The Low Maintenance Garden: a complete guide to designing, planting and keeping and easy-to-care-for garden

by Graham Rose

This guide shows the reader how to create an environmentally-friendly garden that will take care of itself. Illustrations provide detailed information on planting and plant nourishment, and simple propagation. There is also advice on plants for different habitats - from dry and stony to cool and wet conditions. Comprehensive appendices concentrate on safety, pests and diseases and plant lists. There are also suggestions for gardens of all sizes and budgets, from the tiny kitchen garden through to the expansive formal garden.

Genres: Gardening, Nonfiction, Plants

168 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1983

About the author

Graham John Rose was a British gardener and influential gardening writer best known for his long association with the Sunday Times. Renowned for his outspoken style and irreverent wit, he brought originality and curiosity to horticultural journalism, often challenging orthodox views. Trained as an entomologist, he worked internationally before turning to writing, where his wide expertise ranged from agriculture to garden design. A prolific author and editor, he produced acclaimed books that blended practical knowledge with personality. His writing celebrated independence, experimentation, and a deep enjoyment of both gardens and people.

Reviews

[Mary]

I have been designing and installing gardens like a mad woman for the past month. This book provided some thoughtful insights for plant selection and landscaping considerations. We love a self sustaining garden. Right plant right place!

[Ruric Amhari]

Split into 4 main sections: creating a low maintenance garden, minimum care plants, labour saving devices and low maintenance technqiues.

First section covers principles and planning and includes a few low maintenanc plans.

Second section covers easy care trees, shrubs, climbers, perennials, annuals, bulbs, water plants, plus veg, herbs and fruit.

Third section presents 11 garden plans (colour illustrations) and planting plans with some photos.

Fourth section covers hard lanscaping and maintenance.

[Lydia St Giles]

This is rated seven in my top ten of gardening books. Here’s a book to ensure the busy owner of a garden is able to design it in a way to save time and energy, while still enjoying a flourishing plot.