Low Maintenance Landscapes That Still Look Amazing in Boalsburg, PA

A beautiful yard shouldn’t feel like a full-time job. If you love the idea of a lush, inviting outdoor space but don’t have the time (or patience) for constant upkeep, you’re not alone. Mowing, weeding, watering—it all adds up fast.

But did you know that you can still have that stunning outdoor space with low-maintenance landscaping?

With the right plants, smart design choices, and a few simple tweaks, you can create a stunning yard that practically takes care of itself. Less work, more beauty—that’s the goal. Let’s make it happen!

Key Takeaways

Choose plants that thrive naturally in your area to reduce watering and upkeep.
Smart landscaping with mulch, hardscaping, and plant grouping cuts down on maintenance.
Avoid overcrowding by planning proper plant selection and spacing to prevent constant pruning.

Choose Native Plants

If you want to choose low-maintenance plants, make sure you're choosing native plants for your space.

These plants are adapted to the local climate and soil, which makes them more resilient and easier to care for. Once established, they require less watering, fewer soil amendments, and minimal pest control. They also support local wildlife, like pollinators and birds, while adding natural beauty to your outdoor space.

Here are some attractive native plants suitable for your area:

Perennials

Black-eyed Susan (Rudbeckia hirta): Bright yellow flowers with dark centers that bloom from summer to fall. They thrive in full sun and well-drained soil.
Wild geranium (Geranium maculatum): Delicate pink to lavender flowers appearing in spring. Prefers partial shade and moist, well-drained soils.
Butterfly weed (Asclepias tuberosa): Vibrant orange flowers that attract butterflies. Grows well in full sun and dry to medium soils.

Shrubs

Summersweet (Clethra alnifolia): Fragrant white or pink flowers blooming in late summer. Tolerates shade and moist soils, making it versatile for various garden spots.
Red twig dogwood (Cornus sericea): Known for its striking red stems in winter and white flowers in spring. Prefers moist soils and can handle partial shade.
New Jersey tea (Ceanothus americanus): Compact shrub with white flowers in early summer. Thrives in dry, well-drained soils and full sun.

Grasses

Switchgrass (Panicum virgatum): Tall, airy plumes that provide movement and texture. Adaptable to various soil types and prefers full sun.
Little bluestem (Schizachyrium scoparium): Blue-green foliage turning reddish-orange in fall. Grows best in full sun and well-drained soils.

Opt for Perennials Over Annuals

Planting perennials is one of the easiest ways to create a low-maintenance landscaping plan that still looks amazing year after year. Unlike annual plants, which need to be replanted every season, perennials return on their own, saving time, money, and effort. They also help suppress weeds, improve soil moisture, and require less water once established.

For a yard that stays colorful with minimal effort, here are some of the best low-maintenance plants:

Colorful, low-maintenance perennials

Purple coneflower (Echinacea purpurea) – Vibrant pinkish-purple blooms that thrive in full sun and dry to moderate soils. A favorite for pollinators.
Black-eyed Susan (Rudbeckia hirta) – Golden-yellow flowers with dark centers that bloom from mid-summer to fall. Tolerant of drought and various soil types.
Wild columbine (Aquilegia canadensis) – Delicate red and yellow flowers that attract hummingbirds. Prefers shade or partial sun.
Bee balm (Monarda didyma) – Bright red, pink, or purple flowers that spread easily and resist pest control issues.
Goldenrod (Solidago spp.) – Late-season bloomer that adds a pop of yellow to garden beds and flower beds. Supports pollinators and requires less upkeep.
Foamflower (Tiarella cordifolia) – Great for ground cover in shady areas with delicate white or pink flowers. Helps retain soil moisture and suppress weeds.

Pairing perennials with organic mulches like wood chips, pine straw, or natural stone helps conserve moisture, reduce weed growth, and keep landscape maintenance to a minimum. Adding shade trees and native grasses alongside perennials can create a balanced, thriving outdoor living space that requires less maintenance.

Incorporate Hardscaping Elements

A stunning outdoor living space doesn’t have to be all plants and grass. Hardscaping—using elements like natural stone, decorative gravel, and patios—adds structure, reduces upkeep, and makes a low-maintenance landscaping plan even easier to manage.

Instead of spending weekends mowing, weeding, and watering, hardscaping lets you enjoy your yard with much upkeep.

Easy hardscaping ideas for less maintenance

Replace grass with decorative gravel or pavers – Traditional turf needs constant mowing and watering. Swapping it for natural stone paths, stepping stones, or ground cover like creeping thyme keeps things green with less upkeep.
Use mulch or wood chips in garden beds – Laying down organic matter like wood chips or mulch around native plants and flower beds helps suppress weeds and conserve moisture while adding a clean, polished look.
Add a patio or seating area – A landscape design with a stone or brick patio reduces plant maintenance and creates a cozy space for relaxing.
Create Pathways with Stone or Gravel – Stepping stones or crushed gravel paths prevent weed growth and help with proper drainage, avoiding excess water pooling around tree roots.
Install Raised Beds or Container Gardens – Instead of high-maintenance flower beds, container gardens or raised garden beds offer an easy way to grow sun loving plants and drought tolerant species without taking up too much space.

Pairing hardscaping with native species and adapted plants keeps your outdoor space both functional and beautiful. Less lawn, fewer weeds, and no need for a sprinkler system—that’s how to create a yard that looks great with minimal effort.

Use Mulch to Suppress Weeds

Weeds love open space, and if left unchecked, they take over garden beds and flower beds, stealing nutrients from your plants. A thick layer of mulch solves that problem. It blocks sunlight to prevent weed growth, holds in moisture, and improves soil health over time.

For low-maintenance landscaping, mulching is a simple way to cut down on much upkeep while keeping your yard looking neat.

Best types of mulch for low-maintenance landscaping

Wood chips or bark mulch – Great for trees, shrubs, and pathways. They break down slowly, adding organic matter to the soil.
Pine straw – Works well around native plants and acid-loving species. It’s lightweight and easy to spread.
Compost or organic mulches – Improve soil quality while suppressing weeds, making them a good option for growing zones with poor soil.
Stone or gravel – Ideal for dry areas and drought-tolerant ground cover. Doesn’t break down, so it requires even less upkeep.
Straw or hay – Used for vegetable gardens and around new plantings to protect young roots.

Mulching tips for maximum benefits

Apply 2-4 inches – A thick enough layer blocks weeds and retains moisture but isn’t too deep to suffocate plants.
Keep mulch away from plant stems – Piling mulch against stems and trunks can trap moisture and cause rot.
Replenish mulch once a year – Organic mulches decompose over time, so refreshing the layer in the blooming season helps maintain its benefits.
Pair mulch with a weed barrier – For even better maintenance landscaping, lay down cardboard or landscape fabric before mulching.

Adding mulch to your landscape design keeps group plants thriving, reduces the need for drip irrigation, and makes any yard easier to maintain.

Install Efficient Irrigation Systems

Dragging a hose around the yard or constantly adjusting sprinklers takes time and effort. Low-maintenance landscaping means working smarter, not harder—an efficient irrigation system keeps plants hydrated without the daily hassle.

Drip irrigation and soaker hoses deliver water directly to the roots, which reduces waste and prevents overwatering.

Best irrigation options for low-maintenance landscaping

Drip Irrigation – Small tubes release water slowly at the base of plants, ensuring deep soaking with minimal effort. Perfect for native plants and ground cover.
Soaker Hoses – A budget-friendly alternative that seeps water along its length, keeping garden beds and shrubs evenly watered.
Smart Irrigation Controllers – Timers and Wi-Fi-enabled controllers adjust watering schedules based on weather and soil conditions, eliminating guesswork.

Why efficient irrigation makes sense

Uses less water, saving money and resources.
Prevents overwatering, which can lead to root rot and weak plants.
Encourages plants to grow naturally with deeper root systems.
Keeps grass and landscape design looking great without constant manual watering.

Choose Low-Maintenance Lawn Alternatives

A lush, green lawn looks great, but maintaining grass takes time, water, and effort. Traditional turf needs constant mowing, fertilizing, and watering—exactly the opposite of low-maintenance landscaping.

Swapping out sections of your lawn for ground cover, native species, or ornamental grasses keeps your yard looking beautiful with less upkeep.

Clover lawns

Pros: Stays green with less water, fixes nitrogen in the soil (reducing the need for fertilizers), and resists common lawn pests.
Cons: Not as durable for heavy foot traffic as traditional grass.

Ornamental grasses (e.g., Little Bluestem, Switchgrass, Pennsylvania Sedge)

Pros: Thrives in various conditions, adds texture to landscape design, and requires minimal effort.
Cons: Some species may need occasional trimming to prevent overgrowth.

Ground cover plants (e.g., Creeping Thyme, Periwinkle, Wild Strawberry)

Pros: Spreads naturally, helps suppress weeds, and requires no mowing.
Cons: Takes time to establish, and some varieties spread aggressively.

Mulched areas (e.g., wood chips, pine straw, natural stone)

Pros: Eliminates mowing entirely, prevents weed growth, and retains moisture for plants.
Cons: Needs occasional replenishing.

Group Plants by Watering Needs

Mixing plants with different moisture needs can lead to overwatering some and underwatering others. A smarter approach is to group plants with similar watering requirements together, creating "hydrozones" that make irrigation more efficient.

Drought-Tolerant Zone (For dry areas, sunny spots, or sandy soil)

Best plants: Coneflowers, Black-eyed Susans, Little Bluestem Grass, Lavender
Placement: Edges of the yard, narrow strips along pathways, or areas with full sun
Watering Needs: Infrequent deep watering, ideal for benign neglect gardeners

Moderate-Water Zone (For areas with average soil moisture and partial sun)

Best Plants: Bee Balm, Columbine, Pennsylvania Sedge, Coral Bells
Placement: Around patios, garden beds, or along the house foundation
Watering Needs: Occasional watering during dry spells, benefits from adding compost to retain moisture

Moisture-Loving Zone (For areas near downspouts, low spots, or clay-heavy soil)

Best Plants: Swamp Milkweed, Summersweet, Ferns, Cardinal Flower
Placement: Low-lying sections, rain gardens, or shaded landscaping near water sources
Watering Needs: Prefers consistent moisture but avoids standing water

Implement Smart Garden Design

A well-planned landscape design saves time, reduces upkeep, and keeps your yard looking great without constant pruning and reshaping. One of the biggest mistakes in gardening is placing plants too close together or choosing species that outgrow their space. Thinking ahead makes all the difference.

Choose plants that fit their space

Plants require room to grow to their full size without overcrowding.
Native plants and low-maintenance plants adapted to your area need less shaping and care.
Avoid planting large shrubs or trees in narrow strips where they’ll need constant trimming.

Space plants wisely

Leave enough room between plants to prevent overcrowding, which reduces airflow and encourages disease.
Use slow-growing perennials in garden beds to avoid frequent replanting.
Adding compost and mulch between plants helps maintain soil health and suppress weeds.

Layer plants for a natural look

Taller plants go in the back, medium-sized ones in the middle, and low-growing varieties in the front.
Ground covers help fill gaps and reduce bare soil, keeping maintenance low.

Use “benign neglect” landscaping

Select low-maintenance plants that thrive with minimal effort instead of high-maintenance flowers that need constant attention.
Design with seasonal changes in mind—plan for staggered planting times to ensure color and interest throughout the growing season.

Conclusion

A beautiful, thriving landscape doesn’t have to mean endless work. Choosing the right plants, planning with maintenance in mind, and using smart design strategies will keep your outdoor space looking great through every growing season. With a little planning now, you’ll enjoy a lush yard with minimal effort for years to come.

Less Work, More Beauty—Let’s Make It Happen

A well-designed landscape should make life easier, not harder. With the right plants, smart layout, and low-maintenance strategies, you can have a stunning yard without the constant upkeep.

At Landscape II, we specialize in landscaping that works with nature, not against it. If you need help with plant selection, growing season planning, or a complete redesign, we’ll create an outdoor space that looks great with less upkeep.

Book a FREE consultation with us today!

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the easiest landscaping to maintain?

Landscaping with native plants, ground cover, and mulch requires the least upkeep, as these elements naturally adapt to the environment and reduce the need for watering, weeding, and mowing.

What is the cheapest type of landscaping?

Using native species, adding compost to enrich soil instead of buying fertilizers, and replacing turf with low-maintenance plants or decorative gravel keeps costs down while creating a beautiful yard.

What is the most low-maintenance garden?

A garden with drought-tolerant plants, benign neglect landscaping principles, and minimal lawn areas needs less watering, pruning, and replanting, making it the easiest to maintain year-round.

What is the most low-maintenance outdoor plant?

Perennials like Black-Eyed Susan, Coneflower, and ornamental grasses grow back each growing season with little care, making them some of the best choices for a low-maintenance yard.