These low maintenance gardens for the elderly are the perfect hassle-free way to create an outdoor space you love.
From garden design to the best easy-to-manage plants, low maintenance gardens are pretty and practical.
So whether you are an experienced gardener or just starting out, these designs are sure to help you create the perfect garden.
This article will cover low maintenance gardens for the elderly and what to consider when creating one.
Here’s a summary of what we’ll cover:
- Low maintenance gardens for the elderly are a great way to maximise your garden with minimal stress.
- From plants to patios, there are so many ways to design a low maintenance garden that you’ll love.
- They are great for older people or those with mobility issues that can be triggered by repetitive gardening positions.
- Or those who love the outdoors but just don’t have the time and energy to be weeding and pruning all year round.
What is a low maintenance garden?
Low maintenance gardens for the elderly really are what they say on the tin.
Easy to manage outdoor spaces like patios, features and flowerbeds that just don’t need a lot of work.
While gardens are a wonderful way to stay busy and get creative in your retirement, they can be tricky to manage.
This is especially important for older people who may not have the energy or the mobility to be bending over backwards to stay weed free.
What are the benefits of a low maintenance garden for elderly people?
Low maintenance gardens needn’t be lacking in colour, size or splendour, and they have many benefits.
These include:
- Creating an outdoor space you love with minimal fuss
- Not costly or time consuming to maintain
- Gardening becomes a fun hobby rather than a chore
- Less garden waste to dispose of
- Gardening tasks are more manageable and quick to do
What to consider when making a low maintenance garden for the elderly?
When it comes to designing and making a low maintenance garden for the elderly you should take a few things into consideration.
This is so that you can create a low maintenance garden that is perfectly suited to your needs and home.
What are your strengths and limitations?
Perhaps you love plants and are knowledgeable about lots of different varieties.
Or you enjoy growing herbs and veg in a kitchen garden for yourself and your neighbours.
But if you have reduced mobility, you may not find it easy to do all the tasks around the garden.
Kneeling and bending to tend flower beds can become impossible if not adapted to accommodate your needs.
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What to plant?
You might have ideas of your favourite plants or designs, but they may not be suitable for the space you have.
Before you start creating your garden design, knowing what plants will survive and not need much attention is key.
Because if you plant sun loving varieties in a shady garden, there’s going to be a problem, which creates more work for you.
Plus, choose plants that you like looking at or spending time around.
How to plant it
Gone are the days when garden design was limited to traditional beds which you have to spend hours de-weeding.
There are plenty of options that keep your garden looking great for longer.
Or which make it easier to tend to when it needs a bit of TLC.
We’ll talk more about raised beds, mulches and patios later on in this article, so keep reading.
Why do low maintenance gardens for the elderly matter?
Getting older can sometimes mean slowing down, but that doesn’t mean you’re confined to the indoors!
Indeed, gardening is a popular pastime for people in their retirement thanks to its numerous benefits.
Let’s have a look at some of them in more detail.
Spend time outside
Gardens are great spaces to relax (when the weather allows it) and get inspired to create something new.
A low maintenance garden design can help older people enjoy their garden as it is easier to manage on a daily basis.
Hours of de-weeding or complicated feeding and pruning routines to keep plants looking their best can be a struggle.
So removing the grudge (or guilt) factor from your garden can make it a place you enjoy spending time in!
Good for body and soul
Not only does gardening have stress-busting capabilities, it’s also a great way to practise mindfulness which can keep the brain active.
And getting outside gives you some fresh air and gets you moving which is so beneficial for long term health.
Even if you have a low maintenance garden, simple tasks such as planting, weeding and watering can become relaxing pastimes.
And you feel a sense of accomplishment seeing your garden thrive as a wonderful addition to your home.
No prior skill required
If you’re new to gardening but love the idea of having an outdoor space, low maintenance is the perfect solution.
Having a low maintenance garden means that once everything is planted, you only need to provide a bit of water during dry spells.
You can always start with low maintenance plants and work your way up as you gather confidence and skill.
Reap the benefits
If you want something low maintenance with maximum return, why not start with some herbs.
Rosemary, thyme, chives and bay are all super low maintenance plants which look good and taste even better.
You don’t need tons of space, and these herbs do well in pots, making them even more of a winner!
If you have more space and are feeling adventurous, you could try growing some veg such as tomatoes or courgettes.
The best low maintenance plants
A low maintenance garden needs plants that don’t need much attention. Here are some to get you started.
- Lavender
- Standard rose
- Sedum
- Salvia
- Verbena bonariensis
- Heuchera
- Flowering grasses
- Euphorbia
- Catnip
- Herbs
Design features you need to create low maintenance gardens for the elderly
There are lots of ways to make your garden low maintenance through design features as well as plants.
Not all of these design ideas are DIY jobs, so be sure to consult a landscape gardener for ideas and prices.
They will also be able to recommend suitable plants and designs for the space you have to maximise your garden.
Mulches
Mulches are a great addition for low maintenance gardens as they reduce the number of weeds that grow.
The mulch goes on top of the soil to prevent weeds coming through and help the soil retain moisture.
You can choose from different mulches such as wood chips, leaves or gravel depending on what your plants need.
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Raised beds
For gardeners who don’t fancy getting on their hands and knees, raised beds are the perfect solution.
They are ideal for people who have reduced mobility, as the beds are high up off the ground to limit kneeling and bending.
And they are accessible for people in wheelchairs as you can have the beds built to your specifications.
Find out about what causes mobility issues in elderly and how to overcome them here.
Plant pots
If you don’t have space or time for flower beds, why not try using pots instead?
Coming in all shapes and sizes, plant pots can be used to grow all manner of plants from herbs to trees.
You can even make the pots themselves a design feature, with many available in eye-catching colours and styles.
Pots also prevent plants from getting out of control and reduce space for weeds to grow, making your job easier!
Lawns
A lush green lawn is a lovely idea, but it can be difficult to maintain.
If you’re finding mowing tricky, reduce the size of your lawn and make sure it’s an easy-to-cut shape.
In a big garden that includes a lawn you don’t use, why not give it over to nature and let the wildflowers grow.
Not only will you see a beautiful array of flowers, the bees and butterflies will love you for creating a bug-friendly haven.
Other design ideas
There are many stylish ways to design a low maintenance garden using patio and gravel features.
You can incorporate pots or raised beds for any plants you want to grow and customise your space with other garden features.
Encourage nature into your garden with a bird bath or feeders, or even get classical with a statue or fountain.
Top tips for low maintenance gardens
- Find out what direction your garden is facing
- For north facing shady gardens euphorbia grows very well
- For sunny south facing gardens drought loving mediterranean plants like lavender are very comfortable there
- Consult a landscape gardener if you’re planning any big changes
- Don’t be hard on yourself if your plants don’t do well
- Be creative and try something new
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