Low Maintenance Plants, Shrubs & Flowers for Effortless Landscaping

Step 1: Select your plants. Since native plants vary so much by region, talk to your local garden center to find out which plants will grow best in your area. Ask which require the least amount of work if you are truly looking for plants that need minimal human intervention. And be sure to ask about what level of lighting the plants you select require – the best kinds of plants for your yard will vary depending on whether you are planting in a shady or sunny area.

Some good low maintenance native varieties to start with depending on your area are:

• Agastache
• Ornamental grasses
• Lavender
• Penstemon
• Sedum
• Yarrow
• Yucca

Step 2: Prep for plants. Dig holes for your plants using the Fiskars® Steel D-Handle Transplanting Spade. Make sure you take into account how large the plants will get once they are fully grown and be careful not to plant them too close together.

Step 3: Break up the roots. When you take plants out of their containers they will often be root bound. Before you plant into the ground, break up the roots using the Fiskars® Big Grip Knife. This helps to ensure that plants grow strong in their new home and develop a sturdy root base where they are planted.

It's also a good idea to make sure you space out your plants when planning their spaces. You want to give each plant enough room to grow that healthy root system without fighting against the roots of their neighbor.

Step 4: Plant your selected shrubs and grasses. To finish off the planting, use the Fiskars® Big Grip Trowel to pack down the soil around the newly planted foliage. You want to make sure there are no air pockets in the dug out holes that may alter the way your plants grow, and check that each plant is standing up straight. Finish by watering thoroughly and you'll be well on your way to creating a low maintenance natural environment.

Bonus Tip: Add some zen! Try adding some outdoor meditation cushions and a rock garden into the area to create the ultimate backyard relaxation retreat!