By: Anna Stubbendick, FCHP
If you’re like most homeowners, you want to enjoy beautiful plants without spending all your free time taking care of them. Well, we’ve got you covered! Our awesome staff at Canterbury Farms Nursery & Garden Center has picked out some of their favorite low-maintenance plants that you can usually find at our nursery. These plants are not only easy to care for but also provide vibrant colors, attractive foliage, and interesting textures to your garden.
Sunny Lantana is available in a variety of colors from bright yellows to shades of red and pink, and even purples and whites in its trailing form. ©Photo by Anna Stubbendick, Canterbury Farms
First up we have Christina’s pick, Lantana. This plant is an absolute breeze to take care of. It thrives in full sun and is drought-tolerant, making it an ideal choice for those hot summer months. Plus, it comes in a bunch of colors, so you’re sure to find one you love. And the best part? Butterflies and hummingbirds go nuts for Lantana, so you can sit back and watch nature come to you.
Beth’s favorite is the Mexican Flame Vine, which features vibrant orange and red flowers that bloom throughout the year. It is a fast-growing vine and produces bright orange-red flowers that’ll make your garden pop. You can grow it up a trellis, fence, or pergola – whatever suits your style. Mexican Flame Vine prefers full sun to partial shade and requires minimal water once established. Bonus – the Mexican Flame Vine is also a great nectar source for Monarch butterflies!
Graceful African Iris is a great choice for many different growing conditions. ©Photo by Anna Stubbendick, Canterbury Farms
If you’re looking for a plant that can handle a variety of growing conditions, the African Iris is my go-to recommendation. This hardy perennial is tough-as-nails, produces beautiful white, or yellow flowers, and is tolerant of dampness, drought, heat, and even frost. And since it’s deer-resistant, you won’t have to worry about those pesky critters snacking on it.
For a unique and striking addition to your garden, both Danielle and Matthew recommend the Apostle Iris, also called Regina Iris or Walking Iris. This plant produces tall, slender stems with purple flowers that resemble a bishop’s miter, hence the name “Apostle Iris.” It thrives in well-draining soil and requires minimal watering once established.
Don’t be afraid to consider Foxtail Fern! Unlike other ferns, foxtails don’t spread and take over a garden space. ©Photo by Anna Stubbendick, Canterbury Farms
Have you ever seen a Foxtail Fern? Tammy’s favorite is super unique-looking with its long, narrow leaves that look like fox tails. This plant is drought-tolerant, making it perfect for those who forget to water their plants. It prefers partial shade but can also handle a good amount of sun, and well-draining soil.
Sarah’s choice is the sun-loving Purslane. It’s one of the easiest plants to take care of and it’s also edible! This succulent-like perennial produces small yellow, white, or pink flowers and grows low to the ground, making it a great option for ground cover. And if you’re into healthy eating, you’ll be pleased to know that purslane is packed with omega-3 fatty acids, antioxidants, and vitamins. So not only is it easy on the eyes, but it’s good for you too!
There’s a reason why Pentas are one of our top-selling plants! This hardy perennial is great for color all summer long. ©Photo by Anna Stubbendick, Canterbury Farms
Pentas are another low-maintenance gem, and a favorite of Britt’s. They produce clusters of star-shaped flowers in different colors like red, pink, and white. And if you’re into attracting pollinators, Pentas will bring all the butterflies and hummingbirds to your yard. Just give them some sun and well-drained soil, and they’ll be good to go.
If you’re after some texture, check out Dawn’s favorite, Podocarpus. This evergreen grows pretty slowly, so you won’t have to worry about it taking over your garden. Podocarpus features dense, dark green foliage that can be trimmed to any size or shape. It prefers partial to full sun and well-draining soil.
The ‘Majestic Beauty’ Hawthorn tree can be a great addition to your landscape. It’s evergreen and doesn’t take up too much space. ©Photo by Anna Stubbendick, Canterbury Farms
If you live in an area with salty soil or air, Annika recommends the Indian Hawthorn. This shrub produces clusters of white flowers in the spring and is tolerant of salt spray and saltwater flooding. Indian Hawthorn can also handle dry conditions, which is perfect for those of us living in areas with watering restrictions. It prefers full sun to partial shade and well-draining soil. Be sure to also consider the ‘Majestic Beauty’ Indian Hawthorn tree, with it’s showy pale pink flowers. We’re one of the few nurseries in Florida that grows these stunners!
Steve’s pick is the Dwarf Walter’s Viburnum ‘Mrs. Schiller’s Delight’. This compact evergreen shrub is perfect for small spaces and requires very little maintenance. It produces clusters of fragrant white flowers in the spring backed by small dark green foliage. Plus, it’s a great choice for attracting pollinators like bees and butterflies.
The Sunshine Ligustrum is great for pops of color in full sun or part shade. It can be used in small spaces or as part of larger mass plantings. ©Photo by Anna Stubbendick, Canterbury Farms
Last but not least, we have Peter’s pick, the Sunshine Ligustrum. This evergreen grows quickly and produces bright yellow-green leaves that’ll make you feel like you’re in the tropics. It’s a fantastic deer-resistant shrub that adds a pop of color to your garden. Sunshine Ligustrum is drought-tolerant and prefers full sun to partial shade. It’s also sterile, meaning that it doesn’t produce any flowers, which is great news for allergy sufferers!
So there you have it, our staff’s top picks for low-maintenance plants. Whether you’re a seasoned gardener or just starting, these plants are sure to add beauty and interest to your outdoor space without requiring a lot of work. Visit Canterbury Farms Nursery & Garden Center to find these and many more low-maintenance plants today!