High-Demand Flowers to Avoid for a Low-Maintenance Garden: Opt for Less Fussy Options Instead
Seven High-Maintenance Flowers to Avoid for an Easy Garden
For those seeking a low-maintenance garden, there are several high-maintenance flowers that should be avoided. Here are seven flowers that require a lot of care and attention, and their low-maintenance alternatives.
1. Roses
Roses are often considered one of the highest-maintenance flowers. They require precise watering, careful fertilization, heavy pruning, and a specific soil type. Hybrid tea roses are particularly high-maintenance. Instead, consider the Kletterrose Rosa Tricolour, a climbing rose that is robust and needs little care.
2. Delphiniums
Delphinium flowers grow tall with multiple small blooms on prominent spikes, but they only bloom for a few weeks, last for only a few years, and require serious maintenance. They need well-draining soil, cool summer temperatures, consistent moisture but not too much humidity, and good air flow to thrive. Instead, larkspur seeds can be planted as a low-maintenance alternative.
3. Peonies
Peonies are known for their large, beautiful blooms, but they require a lot of care. They need rich, well-drained soil and a specific planting depth. In addition, they are susceptible to diseases and pests. A low-maintenance alternative is the Isotoma 'Blue Foot®', a winter-hardy, drought-tolerant groundcover that blooms all summer.
4. Wisteria
Wisteria is a vine that blooms in spring with lilac-colored flowers. However, it grows vigorously and requires heavy pruning twice a year. It can also be invasive in certain locales. Instead, easy-to-grow panicle hydrangeas can provide the same stunning effect with a lot less effort.
5. Azaleas
Azaleas are flowering shrubs known for their colorful spring blooms and tolerance of shade. However, they can be finicky and require real effort to maintain if garden conditions aren't just right. Instead, consider growing Senecio species, known for their robustness, low water needs, and decorative growth forms, all thriving with minimal care effort.
6. Gardenia
Gardenia is a flower that requires bright yet indirect light, high humidity, warm temperatures, consistent moisture, and acidic soil. It is also toxic to humans and pets. A low-maintenance alternative is the sweetbay magnolia tree, which blooms in late spring with fragrant white flowers and requires minimal care.
7. Mint
Mint grows readily and is not picky about conditions, but it's extremely hard to get rid of due to its aggressive growth. Instead, thyme can be grown as an alternative in herb or flower gardens.
In most parts of the U.S., dahlias are grown as annuals and need to be dug up in the fall and carefully stored before planting again in the spring. However, the article does not discuss dahlias in terms of their maintenance level. Instead, zinnias, especially the "dahlia" zinnia seed mix from Amazon, can be a low-maintenance alternative.
By choosing low-maintenance flowers, gardeners can enjoy beautiful blooms without the hassle of constant care and attention.
