Retirement Communities Gardens -
Low Maintenance Gardening
Here are some ideas for retirement communities gardens that are low maintenance or no maintenance. Use ground covers easily found at your local nurseries. Ask the salesperson to point out ones that will spread quickly and thickly to cut back on weeding. Use plastic wrap first for further weed control. Stepping stones should be well grounded to make walking safely a priority; have fun with garden ornaments, low-maintenance plants, unique pottery and some patio furniture to do lots of relaxing.
New Page for those wanting tips on community gardens at retirement communities and more retirement patio gardens: See our page on Easy Gardens for 2008
Here is an easy solution to low maintenance: woodchips can be used extensively --but be sure to put them over black plastic wrap to control weeds.
A retirement patio--use these pastel colors for a different look.
Patio furniture can be unique in color and design for a more interesting effect. Add contrasting colors in the flower border.
Entertain your grandchildren with statuary of children in various poses - these are easily found in garden centers or pottery outlets. Notice how the vine softens the harsh lines in the wall. Lighting is added for effect and security.
Go bright with this interesting and easy treatment. Window boxes have everything neatly contained. Impatiens are especially good if you like bright oranges and reds and need little watering. They can also be planted in sun or shade.
These neighbors share ideas providing a pleasant harmony.
A large corner lot maintained by the community and the patio leaves room to garden. Everything has been carefully chosen to be low maintenance.
New Gardens for 2007
Here is a great idea for you. I always loved the thought of yellow petunias but thought they looked "washed out" until I saw this arrangement of yellow petunias with purple ones. The yellow really stands out in this contrasting color plan.
A low maintenance garden doesn't have to be drab. A red Japanese Maple is the centerpiece of these easy care plants of Juniper and colorful perennials. Add woodchips to cut back on weeding. Make sure you first layer heavy black plastic wrap under the woodchips. You can poke some small holes in the wrap for drainage.
The following two photos are of the same two above. I thought you would like to see how they look the following year. The owners made slight variations but the design is the same.
Some people have an artistic flair--this retirement communities garden bed is filled with woodchips so there is no weeding..the owner put down black plastic first with holes for air and water and then covered it with woodchips and planted low maintenance plants like grasses. Notice the small shrub is pruned like a tree.
This is a common scenario--the fenced patio is kept clean inside and clutter free--the garden is on the outside in a border around fence. Fill with low maintenance shrubs and woodchips--notice the variety and textures here for interest.
This simple garden has a design--using just two plants--one in foreground and shrubs in back--one light, one dark--very dark green is great against red brick.
The lavish use of red in this entry garden is energizing and uplifting to you and your visitors. You can use perennials for lower maintenance.
The warm copper wind chime and the wrought iron handrail stand out in this garden of clean lines and simple beauty--again the garden on the outside of the fence. Dark green and white make a nice contrast and the shrub on the patio is a camellia for spring color.
Not much work to do in this all-green retirement communities garden. Add a pot of red geraniums or a hanging plant to make this garden stand out and not much work. Notice the Nandina bush to the left which will turn bright orange in Autumn and Spring.
Hostas are a low maintenance plant that are often recommended for shady spots.
When you enjoy working in a garden, good planning produces a lot of gardening areas in a small space.
An edging of some kind keeps the woodchips enclosed. This mixed border will require no weeding using plastic wrap and woodchips.
Analyze mother nature. What makes it interesting--the variety of textures and groundcovers in this natural scene.
Autumn Retirement Communities Gardens 2007 -- It is interesting to see 3 of our favorite gardens from above and how they look in the Fall. If you don't have much imagination, don't worry, these photos should help you plan your Autumn/Holloween garden:
Green Chairs Garden: They removed the summer hostas and impatiens and put in full blooming chrysanthemums, a pumpkin and some Holloween decorations. Nice color change with the green chairs.
Suddenly--Holloween--just add a pumpkin for color, a couple decorations and plop a playful ghost in the front yard for fun. Notice the scarecrow hanging on the brick wall and a twisty tree nearby helps add to the ambience.
They didn't have to add any Fall decorations to this tiny statues garden since the naturally falling leaves did it for them.
A Northeast garden in winter when no plants bloom can still have beauty. This one has been swept up neatly revealing the garden's design--a form of beauty in itself--a tree waiting for spring to bloom, a bench, the green of shrubbery, and the ornaments of bird bath and feeder. Each season for retirement communities gardens has beauty.Back To Top of Retirement Communities Gardens
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