Wouldn’t it be great if the natural areas of your landscape were as easy to maintain as the hardscape? But plants grow, leaves fall, and sadly, flowers die. That doesn’t mean that covering your backyard in plastic greenery is your only solution, though. There is a huge variety of plants that require minimal maintenance and will bring life to your outdoor space, keeping it looking lush and vibrant with very little upkeep.

Croton-on-Hudson, NY has some gorgeous natural settings that do perfectly fine without human intervention. We can take a leaf out of mother nature’s book, so to speak, by paying attention to the kinds of plants that thrive in the weather and soil of the region (USDA plant hardiness zone 6b). Here we have compiled a list of highly independent plants that will survive even without your full attention.

Firelight Spirea (Spirea japonica “Firelight”)

Known for its deep orange spring foliage that lend it its name, the firelight spirea also bears pink flowers in early summer and golden yellow mature foliage. The firelight spirea contrasts well with other greenery and brings a warm feeling to the landscape. While small in stature at only 2-3 feet tall and 2-4 feet wide, its bright foliage throughout the year and dense growth gives this plant the personality of a giant.

Velvet Cloak Smoke (Cotinus coggygria)

This shrub is another perfect example of high-profile foliage coloring with its deep red-purple leaves and feathery rose tinted plumes. Its deep color is perfect for creating focal points among the greenery and being around or behind plants with brighter colors. The velvet cloak smoke can grow up to 12 feet tall and the same wide, making this an excellent plant for creating impressive curb appeal for your front lawn.

Blue Star (Amsonia tabernaemontana)

Blue Star is an easy-to-grow herbaceous perennial, so called because of its small, light blue, star-shaped flowers that bloom in May. As well as being low-maintenance, this plant is hardy to drought, deer and clay soil. Blue Star remains small and neat at a height and spread of around 2-3 feet, making it an excellent candidate for borders or container planting. Blue Star’s long, thin leaves add to its fine texture and delicate appearance, making it well suited to cottage and rustic themed gardens. As well as providing subtle color with its flowers, Blue Star also displays attractive golden foliage in the fall.

Endless Summer Hydrangea (Hydrangea macrophylla “Endless summer”)

Perfect Plantings for a Low Maintenance Croton-on-Hudson, NY Property

As the name says, this hydrangea has the unique ability to bloom multiple times during spring and summer, keeping your landscape colorful throughout months. The color of the blossoms can even be changed according to your tastes by adjusting the pH of your soil. Endless summer has broad, densely growing leaves and large, tight clusters of small flowers. The flowers vary between shades of purple and blue (higher acidity) to pink (alkaline soil), acting as a sort of biological litmus test. The hydrangea can be used as a perennial border or to add lush, significant volume to plant beds.