10 Ornamental Plants That Are Surprisingly Easy To Grow

Ever feel like your garden is missing that certain something? You know, that touch of elegance and visual interest that transforms it from ordinary to outstanding?

Many gardeners believe creating a stunning outdoor space requires a green thumb of mythical proportions. But what if I told you that adding beauty to your garden could be surprisingly simple?

In this article, we’ll explore 10 ornamental plants that are surprisingly easy to grow. Get ready to discover how you can effortlessly elevate your garden’s aesthetic with these low-maintenance beauties!

1. Sedum (Stonecrop): The Succulent Superstar

Sedums, also known as stonecrops, are succulent plants prized for their drought tolerance and interesting textures. They come in various shapes, sizes, and colors, making them versatile additions to any garden.

These plants thrive in well-drained soil and full sun, requiring minimal watering once established. Their ability to attract pollinators like bees and butterflies adds to their charm.

Why Sedum is Easy to Grow:

• Drought-tolerant: Requires little watering.
• Low-maintenance: Needs minimal care and attention.
• Pest and disease resistant: Less susceptible to common garden problems.

Some popular varieties include ‘Autumn Joy’ with its rosy-pink flower heads and ‘Angelina’ with its vibrant golden foliage. Sedums are truly one of the easiest ornamental plants to incorporate into your landscape.

2. Lavender: Fragrance and Beauty Combined

Lavender is renowned for its soothing fragrance and beautiful purple flowers. This Mediterranean native is not only visually appealing but also attracts beneficial insects.

It thrives in sunny locations with well-drained soil, making it ideal for rock gardens or borders. Lavender’s aromatic foliage adds a sensory element to your garden.

Lavender’s Easy-Care Secrets:

• Drought-tolerant: Prefers dry conditions.
• Deer-resistant: Unappealing to deer and other herbivores.
• Easy to propagate: Can be grown from cuttings or seeds.

English lavender (Lavandula angustifolia) and French lavender (Lavandula dentata) are popular choices, each offering unique characteristics. Incorporating lavender is a simple way to add a touch of Provence to your garden with these ornamental plants.

3. Hostas: Shade Garden Staples

Hostas are beloved for their lush foliage and shade tolerance. With a wide variety of leaf shapes, sizes, and colors, they offer endless possibilities for creating visually interesting shade gardens.

These plants prefer moist, well-drained soil and protection from direct sunlight. Their elegant leaves add texture and depth to shady areas.

Why Hostas are Hassle-Free:

• Shade-tolerant: Thrives in low-light conditions.
• Low maintenance: Requires minimal pruning.
• Variety of colors and textures: Offers diverse options for garden design.

‘Blue Angel’ and ‘Golden Tiara’ are popular varieties, each showcasing unique foliage characteristics. Hostas prove that beautiful ornamental plants can thrive even in the shadiest corners of your garden.

4. Coneflower (Echinacea): A Pollinator Magnet

Coneflowers are vibrant, daisy-like flowers that attract pollinators like bees and butterflies. Their cheerful blooms come in various colors, including purple, pink, orange, and white.

These plants thrive in full sun and well-drained soil, requiring minimal care once established. Coneflowers add a splash of color and life to any garden.

Coneflower’s Simple Charm:

• Drought-tolerant: Can withstand dry spells.
• Attracts pollinators: Supports beneficial insects.
• Long blooming season: Provides color throughout the summer.

‘Purple Coneflower’ (Echinacea purpurea) and ‘PowWow Wild Berry’ are popular varieties, each offering unique hues and forms. These ornamental plants are perfect for creating a vibrant and eco-friendly garden.

5. Daylily (Hemerocallis): The Effortless Beauty

Daylilies are known for their easy-going nature and stunning blooms. Each flower lasts only a day, but the plant produces a continuous succession of blossoms throughout the summer.

They thrive in full sun to partial shade and are adaptable to various soil conditions. Daylilies are a reliable choice for adding color and texture to your garden.

Daylily’s Low-Maintenance Appeal:

• Adaptable: Tolerates a wide range of conditions.
• Low maintenance: Requires minimal care.
• Wide variety of colors and forms: Offers diverse options for garden design.

‘Stella de Oro’ and ‘Happy Returns’ are popular varieties, each offering unique colors and blooming patterns. Daylilies prove that you can have a beautiful garden with minimal effort thanks to these wonderful ornamental plants.

6. Russian Sage (Perovskia atriplicifolia): Silver Foliage and Blue Blooms

Russian sage is a drought-tolerant perennial prized for its silvery foliage and lavender-blue flowers. Its airy texture and long blooming season make it a standout in any garden.

This plant thrives in full sun and well-drained soil, requiring minimal watering once established. Russian sage adds a touch of elegance and whimsy to your landscape.

Russian Sage’s Easy-Care Attributes:

• Drought-tolerant: Thrives in dry conditions.
• Deer-resistant: Unappealing to deer and other herbivores.
• Long blooming season: Provides color throughout the summer.

Russian sage is a low-maintenance option for adding visual interest to your garden. It’s one of the most rewarding ornamental plants for its beauty and resilience.

7. Ornamental Grasses: Textural Interest and Movement

Ornamental grasses add texture, movement, and visual interest to any garden. They come in various shapes, sizes, and colors, offering endless possibilities for creating dynamic landscapes.

These plants are generally low-maintenance and adaptable to various soil conditions. Ornamental grasses provide year-round interest, even in winter when their dried seed heads add beauty to the landscape.

Why Ornamental Grasses are Easy to Grow:

• Low-maintenance: Requires minimal care.
• Drought-tolerant: Can withstand dry spells.
• Adds textural interest: Provides movement and visual appeal.

Feather reed grass (Calamagrostis x acutiflora ‘Karl Foerster’) and blue fescue (Festuca glauca) are popular choices, each offering unique characteristics. These ornamental plants bring a natural and elegant touch to your garden.

8. Hydrangeas: Classic Elegance with a Modern Twist

Hydrangeas are beloved for their large, showy flower heads that come in various colors, including pink, blue, white, and purple. They add a touch of classic elegance to any garden.

While some hydrangeas can be finicky, certain varieties are surprisingly easy to grow. They prefer partial shade and well-drained soil, requiring regular watering to thrive.

Hydrangea’s Easy-Care Secrets:

• Adaptable: Many varieties are relatively easy to grow.
• Showy blooms: Provides stunning floral displays.
• Variety of colors: Offers diverse options for garden design.

Endless Summer and Annabelle are popular varieties known for their reliable blooming and easy care. With the right variety, hydrangeas can be surprisingly easy ornamental plants to add to your garden.

9. Black-Eyed Susan (Rudbeckia hirta): Cheerful and Resilient

Black-eyed Susans are cheerful, daisy-like flowers with bright yellow petals and a dark brown center. Their vibrant blooms add a touch of sunshine to any garden.

These plants thrive in full sun and well-drained soil, requiring minimal care once established. Black-eyed Susans are a reliable choice for adding color and attracting pollinators.

Black-Eyed Susan’s Simple Charm:

• Drought-tolerant: Can withstand dry spells.
• Attracts pollinators: Supports beneficial insects.
• Long blooming season: Provides color throughout the summer.

Black-eyed Susans are easy to grow and maintain, making them a perfect addition to any garden. These ornamental plants are a great way to add a touch of rustic charm to your landscape.

10. Coral Bells (Heuchera): Foliage Interest All Year Round

Coral bells are prized for their colorful foliage that comes in various shades of green, purple, bronze, and silver. Their attractive leaves add texture and interest to any garden.

These plants prefer partial shade and well-drained soil, requiring minimal care once established. Coral bells are a versatile choice for adding year-round interest to your landscape.

Why Coral Bells are Hassle-Free:

• Low maintenance: Requires minimal care.
• Variety of colors: Offers diverse options for garden design.
• Evergreen foliage: Provides year-round interest.

‘Palace Purple’ and ‘Lime Rickey’ are popular varieties, each showcasing unique foliage characteristics. Coral bells are truly one of the easiest ornamental plants to incorporate into your landscape.

Conclusion

Creating a beautiful and vibrant garden doesn’t have to be a daunting task. With these 10 ornamental plants that are surprisingly easy to grow, you can effortlessly add color, texture, and interest to your outdoor space.

From the drought-tolerant sedum to the shade-loving hosta, these plants offer a range of options for various garden conditions and preferences. So, go ahead and start planting!

What are your favorite easy-to-grow ornamental plants? Share your experiences and tips in the comments below!

FAQ Section

Q1: What is the best time to plant ornamental plants?

The best time to plant ornamental plants depends on your local climate and the specific plant species. Generally, spring and fall are ideal times to plant, as the weather is mild and the soil is moist. However, some plants can be planted successfully in summer if given adequate water and shade.

Q2: How often should I water ornamental plants?

Watering frequency depends on the plant species, soil type, and weather conditions. Generally, water deeply but infrequently, allowing the soil to dry out slightly between waterings. Drought-tolerant plants like sedum and lavender require less frequent watering than plants like hydrangeas, which prefer consistently moist soil.

Q3: Do ornamental plants need fertilizer?

While not always necessary, fertilizing ornamental plants can promote healthy growth and abundant blooms. Use a balanced fertilizer specifically formulated for flowering plants, and follow the instructions on the label. Avoid over-fertilizing, as this can lead to excessive foliage growth and fewer flowers.

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