One of the most popular questions we are asked by our clients is how they can make the best use of their garden space with minimal maintenance. With hectic work schedules eating into our leisure and family time, few people have the time to invest the care and attention into their garden that they would ideally like. Often the best solution is to design a garden which can pretty much take care of itself with only minimal effort required.

Low-maintenance trees are growing in popularity, especially the varieties which are also small and can fit comfortably within a limited space. When trying to decide which low-maintenance species work for you, try if you can to select a native tree as this will have a better chance of thriving in the soil conditions without lots of specialist intervention. Native trees also resist disease and insects better than more exotic varieties. It’s also important to assess the sunlight requirements of the tree; if your garden is largely shaded then a low-maintenance tree which grows best in a shaded area will establish itself better.

If you’ve got a blank canvas to start with, trees and shrubs are a valuable addition as they can give your garden a framework and become a focal point. Evergreens will provide a continuous source of foliage to your garden, even in the winter, while deciduous varieties will reflect the changing seasons.

Apple trees are a good low-maintenance species and will work well in small or larger gardens, depending on the variety you choose. If your garden can accommodate it, select two varieties of apple tree so that they are able to pollinate one another. Apple trees also like as much sun as possible and nutrient-rich soil which drains well. If you’re struggling for space or have a hard landscaped backyard then consider a dwarf apple tree which can sit in a pot on the decking.

Another important consideration when choosing trees for a low-maintenance garden is how often they will need pruning. One way of eliminating the need to prune at all is selecting species which grow to a certain size and then stop. Dwarf conifers such as Pinus Brepo and Abies Koreana do not need excessive attention except watering and make a good low-maintenance addition to most gardens. Ornamental cherry trees such as Prunus Pandora and Prunus Okame will also not need pruning to keep shape and importantly will do well in most soil types.