Working in the garden presents a myriad of health benefits. It’s a great form of exercise, plus there’s nothing like reconnecting with the great outdoors.
Unfortunately, sometimes working in the garden becomes exactly that – work. You should be able to enjoy your garden from time to time, too! Growing plants that more or less take care of themselves is an easy way to reduce your workload.
Growing a low-maintenance flower garden all comes down to choosing the perfect plants. Ideally, you should choose plants that are native to your growing zone, as well as those that are disease- and pest-resistant. Ideally, you should choose plants that don’t have to be pruned or fertilized often or those that do a good job of competing out weeds.
Low-Maintenance Flowers to Grow
Not sure what to look for? Below are 50 flowers that are ideal for low-maintenance gardens. Absolutely no green thumb or prior experience needed to make these grow to create a gorgeous garden space. If you are looking for something new to add to your space this year, then this list is going to be a great place to begin.
If larger plants are more your style, you should check out these pink flowering shrubs and purple flowering shrubs to add to your list of plants to buy and add to your garden. They are absolutely gorgeous!
1. Cosmos
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The word “cosmos” is Greek, translating directly to “harmony.” Grow this colorful flower in your garden, and you’re sure to experience some harmony of your own! It grows best in full sun to partial shade and reseeds itself, so you’ll get fresh blooms all the way from spring to fall. It’s hardy in zones 2 through 11.
2. Russian Sage
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Russian sage is a perennial herb that grows well in just about any kind of soil. It attracts bees and butterflies and has very few diseases or pest problems to speak of. It is also drought-tolerant.
If you want butterflies in your yard, check out these DIY butterfly feeders to add to your garden. Such a fun addition that really makes the butterflies come to stay.
3. Sunflowers
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Although sunflowers are annual, meaning you will need to replant them each year, they often reseed when they’re left in the ground between growing seasons. Not only that, but sunflowers attract birds, bees, and all kinds of butterflies, too.
These flowers thrive in full sun and bloom all throughout the summer months. They can tolerate most soil types and, depending on the variety, can grow up to 16 feet tall!
4. Butterfly Weed
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Butterfly weed grows well in most soil types. Once planted, it requires very little water. This plant grows best in zones 3-9, producing fragile orange blooms that attract bees, butterflies, hummingbirds, and other kinds of pollinators.
5. Hostas
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The hosta is the quintessential garden plant. Not only do you get low-maintenance foliage that’s beautiful to behold, but you’ll also be rewarded with flowers in the early summer months. These plants grow well in a wide range of soil types and climates, and they even grow well in the shade. They’re hardy in zones 3-9.
If you want more ground covering, you might like this list of the longest blooming trees and shrubs. There are great additions to this list to add to your planting cycle this year.
6. Coreopsis
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Coreopsis is commonly viewed as a wildflower, so you can imagine how easy it is to care for. This plant grows well in hot, dry, and humid conditions. It can be grown with ease in zones 4-9.
I found the best deals on this flower through Nature Hills Nursery online last year. There are tons of great variety and constant discounts for email newsletter subscribers to check out.
7. Zinnias
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Zinnias are hardy annuals that can grow up to 24 inches tall. Blooming best during the intense heat of the summer, these flowers attract butterflies and grow best in full sun. They can be found in shades of red, yellow, orange, white, and pink.
8. Moss Rose
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The moss rose is a flower with delicate rose-like blooms and succulent-like leaves. It looks like a desert plant but thrives in zones 2-11.
Moss rose is one of my favorite additions to this spilled pot flower garden. They look so natural and beautiful! A great choice for adding color into an ordinary addition in your garden.
9. Peonies
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Peonies are long-lived plants that will bloom in the same spot for more than ten years. They are often slug- and drought-resistant, too, growing well in zones 3-8.
10. Hens and Chicks
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Hens and chicks is a perennial plant that is part of the succulent family. It grows well in sandy, rocky conditions and stays low to the ground. You might want to check this list of perennial plants for more ideas to fit into a succulent garden bed.
11. Dianthus
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Dianthus flowers, also known as “pinks,” bloom continuously from May until August. These flowers are easy to care for because they are resistant to disease and to deer. They produce attractive evergreen foliage, too, making them top contenders for rock gardens or as edging plants.
12. Yarrow
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Yarrow is a medicinal herb that produces delicate white flowers. It’s viewed as a weed by many gardeners, but not for good reason! This plant is lovely to behold and very easy to maintain. It grows best in zones three through nine, with plants reaching about four feet in height.
13. Dwarf Daffodils
Some daffodils can be hard to grow, but that’s not the case with dwarf daffodils. Dwarf daffodils are short in stature and poisonous to mice, moles, and other rodents, so you don’t have to worry about pests invading your garden. They multiply quickly after the first year, too, growing well in zones 3 through 8.
If you love daffodils, you will also love all of these luminous perennial flowers that can create a gorgeous garden that comes back year after year!
14. Agastache
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Agastache is an easy-to-grow perennial that thrives on neglect. It’s an aromatic flower that produces spiky greenery, which is resistant to excessive heat and even early frost. This definitely fits into this list of drought-resistant flowers. Plus, purple is a favorite color so always a good choice!
15. Pasque Flower
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The pasque flower adds unique texture and color to any garden. A hardy perennial, it’s native to the alpine meadows of Europe. It prefers full sun with a bit of afternoon shade.
16. Petunias
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As long as you grow your petunias in full or partial sun, they’ll bloom well all through the fall, summer, and springtime months. They only need to be watered about once a week, too, and there’s no deadheading required.
I am in love with this lovely handmade window box I found on Etsy. It would be perfect with these!
17. Lantana
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Lantana is a flower that produces gorgeous blooms and is remarkably easy to care for. It’s a perennial, although you may need to bring it inside during the winter months.
18. Marigolds
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Marigolds are often grown in gardens alongside vegetables and other edible plants because they are great at repelling several types of insects. Plus, they smell great and can keep mosquitoes away, too. Marigolds grow quickly from seed and bloom in the spring, summer, and fall.
19. Coneflower
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Also known as echinacea, coneflower is technically a flowering herb that is known for being hardy, long-blooming, and drought-tolerant. It grows well just about everywhere in zones 3 through 9 and can be found in both pink and purple shades.
20. Impatiens
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Impatiens bloom almost nonstop from June until the first frost. These flowers can grow up to 24 inches tall and although they are perennial in zones 10-11, are annual in most other growing zones. They prefer growing in loamy soil and like to be kept moist, but otherwise, there’s not much you need to do to care for these beautiful blooms.
When using hanging baskets like this, I like to use these basket hooks. You can hang two at a time, they are super sturdy, and you can easily move them around your yard. A great investment.
21. Heuchera
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Heuchera offers breathtaking foliage in shades of red to green. You’ll love growing this plant, particularly in the fall, when it can really add diversity among your annuals and perennials. IT grows with minimal care in zones 4 through 9.
22. Morning Glories
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Another annual flower that requires very little maintenance is the morning glory. This flower produces bloom in the last summer to early fall and is rapidly self-sowing. YOu have to be careful where you plant if you don’t want them to come back the following year!
Morning glories are often used to cover up trellises and walls. They attract both butterflies and birds, but it’s important to note that the seeds are highly toxic if ingested.
23. Canna Lily
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The canna lily is a beautiful flower that can be grown from a bulb as soon as the danger of frost has passed. Keep it moist, but that’s all you need to do to keep it healthy (and even then, it’s quite drought-tolerant).
24. Sweet Peas
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Sweet peas produce beautiful blooms in shades of red, purple, pink, white, and blue. These fragrant flowers bloom best in the spring through the early summer, but when grown in cooler climates, will bloom long into the fall.
The seeds of this flower look much like edible sweet peas – but resist the temptation! They can be toxic.
These plants prefer being kept moist and grown in full sun, but besides that, you won’t need to do much to care for them.
25. Hydrangeas
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Hydrangeas are quite breathtaking to behold, and they are well-adapted to growing in the ground and in containers, in many cases. They offer a quaint country look and grow best in zones 3-9.
I LOVE that hydrangeas come in so many colors. Nature’s Hill Nursery has a huge variety from white to purple and everything in between that you are going to adore.
26. Nasturtiums
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Nasturtiums grow best when given a trellis to climb, often growing to heights of more than 10 feet. They are quick-growing, colorful flowers that bloom from May until September. They have edible flowers and leaves if you’re interested in getting even more out of your low-maintenance garden, and they grow best in well-draining soil.
27. Creeping Thyme
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A favorite of low-maintenance gardeners, creeping thyme is a fragrant, edible ground cover that is perennial in most places. All you need is some warm weather and a bit of watering every now and then to keep it healthy.
28. Euphorbia
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Euphorbia is another perennial that is both slugs- and deer-resistant. Its roots are poisonous to moles, too, so you don’t have to worry about rodents crashing the party. They grow best in zones 4-10.
29. Pansies
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Pansies are often grown as annuals but can be perennial in zones 6-10. Found in a wide variety of colors, these flowers can sometimes even bloom in the winter and early parts of spring in warm climates! You’ll find pansies at just about any nursery.
If you like these, then you might also like these tips for growing night sky petunias. So gorgeous!
30. Kalanchoe
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Kalanchoe is a succulent plant that grows well in drought conditions. Hardy in zones 8-10, this plant loves being grown in the heat. It can grow up to 12 inches tall, producing lovely pink, yellow, red, and orange flowers.
31. American Beautyberry
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Technically a shrub, American beautyberry produces gorgeous green foliage along with dazzling purple berries and lilac-colored blooms. It is drought-tolerant and resistant to most pests and diseases.
32. Snapdragons
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Snapdragons produce flowers in a variety of colors, including violet, peach, red, yellow, pink, white purple, and orange. They are tall flowers that can quickly grow to heights of 12 inches or more. They grow best in the spring through the fall and are known for attracting butterflies and other pollinators.
33. Catmint
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Catmint is a variety of mint that is non-culinary, often grown in rock gardens. It is drought-tolerant and resistant to both rabbits and deer. This can also look great in succulent gardens for a pop of color.
34. Clematis
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Clematis is a beautiful purple flower that produces in the summer and fall. It grows quickly, spreading upward and outward in your low-maintenance garden.
35. Anemone
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The anemone is a lovely flower with colors of white and blue. These flowers look a lot like daisies, except they grow close to the ground and form a dense groundcover. They grow best in zones 5-8.
36. Wax begonias
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The wax begonia is an easy-to-care-for flower that grows well in most growing zones but is perennial only in zones 10-11.
This plant can be found in colors such as yellow, pink, white, and orange, and grows to heights of 6-12 inches. It’s great for hanging baskets, raised beds, and containers, blooming prolifically in the fall and summer months.
37. Coral honeysuckle
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Coral honeysuckle is a plant that grows in the wild in many parts of the United States. It produces hummingbird-attracting blooms that are shaped like crumpets. The plant requires minimal watering and can be grown in full sun or partial shade.
38. Butterfly bush
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The butterfly bush is a sun-loving plant that grows well in zones 5-10. It comes in all kinds of colors, including purple and red, and blooms continuously from summer until fall. As the name suggests, this plant will also draw hordes of butterflies and hummingbirds to your lawn!
39. Ice plant
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The ice plant is a low-maintenance flower that grows well in dry, hot regions. It is tolerant to both heat and drought, but contrary to its name, doesn’t hold up well to a frost. It can go as long as two weeks without water, though!
40. Lupines
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Lupines grow best in zones 4-8 and can be grown as annuals or perennials. They tower up to four feet tall and are best used in borders. They are self-sowing and known to attract butterflies.
41. Bluebell
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The bluebell flower is unique in that it can naturalize on its own – while this is great news for someone seeking to grow a low-maintenance garden, just keep in mind that the flowers can rapidly overtake a smaller plot! They are hardy in zones 6-8.
42. Fuschias
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Fuchsias aren’t hardy in many growing zones – only zone 10-11- but if you’re lucky enough to live in one of these warmer climates, you’ve got to consider growing these flowers. They are super easy to care for and can be overwintered indoors if your weather isn’t quite warm enough. They grow well in the shade and like moist, well-draining soil.
43. Snowdrops
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Snowdrops are easy to grow and bloom early – sometimes as early as January! They grow best in shady areas, like in woodlands and beneath trees. They are hardy in zones 3-7.
44. Geraniums
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Geraniums can be found in just about any color, including magenta, lavender, pink, white, red, rose, and purple. They grow up to 24 inches tall and offer incredibly low-maintenance colors that will endure from spring until the first frost.
These flowers are perfect in window boxes, raised beds, containers, and hanging baskets. They’re known to attract birds and other pollinators, preferring full sun with a bit of afternoon shade in warm weather.
45. Magic Carpet
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Also known as spirea, Magic Carpet is technically only a foliage plant. However, its foliage is so remarkable and vividly colored that it looks as though the plant is covered with flowers. This plant produces gorgeous foliage that grows low to the ground. It is hardy in zones 4 to 9.
46. Lavender
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Technically an herb, lavender is a flower that puts out beautiful purple blossoms from late June until August. It grows up to 24 inches tall and is known to attract butterflies and bees. Some cultivars even keep mosquitoes away.
This fits easily into this list of plants that repel mosquitoes. Perfect for adding to your backyard or around any deck or patio areas at your home.
47. Spider Flower
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The spider flower, or cleome hassleriana, is a tough perennial that grows best in full sun. It is hardy in zones 2 through 11.
48. Dahlias
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Dahlias can be found in colors like white, orange, red, pink, purple, and yellow. These flowers grow up to six feet tall and thrive in most growing conditions in zones 7-10. They bloom as soon as eight weeks after planting and can be planted first thing in the spring.
49. Knock Out Roses
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Roses are notoriously difficult to care for, but that’s not the case with knock-out roses. These plants can be found in shades of pink, white, and red, and they’re both hardy and disease-resistant. They grow best in zones 5-11.
50. Daylilies
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Hardy in zones 3-10, daylilies can be grown just about anywhere – and they are super easy to care for. These plants flower continuously and are more or less pest-free. They’re great for growing in large clumps and are tolerant of both intense heat and high humidity.
Planning Your Low-Maintenance Garden
If you’re new to gardening, a low-maintenance garden is a way to go. Consider growing plants that are native to your region to make your life even easier.
Be sure to plan out your garden in advance so that you have a good idea of which plants you are going to place where. Remember that it can take some time for perennial cultivars to get established, but once they do, they’ll explode in size and color! You’ll want to leave yourself plenty of room so your garden doesn’t get overcrowded.
Hopefully, these low-maintenance flowers will give you some great ideas of how to get started as you begin planning your summer garden.
