Hate pruning? It’s one of the top gardening tasks for spring, but if you’d prefer something a little more low-maintenance, experts have revealed which plants you can grow without reaching for the secateurs.
“When it comes to perennials, hardy geraniums should become your new best friend – especially if you want to fill in your borders with plenty of colour,” says Ashleigh Bradshaw, garden and lawn expert from Hayter. “You don’t need to worry about pruning; tidy up the old foliage once a year and you’ll have a sea of blue or purple flowers all summer.”
Perfect for containers and hanging baskets, geraniums are best planted in April and May when temperatures are consistently warm. They prefer full sun but can tolerate mild shade, too.
Elsewhere, other easy-care shrubs that don’t need pruning reguarly include skimmia, Mexican orange blossom and daphne.
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“Mexican orange blossoms are the best for gardens with pets, although you should always check at the point of purchase to be sure of a plant’s toxicity,” continues Ashleigh.
“This shrub is a hardy evergreen that keeps a naturally neat, rounded shape. Aside from occasionally snipping off a stray branch or deadheading the fragrant white flowers to encourage a second flush, you can effectively leave it to do its thing.”
With intensely fragrant blooms, daphne is a brilliant fuss-free shrub that prefers to be left alone without pruning.
“They grow slowly and in a compact shape, making them ideal for a garden owner who would rather leave their border to its own devices,” says Ashleigh. “Your daphne will bloom in winter and the colder spring months, so it’s great for a bit of colour in those usually dull seasons, too.”
Perfect if you’re looking to create a beautifully blooming garden without the fuss.
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Deputy Daily Editor, Country Living and House Beautiful
Lisa Joyner is the Deputy Daily Editor at House Beautiful UK and Country Living UK, where she’s busy writing about home and interiors, gardening, dog breeds, pets, health and wellbeing, countryside news, small space inspiration, and the hottest properties on the market. Previously, she has written for Conde Nast Traveller, House & Garden and Marie Claire magazine. Lisa studied at University For The Creative Arts, where she completed a BA in Fashion Journalism.
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