Top 10 Naturally Low Care Plants

Bear Grass, Nolina microcarpa, adds a touch of elegance and texture to any landscape. In spring, this clumping perennial grass produces rosettes of stiff, evergreen leaves and tall spikes of white flowers. Bear grass is surprisingly low-maintenance, tolerating drought and poor soil conditions.

Orange Crush Globemallow, a garden's burst of vibrant, low-maintenance joy. This hardy perennial thrives in dry conditions, making it perfect for water-conscious gardeners. Its stunning coral-orange blooms, set against soft, gray-green foliage, create a striking visual impact. You'll also be doing your local hummingbirds a favor, as they absolutely adore these flowers. Thrives in beds and borders, yet pretty enough for sunny containers at the front door for a touch of desert charm that requires minimal effort.

Gray Leaf Cotoneaster, is a workhorse in the garden, especially in Prescott's dry climate. It's thrive no matter what you throw at it. A dense, mounding shrub with those charming, small gray leaves, giving it a soft, almost velvety texture. In spring, it's covered in tiny pinkish flowers the bees go crazy for. In autumn, she displays  beautiful red berries the birds love. It’s a tough plant, tolerating poor soils and needing little water once established. It’s perfect for creating low hedges, covering slopes, or just adding a touch of rugged beauty to your mountain landscape.

Manzanita, Arctostaphylos, is a quintessential Arizona shrub prized for its year-round beauty. The evergreen leaves provide winter interest, while clusters of white or pink flowers emerge in spring, followed by red berries that attract birds. Manzanita tolerates harsh soil conditions. We have three staggered heights: Howard McMinn is a head-high variety, Panchito Manzanita is a tidier hip-high variety, and Kinnikinnick Manzanita is a low-growing groundcover. Plant all three for a fascinating native landscape.

 Ponderosa Pine, a true giant in western landscapes. They stand proud, with long, bundled needles and that distinctive cinnamon-scented bark. They're a symbol of resilience, thriving where other trees struggle. Their presence brings a sense of peace and stability to the garden. They do need room to grow, so they’re best suited for larger properties. But if you have the space, a Ponderosa Pine is a legacy tree, a landmark that stands for generations. Plant one, and you’re not just adding a tree but a piece of the wild West to your backyard.

Russian Sage, is a feast for the eyes and a treat for the senses, with its aromatic leaves releasing a calming scent. It tolerates poor soil, requires minimal water, and shrugs off most pests, diseases, javelina, and deer. It's perfect for adding a soft, romantic touch to your borders, rock gardens, and containers. The hummingbirds and butterflies will absolutely adore you. You're planting a low-maintenance, long-lasting touch of beauty.

Sweet Katie Desert Willow, Chilopsis linearis, is a captivating flowering tree that adds vibrant color to your garden. Trumpet-shaped flowers in shades of pink, purple, and white erupt in spring and summer, attracting hummingbirds and other pollinators. Despite its name, this fast-growing, drought-tolerant tree thrives in various climates, making it a versatile choice for Arizona landscapes. With the introduction of the 'Sweet Bubba' variety, the tree now flowers in waves of color through summer without forming the local bean pods

 Prickly Pear Cactus, Opuntia, no Arizona landscape is complete without a cactus, and the Prickly Pear Cactus is a natural choice. These iconic cacti come in various shapes and sizes, with some sporting colorful flowers. All of which provide valuable habitats for desert wildlife. Prickly pear cactus pads can even be used in Southwestern Cuisine!

 Little Miss Sunshine Yucca - Imagine a splash of sunshine in your garden, even on the cloudiest days. That's what Little Miss Sunshine Yucca brings. This compact beauty offers vibrant, golden-yellow foliage that holds its color brilliantly, adding a touch of desert charm without the sprawling size of traditional Yucca. It's incredibly low-maintenance, thriving in dry, sunny spots and requiring minimal watering. Perfect for adding a pop of color to rock gardens, borders, or containers, Little Miss Sunshine Yucca is a resilient, eye-catching plant that brings a cheerful, enduring glow to any landscape.

San Antonio Rose Texas Sage, Rosa texasensis, brings a touch of wild, rugged beauty to the garden. This low-maintenance shrub is celebrated for its delicate, fragrant pink blossoms that bloom profusely, attracting pollinators like butterflies and hummingbirds. It's a tough, drought-tolerant plant, perfectly adapted to arid climates, and requires minimal fuss. Imagine its charming, five-petaled flowers adding a soft, romantic touch to your gardens, while its resilience makes it a practical choice for even the most challenging landscape spots. This naive offering a natural, unpretentious elegance that blends seamlessly into any garden design.

By including these low-maintenance Arizona lovers, you create a beautiful, sustainable landscape that celebrates the unique character of the Southwest. These native plants are adapted to our climate, requiring less water and maintenance than non-native species. They also provide vital food and shelter for native pollinators, birds, and other wildlife.

Explore the exciting world of Arizona's native plants at Watters Garden Center. With some planning, you can create a vibrant and sustainable landscape that reflects the natural beauty of your desert home.

Until next week, I'll be helping gardeners grow natural low-care plants here at Watters Garden Center.