Enhance Garden Pleasure with Less Upkeep
In an article titled "Grow Some Pain Relieving and Anti-Inflammatory Garden Produce", horticulturist Melinda Myers presents a collection of low-maintenance shrubs that offer multiple seasons of beauty and are suitable for various growing conditions and climates.
These shrubs, which include the Sunshine Blue® II Bluebeard, 'Little John' Dwarf Bottlebrush, Deutzia, Spirea, Ninebark, Shrub Rose, Abelia, Azalea, and more, typically require minimal pruning and care, tolerate a range of soils, and provide visual interest through flowers, foliage color changes, and fragrance across multiple seasons.
For instance, Ninebark delivers toughness and beauty with its changing foliage colors and creamy white flowers in early summer, thriving in moist and well-drained soils but also tolerating heat and drought. On the other hand, Sunshine Blue® II Bluebeard shines with late summer to fall color and golden foliage, excellent for gardens needing late-season interest.
These shrubs cater to a wide range of USDA zones, accommodating significant climatic variation, and offer options whether you need evergreen or deciduous shrubs, those attractive to pollinators like butterflies and hummingbirds, or drought-tolerant heat champions.
Embracing the beauty of a less-than-perfect garden is encouraged, as most visitors won't notice imperfections. Adding season-long color with annuals in pockets or containers can also help fill gaps.
Melinda Myers, a renowned gardening expert, hosts the nationally syndicated Melinda's Garden Moment radio program and The Great Courses "How to Grow Anything" instant video series. She has written more than 20 gardening books and is a columnist and contributing editor for Birds & Blooms magazine. Her website is www.MelindaMyers.com.
On July 15, 2025, gardeners seeking multi-seasonal beauty across varied climates and growing conditions can consider shrubs like Bluebeard, Ninebark, Deutzia, Spirea, Shrub Rose, Abelia, Azalea, and Bottlebrush as some of the best low-maintenance choices. It's also recommended to fill garden beds with low-maintenance shrubs that provide seasonal beauty and food for birds, look for perennials that are disease and insect-pest resistant, need minimal or no deadheading and pruning, and attract pollinators. Minimal cleanup that is better for plants, pollinators, and songbirds is also advised.
For larger tasks or those that aren't getting done, it's important to ask for or hire help. Evaluating what is working in the garden to do more of it and decide what needs changing is also encouraged.
[1] Source: Myers, M. (2025). Grow Some Pain Relieving and Anti-Inflammatory Garden Produce. Birds & Blooms. [2] Source: National Gardening Association. (n.d.). Low-Maintenance Gardening. Retrieved from https://www.gardening.com/learn/articles/low-maintenance-gardening/
In the upcoming July of 2025, community news about gardening might feature a article by Melinda Myers titled "Grow Some Pain Relieving and Anti-Inflammatory Garden Produce," which recommends low-maintenance shrubs such as Bluebeard, Ninebark, Deutzia, Spirea, Shrub Rose, Abelia, Azalea, and Bottlebrush for multi-seasonal beauty across various climates and growing conditions. Additionally, lifestyle magazines might cover entertainment events related to the home-and-garden sector, highlighting the annual events and seminars hosted by Melinda Myers, where she showcases her gardening expertise and provides practical tips for maintaining beautiful and low-maintenance gardens.
