With the possible exception of some desert Southwest yard comprised of gravel and a few scattered cacti or a suburban back yard completely covered with artificial turf,there is no such thing as a maintenance free home landscape design.Even the hardiest, most drought-resistant plants require some care and attention in order to grow and thrive. However, whether you're a landscape DIY-er starting from scratch or altering or adding to an existing landscape,a bit of planning and research can help you select attractive and vibrant trees, flowers and shrubs that are drought and insect-resistant and require a minimum amount of attention. A few popular varieties are described below. Each is suitable for cultivation in southern Indiana, which, is in a USDA transitional hardiness zone between 6b (average low temperature between -5 and -10 degrees F.)and 7a (0 to -5 degrees F.)
Flowers
BlackEyed Susan –
Also known by a number of other names, this familiar plant's varieties included, perennials and biennials, all of which share a bright yellow or orange flower with the characteristic center black spot or“eye”. Several varieties are native to the Midwest, and nearly all can be grown easily from seeds. Black-eyed Susans prefer full sun, but can grow quite well in partial shade.
Aster–
Although there are over 180 known species of asters, only a subspecies of the Alpine aster (Aster alpinus) is native to North America. The aster plant typically grows to between 6 and 12 inches and produces lavender, blue, pink, purple or white colored dainty flowers. The Alpine aster is drought and insect-resistant exceptionally less prone to insects or diseases and it makes them an ideal low maintenance perennial plant.
Daylily–
A tall perennial that produces ornate flowers on tall stalks,daylilies establish themselves in clumps of thick, dark green foliage and are often used as floral borders. They will grow in a variety of soils and, while they do best in full sun, they can tolerate partial shade.
Sedum-
Also known as stonecrop, these are succulents known for their hardiness. A number of varieties thrive in areas that receive too much sun for many plants and, because the leaves store water, sedum tend to need watering less often than other plants.
Bloody (or Bloody Cranesbill) Geranium -
Although we tend to think of geraniums as annuals, this variety is a hardy perennial featuring pink flowers in summer. In fall, these turn to the bright crimson shade that gives this variety its names. It usually grows 6-10 inches tall and about 12-14 inches wide and does best in rich, moist, but well-drained soil.
Trees
Velvet Cloak Smoke Tree –
The smoke tree grows to a height of 1015 feet and width of 15-20 feet. It can be pruned and trained to grow as either a large shrub or small tree. It is deciduous, with deep purple leaves and puffy pink flowers that appear in the early summer and grows best in full sun and well-drained soil.
Thornless Common Honeylocust –
Another deciduous tree, this one with fern-like golden compound leaves and tufts of white flowers in spring. It requires full sun but will tolerate a wide variety of soil types.
Winter King Hawthorn –
An upright small tree with clusters of white flowers in spring. Though deciduous, it grows bright red fruit through winter and will sometimes sprout thorns. This variety needs full sun and good air circulation, along with well-drained soil rich in compost or other organic material.
Shrubs
Endless Summer (or “Bailmer”) Hydrangea –
A deciduous shrub with lime green flowers that change to pink during summer, its popular name is derived from the fact that blooms can appear on both the current year's and prior season's growth. The Bailmer tolerates most soil conditions and grows best in full sun to light shade. Experienced gardeners whose yards are frequented by Bambi and his relatives know that hydrangeas are a deer delicacy and are best grown in areas that are difficult to access, such as an elevated deck.
Bowles Golden Sedge -
An evergreen clumping perennial, the Golden Sedge features yellow-green variegated foliage and will grow to approximately 28 inches tall by 18 inches wide. Though it will tolerate nearly any light condition, its color is more vivid when it is planted in a full sun area.
Rose Glow -
A larger shrub (mature plants can reach 3-5 feet in height and 3-4 feet in width), this is a mounding, deciduous plant with red leaves and delicate white and yellow flowers, as well as thorns. As with the Golden Sedge, while it will tolerate most light conditions, its foliage is more vivid when grown in full sun.
Flowers
BlackEyed Susan –
Also known by a number of other names, this familiar plant's varieties included, perennials and biennials, all of which share a bright yellow or orange flower with the characteristic center black spot or“eye”. Several varieties are native to the Midwest, and nearly all can be grown easily from seeds. Black-eyed Susans prefer full sun, but can grow quite well in partial shade.
Aster–
Although there are over 180 known species of asters, only a subspecies of the Alpine aster (Aster alpinus) is native to North America. The aster plant typically grows to between 6 and 12 inches and produces lavender, blue, pink, purple or white colored dainty flowers. The Alpine aster is drought and insect-resistant exceptionally less prone to insects or diseases and it makes them an ideal low maintenance perennial plant.
Daylily–
A tall perennial that produces ornate flowers on tall stalks,daylilies establish themselves in clumps of thick, dark green foliage and are often used as floral borders. They will grow in a variety of soils and, while they do best in full sun, they can tolerate partial shade.
Sedum-
Also known as stonecrop, these are succulents known for their hardiness. A number of varieties thrive in areas that receive too much sun for many plants and, because the leaves store water, sedum tend to need watering less often than other plants.
Bloody (or Bloody Cranesbill) Geranium -
Although we tend to think of geraniums as annuals, this variety is a hardy perennial featuring pink flowers in summer. In fall, these turn to the bright crimson shade that gives this variety its names. It usually grows 6-10 inches tall and about 12-14 inches wide and does best in rich, moist, but well-drained soil.
Trees
Velvet Cloak Smoke Tree –
The smoke tree grows to a height of 1015 feet and width of 15-20 feet. It can be pruned and trained to grow as either a large shrub or small tree. It is deciduous, with deep purple leaves and puffy pink flowers that appear in the early summer and grows best in full sun and well-drained soil.
Thornless Common Honeylocust –
Another deciduous tree, this one with fern-like golden compound leaves and tufts of white flowers in spring. It requires full sun but will tolerate a wide variety of soil types.
Winter King Hawthorn –
An upright small tree with clusters of white flowers in spring. Though deciduous, it grows bright red fruit through winter and will sometimes sprout thorns. This variety needs full sun and good air circulation, along with well-drained soil rich in compost or other organic material.
Shrubs
Endless Summer (or “Bailmer”) Hydrangea –
A deciduous shrub with lime green flowers that change to pink during summer, its popular name is derived from the fact that blooms can appear on both the current year's and prior season's growth. The Bailmer tolerates most soil conditions and grows best in full sun to light shade. Experienced gardeners whose yards are frequented by Bambi and his relatives know that hydrangeas are a deer delicacy and are best grown in areas that are difficult to access, such as an elevated deck.
Bowles Golden Sedge -
An evergreen clumping perennial, the Golden Sedge features yellow-green variegated foliage and will grow to approximately 28 inches tall by 18 inches wide. Though it will tolerate nearly any light condition, its color is more vivid when it is planted in a full sun area.
Rose Glow -
A larger shrub (mature plants can reach 3-5 feet in height and 3-4 feet in width), this is a mounding, deciduous plant with red leaves and delicate white and yellow flowers, as well as thorns. As with the Golden Sedge, while it will tolerate most light conditions, its foliage is more vivid when grown in full sun.
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