What’s a cheap way to landscape if you don’t have a green thumb?

I’ve never had a garden before so I don’t know the first thing about plants.
  13 answers
  • Mary Mary on May 12, 2018

    My husband went and put in lots of perennials. Different seasons bring different colors. Hydrangea bring colorful flowers & always (usually ) green leaves.

  • Janet Pizaro Janet Pizaro on May 12, 2018

    First thing to keep in mind is you planting space is narrow.Here are somhttp://www.midwestliving.com/garden/ideas/25-top-easy-care-plants-for-midwest-gardens/ suggestions for plants in you location. once you choose them check the planting guide and make sure there is enough room for the root system

  • Nancy Nancy on May 12, 2018

    Pick low maintenance plants like shrubs, hosta, and day lilies. You can get day lilies that bloom spring through fall. Same for shrubs. Mulch well and be sure they have a water supply. Easy garden

  • Laura Cooper Laura Cooper on May 12, 2018

    Rock garden. It never needs water

  • Stamford Stamford on May 12, 2018

    Pebbles and a water feature, perhaps a fountain

  • Jeanette S Jeanette S on May 12, 2018

    A green thumb doesn't just happen...it takes a lot of work. Of course some people make it look simple, but if you watch them, you will see that they put a lot of work into it.


    You have a stunning start with the layout pictured. If you don't want a lot of work, I would suggest that you start with putting in a variety of "greens!" There are several small evergreen that look so pretty all year long.


    I would put a nice size resin Grecian urn at that corner (see photo). It is planted with variegated Ivy and Cora Bells...which went through severe freezes and 2 snows in the winter and came back!


    If you want almost no work color all summer, plant Caladium. I buy the mixed colors and sizes out of Florida...plant them close together!


    For year around color, you will have to go to your local nursery and change out this area twice a year. In winter, I just try to make things look neat. Straw put out around small evergreens in winter is sufficient for me.



  • Christina Yates Christina Yates on May 12, 2018

    Depends where you are, roses are easy to grow, shrubs are better than flowers etc as they need little care, slugs love hosta so watch that, buy a good gardening book which will show you everything from the start, best thing you can do. Hope you develop green fingers, you should enjoy the garden, once I start I can't stop and love it.

  • Depends on your planting zone. Go to local garden center and ask about low maintenance, easy to grow selections for your area.

  • Clök Concept Clök Concept on May 15, 2018

    Hi there! I don't have a green thumb, and I learned the hard way : by making a lot of mistakes!


    1. Of course, like everyone else told you : before even starting, you must know in what zone you are living, what kind of soil you have and also how much sun/shade do you have... Ask your local nursery.
    2. Always chose perennials - and learn if you have to prune, how much and when!! I reserve the annuals for flower pots.
    3. Leave the tag to remember what you planted, at least until you are used to your plants.
    4. Chose carefully the colors you want... A garden full of different colors often looks messy (at least to my eye). For an example, I have a white house... In the front yard, I already had a Japanese apple tree with red leafs and pinkish flowers. I used plants and flowers in the same color palette. In my back yard, I only have green and white.
    5. I realized that a new garden takes years to look good. Don't buy to many plants the first year. See how it grows and next year, add more if needed.
    6. Finally, make a sketch BEFORE. You will probably buy tiny plants... But you have to consider how wide and how tall they'll become !! You don't want to have your small plants in the back and the bigger ones in the front!


    Good luck!

  • Ben Ben on May 15, 2018

    Other options like statues or rock gardens

  • Carlitakragland Carlitakragland on May 15, 2018

    Succulents are nice and easy. They have great color and shapes.

  • Del33419609 Del33419609 on May 15, 2018

    Dirt against the house is a bad idea.

  • Janice Janice on May 25, 2021

    My first thought in response to your question is to suggest you contact your County Extension Agent. Their staff should be able to provide you a list of plants that grow well in your area along with hep regarding watering, fertilizing, etc. They may even be able to provide you a soil analysis so you'll know exactly what type of soil amendments might be needed for optimal results. Draw out a plan and then work your plan. Decide how you'll be using or want to use your area, then work on specific areas.