When life gets busy, the last thing you want is a garden that demands constant upkeep. A well-designed low-maintenance garden can give you all the beauty with far less work — and it’s perfectly suited to Melbourne’s unpredictable climate. Whether you’re starting from scratch or simplifying an existing garden, here’s how to design a space that looks great year-round, without all the hassle.

1. Start with a Smart Layout

Begin by planning your garden layout around functionality and simplicity. Use clean lines, grouped plantings, and larger planting zones to reduce clutter and make maintenance easier. Avoid over-complicating with too many plant varieties or intricate shapes.

Tip: Curved garden beds and clear separation between lawn, path, and garden areas can make mowing and trimming faster and cleaner.

2. Choose the Right Plants

Focus on drought-tolerant and hardy plant varieties that thrive in Melbourne without constant watering, feeding, or pruning. Native plants are ideal — they’re well-adapted to the local climate and generally require minimal attention once established.

Low-Maintenance Plant Ideas for Melbourne:

  • Lomandra
  • Westringia (Coastal Rosemary)
  • Kangaroo Paw
  • Correa
  • Lavender
  • Agapanthus

These plants also help support local biodiversity and attract beneficial insects.

3. Use Mulch to Your Advantage

Mulching is one of the best time-saving garden hacks. It helps retain soil moisture, suppresses weeds, and improves the soil as it breaks down. At Dalton Building and Garden Supplies, we stock a variety of mulches including:

  • Pine Mulch
  • Treeloppers Mulch
  • Soft Fall Mulch (great for play areas)
  • Coloured Mulch (red, black, brown) for a sharp, decorative finish

Apply mulch about 75mm thick across garden beds and top up once or twice a year.

4. Minimise Lawn Areas

Lawns can be high-maintenance if not managed well. Reducing the overall lawn area and replacing it with garden beds, crushed rock paths, or pavers can save water and mowing time.

Where you do want lawn, use sandy loam lawn soil for better drainage and root health — it helps reduce issues with waterlogging and weeds.

5. Install Simple, Efficient Irrigation

Drip irrigation or low-flow sprinklers on a timer are perfect for keeping your garden watered efficiently with minimal input. Group plants with similar water needs together so you’re not overwatering one area to keep another alive.

6. Incorporate Hardscaping

Use hardscaping materials like crushed rock, gravel, pavers, and sleepers to reduce planting zones and keep garden care easy. They also help define spaces and create visual interest without relying on constant plant upkeep.

Popular options from our yard:

  • Crushed Rock
  • Toppings
  • Decorative Pebbles
  • Sleepers and Stepping Stones

7. Keep It Simple and Sustainable

A low-maintenance garden isn’t about skipping the design — it’s about designing smarter. Stick to fewer plant species, space them properly, and choose materials that last. Sustainable practices like composting, mulching, and drought-proofing will also save you time and money long-term.

Final Thoughts

With a bit of planning and the right materials, you can create a garden that looks beautiful but doesn’t demand your weekends. Whether you’re a busy homeowner or want to keep garden chores to a minimum, Dalton Building and Garden Supplies can help you bring your low-maintenance garden to life.

Need help choosing the right mulch, soil, or crushed rock?
 Visit us in-store or contact our team for expert advice and bulk supply options across Melbourne.