At Hilltop Garden Centre, we know that life as a parent is full-on – school runs, packed lunches, laundry piles, and about a million other things! And while you might dream of a beautiful garden to unwind in, the idea of spending every weekend pruning, weeding and mowing might sound more like a chore than a joy.
The good news? You can absolutely have a garden that’s both beautiful and low maintenance – and one that’s safe and fun for the kids, too.
We’ve pulled together our top tips for creating a family-friendly garden that’s easy to manage and brings joy to everyone – even when your hands are full. Here are our top tips for busy parents who want a beautiful garden the whole family can enjoy.
1. Go low-maintenance with your planting
If you want a garden that looks great without needing hours of upkeep, the trick is to choose hardy, fuss-free plants that more or less look after themselves.
Top family-friendly plants and shrubs include:
- Lavender – Looks gorgeous, smells amazing, attracts pollinators and only needs pruning once a year.
- Hydrangeas – Big, beautiful blooms with minimal effort. Just keep them watered and enjoy!
- Geraniums – Super easy to grow and flower for ages. You can plant them in borders or pots for a great pop of colour.
- Heucheras – These leafy lovelies add year-round colour and don’t mind a bit of shade.
- Grasses – Great for texture, movement and no deadheading required!
- Dwarf shrubs – Ideal for creating shape and structure without getting out the hedge trimmer every week.
Want a hand choosing what works best for your garden’s soil and light conditions? Just pop into our garden centre in Clacton and our friendly team will be happy to advise.
2. Design your garden for play – and peace of mind
When you’re juggling a million things, the last thing you want is to spend hours patching up trampled flower beds. That's why a smart garden design can make all the difference.
Simple layout ideas for family gardens:
- Separate zones: Create a ‘kids zone’ and a ‘grown-up zone’. Let the kids dig, play and explore in one area, while you enjoy a more relaxing corner with a seat, a cuppa and your favourite plants.
- Play-friendly lawn: Choose tough turf varieties that can handle football games, water slides, and bare feet. Keep the shape simple (squares or rectangles) for easy mowing.
- Raised beds or containers: These help protect delicate plants from stray footballs and little feet, and they’re easier to weed and water.
- Screening: Use low-maintenance hedging, trellis or tall pots to create natural boundaries between play and rest areas.
- Durable surfaces: Consider bark chippings or rubber mulch for under swings and climbing frames as they're soft on knees, ow on maintenance, and always look good.
3. Involve the kids in gardening
Children are naturally curious, and giving them their own little bit of garden to look after is a lovely way to get them off screens and into nature.
Easy garden jobs for little helpers:
- Watering (with a small watering can – and maybe a change of clothes!)
- Planting sunflower seeds or strawberries
- Decorating plant pots
- Looking out for bees, butterflies and bugs
- Creating a mini wildlife corner with a bug hotel or bird feeder
You can even create a small “kids’ garden” with fast-growing veg like radishes, peas or salad leaves – they’ll love eating what they’ve grown.
4. Keep It looking good with minimal effort
A few clever choices implemented at the start of your garden design can save you hours of work in the long run.
Top tips for a tidy, low-effort garden:
- Mulch your beds: Add bark chips or gravel around plants to keep weeds down and moisture in.
- Install a water butt: Easy access to rainwater saves time and is eco-friendly.
- Choose shrubs and perennials: Perennials come back every year, so you’re not replanting all the time. Add strategically placed pots planted up with annuals for a pop of colour.
- Keep tools handy: A small outdoor storage box with gloves, trowels and secateurs will save you running back and forth to the shed.
Visit Hilltop – your family-friendly garden centre in Essex
At Hilltop, we’re proud to be a garden centre with a café and a friendly team that loves helping families create the garden of their dreams – even if you’re short on time!
Our garden centre in Clacton on Sea is full of great options for low-maintenance plants, family-friendly garden features, and handy advice. Don’t forget to stop by Floral Days Café for a lunch with the kids – kids eat for just £1 with the purchase of an adult main meal! We’ve got indoor and outdoor seating, high chairs, and plenty of tasty treats for grown-ups and kids alike.
Need a bit more help or advice?
Whether you’re choosing shrubs that’ll survive the summer holidays or planning a garden layout that keeps everyone happy, we’re here for you. Come and see us at our Essex garden centre, ask questions, get inspired – and let us help make your garden a place the whole family loves to be.
From all of us at Hilltop – happy gardening!
