Gardeners who want a vibrant and beautiful garden often choose popular plants such as roses, dahlias, and hydrangeas, but overlook other options. However, there are striking alternatives gardeners should consider that can bring unique, bold colours and intriguing textures to any outdoor space. Experts at Home & Gardens have revealed four flowers that can elevate the overall aesthetic of your garden.
They shared: “Frequently regarded as weeds, nothing special or simply seen as unfashionable, these plants can be hardworking, remarkably easy going and invaluable to nature and the health of our yard. By taking a fresh look at undervalued plants and discovering a little more about their qualities, we can begin to understand the different ways they can enrich and improve our plots.”
1. Eastern Bluestar
Eastern Bluestar, also known as Amsonia, is a surprisingly underappreciated plant. It boasts striking ice-blue blooms emerging from dark buds. It is easy to grow in most soils, and the flowers brighten shady spots with their cool, glowing tones.
Horticulturalist Justin Hancock praised these flowers and shared: “Hardworking Amsonia is a North American native that deserves more love in the perennial garden.
“An easy-care plant, it shows off just the loveliest clusters of star-shaped blue flowers in late spring before the leaves turn gold in fall. It’s also great for pollinators, deer- and rabbit-resistant!” reported Homes & Gardens.
2. Toad Lily
Toad lily, or Tricyrtis hirta, is a resilient perennial native to Japan. It blooms from August to October and produces stunning star-shaped flowers on arching stems that can grow up to 75cm tall.
According to the RHS, Toad Lilies thrive in moist, humus-rich, well-drained soil, ideally in a sheltered spot with full or partial shade. They are perfect for woodland gardens or shady borders.
Expert Justin shared: “It can be challenging to find shade-loving plants that bloom in summer and fall, so I’m surprised that toad lily hasn’t caught on and become more popular.
“They’re totally underrated gems for their bloom time and beauty – the star-shaped flowers mainly appear in shades of pink, white, and purple. Some have variegated foliage for multiple seasons of interest.”
3. Fleabane
Another overlooked plant is Fleabane, also known as Erigeron. It is a perennial that adds delicate beauty, long-lasting blooms, and significant benefits to the garden, such as attracting native bees, butterflies, and hoverflies for pollination.
“Master Gardener” Tabar Gifford also spoke to Homes & Gardens and shared: “Thanks to its low-water needs and tolerance for lean soils, it thrives in rock gardens and dry slopes, where other plants might struggle.
“For those looking to support pollinators, Erigeron pairs beautifully with penstemon, monarda, and agastache, serving as a key nectar source for bees and butterflies.”
4. Creeping thyme
Another “pollinating powerhouse” is Creeping thyme. Due to its stunning pink-purple flowers, the plant attracts bees, butterflies, and hoverflies. This hardy, fast-spreading plant thrives in heat and quickly fills gaps where other plants struggle to grow.
Horticultural Manager Lauren Carvalho said: “Thyme works all year-round filling cracks between flagstones and eroding rock walls.
“Often evergreen, weed suppressing, and sometimes sweetly scent the air as you step on them, these are the thankless heroes of my garden.”