We all know people who say: “I can’t keep any plants alive!” Truth is, with a little love and attention, in the right conditions most plants will survive and flourish.
But there are some who will carry on proudly even if you neglect them! Of course, no plant is truly ‘unkillable’, but there are plenty of plants that are so stubborn and resilient to weather, pest and disease and environmental conditions that they take some beating in the durability department.
Here are some of the standout stars to include in your summer garden this year.
Sanguisorba ‘Red Thunder’
If you’re looking to turn heads with something a little more unusual, this sanguisorba is just the ticket. When it first emerges in spring its early growth provides excellent ground cover before really coming into its own in summer with branches topped with claret-coloured buttons. It adds height and movement to a border and looks amazing with grasses.
Salvia nemorosa ‘Caradonna'
Perfect for pollinators and unpalatable for deers and rabbits, this salvia has become a firm favourite over recent years – often appearing in show gardens. It has deep purple flowers that sit above aromatic strong bushy deep green foliage, it’s reliably drought tolerant with a fantastically long-flowering period from June to November.
Euphorbia characias subsp. wulfenii
This is a great border staple with its evergreen whorls of bluey-grey foliage contrasting perfectly with its zesty green flowers with bronze eyes from March through to May. It works equally well in minimalist schemes due to its architectural appearance, it’s very drought tolerant and rabbit and deer resistant. It can be an irritant to skin and eyes so should be handled with care.
Amelanchier lamarckii
Every garden should have a tree if possible and this is one of my favourites. Beautiful all year round, the branches are smothered in ethereal white flowers in spring that perfectly complement early bronze foliage. The autumn berries are a rich red and darken to purple alongside leaves that flame red as they age. They work in sun or part shade and can even be grown in a pot.
Hydrangea paniculata ‘Limelight’
A robust upright shrub that works well in either full sun or part shade, any soil and any aspect, it produces masses of long-lasting cone-shaped flowers that start green, fading through to white and finally a delicate pink in autumn. The flowers also last well in vases, are great for pollinators and the leaves provide vibrant autumn colour.
Alchemilla mollis
No garden is complete without some lady’s mantle; it’s both beautiful, useful, and unstoppable once established, coping with even the most ‘challenging’ of conditions. Its scalloped leaves gather the morning dew that then glistens like quicksilver below frothy lime green flowers that look equally wonderful in a border, pot or vase.
Cosmos
Ranging from white to soft pink through to deep claret, these are a veritable feast for bees and pollinators. Extremely easy to grow, they work equally well in a border or pots to brighten up patios and produce armfuls of flowers that last well in vases. They are perfect for filling gaps between slower growing perennials as borders mature.