Beautiful and Easy Flower Beds for the Lazy Gardener

A beautiful garden is a perfect place for rest and relaxation. Unfortunately, most garden lovers spend most of their time working on their garden and looking after it instead of enjoying it. But that doesn't have to be the case, because there are ways to achieve a beautiful garden where you can spend more time relaxing than working. For example, a beautiful flower bed doesn't have to involve a lot of effort.

Beautiful flower beds for the lazy: our tips

The no-dig flower bed

Everyone's back will love this type of bed because there's no digging required. You simply spread a 10 cm thick layer of compost and good gardening soil on the area you want to convert into a flower bed. Distribute it all evenly with a rake and moisten it. Sow some seeds and voilà! You have a wonderful bed without the hassle of digging. Tip: If the bed is laid out on a lawn and you do not want grass growing through your bed, you can start out with a layer of cardboard at the bottom before adding compost and soil on top.

Proper planning

A beautiful flowerbed in full bloom is a wonderful sight. What's more, it can be created quite easily! The secret lies in the use of low-maintenance plants or perennial shrubs because that will determine how much time and effort you will have to invest later. With perennial plants, you can save yourself the need to replant every spring. When selecting plants, it is important to bear in mind the location (light conditions, wind ...) and the soil conditions. Then plant them as described in the instructions on the plant label and that's it. Following these instructions carefully will ensure thriving plants and beautiful flowers with less effort.

For small beds, it is best to choose three to five different types of plants, which should then be planted in groups.

The right plants

If you want a carefree, low-maintenance flower bed then choosing perennials are the best option. Plants and ornamental trees that are particularly easy to care for include:

• Chinese flowering dogwood
• Epimedium or barrenwort
• Mountain witch alder or Fothergilla major
• Japanese maple
• Rounded maple such as Robinia pseudoac. Umbraculifera
• Lavender
• Privet
• Magnolia
• Peonies
• Phlox (most species)
• Cranesbill
• Daylilies
• Witch hazel
• Flowering quince

Tip: Roses can also be easy to care for if you choose the right varieties. Small shrub and ground cover roses are good options.

Flowers? Preferably from the daisy family!

Those who prefer to have flowers in the garden rather than shrubs should look out for plants belonging to the daisy family such as yarrow, coneflower and globe thistle because they require relatively little care, but are still gorgeous. A combination of different plants would be best.

Herbs and Fruit

A bed doesn't have to consist of flowering plants alone - herbs and fruit can of course also be planted. This way you have fresh and delicious herbs for use any time you need. As with ornamental plants, the least effort is required by herbs and fruit that are perennials such as:

• Berries
• Wild garlic
• Horseradish
• Rhubarb

You can also grow vegetables in pots on the patio and balcony instead of in a vegetable patch. The larger the area you cultivate, the more effort you will have to put into it. Growing vegetables in pots limits the area you have to work on and you also save time spent on watering and harvesting. And of course, there's no weeding necessary. Cucumbers, kohlrabi, herbs, peppers, lettuce and tomatoes grow well in pots. They can also be grown in raised beds.