Let’s face it, we all want a stand out garden, but most of us don’t even know where to begin!
Most of us don’t have time for high-maintenance gardens that require a lot of effort to maintain. Luckily, some plants thrive with minimal effort. There are many plants available that don’t require you to be a gardening expert or spend hours watering them.
Taking the time to research plants best suited for your environment, will pay off in the end. Read below for some of the best low-maintenance, high resistance plants available in Australia:
Banksia Spinulosa (also known as Birthday Candles)
Banksia Spinulosa are perfectly suited for small garden areas and rockeries. They are a native green shrub that have dense foliage and will usually flower with a gorgeous yellow – green flower in late autumn and winter. The flower resembles upright candles (hence their nickname).
Banksia Spinulosa are suitable for cold climates and are frost tolerant. Their striking flowers will attract nectar eating birds as well as bees, which is always an added benefit to any garden. However, you might be mindful as to where you plant them. Banksia Spinulosa require watering on a weekly basis when they are first planted but once they are established, they only need watering on a much less frequent basis. They grow to approximately 0.5m high and will benefit from fertiliser in autumn and again in spring and are best used as a border plant or for a mini-hedge given their size.
Perennial Statice (Also known as Limonium Perezii Blue)
Perennial Statice are an ideal plant for areas close to the coast line as they are tolerant of salt.
It produces stunning clusters of small flowers that are a light purple colour. They are also best used as border plants, but you could also plant them in large pots and they will happily flourish and grow. They prefer a sunny location in your garden and thrive in well-drained soil.
Creeping Boobialla (Also known as Myoporum Parvifolium)
Ideal for feature planting, or garden edging, the Creeping Boobialla is an easy-care native ground cover. It provides dense coverage with foliage and will flower with small white flowers from late spring. Considered a ‘creeping’ plant, it is ideal to assist with weed control, meaning less time you need to maintain your garden. This plant will also attract native birds. Best planted in full sun, it is best to plant with mulch and give a decent watering every few days until it’s established and then only when needed thereafter.
Heuchera (also known as Coral Bells)
One of the hardiest options available, Coral Bells aren’t fussed if they are planted in full sun, or shade. They are available in a variety of colours, from deep purple, to brown and even a beautiful burgundy. Coral Bells are best described as growing in clumps, but also flower on a regular basis. If you want to continue to promote flowering, it is recommended that you cut flowers at the end of their flowering cycle to assist in encouraging another bloom. However, aside from that, there is no further maintenance required.
Ajuga Reptans (Also known as Blue Bugle)
Ajuga Reptans are ideal for groundcover, best planted in front of a hedge or to cover a large area. They feature a green – purple foliage which flowers in spring, usually with violet flowers. These plants are only small in height, growing no bigger than 0.3 metres, so there is no need to have to cut any of it back. It will also grow firmly against your soil, suppressing most weeds.
Ajuga will grow in both full sun and shade, but does prefer some shade. It will need regular watering until established and then it will be self-sufficient. There are a huge variety of low maintenance plants available, way more than we could list here! But as you can see, doing your research pays off. It’s important to find the best plant not only for your garden, but also for your lifestyle.
With all our ‘How to Blogs’, we recommend that you use this as a guide only and do further research by visiting the HIA website. The HIA Website provides expert knowledge in all areas of building and home renovation.
For more useful articles, check out our blog
How Houspect Can Help
If you are looking at new property in New South Wales, you may benefit from a pre-purchase building inspection. Houspect also offers renovation inspections and new home inspections.