Low-Maintenance Plants That Will Still Wow Your Guests

When life is busy, it can be tough to give your garden the care it needs—but that doesn’t mean you have to sacrifice on style. At Esme Developments, we specialise in creating gardens that are both beautiful and easy to maintain. If you want a stunning space that doesn’t demand your weekends, choosing the right low-maintenance garden plants is where it all begins.

Here’s our list of top low-maintenance garden plants that look good without needing constant attention:

Shrubs That Do the Heavy Lifting
Shrubs add structure and style to any garden. Our go-to picks? Pittosporum ‘Silver Queen’ for a touch of silver shimmer, hydrangeas for bold blooms, and osmanthus for its heavenly scent. Taxus baccata balls are perfect for a polished look, and Cyananthus brings a splash of blue.

Perennials That Keep Giving
Lavender is a timeless choice—fragrant, drought-tolerant, and beloved by pollinators. Ornamental grasses like Blue Fescue or Karl Foerster sway beautifully in the breeze and are practically bulletproof. Add in nepeta or Mexican daisies for colour and texture with minimal fuss.

Trees That Take Care of Themselves
For long-term impact, consider trees like silver birch or prunus (cherry tree). George, our founder, swears by the Indian Bean Tree for drama and shade. Cornus kousa and controversa offer seasonal interest and architectural flair.

Annuals for a Pop of Colour
You don’t need to skip annuals altogether. Mexican sunflowers, cosmos, pansies, and petunias are cheerful, hardy, and easy to grow—perfect for quick impact that lasts through the seasons.

Choosing these low-maintenance plants is just one step toward a thriving, stylish garden that fits your lifestyle. Whether you’re building a new space or revamping an old one, our team can help design a landscape that’s as easy to care for as it is beautiful.

Heading to RHS Chelsea Flower Show this year? So are we.