5 autumn plants that thrive on neglect and add colour

Steps up between the raised beds to the gravel path leading through the garden to the seating area at the end of the garden. — (Image credit: Future PLC/ Lizzie Orme)

Jump to category:

1. Sedums
2. Japanese Anemones
3. Hardy Geraniums
4. Heuchera
5. Bergenia

Gardening experts have revealed five autumn plants that thrive on neglect for a low-maintenance seasonal garden filled with colour and texture.

If you’re a bit of a lazy gardener, or simply too busy to spend hours tending delicate plants, a low-maintenance garden idea (that works) is like gold dust. Luckily for you, these plant recommendations are all tough and easy to care for - you can pretty much leave them to do their thing.

If you want a beautiful autumn garden without the stress of cultivating one, here are the five plants that thrive on neglect that gardeners recommend.

1. Sedums

First on the list are sedums, a colourful perennial that thrives on neglect. Available in an array of colours, not only do these plants require minimal care, but they are also excellent for attracting bees and butterflies to your garden.

Pink flowering sedum plants next to house in garden

‘If you're the sort of gardener who occasionally forgets to water or simply doesn't have hours to spend outside, sedum is a brilliant choice. Its thick, fleshy leaves store water, so it copes surprisingly well during dry spells, and it doesn't need rich soil or regular feeding to perform well,’ says Luke Newnes, gardening expert for Hillarys.

‘Planting it now gives the roots a chance to settle into still-warm soil before winter, and next year you'll be rewarded with masses of late-season flowers that pollinators absolutely love.’

Where to buy Sedums

2. Japanese Anemones

If you want flowers from August through autumn, Japanese Anemones are an excellent choice. These long-flowering blooms are ideal for filling in sparse borders and bringing much-needed colour to autumn gardens once established.

‘Japanese anemones quietly get on with the job year after year. Once established, they’ll return reliably every autumn with very little input, gradually forming larger clumps that produce elegant blooms just as many other plants are fading,’ says Charlotte McGrattan, hardy nursery stock buyer at Hillier Garden Centres.

‘They need very little watering once fully established, are generally trouble-free and don’t require regular feeding or pruning, making them perfect for gardeners who prefer a more hands-off approach.’

Where to buy Japanese Anemones

3. Hardy Geraniums

Who doesn’t love a geranium to brighten a garden, patio or even balcony? Offering vibrant colour and pretty blooms, growing geraniums should be on every low-maintenance gardener's to-do list.

‘I'd recommend hardy geraniums to almost anyone looking for a low-effort garden. They're incredibly forgiving, happy in a range of conditions and form dense mounds of foliage that help suppress weeds naturally. Once they're settled in, they're largely self-sufficient and don't need constant watering or feeding. Plant them in autumn, and they'll spend the cooler months establishing strong roots, which means less work and better growth next spring,’ says Luke.

Where to buy Hardy Geraniums

4. Heuchera

Heuchera is one of the best ground cover plants for suppressing weeds, as well as adding colour to your garden - so there’s plenty of reasons for planting heuchera, low-maintenance aside.

Green and purple heuchera leaves with pink flowers as example of ground cover plants which prevent weeds

‘Heucheras are one of the easiest plants to grow, with vibrant foliage that provides colour long after their summer flowers have faded. While spent flower stems can be removed for a tidier appearance, they’re far less demanding than many flowering perennials, typically needing little more than the occasional tidy-up of old leaves,’ says Charlotte.

‘They thrive in partial or dappled shade whilst some cultivars can cope well with full sun. Once fully established, many heucheras continue performing without frequent watering or feeding.’

Where to buy Heuchera

5. Bergenia

Bergenia is a shade-loving perennial, making it a great choice for gardens that don’t get a lot of sunshine. It’s also incredibly hardy, making it a pretty much foolproof choice for beginner gardeners.

‘Bergenia is one of the toughest garden plants you can buy and often looks after itself once it's in the ground. It copes well with shade, can handle periods of drought and keeps its attractive evergreen leaves throughout the year, so there's always something to look at in the garden,’ says Luke.

‘For busy people who want reliable colour and structure without lots of maintenance, it's hard to beat. Planting now allows roots to establish before winter, helping it to settle in quickly.’

Where to buy Bergenia

These gorgeous plants will make brighten your garden with minimal effort from you.

Kezia Reynolds joined the Ideal Home team as News Writer in September 2024. After graduating from City, University of London in 2022 with a bachelor’s degree in journalism, Kezia kicked off her career spending two years working on women’s weekly magazines. She is always on the lookout for the latest home news, finding you the best deals and trends - so you don’t miss a thing!