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Raised beds can provide many great advantages for gardeners providing optimum conditions for plant growth.
Building raised planters can allow for a deep, good quality soil and improved drainage. Raised beds can also improve light levels for plants raising them up from boundary fences. Such favourable growing conditions however can lead to higher maintenance if the correct plants are not chosen. Thankfully there are plenty of low maintenance plants which are very happy growing together in raised beds. In this article I will identify and list eleven easy to maintain plants for raised beds. Whether a passionate gardener or busy, weekend, enthusiast, these plants will make your garden look amazing with less work. Benefits of low maintenance plants for raised beds
As raised beds provide excellent growing conditions for plants some species can become too vigorous. The main advantage of growing low maintenance plants within raised beds is they are easier to contain Low maintenance species typically grow at a slower pace and have a more defined form. This means there is less need for pruning and cutting! Also, raised beds are typically smaller than beds at ground level. This results in gardeners preferring more less vigorous plants within a smaller area. Low maintenance plants are a great way to pack your raised beds with plenty of colour, foliage and form without the hard work. 
11 Low maintenance plants for raised beds
1. Aucuba japonica
Also known as ‘Spotted Laurel’ Aucuba is an attractive shrub with spotted and glossy leaves. These shrubs are also highly favoured for their ability to thrive in challenging conditions. Not only can Aucuba grow perfectly happy in part shade they also have good tolerance to dry soil. This shrub can inject a tropical feel to raised beds with its large foliage that stays green all year.
2. Hosta
Hostas have so many great attributes it is difficult to highlight which are best. Firstly, Hostas have such beautifully large, oval shaped foliage which really creates an impact to borders. As perennials these impressive plants grow up every spring forming dense ground covers. They tolerate dry shady conditions making them a great low maintenance plant for raised beds.
3. Chinese fountain bamboo
Chinese fountain bamboo or (Fargesia Nitida) is a dense evergreen bamboo with soft ad delicate foliage. This elegant bamboo is much less vigorous than other bamboos and has an attractive growing habit. Fargesia has long, arching, stems that rustle in the breeze causing movement and a sense of peace. Once established it is extremely self sufficient and has a natural love of dabbled shade.
4. Mahonia
Mahonias are tall, exotic looking shrubs with spiky leaves and glossy, lobed, foliage. By their very nature mahonias have evolved to put up with challenging growing conditions. This palm like shrub can put up with periods of drought and exposure to harsh weather. They have a broad acceptance of many soil types including acidic soils. As Mahonias grow they maintain an architectural form with little or no need for pruning.
5. Spiriaea
Spiraeas are small, deciduous shrubs much loved for their flower clusters and attractive foliage. Originating from East Asia these plants are capable of growing well in most conditions. During spring and summer the flowers attract plenty of pollinators and beneficial insects. During autumn the delicate foliage displays radiant shades of red, orange and brown. These compact shrubs rarely require pruning making them suitable for low maintenance raised beds.
6. Viburnum tinus
Viburnum tinus are an evergreen shrub with attractive glossy dark foliage and clusters of scented white flowers. Originally from the Mediterranean this shrub is capable of tolerating exposed conditions and full sun. Although it can reach a height of 4 metres, in a raised bed it normally reaches about 2 metres. This makes it much easier to maintain with little or no need for pruning.
7. Lavender
Lavender is a well known and favourite herb grown for its wonderful scent and flowers. This small Mediterranean shrub has blue grey foliage than brings real interest to borders. Its attractive purple flowers are extremely popular with bees and other pollinators. Being a plant from an arid region it rarely suffers in dry conditions. Its drought tolerance and minimal need for trimming makes it suitable for low maintenance beds.
8. Japanese forest grass
Japanese forest grass is a visually appealing ornamental grass loved for its arching form. Also known by its Latin name Hakonechloa it originates from the shady mountain forests of Japan. This results in it having a tolerance for partial shade, cold weather and well drained soils. Such attributes makes Japanese forest grass an ideal candidate for low maintenance raised beds. The perennial grass maintains a consistent form during the growing season with no need for trimming.
9. Sedum autumn joy
Sedum autumn joy has become a valued landscape plant for its seasonal drama and large flowers. During spring its perennial stems shoot up unravelling a lush display of succulent foliage. During late summer it forms dense flower clusters which are loved by beneficial insects and butterflies. Once established this sedum requires no work at all and comes back year after year. It loves the well drained soil of raised beds and will become a much anticipated garden treasure.
10. Coral bells
Also known as Heuchera, Coral bells is a small, herbaceous, and perennial groundcover. This plant is well known for its various arrays of coloured foliage including purples, reds, yellows and even orange. When planted in blocks flower borders can turn into bold statements of colour. Coral bells are very happy in partial shade and well drained soil making them well suited for raised beds. Their compact size and restrictive growing habit makes them easy to maintain.
11. Peonies
Peonies are extremely popular flowering plants famous for their strikingly large blooms. These perennials emerge from the ground in late spring and explode into bloom around early summer. Famous for their seasonal display they are perfect for the front of low maintenance raised borders. A compact growing habit and tolerance for dry spells means this plant will never disappoint!
Thank you for reading our article on low maintenance plants for raised beds! I have linked to some other articles you may also find relevant below.
If you require landscaping, patio paving or garden drainage services do not hesitate to contact us. Based in Amersham, we provide a wide range of garden landscaping services including:
paving, patios, driveways, paths, edging, raised beds, garden drainage, lawn drainage, gardening, fencing, new lawns, garden walls, ponds, re-levelling, planting, wildlife gardens and vegetable gardens. Our landscaping services cover a 10 mile radius from Amersham and typically cover: Amersham, Aylesbury, Bovingdon, Chalfont, Chesham, Hyde Heath, Great Missenden, Princes Risborough, High Wycombe, Penn, Beaconsfield, Tring, Gerrard's Cross and Denham.
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