cosmos
These undemanding annuals bloom even in poor soil. They like full sun, but prefer afternoon shade in hot climates. They can tolerate drought and withstand general neglect. Because few pests bother these flowers, they’ll look beautiful throughout the whole summer, and they come in a variety of eye-catching colors. By the way, these are the prettiest veggies to grow in your garden.
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Geraniums
These low-maintenance flowers prefer full sun, but appreciate afternoon shade in hot regions. Hardy geraniums are drought- and deer-resistant, and most bloom profusely from early spring until frost. These secret ingredients will definitely help your garden grow.
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Coneflowers
Coneflowers attract butterflies, bees and birds to your garden. They prefer full sun, but can handle shady conditions, if need be. They bloom in early spring and continue to thrive through the first frost of the year. Next, read about these ways to take your garden from good to great.
Originally Published on The Family Handyman
