Creating a backyard garden doesn’t have to be hard or expensive. With the right selection of easy garden plants, homeowners can enjoy beautiful greenery and blooming flowers without spending hours on maintenance. Whether you’re new to gardening or just looking for low-effort options, there are plenty of plants that thrive with minimal care and still add charm to your outdoor space.
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Top Easy Garden Plants Perfect for Beginners
Perennials: Colorful Blooms That Reappear Every Year
Perennial plants are great because they come back year after year. You plant them once, and they keep growing with only a little care. Some of the best easy-growing perennials include:
- Black-Eyed Susan: This bright yellow flower is drought-tolerant and blooms from summer to fall. Great for attracting pollinators like bees and butterflies.
- Hosta: Perfect for shaded areas. Hostas come in a range of sizes and leaf patterns, giving your garden variety without much work.
- Daylily: Daylilies are low-maintenance and bloom in many colors, making them a backyard favorite.
Annuals: Bright Seasonal Flowers
Annuals only live for one season but offer non-stop color during their growing period. People like using them in pots, borders, and flower beds. Easy annuals that work well in most backyards include:
- Marigolds: These tough plants handle sun and heat well, bloom all summer, and even repel bugs.
- Zinnias: Zinnias grow quickly, bloom in bold shades, and prefer sunny spots. They are great for beginner gardeners.
- Impatiens: Ideal for shady areas, these flowers come in red, pink, white, and purple and require little upkeep.
Herbs That Double as Ornamentals and Edibles
Herbs are some of the easiest plants to grow in a backyard, and they serve two purposes: decoration and cooking. A few top choices include:
- Basil: Grows fast in warm weather and prefers full sun. Weekly trimming helps it grow bushy and productive.
- Mint: Spreads quickly, so it’s best kept in pots. Mint adds a nice scent to the garden and works well in drinks and recipes.
- Rosemary: A woody herb that doesn’t need much water and does well in both containers and garden beds.
Low-Maintenance Shrubs for a Structured Garden Look
Shrubs give your backyard garden shape and can provide privacy, greenery, or flowers. Here are some shrubs that don’t need much care:
- Boxwood: A popular evergreen that can be shaped any way and requires minimal trimming once established.
- Spirea: Blooms in spring and summer with small white or pink flowers. Very easy to care for, thrives in sun.
- Hydrangea: Known for their big flower clusters. Some types bloom even without perfect conditions.
Succulents: The Ultimate Set-It-and-Forget-It Plants
If you want the lowest maintenance possible, succulents are a top choice. These plants store water in their leaves and come in lots of shapes and sizes. Some backyard-friendly options include:
- Hens and Chicks (Sempervivum): These spread and grow quickly in rocky soil with almost no care.
- Sedum: Also called “stonecrop,” sedum comes in tall and short forms and is drought-tolerant and hardy.
- Aloe Vera: Besides being easy to grow, aloe is useful for treating burns and minor skin issues.
Prices and Accessibility: Garden Plants That Won’t Break the Bank
Most of the easy garden plants listed above are budget-friendly and available at local garden centers or home stores like Lowe’s or Home Depot. Here are average prices to expect:
- Annual flowers: $2–$5 per small pot
- Perennials: $4–$10 depending on variety and size
- Herbs: $3–$6 per plant
- Shrubs: $10–$25 for smaller plants (1-gallon size)
- Succulents: $2–$8 each, depending on size
Garden Kits and Subscription Services
For people who want to start gardening easily, plant kits and subscription boxes are a great choice. Some popular services include:
- Leaf’d Box: Delivers garden kits (flowers, herbs, veggies) straight to your door. Plans start at around $29.95/month.
- Bloomin’ Bin: Offers seed and gardening kits starting at $10/month, ideal for beginners or families doing projects together.
- Horti: This service focuses on indoor plants, but some boxes include outdoor-friendly options. Plans start at $26/month.
Benefits of Planting Easy-Grow Options in Your Backyard
- Less Time Needed: These plants are made for people who can’t spend hours maintaining a garden.
- Beautiful Results: With simple choices, your backyard can turn into a green, colorful place without the stress.
- More Affordable: Easy-care plants don’t need fancy fertilizer or care routines. A one-time investment often goes a long way.
- Better for the Environment: Many of these options attract pollinators and help support the ecosystem in your neighborhood.
- Customizable Spaces: Whether using pots, beds, or garden boxes, these plants adjust well to all kinds of layouts.
Get Started with Local Garden Centers and Online Shops
Many of these plants are easily available at your local nursery. Stores like The Home Depot, Lowe’s, Walmart Garden Center, and online sites like Burpee and Proven Winners make it simple to find the right plants.
You can start by visiting your nearby garden center in spring and asking for low-maintenance recommendations. If you shop online, filter for “beginner plants” or “low-care plants” categories to make your search easier.
Conclusion: A Stress-Free Way to Add Life to Your Backyard
You don’t need to be an expert or spend a lot of money to have a beautiful backyard. Choosing the right easy garden plants such as perennials, annuals, herbs, shrubs, and succulents can give you a green and colorful space all season long. Affordable prices, low maintenance, and the ability to grow in any layout make these options great for homes of all sizes. Whether you shop locally or order online, adding stress-free greenery to your outdoor space is within reach.
Sources:
- “The Best Low-Maintenance Plants for Your Garden” – Better Homes & Gardens
- “Top 10 Easy-to-Grow Garden Plants” – The Spruce
- “Gardening for Beginners” – National Garden Bureau
- Plant and price data – Lowe's and The Home Depot websites
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