Eight tips for creating a low-maintenance garden

Buyers love a beautiful garden, but many run for the hills once they figure out how much work it takes to keep one in great shape.

A wonderful garden turns heads but ultimately attracts only those buyers who find pleasure from working in the backyard.

As local agents, we’ve worked with clients who have explicitly asked for a low-maintenance garden.

If you’re looking to sell your property and plan to improve the garden beforehand, you might consider creating one that looks fabulous but ultimately promises prospective buyers a light workload.

Here are eight great ideas for a garden that will make a great impression but will not force the new owners into weekends of sweat and toil.

• Bring your living area outdoors – This is a high-impact strategy, especially if you’re selling in spring or summer which is just around the corner. Outdoor living spaces are the height of fashion and add tremendous value to a home. Go with a deck, terrace or patio that offers informal dining with a barbeque or pizza oven or even a cosy fire pit. It will transform your home.
• Get off the grass – Who loves mowing, weeding and feeding lawns? They can be expensive and time-consuming. Consider paving areas that will offer shade and seating. Grass can then be used judiciously for impact.
• Water feature – Another strategy to further reduce grass is to install a fountain or pond. Keep it simple, or you’ll find yourself with a regular cleaning task. Consider a stone basin with circulating water. Birdlife will love it.
• Reduce flowerbeds – Hours can be spent on your knees, weeding and feeding flowerbeds. Consider installing raised beds to reduce the backache and plant ground cover plants to reduce weeds. Always use mulch to feed the soil and help it retain moisture.
• Switch to shrubs – By replacing flowers with shrubs or stylish grasses, you will reduce the time you spend watering and feeding. Shrubs almost look after themselves and grasses just need an annual haircut to be kept tidy.
• Keep the colour – If you love bright colours in your garden, use perennials rather than annuals. Most perennials are better for pollen anyway. French and English lavender are great options. Go to your garden store and ask for advice on the best options for your area.
• Resist high-maintenance plants – Plants such as wisteria grow quickly and need to be constantly cut back. Go for slow-growers, such as lavender or roses, which do require some care but won’t get out of control too quickly.
• Go wild – There’s a real movement towards so-called wild gardens, which feature native grasses and plants. These gardens could not look less manicured but are striking and attract birdlife and insects.