9 Best Low Maintenance Plants to Grow in Raised Beds
By Khaja Moinuddin
Author bio: Khaja Moinuddin is a full time gardening blogger at Homesteadgardener.com, who shares his experience on growing houseplants, flowering plants and vegetables in container and raised garden beds.
Not everyone has the time or patience to tend to high-maintenance gardens or raised beds, regardless of how stunning the plants may be. Even seasoned gardeners appreciate having plants that can flourish independently. Flowers that are low-maintenance, able to handle drought and heat, require minimal attention and are hard to kill. They also adapt effortlessly, flourishing in different soils and environments. Sounds great, right?
9 Best Low-Maintenance Flowering Plants That Hard to Kill in raised beds
Here is the list of 9 Best Low-Maintenance Flowering Plants for your garden bed. Whether you're a plant pro or just starting, these beautiful flowers promise to thrive without demanding too much of your attention and are hard to kill .
Peonies
Peonies are robust plants that thrive well. This low-maintenance perennial flower adores the sun, happily soaking up six or more hours daily. Despite their easygoing nature, peonies boast some of the largest, most beautiful, and wonderfully fragrant blooms. A handful of these blossoms in a vase can effortlessly elevate your space.
Choose a sunny spot with well-draining soil and plant peonies in the fall, keeping the roots at a shallow depth. While they appreciate regular watering, peonies can handle periods of drought once set. The weight of their large blooms might require some support, easily provided with rings or stakes.
One of the qualities of peonies is their simplicity. Despite their appearance, these flowers are surprisingly low-maintenance, making them ideal for all.
Marigold
Marigolds thrive in sunny spots, effortlessly adding colour to your garden with their vibrant shades of yellow, red, and gold throughout the summer. While marigolds can reach impressive heights of 3 to 5 feet, there are also more petite and compact varieties available for those seeking a shorter and tidier display.
Plant marigolds in areas that receive ample sunlight. They prefer well-drained soil, keeping their roots happy and healthy. These resilient beauties don't demand excessive watering. Let the soil dry out between watering sessions to keep them content.
Beyond all this, marigolds come with a bonus—they naturally repel certain pests. Planting them in your garden can get rid of pests naturally.
Begonias
Begonias can thrive in partial shade to full sun, making them an excellent choice for gardens with less sunlight. These adaptable flowers not only withstand drought but also thrive in sunny conditions. Whether planted in containers or directly in the ground, begonias are a hassle-free plant for any garden.
Also, Surefire Begonias stands out with sturdy stems and larger blossoms that keep blooming without the need for deadheading. Their resilience and continuous flowering make them an impressive and low-maintenance option for both experienced gardeners and beginners.
As for their needs, Begonias thrive in partial to full shade, adapting to various light conditions. They handle regular watering and drought, making them suitable for any garden.
Siberian Iris
Place Siberian irises in areas with full sun to partial shade, which will grace your garden with early summer blooms. Once the flowers complete their show, leave the leaves be—they'll absorb sunlight, ready for the next season's blooms, and naturally wither away.
Siberian irises come in various hues, such as purple, blue, gold, pink, white, and burgundy. Keep their soil moist, and they'll reach a height of 34 inches with a spread of 18 to 24 inches.
Siberian Irises are easy-care plants, thriving with minimal water and fertilizer needs. They're adaptable to both sunny and partially shaded conditions. Also, generally prefer moderate temperatures. They can adapt to various climates but thrive best in conditions that aren't extreme.
Zinnia
Zinnias are your go-to for a burst of summer colour. With warm shades and funky patterns, these low-maintenance plants are good for any home.
Drought and other problems? Well, this plant can handle it well. And guess what?
They don't need much fuss—skip the deadheading unless you want to! Simple, vibrant, and hassle-free beauty in your garden.
As for their requirements, they flourish in full sun, soaking up those summer rays for vibrant blooms. Handle drought well, so occasional watering is usually sufficient. And as for soil need - not picky, as long as it's well-draining. Also, prefer the average warmth of summer, thriving in typical temperatures.
Snapdragons
Snapdragons are great additions to your garden and require minimal upkeep. While they flourish in cooler weather, these versatile plants can thrive in almost any sunny spot.
With their large flower spikes showcasing an array of colours, snapdragons add vibrancy to your garden. Also, they're not usually bothered by deer, rabbits, or other pests, making them a fuss-free and good choice for any garden setting.
Thrives in full sun but can also endure partial shade. Plant in early spring for best growth. Provide mulch for heat protection during hot summers. Deadhead to promote continuous flowering, and consider a midsummer trim for a second bloom in the fall.
Calendula
Calendulas, these easy-to-care-for, can be easily grown from seeds. Not only do they add charm to your garden, but they're also known to attract aphids away from vegetable plants, acting as natural insect traps.
Calendulas, thriving in full and partial sun, are resilient and can withstand heat. Consider them a lovely and low-maintenance addition to your garden.
Thriving in fertile, well-drained soil, Calendula is adaptable to full sun and partial shade. Its vibrant yellow-to-orange blossoms grace the garden throughout the season, opening and closing with the sun.
Pansies
Pansies bring beautiful blooms to your garden or home during the cool seasons of spring and fall. In certain regions, they can even overwinter with a layer of mulch for protection. These easygoing plants thrive with sunlight and well-draining soil. Pansies thrive in locations with full morning sun and some protection from intense afternoon rays. For abundant blooming, they appreciate well-drained, fertile soil rich in organic matter.
Catmint
Catmint, a perennial with charming blooms, reaches a height of 1-3 feet, depending on the variety, effortlessly filling vacant spaces in your garden. The beauty of long-lasting blue and purple blooms gracing your garden from spring to fall without the need for deadheading.
These plants are not only drought-tolerant but also resistant to deer. While cutting back taller varieties after their initial bloom is optional, it encourages additional flowering. To prevent excessive spreading, consider dividing catmint every few years.
Catmints flourish in well-draining soil and ideally bask in full sun. However, Nepeta subsessilus can tolerate light shade. Moreover, among the widely favoured species are Nepeta grandiflora and N. racemosa.
Conclusion
Low-Maintenance flowering plants showcased here not only add vibrant hues to your raised beds but also bring a sigh of relief to even the busiest of green thumbs. These hard-to-kill plants offer a stunning display of colours and textures while demanding minimal attention.
These plants thrive easily, making them the perfect companions for those who want the joy of blossoms without the hassle of high maintenance. With their easygoing nature and aesthetic appearance, these low-maintenance options are perfect for those seeking a garden that thrives effortlessly.
