There's a reason why people say a garden is a labour of love. Many plants require regular care to get the best out of them. Deadheading flowers, pruning branches, and watching out for pests and diseases are just a few of the jobs I regularly undertake in our backyard.

But I know some of you out there may harbour a lot of love for having a garden but a little less love for the labour involved. Never fear, there are also plenty of plants that require very little care to thrive. Livingstone daisies are one. And Dianthus is another. Both are ideal for the low care garden and are perfect for planting at this time of year.

The great thing about dianthus and livingstone daisies is they don't need a lot of water. This makes them perfect for growing at a holiday house, a farm garden, or anywhere that uses tank or rainwater during summer.

They both like to be planted in full sun with free-draining, slightly alkaline, soil. And, they're good for growing with marigolds, roses, and petunias because they all like the same conditions.

Got a raised area in your garden or an area that needs some colour? Then fill it with lots of dianthus seedlings - they're a perfect bedding plant and they come in vibrant colours with tasty sounding names like Blueberry and Double Grace. That's purple/pink and red and white respectively for those not in the know.

Grab these bright flowering seedlings from your local supermarket, The Warehouse, or Bunnings. Remember you can also purchase your seedlings from Awapuni Nurseries online shop at and have them delivered direct to your door. We guarantee you'll be completely happy with the quality of the seedlings you receive or we'll give you your money back.

Once you've got your seedlings home and found the perfect spot to grow them simply plant each seedling around 25cm apart. They'll grow to around 25-30cm high and should start to flower around late spring and during summer. Enjoy them in the garden or showcase some in vases in your home - they make a great cut flower.