Are you longing for a beautiful yard filled with the prettiest flowers but don't want to spend hours on maintenance? Look no further! Our selection of 17 low - maintenance cottage garden plants is the answer you've been searching for.

Cottage gardens are known for their charming, informal style, overflowing with a riot of colors and scents. But the key to enjoying this beauty without the back - breaking work lies in choosing the right plants. These 17 plants are not only easy to care for but also add a touch of elegance to any garden.

1. Lavender

Lavender is a classic cottage garden plant. Its fragrant purple spikes are not only visually appealing but also attract bees and butterflies. It thrives in well - drained soil and full sun, requiring very little watering once established. You can use the dried lavender for sachets or in homemade candles.

2. Coreopsis

Coreopsis, also known as tickseed, produces bright yellow or orange daisy - like flowers. It's a tough plant that can tolerate a wide range of soil conditions and is drought - resistant. Deadheading the spent flowers will encourage more blooms throughout the season.

3. Sedum

Sedum comes in a variety of shapes and sizes, from low - growing groundcovers to tall, upright varieties. It stores water in its fleshy leaves, making it extremely drought - tolerant. Sedum's star - shaped flowers in late summer and fall add a splash of color to the garden when many other plants are fading.

4. Yarrow

Yarrow is a hardy perennial with flat clusters of flowers in colors like white, yellow, pink, and red. It's deer - resistant and can grow in poor soil. Yarrow also has medicinal properties and can be used in herbal remedies.

5. Black - eyed Susan

Black - eyed Susans are cheerful, golden - yellow flowers with dark centers. They are easy to grow from seed and are very adaptable to different growing conditions. These flowers are a favorite of pollinators and can bloom from midsummer to fall.

6. Coneflower

Coneflowers, or Echinacea, are not only beautiful but also have immune - boosting properties. Their large, daisy - like flowers come in various colors, including purple, pink, and white. They prefer full sun and well - drained soil and are relatively pest - free.

7. Russian Sage

Russian Sage has silvery - gray foliage and tall spikes of lavender - blue flowers. It's a drought - tolerant plant that adds a touch of airiness to the garden. Russian Sage is also deer - resistant and can be used as a backdrop for other plants.

8. Hosta

Hostas are great for shady areas in the garden. They come in a wide range of leaf colors and sizes, from small, compact varieties to large, dramatic ones. Hostas are low - maintenance and only need occasional watering and fertilizing.

9. Daylily

Daylilies are known for their showy, trumpet - shaped flowers that come in a multitude of colors. They are very hardy and can tolerate a wide range of soil and light conditions. Each flower only lasts a day, but they produce many blooms over the season.

10. Catmint

Catmint is a fragrant plant with lavender - blue flowers. It's a favorite of cats (hence the name) and also attracts pollinators. Catmint is drought - tolerant and can be cut back after the first flush of blooms to encourage more flowers.

11. Salvia

Salvia comes in many different species, with flowers in colors like blue, purple, red, and pink. It's a heat - and drought - tolerant plant that blooms from summer to fall. Salvia is also a great plant for attracting hummingbirds.

12. Peony

Peonies are large, fragrant flowers that make a statement in the garden. They are relatively low - maintenance once established, requiring only a little pruning in the fall. Peonies come in different colors, including white, pink, and red.

13. Astilbe

Astilbe is a shade - loving plant with feathery plumes of flowers in colors like pink, white, and red. It prefers moist, well - drained soil and adds a soft, romantic touch to the garden.

14. Bleeding Heart

Bleeding Heart is a unique plant with heart - shaped flowers that dangle from arching stems. It thrives in partial shade and moist soil. The flowers are usually pink or white and bloom in spring.

15. Columbine

Columbine has delicate, bell - shaped flowers in a variety of colors. It's a self - seeding plant that can grow in both sun and partial shade. Columbine is also attractive to hummingbirds.

16. Dianthus

Dianthus, or pinks, have fragrant, fringed flowers in colors like pink, red, and white. They are drought - tolerant and prefer well - drained soil. Dianthus can be used as a border plant or in rock gardens.

17. Lamb's Ear

Lamb's Ear has soft, fuzzy leaves that are silver - gray in color. It's a low - growing groundcover that is very drought - tolerant. The plant also produces small, pink or purple flowers on tall spikes in summer.

By incorporating these 17 low - maintenance cottage garden plants into your yard, you can enjoy a beautiful, colorful garden with minimal effort. Whether you're a seasoned gardener or a beginner, these plants are sure to bring joy and beauty to your outdoor space.