Low Maintenance Plants & Shrubs

Viburnum

• At least 150 species of plants can be classified as viburnum, including evergreen, semi-evergreen and deciduous shrubs, according to the Fine Gardening website. Viburnum can produce white, cream or pink flowers in the spring and colorful fall foliage. They can grow in U.S. Department of Agriculture plant hardiness zones 2 through 9.

  One variety classified as low-maintenance by Fine Gardening is the Bailey compact, which grows in full sun or partial shade and reaches a mature height and width of up to 6 feet. It produces white flowers in the spring and burgundy leaves with red berries in the fall. Fine Gardening says the berries can remain into winter because birds are not attracted to them, and it notes the Bailey compact is generally free of problems like mold, rot and insects.

  Another viburnum Fine Gardening points to as low-maintenance is the rusty blackhaw, which grows to a height and width of up to 15 feet in full sun or partial shade. This drought-tolerant shrub has dark green, glossy foliage that turns to a rich burgundy hue in the fall. It is generally free of pest and other problems.

Hydrangea

• If you want big showy flowers to brighten up your landscape, consider the hydrangea, which produces blooms in blue, purple, red, white and pink shades each summer. Hydrangeas enjoy sun or partial shade in zones 4 through 9.

  One variety Fine Gardening identifies as low-maintenance is the big leaf hydrangea, which grows at a moderate pace into clumps up to 6 feet wide and high. It is able to tolerate frost. Another low-maintenance option is the hills-of-snow hydrangea, which is similar in size to the big leaf variety. The frost-tolerant oakleaf hydrangea reaches a height and width of up to 10 feet and doesn't require much attention from gardeners.

Blue Star Juniper

• Incorporating an evergreen into your yard can give you color even in the dead of winter. The blue star or singleseed juniper likes full sun and grows slowly to a mature height and width of up to 3 feet. Fine Gardening says it is suitable for zones 4 through 9. This low-maintenance shrub is drought-tolerant and produces blue cones that look like berries. It has a clumping growth habit that does not require pruning.