Keeping It Low Maintenance

7062721248 • June 19, 2020

“I am still seeing a request for low-maintenance design -- we believe that’s a “trend” that will never go away! When I suggest introducing color through foliage and then strategically layering in lower maintenance flowering plants,” she gets an enthusiastic “yes!”

We at the Luxury Landscape Company, LLC agree that focusing on foliage is the way to go, stressing that “a garden carefully planted with shrubs that have colorful foliage provides a more permanent garden and lower maintenance.”

Here are some shrubs that provide interest all season and some of our favorite low-maintenance plants:

BOXWOOD

Zones: 5-8
Exposure: Sun or shade
Mature size: 24-48 inches
Foliage color: Green

Why we love it: Boxwoods are probably the best evergreens for shaping and pruning, which is why they are often the gardener’s choice for creating formal hedges, borders, and even topiaries.

Where to plant it: A great shrub for partly shady gardens. Prefers moist, well-drained soil. To prevent winter leaf burn, plant in a sheltered area protected from harsh winter winds.

When to prune: Pruning is seldom needed, but you may trim in summer.


GOLDEN EUONYMUS

Zones: 6-9
Exposure: Partial to full sun
Mature size: Up to 6 feet tall and 3 feet wide
Foliage color: Yellow and green

Why we love it: Bright, bold, variegated leaves provide color throughout the year, making this quite a colorful choice. Plus, it is very low maintenance and easy to grow.

Where to plant it: This is a multi-functional bush that can be used alone as an accent or in mass plantings and sheared into a dense hedge. It tolerates a wide range of conditions, including light shade, full sun, poor soil, and tough conditions.

When to prune: The best time for pruning is in spring, after flowering; but the occasional branch can be cut away at any time.

COTONEASTER

Zones: 5-8
Exposure: Full sun
Mature size: Up to 1 foot tall with a spread of 4 to 6 feet
Foliage color: Dark green; reddish-bronze in fall and winter

Why we love it: 'Coral Beauty' is a popular cotoneaster cultivar that is stunning year-round, especially during fall and winter, when its small, glossy leaves turn a rich bronze red and it bears an abundance of coral red berries. In spring, this showy broadleaf will also reward you with masses of creamy white flowers.

Where to plant it: Use 'Coral Beauty' as an attractive ground cover for sunny areas in the garden, or plant on banks and slopes to help with erosion control. It can also be trained onto an espalier or draped over rocks and retaining walls.

When to prune: Prune as needed to shape and control its spread. The best time to prune is in early spring right after flowering.

WEIGELIA

With many varieties offering both colorful foliage and tubular blooms that attract hummingbirds and bees, weigela may be one of the most hard-working plants in your garden. Whether you need a tall variegated shrub for the back of the border, or a compact dark-leaved variety to frame a pathway, there is sure to be a weigela to suit.

Pruning is easy — and optional. If you feel the need to prune for size or shape, simply do so immediately after flowering so as not to sacrifice the following year’s blooms. Other than that, these garden stalwarts will thrive in full sun and average garden soil, are drought tolerant once established, and are rarely bothered by deer.

Zones: 4-8

Height/Spread: 2 to 6 feet tall, 3 to 5 feet wide

CONEFLOWERS

A staple of the sunny, late summer garden, coneflowers ( Echinacea spp.) bring a blast of bold color to the border, the open blooms being a favorite of butterflies and bees. It is also a great choice for the lazy gardener, as it is better not to cut this back in fall, but rather to leave the seed heads standing as they provide a tasty treat for birds during the colder months.

Drought tolerance and deer resistance are bonus features of this perennial, but emerging shoots may need to be protected from hungry rabbits in spring.

Hardiness and longevity of some of the newer varieties seems to be variable, so seeking the advice of a local nursery professional may be wise.

Zones: 4-9

Height/Spread: 16 inches to 3 feet tall, up to 2 feet wide

BLACK-EYED SUSAN

A garden without black-eyed Susan ( Rudbeckia ) just doesn’t seem complete. Bold, golden-yellow daisies with a chocolate central cone are a cheerful late-season highlight, thriving and blooming both in full sun and partial shade. Drought tolerant, deer resistant, rabbit resistant, and easy care makes these ideal for busy gardeners as well as beginners. Like coneflowers, it is best not to tidy up the seed heads in fall, but to leave them as a food source for birds. If they have one fault, it is that they spread easily by rhizomes, but any extra plants are easily removed and shared with friends.

Zones: 3-9

Height/Spread: 2 to 3 feet tall, 1 to 2 feet wide

CATMINT

Aromatic foliage, long-lasting blooms, drought tolerance, and deer resistance --catmint ( Nepeta spp.) is a good choice for gardeners seeking to reduce maintenance without sacrificing beauty or color. Taller varieties benefit from a quick haircut after blooming; but otherwise, just stand back and let it grow, cutting it down to the ground in fall.

Zones: 3-8

Height/Spread: 12 to 36 inches tall, 18 to 24 inches wide

The Best Time to Mulch You Garden

By 7062721248 • April 28, 2025
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Landscaping Trends That Will Transform Your Outdoor Space in 2025

By 7062721248 • April 24, 2025
Gardens are growing, and so are the trends shaping them. From eco-savvy native gardening designs to responsibly sourcing your seeds and plants, our experts share their top trends for 2025. Whether you're a green gardener or green-thumbed pro, these hot takes will provide endless inspiration. Meadow mania
 The “meadow” or “prairie” approach to landscaping is blossoming in popularity as gardeners embrace eco-conscious ways to design their spaces. By incorporating native plants like little bluestem, Echinacea, and Rattlesnake Master alongside adaptable non-natives such as Russian sage and yarrow, homeowners are creating vibrant, climate-resilient landscapes. A standout for 2025 is short-toothed mountain mint (Pycnanthemum muticum), the Perennial Plant of the Year. This native gem is drought-tolerant and a magnet for pollinators—a perfect addition to meadow-style gardens. To achieve this look, start by reducing lawn space and planting a mix of hardy perennials, grasses, and wildflowers in natural groupings. Unlike traditional gardens, this “dry and wild” method requires less water, reduces maintenance, and fosters biodiversity. With its relaxed charm and environmental benefits, the meadow approach is a win for gardeners and ecosystems alike.
 Short and sweet Short-blooming plants are lovely additions to gardens, offering a compact, tidy look while providing essential resources for pollinators. These plants work beautifully as borders between garden beds and lawns, helping transition from taller plants to neat, manicured grass. Species like Pussytoes (Antennaria neglecta), Prairie Smoke (Geum triflorum), and Jacob’s Ladder (Polemonium reptans) bloom in spring, but their fascinating, textural foliage enhances the landscape long after the flowers fade. Adding a blend of low-growing grasses and wildflowers offers a meadow-like appearance, which can be styled to look more structured or intentionally wild. With proper care, this design approach provides vibrant color and texture throughout the seasons, benefiting both the aesthetic of your yard and the local ecosystem.
 Milkweed for a butterfly bonanza As the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service considers listing monarch butterflies as endangered, gardeners have a chance to help save this iconic species. Monarchs continue to decline due to habitat loss, pesticide use, and climate change, which have destroyed their breeding grounds and reduced milkweed—their essential host plant. 
 By planting more milkweed, homeowners can create vital habitats to support monarchs and help reverse their decline and ensure these beloved pollinators thrive for generations to come. Above all, if you're interested in maximizing the enjoyment of YOUR yard call us today to schedule your free landscape consultation and let us help you bring your gardening desires to life! Source: https://www.chicagobotanic.org

Landscaping Ideas for an Enchanting Outdoor Space

By 7062721248 • May 30, 2024
Landscaping Ideas for an Enchanting Outdoor Space

Small-Space Landscaping Ideas to Make the Most of Your Yard

By 7062721248 • July 17, 2023
Just because you have a smaller plot doesn't mean you can't make it stand out. Maximize the impact of a minimal landscape with these small garden, front yard, and backyard garden ideas.

The Biggest Garden Trends Right Now

By 7062721248 • July 13, 2023
Garden of Eden The wild, earthly, Garden-of-Eden vibe is going to be big for gardens this year. So how do you translate that aesthetic to your own backyard? For starters, try mixing in edible plants with the rest of your landscape—don't just contain them to raised beds. This trend is also all about nurturing nature by incorporating pollinator- and bird-friendly plants, using organic products, and being mindful of soil health.

The 5 Elements of Landscaping

By 7062721248 • July 7, 2023
Landscaping is comprised of five main elements: color, line, texture, form and shape. These elements all work together to form a beautiful landscape design. Understanding each element will help you make good landscaping decisions, so we’ve outlined the ways each element can be incorporated into a design: 1. Color While all of the elements of landscaping are important, color might be the most essential. Color can add dimension, visual interest, and seasonal variety to your landscaping throughout the year. Color doesn’t just apply to the flowering plants you choose; you can also use paving, retaining walls, fences and mulch to add color to your landscape design. 2. Line Line refers to both hardscape and softscape elements, but typically it refers to the more structural features in your garden. Flower beds, walkways, patio perimeters, hedges and arbours can all be used to add lines to your garden and can help to draw attention to certain areas. If you prefer a more formal look, opt for hard lines as curved lines tend to be less formal and more relaxed. 3. Texture In any good design, texture is key. Plants are the best way to accomplish this goal, as the leaves, bark, flowers and branches all add instant texture. However, aggregates, mulch, paving stones, retaining walls and other structural features can also add texture to your garden. Be sure to choose elements with different textures throughout your garden to add visual interest. 4. Form You can think of form as the shape of a plant or other structural object. If you have a formal garden, the forms will be more tailored and manicured, with clipped hedges and defined lines. Informal landscapes tend to have natural forms and rely less on heavy pruning and maintenance. 5. Scale One of the trickiest elements in landscaping design is scale. You want to have a good balance between the size of your garden elements and the size of your home, as well as surrounding homes and public areas. If you have a smaller home, consider choosing elements that are in proportion to the size of your home. A larger home may be able to incorporate larger elements. Understanding these landscaping elements will help you design a landscape that you love! For expert help, contact The Luxury Landscape Co, LLC, for all your design and landscaping needs!

Red, White and Blue Plant Combinations

By 7062721248 • June 28, 2023
Well, it's past Memorial Day and we're working up to the 4th of July ... here are recommendations of complementary varieties in Red, White and Blue to plants. Red Geranium Red geraniums are a great centerpiece for a fourth of July potted container because geraniums are a floral choice that keeps giving and giving. Geraniums, when deadheaded, can continue to bloom and bloom all summer long. Pair this flower with white alyssum which will also flower all summer, and purple or red salvia plants which add their own pop of color without dominating the combination.

Creating Berms

By 7062721248 • June 23, 2023
Like the island bed, there are no hard and fast rules for creating a berm. But some simple guidelines can help create a beautiful berm. Berms and island beds can be quite similar, but there are two notable differences. The island bed generally “floats” alone in the landscape, whereas a berms are sweeping hills that alter the landscape. A berm alters and becomes a part of the landscape, often flowing up to or adjoining with other elements of the landscape such as structures or an adjoining hills or a stand of woods. Tapering the berm to the natural ground level also makes it appear a part of the natural landscape, but it is becoming common to see berms walled up. The other primary difference is that an island is generally created on the existing elevation of the property. A berm significantly raises the elevation by building up hills or mounds with soil. If you are considering creating a berm, keep in mind that a surprisingly large quantity of soil is required. Cultivated soil may be cost prohibitive depending on the size and height of the berm you have envisioned. Check with excavating companies in your area, for a reasonable charge you may be able to acquire fill from construction projects such as digging for a new homes’ basement or a swimming pool. Add cultivated soil only on top and dig in to the planting areas where necessary. Purpose of a Berm There are many reasons to create a berm, some very functional, some strictly aesthetic. A functional berm usually becomes aesthetic in its’ finishing. Create interest in a flat landscape Separate functional areas Add a focal point Create a privacy screen Create a wind barrier Create a noise barrier Enhance a design Create a soil depth where soil conditions are unfavorable Elevate plants to a better viewing position Improve or redirect drainage

Landscaping Trends

By 7062721248 • June 22, 2023
As homeowners spend more time outdoors, they have a new need for their outdoor space to feel more functional and complete. Whether it’s an outdoor kitchen, garden or pond, we are seeing homeowners lean toward creating more efficient, defined outdoor spaces. Landscapers and gardeners are now looking for ways to connect nature with patios and outdoor spaces to create the perfect spot to unwind and enjoy all the well-being benefits the outdoors provides.

Fast-Growing Trees for Midwest Yards

By 7062721248 • June 20, 2023
Ready to hide the view of a neighbor's patio, enclose a pool deck or buffer the noise of a nearby street? Many trees and shrubs can be planted tightly to form hedges, groves and screens to offer a solution. Many also add multi-season beauty and support wildlife. The key is to select the right tree for the right place whether shady and wet or cold and windy. Here are some favorites to try.
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