What are some low maintenance plants I can put in my flower bed?

Answer 1

Daylilies, Daisy, Snow on the Mountain, Knockout roses, Lily, Tulips, Daffodils, Hosta, Armeria (Sea Thrift), Turtlehead, Black-Eyed Susan, Siberian Iris, Globe Thistle, Echinachea(coneflower),Liatris spicata (Blazing Star). Peony, Russian Sage, Tiarella cordifolia (Allegheny Foam flower), Thalictrum aquilegifolium (Meadow Rue), ferns, Coral Bells, Lupine, Columbine, & hardy mums.
http://gardening.about.com/od/perennials/a/EasyCare.htm

Here's an article on low-maintenance Landscaping:
http://extension.missouri.edu/explore/agguides/hort/g06902.htm

Eight Easy Plants:
1. Korean boxwood (Buxus microphylla koreana 'Winter Beauty') zones 5 to 9
2. Dwarf Japanese garden juniper (Juniperus chinensis procumbens 'Nana') zones 5-9
3. Climbing hydrangea (Hydrangea anomala petiolaris) zones 4 to 9
4. Japanese holly (Ilex crenata 'Convexa') zones 5 to 9
5. Weeping Norway spruce (Picea abies 'Pendula') zones 3 to 7
6. Bird's nest spruce (Picea abies 'Pumila Nigra') zones 3 to 8
7. Dwarf Serbian spruce (Picea omorika 'Nana') zones 4 to 8
8. Cinquefoil (Potentilla fruticosa 'Pink Beauty') zones 3 to 7

Choose plants that are known to be reliable and problem-free for your area and that won't outgrow the space you are working with.
Prepare the soil well before planting so plants get a strong start.
Mulch to reduce weeds and conserve soil moisture
http://homegarden.move.com/homegarden/Gardening/Features/Gardens/LowMaintenance.asp?lnksrc=HGLGARTWNB01&poe=homestore
Good luck! Hope this helps.

Answer 2

Everyone so far has had great ideas. My flower beds started as small beds along my house and garage. It now grown to probably 1/4 of my lawn.

Your best bet is to go w/perennials. Not only do they come back every year, but they generally spread, so you can separate and start a new bed elsewhere. Before you get anything though, check a zoning map to see what zone you are in so you don't waste money on things that may not make it through a rough winter, etc.

The first perennial I bought was a coneflower. They last for a long time both in and out of the ground. I cut a lot of my flowers to keep in vases in the house. My plant has doubled in size each year, and is absolutely beautiful this year, many butterflies have taken advantage of it as well.

Another easy one is the hosta. They come in many varieties, so you might want to take a look at some online to decide what strikes your fancy. They take a beating, but continue to grow in all types of sun/shade.

I also love lambs ear. It's soft, and it's pretty throughout the entire season.

If you like mints, they are easy as well. The only problem I've found with them, is that they will grow out of control if you let them. One whole section of my garden is dedicated to the fragrant plants.

Morning glories are also very low maintainence, but need something to climb. Although their roots die for me in the winter, they reseed themselves and come back bigger and prettier every year.

Good luck!

Answer 3

The plant I thought of may be that which someone has already suggested the ice plant. I know it by its botanical name Mesembryanthemum. It comes it a great variety of colors and it's the sun that makes the flowers open. I have put a link below but be sure to check the different types. Zinnias are also quite spectacular annuals. They originally come form Southwest U.S., Mexico and Central America, so are used to hot climates and reduced water.

Answer 4

It really matters where you are. Native plants are the best and perennials (they come back every year) give you more bang for the buck than annuals (flowers that only last one season).

Some examples are hostas, black-eyed susans, echinaecea (sp?) or purple cone flowers, grasses like zebra grass, ferns, butterfly bushes, honeysuckle, English lavender, rhododendrons, Rose of Sharon, and sedum come to mind.

Bamboo, pachysandra, and English ivy are so easy that they can become invasive.

In warmer climates, palm trees need very little care.

Whatever you decide to plant, mulch and you won't have to water or weed as much.

When you plant any of these, you do have to water them until they become established and then they can pretty much make it on their own.

Answer 5

Oxalis, Widow's Tears, Variegated Wandering Jew, Swedish Ivy, Philodendron, Catnip, Spearmint, Lantana.

Answer 6

Please tell us where you are located. Do you know your zone number?