10 Low-Maintenance Garden Plants for UK Gardens
Creating a beautiful garden doesn’t have to mean constant weeding, watering, and pruning. If you want a garden that looks great with minimal effort, choosing the right low-maintenance plants is key.
At Chessington Garden Centre, we know many gardeners want reliable plants that thrive without fuss. Whether you’re short on time, new to gardening, or simply prefer an easy-care approach, this guide highlights 10 of the best low-maintenance plants for UK gardens—all hardy, dependable, and simple to look after.
What Makes a Plant Low Maintenance?
Low-maintenance garden plants share a few important qualities:
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Thrive in UK conditions with little intervention
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Need minimal pruning or deadheading
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Resist common pests and diseases
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Tolerate drought and variable weather
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Require little or no regular feeding
By choosing plants with these characteristics, you can spend more time enjoying your garden—and less time working in it.
The Best Low-Maintenance Plants for UK Gardens
1. Lavender (Lavandula angustifolia)
Best for: Sunny borders, containers, pollinator-friendly gardens
Lavender is one of the easiest plants to grow in the UK. It thrives in well-drained soil, needs very little watering once established, and only requires light pruning after flowering.
Why it’s low maintenance:
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Drought tolerant
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Evergreen structure
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Attracts bees and butterflies
2. Hardy Geraniums (Cranesbill)
Best for: Ground cover, cottage gardens, partial shade
Hardy geraniums are reliable perennials that return year after year. They spread quickly to suppress weeds and flower for long periods with minimal care.
Top tip:
Look for Geranium ‘Rozanne’—one of the longest-flowering varieties available.
3. Sedum (Hylotelephium ‘Autumn Joy’)
Best for: Dry borders, sunny spots, wildlife gardens
Sedum (stonecrop) is ideal for gardeners who forget to water. Its fleshy leaves store moisture, and its late-season flowers support pollinators well into autumn.
Care tip:
Cut back old stems in spring when new growth appears.
4. Box (Buxus sempervirens)
Best for: Formal gardens, low hedging, topiary
Box provides year-round structure and only needs trimming once or twice a year. It’s slow-growing and holds its shape well.
Alternative:
Consider Ilex crenata (Japanese holly) for a similar look with lower disease risk.
5. Ferns (Dryopteris, Polystichum)
Best for: Shady areas, woodland gardens, under trees
Ferns are perfect for low-light areas where other plants struggle. Once established, they need little attention and return reliably each year.
Why they work:
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No flowers to manage
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Excellent texture and structure
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Very low intervention
6. Heuchera (Coral Bells)
Best for: Containers, borders, year-round foliage interest
Heucheras are prized for their colourful leaves rather than flowers. They grow happily in sun or partial shade and only need occasional tidying.
Bonus:
Delicate summer flowers attract pollinators.
7. Japanese Anemones (Anemone x hybrida)
Best for: Late-summer borders, partial shade
Japanese anemones are long-lived perennials that tolerate neglect well. Once established, they flower reliably every year with little effort.
Maintenance:
Cut back in late winter or early spring.
8. Hydrangea arborescens ‘Annabelle’
Best for: Statement borders, partial shade
‘Annabelle’ is one of the easiest hydrangeas to grow. It tolerates a wide range of soils and produces large white blooms throughout summer.
Easy pruning:
Cut back hard in late winter to encourage strong new growth.
9. Euphorbia (Spurge)
Best for: Dry borders, modern gardens, evergreen interest
Euphorbias offer bold structure and colour with very little maintenance. Most varieties only need cutting back once flowering finishes.
Important:
Wear gloves—sap can irritate skin.
10. Skimmia japonica
Best for: Shady gardens, containers, front gardens
Skimmia is a compact evergreen shrub that provides year-round interest, fragrant spring flowers, and colourful autumn berries.
Why gardeners love it:
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Neat, tidy habit
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Thrives in pots
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Minimal pruning required
How to Create a Truly Low-Maintenance Garden
Choosing the right plants is only part of the equation. These simple design choices can reduce upkeep even further:
Use Mulch
Mulching suppresses weeds, retains moisture, and improves soil health—all in one go.
Keep Planting Simple
Group plants with similar water and care needs to reduce time spent maintaining them.
Choose Perennials and Evergreens
They come back every year and need far less attention than bedding plants.
Use Containers and Raised Beds
Easier to manage, water, and weed—especially in smaller gardens.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the easiest plants to maintain in a UK garden?
Lavender, hardy geraniums, sedum, ferns, and skimmia are among the lowest-maintenance plants for UK gardens.
Are low-maintenance plants good for beginners?
Yes. Easy-care plants are ideal for beginners because they’re forgiving and require minimal knowledge or upkeep.
Can you have a low-maintenance garden that still looks good?
Absolutely. With the right plant choices and simple design, low-maintenance gardens can look attractive year-round.
Visit Chessington Garden Centre for Low-Maintenance Plants
We stock all the plants featured in this guide, along with peat-free composts, containers, and tools to help make gardening easier. Whether you’re refreshing a few pots or redesigning your entire garden, our friendly team is here to help you choose plants that suit your space and lifestyle.
Visit Chessington Garden Centre in store or browse online for inspiration and expert advice 🌿
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