If you live in or close to Ohio, this article is a must read for your tree planting ideas.

Get the expert opinion of low maintenance landscape designers from across Ohio on the top low maintenance trees they use in their designs for front yard landscaping.

Below is a list of easy landscape trees for Ohio, followed by the contact information of these designers.

If you’re looking for front yard design ideas to create a beautiful healthy landscape without tons of yard work, reach out to them for some awesome design help!

When you’re looking to save time on yard work, the right plants in the right place can really make a difference.  When considering plants for your landscape, it is important to consider the growing conditions of your specific garden location, as well as the aesthetics and form of your intended planting.

Important considerations for easy perennial plants and low maintenance landscapes:

  • Know your soil type
    • Get a soil test!
    • Know your pH
    • Know your soil texture (sand, loam, silt, clay)
  • Select plants adapted to:
    • Your soil type
    • The water availability in your garden
    • The fertility level of your site
    • Other nearby plants
  • Consider aesthetics
    • Right plant form
    • Proper plant groupings
  • Consider plant growth
    • Seed dispersal
    • Growing habit
    • Spreading habit

Once you’ve considered the right conditions for your plants, here are some awesome suggestions on what to plant!

Each of the trees and shrubs listed below were recommended by two or more designers to be included.

Most of these plants are easy perennial plants native to this region and bring a lot of beauty and texture to your landscape.  Some are short-lived perennials or self-reseeding annuals that can reseed to come back each year.  Some are non-native exotics that are well adapted to the growing conditions of Ohio without spreading profusely in the wild.

Also be sure to check out the other sister articles to this one:

Get a free copy of all plants in one easy to navigate file!

Evergreens

Evergreens are prized for their year-round foliage.  Consider the following for your evergreen tree planting needs.  There are two specific native plant groups that are commonly used in low maintenance front yard landscaping: Juniper and Arborvitae.

Shrubs

  • Viburnum
    • A well-known group of shrubs with puffy summer bloom clusters, there are many native and exotic viburnums. Native viburnums provide excellent adaptation to climate and disease.
    • Key species and cultivars:
    • Arrowwood Viburnum (Viburnum dentatum )

Trees

All of the following trees are native plants to the US, and all are found in Ohio.  They are well adapted to conditions throughout Ohio and are worth considering for your tree planting ideas.

  • Maple
    • A well-known front yard hardwood, maples provide beautiful fall color and tower majestically in maturity. Selecting the right species for your soil, sun, moisture, and other conditions is important.  Some maples, such as sugar maple grow very quickly, but watch out for their very wide root spread and surface-emerging roots.
    • Key species and cultivars:
    • Red maple (Acer rubrum )
  • Serviceberry
    • A smaller tree/shrub depending on variety, provides beautiful spring flowers in maturity and stunning fall color.
    • Key species and cultivars:
    • Serviceberry (Amelanchier canadensis )

Designers

I want to thank the following designers for their expert input in providing this wonderful resource for easy perennial plants.

If you need help with landscape ideas from backyard landscaping to front yard landscaping ideas, consider contacting one of these designer in your area for a beautiful healthy landscape that is low maintenance and fun!

Akron

Cincinnati

Columbus

  • Amy Dutt – Urban Wild Ltd
    • urbanwilddesignandplanning@gmail.com
    • 614-547-WILD
  • Debra Knapke – The Garden Sage

Get a free copy of all plants in one easy to navigate file!

Photo Credits: Gene Wilburn