You Don't Ever Have To Worry About Pruning These 24 Beautiful Garden Plants

Pruning — a term that invokes fear in the best of the gardeners, and for good reason. Pruning is complicated. You must know the correct timing and follow the right technique, or your plants will be worse for wear, losing their blooms, or dying prematurely. To make matters even more challenging, pruning requirements vary greatly across plants, and sometimes even within the same genus. For instance, shrub roses can get by with minimal pruning, but hybrid teas are on a whole other spectrum. In short, the more diverse your plantings, the harder it is to fulfil their needs. The easy way out? Grow plants that don't lose their heads when left unpruned.

This leaves us with the question: What kind of garden plants remain happy without pruning? Mostly broadleaf evergreen trees and shrubs, as they grow symmetrically and retain their natural forms as they mature. Certain ground covers and ornamentals may fit the bill, too, provided you follow the maxim of "right location, right plant." By accounting for their mature size and cultural requirements, you dispense with the need for containment. Other than that, look for plants that grow slowly or bloom on old wood. With that established, let's look at 24 beautiful garden plants you don't have to worry about pruning.

Gardeners are in for a scenic surprise when they plant 'Ginger Wine' ninebark (Physocarpus opulifolius 'Ginger Wine'). This deciduous shrub delivers a parade of colors through its burgundy foliage, white flowers, and red seeds, from spring through fall. Yet, for all that activity, it requires no pruning. In fact, pruning might cost you blooms because new flower buds grow on old wood. Don't forget to space it adequately (at around 6 feet), lest the arching foliage interferes with other ornamentals. In full sun, these plants tolerate cool, windy weather. These beautiful plants thrive in clay soil with little fertilizer.

Virginia sweetspire (Itea virginica) shrubs require little to no pruning, except when being shaped to a desired size. Being dwarf, the cultivar 'Little Henry' further dispenses with the necessity. The only exception? Cold, windy climates (zone 5 and below). Exposure to icy winds causes branch browning and die-back, so their tips must be clipped off for a more attractive look. Otherwise, enjoy their pollinator-friendly white blooms through the summer. Plant 'Little Henry' in full sun for dense growth. To mask the informal look of unpruned plants, grow them in drifts. However, monitor for suckers unless naturalizing.

Another beautiful plant you shouldn't prune is 'Let's Dance Sky View' Hydrangea (Hydrangea macrophylla x serrata), as pruning risks harming the buds that appear on old wood and eventually bloom. Besides, these reblooming hydrangeas don't grow very tall — topping out at under 3 feet — further eliminating the need for pruning if sited well. However, feel free to prune the plant to maintain its aesthetics if the foliage gets burnt by the sun or some of the wood dies. Generally pink in alkaline soils, these Hydrangeas' blooms turn blue if the soil pH is lowered.

Given its ubiquitous distribution across upscale LA homes, 'Torulosa' juniper (Juniperus chinensis 'Torulosa') is popularly known as Hollywood juniper. That said, it's time this juniper variety is recognized as a beautiful plant that doesn't require pruning. In fact, heavy pruning is not recommended, because new growth does not emerge on old wood. When establishing a privacy screen, space these junipers 6 feet apart. Non-invasive, 'Torulosa' juniper is tolerant of drought, salt sprays, winds, soil alkalinity, and pests. Good drainage is essential for avoiding root rot.

'Tortuga' juniper (Juniperus communis 'Tortuga') is a beautiful ground cover plant that deer won't touch in your yard unless they're out of all food options. 'Tortuga' Juniper demonstrates year-round interest with its jade foliage, and, thanks to its salt tolerance, you can cite it along driveways. Likewise, it works well on slopes to check erosion. It doesn't need pruning, but any occasional wayward branches can be sheared. This drought-tolerant plant thrives in full-to-part sun, provided it isn't humid. Poor soil quality poses no trouble, but the medium must drain well.

Although dwarf English boxwoods (Buxus sempervirens 'Suffruticosa') are often artistically sheared to a desired topiary form, they don't have to be. In their unpruned forms, they persist as floating globular mounds of green leaves and look attractive lining borders and sidewalks. Plus, they take a long time to reach their mature size, further discounting the necessity for shaping. To keep these boxwoods thriving, pop them in moist, yet well-draining soil. Limit their exposure to afternoon sun and winds, or the foliage might lose color come winter. They can be safely planted in areas troubled by boxwood leaf miners, deer, and rabbits.

American arborvitae's (Thuja occidentalis) 'Anna's Magic Ball' cultivar is the accent plant to grow in your winter garden for a wash of golden hues. Bred in Canada, 'Anna's Magic Ball' holds its head through the dreariest snow carpets (though you may not always see it when the snow piles above 3 feet). To top it all, you can do without pruning the plant, and it will maintain its spherical shape. Maximize sun exposure to bring out its yellow color — don't worry, it can take the heat. However, avoid growing it where deer and rabbits visit often.

Another arborvitae (Thuja occidentalis) cultivar that you could plant without worrying about pruning is 'Tater Tot.' It naturally forms a well-rounded shape, adding structure and winter interest. Maturing at under 3 feet, 'Tater Tot' is somewhat smaller than 'Anna's Magic Ball,' making it suitable for stamp-sized lots. 'Tater Tot' withstands diverse conditions, from partial and dappled shade to full sun exposure. These evergreen plants prefer fertile soils, and you should protect their roots with a layer of mulch. Space them about a foot on center for a hedge.

Are you looking for a small hedge that doesn't need pruning, looks like boxwood, but resists diseases well? Pyracomeles 'Juke Box' is it, although it's a tad lustrous. Like boxwood, Pyracomeles tolerates pruning, but when left untouched, it grows into an evergreen mound. It weathers droughts quite well, making it a spectacular find for warmer climates. This plant can take day heat, but will survive in partial shade, too. Use it as a fine-textured foil in mixed or foundation beds.

You're likely familiar with the pom-pom or spiral topiary forms weaved out of dwarf Alberta spruce (Picea glauca 'Conica'). But when you aren't shaping this conifer for a formal look, it naturally grows — albeit slowly — into a perfect pyramidal shape and maintains it without pruning. In fact, it could pass off as a compact Christmas tree that shelters birds. When mature, dwarf Alberta spruce can measure up to 13 feet in height and 10 feet across, with its needles adopting a bluish color. Although hardy in zones 2 through 8, it performs best in drier, cooler climates. 

For a dependable touch of blue in your yard, consider growing Colorado spruce (Picea pungens 'Globosa') — its color holds up well in winters while looking its best during spring. Unlike most conifers, Colorado spruce has somewhat of a flat head, which contributes to its globular form. But its overall shape is pyramidal. Colorado spruce has a dense branching habit and can do without pruning. Mass it as a windbreak, accent, or a deer-resistant screen. Drought-tolerant after establishment, it can be grown in sunny, water-wise landscapes.

Unlike typical lilac shrubs, Meyer lilac 'Palibin' or Dwarf Korean lilac (Syringa meyeri 'Palibin') has little need for pruning beyond trimming dead or diseased branches every three years or so. They're naturally rounded, teeming with pink flowers that delight hummingbirds and butterflies with nectar while filling the surrounding space with fragrance. These lilacs are wider than they're tall, spreading to about 7 feet wide by maturity. Check with nurseries before purchasing, since they're often sold as grafted trees that tower 8 feet high, unlike the 5 feet you'd expect of their dwarf forms.

For zones 8 through 10, 'La Vida Mas' Indian hawthorn (Rhaphiolepis indica 'La Vida Mas') is worth consideration. As it blooms on old and new wood, it sends out gorgeous pink blooms from spring through fall. You don't have to prune it, and doing so might damage the flower buds if you're not careful. It's very compact, staying under 2 feet but spreading twice as wide. While it tolerates partial shade, sites with full sun are better for blooming and attracting pollinators. It has minimal watering needs, with drought tolerance kicking in a year after planting; however, it needs good drainage.

Don't side-eye 'Strongbox' inkberry holly (Ilex glabra 'Strongbox') because of its siblings. Sure, they tend to grow bare and gangly over time, calling for a brutal shearing, but 'Strongbox' doesn't. When grown in moist acidic soils and exposed to at least four hours of direct sunlight, it densifies beautifully, assuming a "squat" habit. Consuming no more than 3 feet of space, it's appropriate in borders and foundation beds, retaining its handsome beauty in snow-laden gardens through zone 5. But if you ever change your mind about pruning, grow these hollies as a mini-hedge — they'll respond like boxwoods. Do watch for black root rot.

When not grown in containers, 'Purple Pixie' dwarf weeping Loropetalum (Loropetalum chinense 'Purple Pixie') lends beauty to any landscape as an evergreen ground cover. Its leathery leaves inherently cascade down, forming a 4-foot-wide thick purple carpet, providing rich contrast for ornamentals. 'Purple Pixie' retains its color through the summer heat, and, when left unpruned, it grows over 1 foot high, boasting a dazzling display of fuchsia-pink flowers all spring. In zones 7 to 10, give it full sun to intensify flower and foliage color. Deer won't find it interesting, nor will pests or diseases.

Atlanta inhabitants are no strangers to the beauty of dwarf Japanese cedar (Cryptomeria japonica 'Globosa Nana'). 'Globosa Nana' sits compact as a bowling ball (literally, that's how it looks!), ensuring you never need to take your clippers to its limbs. Evergreen, its bluish-green needles grow slightly bronze or red in the winter, looking spectacular in winter, cottage, or rock gardens. It grows best in full sun and tolerates heat but will take some shade if desired. Line the 4-foot-wide shrub around sidewalks or your yard perimeter to benefit from its salt and deer resistance.

Pieris plants are popular in cottage gardens, with homeowners letting them go to encourage a more natural look. However, if you feel they grow too tall for your space, ultimately requiring pruning for size, look for their cultivar 'Cavatine' (Pieris japonica 'Cavatine'). It's a slow grower, taking a decade to grow 2 feet tall. Moreover, it heralds spring with pretty white flowers that butterflies adore. Even when not in bloom, 'Cavatine' looks glorious year-round because of its dark foliage, though deer may browse them occasionally. Site it in partially shaded sites with moist soil.

Another flowering shrub that's given to molding itself into a striking form (rounded or upright) without any help from your pruning shears is bush anemone (Carpenteria californica). You're more likely to find its cultivar 'Elizabeth' at nurseries. Given its Californian origin, bush anemone is very drought-tolerant, although underwatering does reduce its growth. A full sun lover, it does switch its preferences to dappled shade in hot climates to avoid leaf scorch. Good drainage is essential, but if that's not possible, plant it in raised beds. Be prepared to remove damaged stems if they interfere with abutting vegetation.

Looking for a no-pruning plant that provides multi-season interest? Meet 'Burning Love' Leucothoe (Leucothoe keiskei 'Burning Love'). Keeping to its name, Burning Love emerges as hot red in spring, cooling down to broody greens in the summer — not for long, though. By fall, it's back to burnished reds that hold through snow. 'Burning Love' forms a densely packed, upright mound of 2 ½ feet in 10 years. In zones 6 through 10, mass plant in shaded (part or deep) locations and enjoy their lovely aroma. Or pop them in containers for a charming accent.

Create dramatic interest in your garden with 'Dark Horse' Weigela (Weigela florida 'Dark Horse'). With lime green streaks running across its dark purple foliage, 'Dark Horse' sets itself apart from the competition. Come spring, its 3-foot mound is enveloped in beautiful pink flowers, making it a go-to for a romantic English garden. Afterward, you may find sporadic blooms well into summer, attracting hummingbirds. Elsewhere, it can be used as foil to yellow-flowering ornamentals. Pruning isn't necessary, as the 'Dark Horse' maintains a neat mound, anyway. That said, you'll need to shape it after flowering if it's grown as a hedge.

Add late summer interest to your shaded garden with Sugartina 'Crystalina' summersweet (Clethra alnifolia 'Crystalina'). Barring cold months, 'Crystalina' marks garden beds with glossy green foliage that change into pretty yellow hues come fall. Naturally bushy, 'Crystalina' can do without pruning, unless you're aiming for a prim look. The best part? It succeeds in damp soils, including clay, as long as they're acidic. So, you can grow them around ponds and birdbaths. Alternatively, plant them near your deck or patio and bask in their divine fragrance. Monitor the shrubs for spider mites in dry weather.

Imagine welcoming the spring with red-hot flaming foliage — that's precisely what's in store if you plant 'Double Play Candy Corn' Spirea (Spiraea japonica 'Double Play Candy Corn'). In spring, this foliage-heavy Spirea sports a red shade, which fades into yellow as summer sets in; that's when you'll also see it cradling its pollinator-friendly purple flowers. Although it's wider than it is tall at 30 inches, it usually retains its rounded habit without testing your pruning skills. Note that Spiraea japonica is listed as invasive in several eastern U.S. states; planting it there can damage local ecosystems. 

One major gardening mistake that affects your roses' blooms involves poorly timed pruning. But what if your roses required no pruning at all? Enter: Anthony Tesselaar Plants' 'Flower Carpet' (Rosa x 'Noare'). Low maintenance, these ground cover roses sprout a dense mound that's adorned with profuse blooms from spring into late fall. Winter pruning is optional to keep their size contained. However, there's no real need to prune this rose as long as you don't mind a somewhat larger bush. 'Flower Carpet' roses hold up well against droughts and blight after establishment.

Looking for a way to keep birds fed in the winter without spending too much time on pruning? Consider growing bearberry (Arctostaphylos uva-ursi). A low-growing evergreen shrub, bearberry spreads about 6 feet wide but grows no taller than 1 foot, requiring limited-to-zero upkeep. Around mid-spring, it lights up the yard with lantern-shaped, pink-mouthed, white blooms, beckoning hummingbirds and butterflies. It dislikes wet and humid conditions, so it won't thrive in the eastern U.S. states. To avoid root rot, plant bearberry in dry, loose soils, but ensure it isn't surrounding heavily fed ornamentals because it won't flower as generously.