Low Maintenance Plants that Boost Curb Appeal

Spring has finally sprung! With temperatures rising into the 70's and 80's, now is the time to start planning your summer garden.

The past three years I have planted a variety of plants in containers with some successes and a few failures. I have realized that the green thumb I hoped for has still yet to develop.

​One of the reasons is that my summer schedule seems more hectic and I'm not home as much. Because of that I have been researching low-maintenance plants to plant this year to help boost curb appeal. If you're a lazy gardener, like me, here are a variety of resilient plants that will thrive with little care. 

Carissa Holly

Scientific Name: Ilex Cornuta
Size of Plant: 3-4' tall and 5-6' wide
Amount of Light Needed: Full sun to partial shade
This commonly used foundation bush is low maintenance and drought resistant. It's the perfect plant for the lazy gardener who wants a simple hedges to boost their curb appeal. In April to May it blooms small white flowers. 

Catmint

Scientific Name: Nepeta Faassenii
Size of Plant: 1-4' tall
​Amount of Light Needed: Needs full sun with NOT overly fertile, well drained soil. 
Catmint can be planted in the ground or in a container. This plant would be ideal for homeowners who prefer potted plants. It will add a pop of color to your front yard. Catmint is a great companion to grow with vegetables and herbs. It is an aromatic plant that naturally deters insects such as aphids (plant lice) and Japanese beetles. ​

Clematis

Scientific Name: Clematis L.
​Plant Size: 3-20 ft. or taller
Amount of Light Needed: 6+ hours of sun

​This versatile vine comes in a variety of colors, shapes and growing seasons. Some of the more common colors of the Clematis vine are blue, pink, red, and white. It is a low maintenance, fragrant vine that is great to decorate garden fences, trellis, arbors, or poles around the house. Dwarf Clematis can also be grown in containers. 

Privet

Scientific Name: Ligustrum
Amount of Light Needed: Full to Partial Sun
This common plant has 50 different species varying from deciduous to evergreen shrubs.
Ovalifolium and Amurense Privets are two types of fast growing privets that could be used to create a noise barrier, privacy fence. Privets can be grown in containers. They need frequent watering the first year, and after that become drought tolerant. Waxleaf Privets are easily grown in Arkansas and produce white blooms every spring. ​

Shasta Daisy

Scientific Name: Leucanthemum X Superbum
Plant Size: 2-3' tall and 1-2' wide
Amount of Light Needed: Full Sun and any soil type
Shasta Daisies blooms will attract butterflies in summer and fall. This perennial plant requires very minimal maintenance, they only need to be watered in the summer if rainfall is less than an 1" a week. 

American Speedwell

Scientific Name: Veronica Americana
Plant Size: 10-100 cm long
Amount of Light Needed: Full Sun and Well Drained Soil
The American Speedwell is one of 500 different types of speedwell plants. These plants grow in clusters that can be used for ground cover in between other flowers. They're very resilient plants that have the potential to become weeds if not maintained. They are drought tolerant and deer resistant. They also attract butterflies and hummingbirds. 
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Do you know of any other resilient plants that are perfect for the novice gardener?
​Comment below and let me know!