How to Design a Low-Maintenance Yard
See 12 ways to set up your garden so you spend less time working on it and more time enjoying it
Lauren Dunec Hoang
9 January 2022
Houzz Editor; landscape designer and former garden editor for Sunset Magazine and in-house designer for Sunset's Editorial Test Garden. Her garden designs have been featured in the Sunset Western Garden Book of Landscaping, Sunset Western Garden Book of Easy-Care Plantings (cover), Inhabitat, and POPSUGAR.
Houzz Editor; landscape designer and former garden editor for Sunset Magazine and... More
The most common request that I, as a garden designer, receive from clients is for a low-maintenance garden. While I may be quick to point out that no garden is no-maintenance, there are indeed some strategies for cutting down on garden chores. Here are 12 ideas to set up your garden to spend less time weeding, mowing and mulching, and more time enjoying the space itself.
1. Create Outdoor Living Areas
Extend your living space and options for entertaining in warm weather with outdoor dining areas, lounges and seating nooks around fire pits. Patios, decks and terraces cut down on planting space and lawns to maintain. Not only do these gathering spaces tempt you to be outside enjoying your garden more often, but they also generally require less maintenance than garden beds.
Work with a landscape designer in your area
Extend your living space and options for entertaining in warm weather with outdoor dining areas, lounges and seating nooks around fire pits. Patios, decks and terraces cut down on planting space and lawns to maintain. Not only do these gathering spaces tempt you to be outside enjoying your garden more often, but they also generally require less maintenance than garden beds.
Work with a landscape designer in your area
2. Lose the Lawn or Reduce Its Size
Having fewer grassy areas to care for means less time mowing, fertilizing, weeding and reseeding. If you’re not interested in getting rid of your lawn entirely, consider decreasing its size. In this backyard in Texas, designers at B. Jane Gardens kept the lawn size down and carved out space for an outdoor dining patio.
Having fewer grassy areas to care for means less time mowing, fertilizing, weeding and reseeding. If you’re not interested in getting rid of your lawn entirely, consider decreasing its size. In this backyard in Texas, designers at B. Jane Gardens kept the lawn size down and carved out space for an outdoor dining patio.
3. Limit Planting Space
While I’m not advocating wall-to-wall hardscape from a design perspective, there’s no denying that it would cut down on the time spent mowing, mulching and general garden bed maintenance.
Look at the ratio of planting space to patio in this backyard uploaded by Richmond Bell Architects in Wiltshire, England. Despite its small square footage, the narrow planting bed bordering the seating area has big impact in the design by being lifted to waist-height in an L-shaped raised bed. The dwarf trees, trained to a standard form, and the mix of culinary herbs and perennial mourning bride flowers (Scabiosa atropurpurea) don’t require too much care to look good.
While I’m not advocating wall-to-wall hardscape from a design perspective, there’s no denying that it would cut down on the time spent mowing, mulching and general garden bed maintenance.
Look at the ratio of planting space to patio in this backyard uploaded by Richmond Bell Architects in Wiltshire, England. Despite its small square footage, the narrow planting bed bordering the seating area has big impact in the design by being lifted to waist-height in an L-shaped raised bed. The dwarf trees, trained to a standard form, and the mix of culinary herbs and perennial mourning bride flowers (Scabiosa atropurpurea) don’t require too much care to look good.
This planting bed by Growsgreen Landscape Design in San Francisco features rosette-forming Echeveria ‘Perle von Nürnberg’, Breeze mat rush (Lomandra longifolia ‘LM300’), silver ‘Big Ears’ lamb’s ears (Stachys byzantina ‘Big Ears’) and ‘Elijah Blue’ blue fescue (Festuca glauca ‘Elijah Blue’).
4. Choose Unfussy Plants Well-Suited to Your Area
Getting the right plant in the right place may take a bit of effort upfront, but it can be a major time and money saver in the long run. Don’t insist on growing citrus in slow-draining soil or rhododendrons in a dry, windswept area. Likewise, if you don’t have the time for pruning, it’s probably best to skip climbing roses, ficus or wisteria, which can easily get out of hand without proper maintenance. Instead, choose plants that naturally grow in your area or similar climate regions and that need little care to thrive.
Learn how to find the right plants for your garden
4. Choose Unfussy Plants Well-Suited to Your Area
Getting the right plant in the right place may take a bit of effort upfront, but it can be a major time and money saver in the long run. Don’t insist on growing citrus in slow-draining soil or rhododendrons in a dry, windswept area. Likewise, if you don’t have the time for pruning, it’s probably best to skip climbing roses, ficus or wisteria, which can easily get out of hand without proper maintenance. Instead, choose plants that naturally grow in your area or similar climate regions and that need little care to thrive.
Learn how to find the right plants for your garden
5. Swap a Flower Border for Shrubs
Seasonal flower beds are maintenance time-sucks — requiring a good deal of planting, staking, watering and deadheading for their fleeting display of blooms. While you may not want to get rid of them entirely, consider replacing some of the planting space with easy-care shrubs. This backyard in Seattle, made up almost entirely of shrubs, provides a beautiful example of how enticing a garden without blooms can be.
Seasonal flower beds are maintenance time-sucks — requiring a good deal of planting, staking, watering and deadheading for their fleeting display of blooms. While you may not want to get rid of them entirely, consider replacing some of the planting space with easy-care shrubs. This backyard in Seattle, made up almost entirely of shrubs, provides a beautiful example of how enticing a garden without blooms can be.
6. Go for a Modern, Minimalist Look
Skip fussy, labor-intensive flower beds and opt for easy-care shrubs paired with sleek hardscape. In this contemporary garden by Seed Studio Landscape Design in Northern California, the elements of the hardscape are just as diverse and interesting as the plants in the border, and they take little effort to maintain.
What you should consider when installing a gravel patio
Skip fussy, labor-intensive flower beds and opt for easy-care shrubs paired with sleek hardscape. In this contemporary garden by Seed Studio Landscape Design in Northern California, the elements of the hardscape are just as diverse and interesting as the plants in the border, and they take little effort to maintain.
What you should consider when installing a gravel patio
7. Let Some Areas Go Wild
Take a step back and let go of maintaining some areas of the garden, allowing nature to take the helm. While it can be difficult to give up order in areas close to the house, spaces such as the property’s back border and shady areas under mature trees can be good options to let go wild. Sit back and observe as fallen leaves form a natural mulch on the ground, native plants take root, and wild birds return to feed.
Take a step back and let go of maintaining some areas of the garden, allowing nature to take the helm. While it can be difficult to give up order in areas close to the house, spaces such as the property’s back border and shady areas under mature trees can be good options to let go wild. Sit back and observe as fallen leaves form a natural mulch on the ground, native plants take root, and wild birds return to feed.
8. Opt for a Simple Water Feature
As anyone who has mucked out a pond can attest, maintaining large water features can be a lot of work — messy and unpleasant. For the benefits of adding a water element to your landscape without the hassle, choose a simple design that’s easy to clean. For example, consider filling a stone basin with water and watching the birds enjoy a drink, or invest in a simple recirculating fountain for the relaxing sound of water.
Shop for outdoor fountains on Houzz
As anyone who has mucked out a pond can attest, maintaining large water features can be a lot of work — messy and unpleasant. For the benefits of adding a water element to your landscape without the hassle, choose a simple design that’s easy to clean. For example, consider filling a stone basin with water and watching the birds enjoy a drink, or invest in a simple recirculating fountain for the relaxing sound of water.
Shop for outdoor fountains on Houzz
9. Choose Perennials for Color
Ditch the annual bedding plants that fade after a season and turn to hardy perennials for color year after year. Stalwarts like English lavender (Lavandula angustifolia) and spurge (Euphorbia characiassubsp. wulfenii) bloom for months and need only an annual trim to keep from getting too woody. Plus, most perennials offer more for pollinators in terms of pollen and nectar than bedding plants bred for color.
Ditch the annual bedding plants that fade after a season and turn to hardy perennials for color year after year. Stalwarts like English lavender (Lavandula angustifolia) and spurge (Euphorbia characiassubsp. wulfenii) bloom for months and need only an annual trim to keep from getting too woody. Plus, most perennials offer more for pollinators in terms of pollen and nectar than bedding plants bred for color.
10. Organize Your Tools
Hunting for the shovel or a missing part for the lawn mower can take up even more time than the garden job itself. Set yourself up to be organized — and stay organized — with a storage system that works for you. This could be a garden shed, area of the garage for garden tools, or just pegs on the side of the house under the eaves. The trick is to designate a specific place where each tool can be found and put away easily.
Hunting for the shovel or a missing part for the lawn mower can take up even more time than the garden job itself. Set yourself up to be organized — and stay organized — with a storage system that works for you. This could be a garden shed, area of the garage for garden tools, or just pegs on the side of the house under the eaves. The trick is to designate a specific place where each tool can be found and put away easily.
11. Spread Mulch on Beds
Mulch is one of the best garden maintenance timesavers. It suppresses weed growth, cuts down on water loss, and breaks down to help improve soil texture. Plus, spreading a few bags of wood-chip or bark mulch over planting beds instantly gives your garden a well-maintained look with minimal effort.
Mulch is one of the best garden maintenance timesavers. It suppresses weed growth, cuts down on water loss, and breaks down to help improve soil texture. Plus, spreading a few bags of wood-chip or bark mulch over planting beds instantly gives your garden a well-maintained look with minimal effort.
12. Create a Spot to Relax
If the real goal is to spend more time enjoying your garden, don’t forget to make it an inviting place to be. Set up a hammock, pull a pair of chairs under a shade tree, or spread a cheerful outdoor rugdown on the patio. Then sit back and relax.
Tell us: What strategies have you used to spend less time maintaining and more time enjoying your garden?
More on Houzz
Read more landscape design guides
Find a pro for your home project
Shop for outdoor products
If the real goal is to spend more time enjoying your garden, don’t forget to make it an inviting place to be. Set up a hammock, pull a pair of chairs under a shade tree, or spread a cheerful outdoor rugdown on the patio. Then sit back and relax.
Tell us: What strategies have you used to spend less time maintaining and more time enjoying your garden?
More on Houzz
Read more landscape design guides
Find a pro for your home project
Shop for outdoor products
Related Stories
Houzz Tours
Houzz Tour: A Midcentury Home With a Strong Indoor-outdoor Link
By Becky Harris
A nature-inspired renovation has given this ranch house a relaxed mood and a connection to the outdoors from most rooms
Full Story
Kitchens
10 Smart Storage Tips for Your Kitchen Bins
Keep kitchen rubbish stylishly tucked away with these clever solutions
Full Story
More Rooms
The 5 Most Popular Laundry Rooms on Houzz Right Now
Get decorating ideas for your laundry or utility room from these most-saved photos on Houzz
Full Story
Gardens
How Do I Create a Drought-tolerant Garden?
By Kate Burt
As summers heat up, plants that need less water are increasingly desirable. Luckily, there are lots of beautiful options
Full Story
Houzz Tours
Houzz Tour: Warm Tones and Luxurious Surfaces in a City Townhouse
An earthy colour palette, hidden storage and well-placed texture add character and practicality to this London home
Full Story
Gardens
5 Inspiring Before and After Garden Transformations
Check out what a difference designers have made to these once dull plots, visually expanding spaces and creating privacy
Full Story
Houzz Tours
Kitchen Tour: A Gorgeous Extension With a Leafy Glasshouse Feel
By Kate Burt
When the owners of this terraced house extended, they were keen to retain its period feel and highlight the garden
Full Story
Gardens
How to Disguise Rubbish and Recycling Bins Outside Your Home
Need to hide unsightly bins in your garden or driveway? Take a look at these clever ideas for inspiration
Full Story
Renovating
21 Ways Designers Are Incorporating Arches Into Homes
By Kate Burt
Everywhere we look on Houzz right now, a cheeky arch pops up. How would you add this timeless architectural feature?
Full Story
Lifestyle
How to Improve the Air Quality in Your Home
Want to ensure your home environment is clean and healthy? Start by assessing the quality of your air
Full Story
I removed all the trees that kept invading neighbours space and lifting up fences and required regular pruning and planted out with new trees and plants whose lower maximum heights suit the space, can grow to their natural habit and keep my neighbourly relations good. I then observed weeds didn’t grow where there is shade or a ground cover and so encouraged those plantings in between. I am now getting to the stage where as I can sit in the garden more than spend time to establish it.
Sootybear56, I have a copper dish purchased from Mallee Design. It is simple and beautiful, there is lots of information on their website.
Give me plants that produce fruit and vegetables, nectar and pollen for bees and honey eaters, habitat for small birds and blue tongues, flowers for fragrance, trees for shade and I can show you a garden worth spending time in. It may not be curated or look stylish but it will sustain and bring joy.