Many home gardeners make the same mistake when starting out: choosing plants purely based on looks. That dramatic bloom or colorful foliage might seem like a great idea at the nursery, but once it's in the ground, it can quickly turn into a maintenance nightmare. Week after week, you find yourself pruning, watering, fertilizing, and battling pests—only to have no time left to actually enjoy the garden you’ve worked so hard to build.
Even worse, many of these high-maintenance beauties contribute little to the environment. They're lovely to look at, sure, but they don’t attract pollinators or support biodiversity. Over time, gardening becomes more about controlling than nurturing—and that’s when the joy fades.
But it doesn’t have to be this way.
By choosing the right kinds of plants—those that are both beautiful and easy to care for—you can reclaim your weekends and build a space that supports local ecosystems. Across different regions of the U.S., experienced gardeners are embracing native and drought-tolerant plants that don’t ask for much but give back so much more.
In Portland, Oregon, landscape designer Adriana Berry swears by Eriophyllum lanatum, more affectionately known as Oregon sunshine. “I planted them along the slope behind my house,” she says, “and by the second year, they were practically thriving on neglect.” These golden-yellow blooms draw butterflies and native bees and require no attention once established. Plus, their fuzzy silver leaves add texture even when not in bloom.
Another local favorite is the ‘Native Warrior’ Pacific Coast iris. Its red-violet flowers are a magnet for pollinators, and its evergreen, grass-like leaves provide subtle structure year-round. Adriana likes to pair them with ornamental grasses in a loose, meadow-style border. “It looks effortless—but that’s because it is,” she laughs.
In the Southwest, garden expert Kim Toscano has a deep love for Anisacanthus quadrifidus, commonly called Texas firecracker. From June through October, her backyard in Oklahoma explodes with orange-red flowers. “The hummingbirds are obsessed,” she says. “And I barely water them—it’s the perfect low-drama shrub for hot, dry climates.”
She also recommends blackfoot daisy, a humble yet hardworking plant that blooms nonstop from spring to fall. “It grows where nothing else will,” Kim notes. “Even my rock-hard clay soil doesn’t faze it.” Its tiny white flowers are sweetly fragrant, and native bees can’t get enough.
For those gardening at elevation, Idaho-based author Mary Ann Newcomer sings the praises of Agastache ‘Kudos Mandarin’. With its citrus-scented leaves and tangerine blooms, it lights up a garden corner and attracts hummingbirds all summer. “I love pairing it with miniature ornamental grasses,” she says. “It’s low fuss and high reward.”
Grasses like ‘Little Red Fox’ little bluestem are also gaining popularity. Erin Schanen, a Wisconsin gardener and YouTuber behind The Impatient Gardener, uses this compact red-tinged native to add drama to front borders. “It changes color through the seasons—from dusty green to deep burgundy—and holds up beautifully through winter.”
And if you're dreaming of a small tree that does it all, look no further than the silverleaf oak. Native to the American Southwest, it boasts sage-green leaves with silver undersides that shimmer in the sun. Birds love it, deer leave it alone, and it handles heat like a champ.
One couple in Colorado, David and Julia, planted an Amelanchier ‘Autumn Brilliance’—a small serviceberry tree known for its spring flowers and summer berries. “We planned to bake a pie with the berries,” Julia laughs, “but the birds got to them first.” In fall, the tree turns fire-red and orange, earning its name in full.
The truth is, gardening shouldn’t feel like a job. When you choose resilient, region-appropriate plants, you can build a landscape that evolves naturally—one that’s beautiful and functional, without demanding constant input.
As Adriana puts it, “Sometimes, all a garden needs is the right plant in the right spot—and then you just let it be. That’s where the magic happens.”