Pruning is something that you may need to do for a lot of plants in your garden, which can be an annoyance to deal with.
Spring is the best time to prune many plants, as a way to encourage stronger growth for the summer.
However, there is a risk of cutting too far and potentially impacting the bloom for the growing season.
If you want to avoid the act of pruning, there are a few shrubs and perennials you can get to make life a bit easier.
The best shrubs and perennials to get if you hate pruning
Some fuss-free alternatives that don't need as much maintenance include Hardy Geraniums, which can fill your borders with plenty of colour.
Ashleigh Bradshaw, Garden and Lawn Expert at Hayter, added: "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.
"Not to mention, they’re also non-toxic for pets!
"Just don’t get Pelargonium Geraniums by mistake, as these can be toxic, especially to dogs."
She also advocated for easy-care shrubs like Skimmia, Mexican Orange Blossom and Daphne.
Discussing the Mexican Orange Blossom, she said: "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."
Meanwhile, Daphne grows slowly and in a compact shape, and will bloom in the winter and spring months.
Martin Chaplin, Head of Horticulture at Hedges Direct, advised trying shrubs like Skimmia, Choisya, and Hebe as they grow in a neat, compact form.
He added: "One standout is Pittosporum ‘Golf Ball’, which naturally forms a perfect rounded shape without any clipping.”
In terms of perennials, he suggested Geranium Rozanne, Epimedium and Heuchera.
Alongside that, Mark Sage, Lead Horticultural Buyer at B&Q, said: "Plants like hellebores are evergreen and great for adding a bit of winter and spring colour and require very little maintenance, aside from removing tatty leaves.
"Others, such as sedum, salvia and verbena, just need cutting back once in early spring before new growth starts."
Luke Newnes, a gardening expert at Hillarys, recommended ornamental grasses such as Stipa tenuissima or Miscanthus if you were looking for low-maintenance plants.
Sharing some tips on planning ahead for this, he said: "My advice when choosing no-prune plants is to think about the space you’re working with and pick varieties that naturally grow to a size you’re comfortable with.
Recommended reading:
- People urged to avoid making one mistake when pruning hydrangeas in their garden
- When does Japanese Knotweed flower in the UK and what to do if you find some
- UK homeowners issued £20,000 fine warning over making this change to your garden
"Most unwanted pruning happens because people buy a plant that eventually becomes too large for the spot it’s in.
"Once established, these low-maintenance shrubs and perennials only need the basics: a good start in the right soil, the right amount of light, and a bit of watering in dry spells.
"Beyond that, they pretty much take care of themselves, which is ideal for anyone who wants a garden that looks good without demanding lots of time.”
Do you prefer plants that don't need pruning in your garden? Let us know in the comments.
Share