A lovely landscape doesn’t have to be difficult or time consuming, Mississippi State Extension Service professor Lelia Kelly said during a recent Quick Bites program.

There are plenty of low-maintenance options for a healthy, professional-looking landscape that don’t require a lot of work or upkeep, she said.

“Anything that gets you out in the garden more than you want to be is high maintenance,” Kelly said.

Research and preparation are key to finding what works best in a certain setting. Use the natural features of the yard and plant appropriately, Kelly said.

“Understand what your landscape is before you just start putting in plants,” she said.

Plants that love sunlight should be planted in sun, and those that soak up water like a sponge should be used only in soggy areas of the yard rather than tailoring the yard to specific plants.

“It’s easier to do this than vice versa,” Kelly said.

Designs should also be kept simple to avoid the extra work in keeping a well-manicured garden. Lots of angled designs can look beautiful but will be a headache later, Kelly said.

“Avoid intricate stuff unless you have a whole yard full of people pruning and trimming,” she said.

Some common landscaping pieces seem like they would be low-maintenance but turn into a lot of work, Kelly said.