Beloved, hardy, and old-fashioned, these low-maintenance garden plants are among the easiest you can grow. Plant Name: Astilbe selections Growing Conditions: Shade and moist or wet soil Size: To 2 feet tall and wide Grow It With: Shade-loving hostas for a great contrast in texture and color. Zones: 3-9 Plant Name: Veronica selections Growing Conditions: Full sun and well-drained soil Size: To 2 feet tall and wide Grow It With: Shrub roses. These low-maintenance garden plants pair beautifully for classic cottage garden charm. Zones: 4-8 Plant Name: Miscanthus sinensis Growing Conditions: Full sun and moist, well-drained soil Size: To 8 feet tall and 4 feet wide Grow It With: Purple-leaf ninebark (another four-season plant) for a stunning contrast in shapes, colors, and textures all year long. Zones: 4-9 Plant Name: Amsonia tabernaemontana Growing Conditions: Full sun or part shade and moist, well-drained soil Size: To 2 feet tall and wide Grow It With: Peonies, which bloom shortly after amsonia to extend the bloom season. Plus, both plants feature fabulous fall foliage. Zones: 3-9 Note: Trilliums tend to go dormant in midsummer. Plant Name: Trillium species Growing Conditions: Shade and moist, well-drained soil Size: To 16 inches tall and wide Grow It With: Groundcovers such as lamium. That way you won’t be left with empty gaps in your garden when the trilliums go dormant. Zones: 4-7 Plant Name: Heuchera selections Growing Conditions: Full sun or part shade and moist, well-drained soil Size: To 1 foot tall and wide Grow It With: Astilbe, which features feathery blooms that complement coralbells’ blooms and contrast with their mounding habit. Zones: 3-8 Plant Name: Monarda selections Growing Conditions: Full sun and moist, well-drained soil Size: To 4 feet tall and wide Grow It With: White liatris for a beautiful contrast in color and texture added to your landscape (as well as a surefire way to attract butterflies). Zones: 3-9 Plant Name: Saponaria officinalis Growing Conditions: Full sun and well-drained soil Size: To 2 feet tall and wide Grow It With: Yarrow; both are sun-loving, low-maintenance perennials that make great cut flowers and have long bloom seasons. Zones: 3-9 Plant Name: Convallaria majalis Growing Conditions: Shade and moist, well-drained soil Size: To 9 inches tall and several feet across Grow It With: Japanese painted fern, a slow-spreading fern that creates season-long interest thanks to its silver- and burgundy-touched fronds. Zones: 2-7 Note: Like trillium, it tends to go dormant in midsummer. Plant Name: Dicentra spectabilis Growing Conditions: Shade and moist, well-drained soil Size: To 4 feet tall and wide Grow It With: Yellow corydalis, a cute perennial with ferny foliage that blooms spring to fall. Zones: 3-9
