In landscaping, low maintenance doesn’t have to mean low impact. Some of the most impressive landscape designs stem from reliable, easy-care plants, many of which thrive in our seasonal climate here in New Jersey. Whether you’re planning a full backyard renovation or simply looking to fill a few gaps, choosing the right low-maintenance plants can bring structure, color, and curb appeal without the constant upkeep. Here are some of our go-to plant selections for low-maintenance landscapes:

Boxwood
Boxwood is a landscape classic, and for good reason. This evergreen shrub provides year-round structure and a formal, tailored look that works in both traditional and modern designs.

In New Jersey, boxwoods hold up well to fluctuating temperatures and are relatively drought-tolerant once established. Their slow growth means you won’t be trimming every few weeks. A light annual prune is often all it takes to keep them in shape. They’re also highly adaptable to sun or shade and make excellent hedges, foundation plantings, or topiary accents. For clients in towns like Summit or Westfield who want elegance without constant clipping, boxwood is a staple.

Coneflower
A true native standout, coneflowers are one of the best low-maintenance perennials for NJ gardens. Their bold purple-pink petals and upright structure add height and color to beds, especially in summer when many other plants are fading.

What makes coneflowers particularly practical is their resilience. Once established, they’re drought-tolerant, deer-resistant, and attractive to pollinators. Coneflowers self-seed moderately, creating a naturalized look without becoming invasive. We often recommend them for properties in Hunterdon or Somerset counties where homeowners want native beauty with minimal watering.

Coral Bells
Coral bells offer gorgeous foliage in colors ranging from chartreuse to deep burgundy. They thrive in part shade and bring much-needed texture to underused spaces like the north side of a house or beneath taller shrubs. They’re also virtually carefree. You don’t need to deadhead or divide them often, and many varieties retain their foliage through mild NJ winters. We love using coral bells in backyard borders for homes in towns like Madison or Chester, where layered plantings and foliage variation add visual depth.

Inkberry Holly
A native alternative to boxwood, inkberry holly gives you the same evergreen appeal with better disease resistance. It’s especially well-suited to NJ’s acidic and occasionally wet soils, which makes it an ideal choice for rain gardens or foundation plantings.

Unlike some other hollies, inkberry doesn’t have spiny leaves and maintains a rounded, neat habit without much pruning. In towns like Basking Ridge or Montclair, where a mix of native and ornamental plants is often preferred, inkberry helps tie design and ecology together seamlessly.

Ornamental Grasses
Few plant categories are as forgiving yet as visually impactful as ornamental grasses. Varieties like Karl Foerster feather reed grass and Little Bluestem are well adapted to NJ’s climate and add movement, height, and seasonal texture with barely any care.

Grasses typically only need to be cut back once a year, and they’re rarely troubled by pests or disease. Their vertical lines also complement more sculpted plantings like boxwood or hydrangeas. In places like Bridgewater or Morristown, we use ornamental grasses to soften hardscape transitions and fill wide beds without creating long-term maintenance headaches.

Sedum
If you have a hot, dry area that other plants struggle in—think along walkways, patios, or south-facing slopes—sedum is your answer. This succulent perennial thrives in poor soil, tolerates drought, and looks fantastic from late summer into fall.

Sedum varieties like ‘Autumn Joy’ develop full heads of dusty pink flowers that deepen as temperatures cool. Their form holds even through early winter, offering interest after most other perennials have gone dormant. For homeowners in places like Bernardsville or Scotch Plains, sedum is a smart, stylish pick.

Viburnum
Viburnums come in many shapes and sizes, but what they all have in common is low maintenance paired with seasonal interest. From spring blooms to summer berries to fall foliage, viburnums earn their place in the landscape without demanding much in return.

We often choose native or well-adapted viburnum species like Arrowwood or Doublefile for clients in Chatham, Princeton, and similar areas where layered privacy and wildlife-friendly planting are priorities. Once established, viburnum typically only needs occasional pruning and watering.

Black-Eyed Susan
Like coneflowers, black-eyed Susans are a native perennial that blends low effort with high visual impact. Their golden yellow blooms appear mid-to-late summer and carry into fall, drawing in pollinators and brightening up any bed. They’re tolerant of clay soil, heat, and drought, all of which are common conditions in parts of NJ. These plants self-sow but can be managed easily if needed. We use them frequently in naturalistic borders for homes in places like Hopewell or Readington, where meadow-style plantings are on trend and ecologically beneficial.

Hellebore
For year-round foliage and the first flowers of the season, few plants can match hellebores. These evergreen perennials bloom in late winter or early spring—often before the snow melts—and thrive in part to full shade. They’re deer-resistant, long-lived, and virtually immune to disease. Once planted, they require almost no intervention. We love placing hellebores in shaded beds near entryways or walkways in towns like Mendham or Millburn, where homeowners want something unique and dependable to greet guests year-round.

Japanese Forest Grass
Japanese forest grass adds soft, cascading form and bright color to shaded areas. Varieties like ‘Aureola’ offer golden-green foliage that lights up darker corners of the garden without requiring high maintenance.

Unlike some aggressive ornamental grasses, this one grows slowly and won’t spread uncontrollably. Occasional division is all it takes to keep it fresh. For properties in wooded parts of Morris or Warren counties, this grass brings polish and movement to shaded foundation beds and underplantings.

A Landscape That Works for You, Not the Other Way Around
Low-maintenance landscaping isn’t just about saving time; it’s about making thoughtful choices that align with your property, your lifestyle, and your long-term goals. At High Tech Landscapes, we specialize in combining form and function across every square foot. Whether you’re building from scratch or looking to retrofit an existing design, we’ll help you select the right plants, layout, and materials to create your own unique version of an outstanding, low-maintenance landscape. Contact us today to get started.