The Guide to Low-Maintenance Landscaping by Climate Type

Low-maintenance landscaping focuses on choosing the right plants, materials, and design strategies that work with your local climate instead of against it. Landscaping options are infinite, and the average price of landscaping ranges from $5 to $20 a square foot, depending on what you decide to incorporate into the space. In this guide, we explore the best low-maintenance backyard landscaping ideas for every climate along with specific plant types that can thrive in each climate’s unique characteristics.

Drought-Prone Climates

Drought-prone climates are regions that experience prolonged periods of abnormally dry weather and can be found throughout the U.S. The most drought-prone areas are the  Southwest (California, Nevada, Arizona, New Mexico, Utah, and Texas), the Great Plains (western Kansas, Nebraska, Oklahoma, and eastern Colorado), and parts of the Pacific Northwest, with occasional droughts occurring in the Southeast.

Best Plant Types

With such dry conditions, ideal landscaping for drought-prone areas includes options that require minimal water, fertilizer, and pesticides. As a rule of thumb, the best way to ensure a low-maintenance backyard is to select plants that are best to your local USDA hardiness zone. Some ideas are:

• Flowers and shrubs: Lavender, Rosemary, Asters, Black-Eyed Susans, Yarrow, Russian Sage, Coreopsis, Blanket Flowers, Lantana, Texas Sage, Yucca.

• Ornamental grasses: Carex Pansa, Pampas Grass, Annual Fountain Grass, Chinese Silver Grass.

• Ground covers: Trailing Dalea, Myoporum.

• Cacti and succulents: Agave, Aloe, Barrel Cactus, Prickly Pear.

Best Landscaping Practices

• Xeriscaping is a landscaping approach that focuses on reducing or eliminating the need for irrigation. With thoughtful planning and design, the need for supplemental watering can be minimized through soil improvement, efficient irrigation, appropriate plant selection, mulching, reduced lawn areas, and proper maintenance. The cost per sq.ft. to xeriscape a space ranges from $5 to $20.

• Minimize lawn areas or replace them entirely with drought-tolerant alternatives. Options like gravel, mulch, ground covers, or artificial turf can offer eye-catching designs with little to no need for watering.

• Use mulch (organic or gravel) to retain soil moisture, suppress weeds, and regulate soil temperature. The cost of mulching per yard can range from $10 to $60 and depends on the area to cover, as many suppliers offer a quantity discount on high-order quantities.

• Improve the soil to enhance water retention and optimize drainage. Adding organic matter like compost, or soil additives like vermiculite or perlite, can help boost the soil’s water-holding capacity.

• Implement efficient irrigation methods like drip irrigation or soaker hoses to deliver water directly to plant roots, reducing evaporation. Encourage deep roots by watering deeply and infrequently.

• Group plants with similar water needs together, and water based on soil moisture levels instead of a set schedule. This helps prevent both over and underwatering.

• Consider hardscaping elements like patios or walkways made of permeable pavers or gravel. This will help reduce planted areas and allow water percolation.

• Collect and redirect rainwater using rain barrels or rain gardens. Water in rain barrels can be stored for short periods of time to be used in between naturally occurring precipitation.

Humid Climates

Humid climates are characterized by having more precipitation than evaporation throughout the year, resulting in little to no water shortages even during the dry season. The most humid areas in the U.S. are found in the Southeast (Florida, Georgia, Alabama), the Midwest (Missouri, Illinois, Indiana, Ohio), and the Northeast (New York, Pennsylvania).

Best Plant Types

Due to the abundance of water and moisture, it is important to choose plants that are tolerant to humidity and can be planted in well-draining areas. Some plants to consider are:

• Flowers: Large-flowered Tickseed, Showy Phlox, Scarlet Sage, Wild Bergamot

• Shrubs: Virginia Sweetspire, Dwarf Azalea

• Trees: American Beech, Swamp White Oak

• Vines: Bigleaf Hydrangea

Best Landscaping Practices

• Ensure well-drained soil to allow for proper aeration of roots. Do this by amending existing soil with organic matter or using raised beds and containers.

• Provide adequate spacing between plants to promote good air circulation. Providing an environment for foliage to dry will reduce the risk of fungal diseases.

• Water in the mornings to allow foliage time to dry during the day. Be sure to avoid overhead watering, as it can lead to some areas getting over-saturated.

• Choose plant locations strategically based on their sunlight needs. In very hot and humid conditions, some plants may benefit from afternoon shade.

• Use mulch carefully to retain moisture. It is important to keep mulch away from stumps and tree trunks to avoid excessive dampness or rot.

Coastal/Marine Climates

Climates influenced by nearby oceans are found on both U.S. coasts. Along the West Coast of Washington, Oregon, and the Northern Coast of California, the climate brings mild, wet winters and cool summers. In contrast, the Eastern coastal regions deal with varying seasonal humidity and storms.

Best Plant Types

With the potential for high and sustained winds along with salt spray from nearby waters, it is important to select plants that can withstand these tough conditions. Some good options are:

• Flowers: Daylily, Lantana, Bee Balm, Butterfly Weed, Gaillardia, Blazing Star.

• Shrubs: Japanese Pittosporum, Hibiscus, Inkberry, Southern Bayberry.

• Trees: Live Oak, Wax Myrtle, Sweetbay Magnolia, Red Cedar.

• Vines: Trumpet Creeper, Bougainvillea, Virginia Creeper, Coral Honeysuckle.

• Cacti and succulents: Adam’s Needle, Agave, Yucca.

Best Landscaping Practices

• Ensure good drainage, as coastal areas can have high water tables and can be prone to flooding, especially during spring tides or heavy storms.

• Provide windbreaks like fences, burlap, or other foliage to help protect less hardy plants.

• Consider using mulch in sandy soils to help retain moisture and protect roots. Be sure to mulch wisely so as to not introduce conditions for rot.

• Choose materials for hardscaping that are resistant to salt corrosion and offer good drainage.

• Regularly rinse salt spray off plant foliage if necessary to prevent dehydration and damage.

Cold Climates

Cold climates have consistently low temperatures, often below freezing, and experience long, cold winters and short summers. In the U.S., cold climates are found in Alaska, Minnesota, North Dakota, Montana, Wyoming, Michigan, Wisconsin, New York, Maine, and parts of Colorado and New Hampshire.

Best Plant Types

The length of season and range of temperatures can vary significantly across cold climates, so it is recommended to select plants that can survive low temperatures. Some good choices are:

• Flowers: Hydrangeas, Hostas, Spirea

• Shrubs: Oriental Arborvitae, Portuguese Laurel, Mexican Orange (Choisya Ternata), Himalayan Sweet Box, Boxwood Shrubs, Virginia Sweetspire, Viburnum Dentatum, Forsythia

• Trees: Eastern Hemlock, Red Maple

• Grasses: Tall Fescue, Blue Grama

Best Landscaping Practices

• Plant at the appropriate time of year to allow plants to establish before winter temperatures set in.

• Use mulch around plants to insulate roots from freezing temperatures. This will also help prevent soil heaving during freeze-thaw cycles.

• Consider the impact of snow and ice on plant selection and placement. If you cannot entirely avoid the elements, consider installing cloches or cold frames to provide shelter.

• Prune trees and shrubs at the correct time of year to avoid damage and encourage growth. Most times, pruning should be done in late winter or early spring before new growth begins.

• Choose slow-growing plants, as they are able to conserve energy during harsh winter conditions. An added bonus is the reduced need for frequent pruning.

• Consider using ground covers as a lawn alternative to help with weed suppression. Be sure to choose cold-hardy options.

Mild & Temperate Climates

Graced with moderate temps, four distinct seasons, and varying amounts of precipitation, mild and temperate climates can be found in the Pacific Northwest (Some parts of Western Washington, Western Oregon, Central and Southern California), and parts of the Mid-Atlantic (Virginia, Maryland, North Carolina).

Best Plant Types

The pleasant conditions in these regions often allow for high flexibility in plant selection. Some popular picks are:

• Flowers: Daylilies, Hostas, Coreopsis, Yarrow

• Shrubs: Azaleas, Weigela

• Trees: Red Maple, Eastern Hemlock, Redbud, Serviceberry, Japanese Maple 

• Ornamental grasses:  Fountain Grass, Feather Reed Grass, or Blue Fescue

• Ground covers: Creeping Thyme, Clover, or Ajuga

Best Landscaping Practices

• Plan the landscape layout with careful consideration of the intended use of the yard. Take into account the amount of daily sunlight exposure and natural features.

• Choose plants with similar sunlight and water needs and group them together to help promote their growth and overall health.

• Use mulch to retain soil moisture and suppress weeds; however, be careful not to mulch too closely to roots or trunks of trees as that can promote fungal disease.

• Consider incorporating hardscaping elements, which can add depth and complexity as well as reduce the area requiring planting and maintenance.

• Space plants appropriately to allow for mature growth and reduce competition. Slightly crowding and adding plants of varying heights, including ground cover, can help suppress weeds.

• Water deeply and less frequently to encourage deep root growth and long-term viability of your plants.

Additional Landscaping Ideas for Any Climate

While climate conditions are crucial for landscape design, there are a few ways you can create a low-maintenance backyard in any environment. Keep it simple and choose a minimalist style with fewer plant varieties. This will help to flatten the learning curve needed to care for many different plant needs. You can also opt for hardscaping options like gravel, brick, or stone to reduce the area in which plants need to be maintained and cared for. If you like the idea of less weeding and plant care but still want to create a beautiful space, try features like garden art, sculptures, bird baths, and fountains. For smaller spaces or where ground cover isn't ideal, explore vertical gardening with climbing vines, trellises, or wall-mounted planters. These smaller spaces are also great for a raised garden bed or container planting, which allows for better soil drainage and helps reduce weed growth, plus the advantage of easily moving plants during extreme weather events. Finally, take the worry out of watering by using smart options with timers and sprinkler systems to automate watering tasks.