Plant and go

By Trisha Harinath

No time to work on a garden? Find out why low-maintenance gardens are the way to go.

Although there are quite a few explanations of what a low-maintenance garden is, in essence this type of outdoor landscape is one that requires little labour but still manages to look great.

“A low-maintenance garden is one which also does not need too much water,” explains Yochai Zlotnick, of Renaldo and YZ Gardens. Adding to this, Simon Taylor, who represents Apalis Gardens and Irrigation, says that this type of landscape requires minimal pruning and shaping, and it is also disease resistant.

So what exactly goes into a low-maintenance garden?

There are two important aspects that you will need to consider – the hardscaping as well as the softscaping.

According to Andy de Wet, owner of The Aloe Farm and CND Nursery, there are so many exciting new products that are currently available at garden centres, including stones, sculptures, stepping stones, gravel, dump rock, artificial and real weathered rockery stone, and a variety of pebbles. “Small water features of many descriptions are also available and most of these are also easy to install, for even the ‘not-so-handy-man’,” says Andy, who adds that driftwood can also assist in the creation of wonderful “dry” landscapes.

Fiona Richardson, of Styler Products, explains that using beautiful plants in your garden will definitely lift your spirits. “Grouping plants together in an area of the garden makes a statement, and by using low-maintenance plants and planters you can be guaranteed a low maintenance garden,” says Fiona.

When it comes to ground covers, avoid using invasive options such as ivy, cats’ claw and wild strawberry, and suggests using vinca, plectranthus and viola instead.

Apart from the fact that they offer minimal maintenance, these types of gardens are also good to the environment. “The massive strain that high human population growth has put on the environment demands that we have to contribute where we can. This is best done in our own close proximity. By using water-wise plants you can reduce the water consumption of your garden dramatically and still have a great landscape. Well chosen indigenous plants will also attract birds and good insects,” says Andy.

With a low-maintenance garden, you can rest assured that you will have minimum work while the beauty and tranquillity benefits will be at their maximum.