Low-maintenance landscape plants are living proof of effortless beauty. They don't require as much attention as other plants, yet they produce an exuberant display of colors. Iowa has a vast climate, so your landscape should have plants that can survive the weather. Most low-maintenance landscape plants you can grow in Iowa are native to the state, making them resilient to various factors that could otherwise cause damage.

Most homeowners may confuse low-maintenance with no maintenance; low-maintenance landscape plants will still need some attention from you to thrive. Below are more details on the 5 low-maintenance plants you can grow in your landscape around the Des Moines, Iowa area: aster, black-eyed Susan, yarrow, coreopsis, and blanket flowers.

1. Aster

Purple aster flowers blooming in Des Moines, IA.

Asters are herbaceous perennial plants that boast blooms of pink, purple, and white. They take a long time to fully mature, but once they do, you're bound to get gorgeous colors in your landscape. Asters reach a maximum height of 6 feet and width of 4 feet. What makes asters stand out is that they flower in summer and fall when most flowers lose their bloom. Since they are late bloomers, pollinators like bees are fond of asters, as they provide nectar late in the year.

Asters thrive under full sun and in well-draining soils. They should be planted before fall, so they are given enough time to establish themselves in the soil. Since they are herbaceous plants, asters require enough space around them to grow. Once asters have established their roots, there's not much need for fertilizers anymore.

2. Black-eyed Susan

Black eyed susan flowers blooming near Pleasant Hill, IA.

Black-eyed Susans are the right low-maintenance plant for you if you want to have a cheery landscape. With their bright yellow flowers and a dark center, black-eyed Susans will undeniably stand out in any landscape. The height of a mature black-eyed Susan varies depending on the cultivar, with some reaching only 10 inches while others can stand upright at 7 feet.

Taking care of black-eyed Susans is fairly easy. They like to be under full sun in moist and well-draining soil. Black-eyed Susans are also adaptable plants that resist drought.

3. Yarrow

Pink yarrow flowers blooming in Altoona, IA.

Yarrow is a low-maintenance perennial plant that homeowners in Iowa will absolutely adore. The yarrow flowers come in white, pink, yellow, and red and provide a burst of color to your landscape. This plant also attracts friendly insects and pollinators like bees, ladybugs, and butterflies. Aside from its lasting blooms, yarrow provides additional benefits:

  • It can be used as a medicinal herb to treat minor wounds and swelling.
  • Its flowers can be steeped to make tea.
  • Its flowers are edible and can be dried to make spices.

Yarrow grows best under full sun and in soil with good drainage. They are also drought-tolerant plants that can survive even in poorly fertilized soils. Fully-grown yarrow can reach a height and width of 2 to 3 feet.

4. Coreopsis

Coreopsis flowers blooming at a property in Norwalk, IA.

The bright, showy flowers of coreopsis grow in bushy clumps that create a drop-dead gorgeous display for your landscape. The coreopsis plant belongs to the same family of plants as asters and daisies. Coreopsis plants can also grow up to 2 to 3 feet tall with varying foliage that can be dark or narrow.

We recommend planting coreopsis in spring to make way for its stunning blooms in summer. Coreopsis is a low-maintenance plant and will flourish as long as it is under full sun. It is also very tolerant to a wide range of soil conditions. During the blooming season, deadheading faded flowers will encourage further growth.

Coreopsis has fragrant nectar-producing flowers that deter deer and attract bees, butterflies, and birds.

5. Blanket Flowers

Blanket flowers blooming in northern Des Moines, IA.

Blanket flowers are in full bloom from summer to fall, giving your landscape a tapestry of colors that is nothing short of glorious. They are perennial plants with flowers that come in red, orange, yellow, and peach. Blanket flowers are well-loved by most homeowners as they grow in a mound, with the flowers spreading like a blanket to cover the clump.

Once established, blanket flowers require little maintenance. As long as they are planted in well-draining soils under full sun, blanket flowers will thrive. Deadheading isn't required as these flowers will keep blooming, but their overall appearance will benefit from removing some faded flowers.

Call our team to install these low-maintenance plants in your landscape!

Low-maintenance plants are always great additions to your landscape. Our team at A+ Lawn & Landscape can install the low-maintenance plants highlighted above on your property in Des Moines, West Des Moines, Ankeny, IA and nearby areas. Call us at (515) 289-2020 today to get a quote for our annual flower and seasonal color planting services!