10 Low-Maintenance Shrubs for Greenville, SC

While many people love the sight of beautiful shrubbery, but few owners are keen on keeping up with the maintenance that these plants require. Thankfully, there are plenty of shrub species that require very little maintenance and minimal watering as well. This article will introduce you to ten of the best low-maintenance shrubs that you can grow in your yard. These are in alphabetical order. 

Boxwood

Boxwoods are among the most reliable and popular evergreen shrubs around, and they are also easy to care for. Grow your boxwood where there is plenty of sunlight and well-draining soil, and you can expect it to thrive without much need for maintenance and watering. However, if you are willing to put in a bit more work, you can also prune and shear your boxwood into just about any shape you like. ​

Cotoneaster

The cotoneaster is a shrub that typically grows to be wider than it is tall while offering some fantastic winter interest. These plants develop a beautiful set of red fruits that persist for most of the colder months. This plant also needs very little attention from you to remain healthy. Usually, you’ll need to water it only during prolonged droughts. ​

Holly

Holly is another low-maintenance shrub that provides visual appeal all year long. These plants have glossy evergreen leaves with sharp margins that create an incredible texture. They also grow a set of iconic red berries that are a common decoration during the holiday season.

Inkberry

Although inkberry shrubs are not as well-known as other broadleaved evergreens, they are well worth your attention when you need a shrub that requires very little care and maintenance. Inkberry shrubs can adapt to varying degrees of sun exposure and a wide range of soil types, making them suitable for many different growing locations. ​

Nandina

Nandina shrubs offer colorful foliage and vibrant fruits. They establish themselves quickly and spread with relative ease. However, this vigorous growth can have its downsides. Mainly, although they are easy to care for, nandina shrubs are invasive in many areas, which means you should plant them with caution. ​

Hydrangeas

Hydrangeas are not only one of the most beautiful shrub varieties that you can grow, but they are also easy to take care of. This ease of maintenance is especially prevalent for specific hydrangea varieties, including the oakleaf hydrangea, which adapts to many growing locations and can tolerate moderate droughts. ​

Smokebush

Once your smokebush is established, it will need water just once every two weeks during the growing season. In return for that minimal maintenance, this shrub will reward you with a set of large, smoke-like flower clusters. ​

Spirea

Spirea is the perfect shrub to plant when you want to add colorful flowers to your landscape later in the season. This species grows in a small, rounded form and showcases pink or white blooms. During most seasons, your spirea will require little to no maintenance and will even survive droughts without any assistance on your part. ​

Sweet Pepperbush

As the name implies, the sweet pepperbush is a fragrant addition to your garden. This plant blooms with spike-shaped white flower clusters and grows to be about eight to ten feet tall at most. Fortunately, the sweet pepperbush requires very little maintenance and will resist diseases and pest issues when it grows in favorable conditions. ​

Viburnum

If you want to enjoy flowers without putting in too much work in your garden, then viburnum shrubs are an awesome choice for you. There are plenty of low-maintenance viburnums for you to choose from, and species such as the arrowwood viburnum are known to be especially easy to grow.  ​

A Few Shrub Maintenance Basics

​The ten shrub options we listed above do not require much maintenance each year. However, all shrubs will need some form of care, even if it is minimal. To help you give your shrubs the support they need to perform well, here are a few shrub maintenance basics that you should know:

• Watering: There are many shrubs that have low water needs, but all shrub species will need water at some point. Before planting a shrub, learn the ideal amount of supplemental water that it prefers. 
• Fertilization: Fertilization is not always necessary for a shrub to grow well. However, feeding your shrubs can help increase their vigor. At times, a single application of general-purpose fertilizer is enough to keep your shrubs healthy and happy. 
• Pruning: Many shrubs have minimal need for pruning. However, selective pruning helps remove branches that are dead, damaged, or diseased, which only increases the longevity of your shrubs. 

Finding low-maintenance shrubs is quite convenient. Still, it’s important to remember that all shrubs need some attention from time to time. The maintenance basics above should give you a clear idea of what your shrubs need to thrive. ​