Daylilies, coneflowers, sedum, catmint, ornamental grasses and false indigo need the least care once established — no staking, little watering and few pests.
- Daylily — Nearly indestructible.
- Coneflower — Self-sufficient summer color.
- Stonecrop — Thrives on neglect.
- Catmint — Shear once, enjoy months of flowers.
- False Indigo — Long-lived, never needs dividing.
- Russian Sage — Drought and deer tough.
- Yarrow — Handles poor soil.
- Coral Bells — Tidy foliage in shade.
- Plantain Lily (Hosta) — Easy in shade, if deer allow.
- Feather Reed Grass — Upright, no staking.
Alkanet 'Alexander's Great'
Brunnera 'Alexander's Great'
from $16.99 · 1GAL
- Deer resistant
- Long blooming
- Rabbit resistant
Alkanet 'Heartleaf (macrophylla)'
Brunnera 'Heartleaf (macrophylla)'
from $16.99 · 1GAL
- Deer resistant
- Long blooming
- Rabbit resistant
Alkanet 'Jack Frost'
Brunnera 'Jack Frost'
from $16.99 · 1GAL
- Deer resistant
- Long blooming
- Rabbit resistant
Alkanet 'Jack of Diamonds'
Brunnera 'Jack of Diamonds'
from $16.99 · 1GAL
- Deer resistant
- Long blooming
- Rabbit resistant
Alkanet 'Looking Glass'
Brunnera 'Looking Glass'
from $16.99 · 1GAL
- Deer resistant
- Long blooming
- Rabbit resistant
Alkanet 'Permafrost'
Brunnera 'Permafrost'
from $16.99 · 1GAL
- Deer resistant
- Long blooming
- Rabbit resistant
Alkanet 'Queen of Hearts'
Brunnera 'Queen of Hearts'
from $16.99 · 1GAL
- Deer resistant
- Long blooming
- Rabbit resistant
Alkanet 'Sea Heart'
Brunnera 'Sea Heart'
from $16.99 · 1GAL
- Deer resistant
- Long blooming
- Rabbit resistant
Autumn Fern 'Brilliance'
Dryopteris 'Brilliance'
from $16.99 · 1GAL
- Rabbit resistant
- Low maintenance
- Winter interest
Barrenwort 'Rubrum'
Epimedium 'Rubrum'
from $14.99 · 1GAL
- Deer resistant
- Drought tolerant
- Rabbit resistant
Barrenwort 'Versicolor Sulphureum'
Epimedium 'Versicolor Sulphureum'
from $14.99 · 1GAL
- Deer resistant
- Drought tolerant
- Rabbit resistant
Barrenwort 'White Queen'
Epimedium 'White Queen'
from $14.99 · 1GAL
- Deer resistant
- Drought tolerant
- Rabbit resistant
Tips
- Right plant, right place is the secret to low maintenance.
- Mulch to cut weeding and watering.
- Choose plants that don’t need staking or frequent dividing.
Frequently asked questions
What is the easiest perennial to grow?
Daylilies and sedum are hard to kill in sun.
Do low-maintenance plants need fertilizer?
Little or none — compost in spring is plenty.
How do I cut down on weeding?
Plant closely and mulch two to three inches deep.
Which low-maintenance plants grow in shade?
Hostas, coral bells, ferns and barrenwort.