Dave Arthuro wrote:

As garden lovers you are going to kill me for asking this question! I am
purchasing a house with a small back lawn and some side plants. I really
have no interest in gardening Is it possible to have plants and grass
that require little or no intervention?

Not necessarily. Last year we did something like it for my mother in law, who
though she likes gardening can no longer cope with the physical effort of
heavy tasks like lawnmowing. Planting therefore was carefully chosen to be
self limiting - heathers and various sizes of well behaved flowering shrubs.

Grass you are out of luck with. It grows fast and will always need cutting.
But choose the right perennial plants though and you can have a garden that
doesn't require much effort to keep looking nice. Planted through barrier
layer and with 4" of chipped bark on top, or pebbles/shingle few weeds will
compete.

Of course doing this requires effort on your part. There is no free lunch.

Regards,
Martin Brown