A beautiful yard doesn’t have to require hours of upkeep. By selecting the right plants and materials, you can create a low-maintenance landscape that enhances your home’s curb appeal while minimizing work. We’ve put together some expert tips on creating a stress-free, thriving outdoor space with native plants and long-lasting alternatives to mulch.
1. Ground Cover That Lasts
Tired of hauling bags of mulch every year? Instead, consider using low-maintenance ground covers and materials that provide long-term benefits.
- Creeping Thyme – A hardy ground cover that is drought-resistant, spreads quickly, and requires minimal maintenance.
- Clover – This low-growing plant stays green throughout the season, improves soil health by fixing nitrogen, and thrives in Michigan’s climate.
- Pea Gravel or Crushed Rocks – Though more costly upfront, these materials last for years, suppress weeds, and eliminate the need for frequent replacements.
2. Bring Lasting Color to the Yard
Annual flowers may look beautiful, but planting them year after year can be time-consuming and expensive. Instead, opt for perennials that return each season with minimal effort.
- Black-Eyed Susans – Hardy, drought-resistant, and non-toxic to pets, with blooms lasting from mid-summer to early fall.
- Coneflowers – Vibrant, easy to maintain, and attractive to pollinators like bees and butterflies.
- Daylilies – Extremely hardy and reblooming, though they should be placed where pets won’t chew them.
- Hostas – A shade-friendly favorite with diverse leaf colors and elegant flower spikes.
- Bee Balm – A pollinator-friendly flower that attracts hummingbirds and butterflies while being deer- and rabbit-resistant.
- Butterfly Weed – A drought-tolerant plant with bright orange flowers that support monarch butterflies.
- Phlox – Features fragrant clusters of pink, purple, or white flowers that resist mildew.
- Blazing Star – A hardy, spiky plant that adds vertical interest and attracts pollinators.
- Sedum – A drought-tolerant, succulent-like perennial that blooms in late summer.
- Wild Columbine – A Michigan native with delicate red and yellow spring flowers.
3. Bushes and Grasses for a Hassle-Free Landscape
Adding evergreen shrubs and ornamental grasses can bring year-round greenery with minimal upkeep.
Low-Maintenance Bushes
- Boxwood – A classic, dense shrub that provides year-round greenery and requires little pruning.
- Winterberry Holly – A Michigan-native shrub producing bright red berries that add winter color.
- Ninebark – A resilient, drought-tolerant shrub with textured bark and seasonal blooms.
- Spirea – A low-maintenance flowering shrub with pink, white, or red blossoms throughout summer.
- Juniper – A hardy evergreen that requires little water and offers year-round greenery.
- Hydrangea – Thrives in Michigan’s climate and produces large, showy blooms with minimal maintenance.
- Summersweet – A fragrant, late-summer bloomer that thrives in both sun and shade.
Ornamental Grasses
Ornamental grasses provide movement and texture in your yard while requiring very little care.
- Switchgrass – A native, drought-resistant grass with airy seed heads.
- Reed Grass – Tall, elegant, and excellent for adding height to garden borders.
- Redhead Fountain Grass – Produces soft, reddish plumes that add visual appeal.
Michigan summers are the best and by incorporating low-maintenance plants, you can enjoy a stunning Michigan landscape that requires little upkeep so you can spend more time enjoying your yard—and less time working on it!
