Some plants demand attention with their bold blooms and dramatic foliage, while others quietly enhance your garden’s beauty without the constant upkeep. These underrated plants may not always be the first choice at the nursery, but they offer vibrant colors, unique textures, and surprising benefits that make them well worth planting. If you’re looking for low-maintenance, resilient options that will brighten your outdoor space, you’ll want to give these overlooked species a chance.
Many of these plants thrive in poor soil, attract beneficial pollinators, or naturally repel pests, making them ideal for hands-off gardeners. Others provide long-lasting color throughout the seasons without requiring excessive watering or pruning. Whether you need a tough ground cover, a burst of unexpected color, or a reliable filler plant, these hidden gems can do the job effortlessly.
If your garden could use a fresh pop of color and year-round interest without the extra work, these 12 underrated plants deserve a spot in your planting plans.
Lungwort
Lungwort doesn’t just bring a splash of color with its unique pink and blue flowers. Its foliage remains attractive all year round, with silvery spots that shimmer in the sunlight. Ideal for shaded areas, this plant thrives where many others struggle. It can be an excellent companion in woodland gardens, creating a cool, calm atmosphere. Its low maintenance needs make it perfect for both novice and experienced gardeners looking to add a touch of elegance to dark corners. Given its hardy nature, it can resist pests and diseases, ensuring a vibrant display.
Bee Balm
Bee Balm is a haven for pollinators, drawing bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds with its striking blossoms. It produces a plethora of vibrant flowers, primarily in shades of red and purple, that can enliven any garden setting. This plant isn’t just about looks; it also offers a delightful fragrance reminiscent of Earl Grey tea. It’s a robust grower, thriving in sunny spots with well-drained soil. Regular deadheading helps to prolong its flowering season, ensuring a continuous burst of color. In addition to its beauty, Bee Balm can also be used medicinally, adding value beyond aesthetics.
Sea Holly
Sea Holly stands out with its striking steel-blue flowers and spiky texture, drawing attention wherever it’s planted. Its unique aesthetic makes it a perfect choice for contemporary gardens seeking a touch of drama. Drought-resistant and thriving in poor soil, it’s ideal for low-maintenance gardening. Sea Holly is not only visually arresting but also attracts a variety of pollinators, including bees and butterflies. Despite its fierce appearance, it pairs well with softer, more traditional blooms, providing contrast and intrigue. A versatile addition, it works beautifully in coastal gardens too.
Japanese Forest Grass
Japanese Forest Grass offers an elegant, cascading presence that can soften any garden layout. Its graceful, arching leaves add movement, catching gentle breezes and sunlight alike. Perfect for shaded areas, it thrives under trees or in woodland gardens. In the fall, its foliage turns a stunning gold, adding seasonal interest. This ornamental grass is low-maintenance, requiring minimal care once established. It can serve as a perfect ground cover, preventing weeds and conserving moisture. Known for its adaptability, Japanese Forest Grass is a valuable asset in any landscape design, marrying beauty with function.
Angelica
Angelica is a dramatic addition to any garden, with its towering height and large, dome-shaped flower heads. Its vibrant purple flowers attract beneficial insects, enhancing garden biodiversity. Though striking, Angelica prefers moist, rich soil and partial shade, making it suited for less sunny spots that many gardens offer. It’s not just a pretty face; its stems can be candied for culinary use. Perfect for creating a vertical accent, it complements other perennials well. Its ability to attract pollinators and beneficial insects adds a functional layer to its ornamental value.
Mountain Mint
Mountain Mint is a powerhouse in attracting pollinators, drawing bees and butterflies with its aromatic foliage and white blooms. It’s not only a visual delight but also a fragrant addition to any garden. This resilient plant thrives in full sun and is tolerant of a range of soil types, making it an adaptable choice for many gardeners. Its leaves can be used to make a refreshing herbal tea, adding versatility to its charm. Mountain Mint is perfect for naturalistic plantings or herbal gardens, providing texture and a soothing scent profile.
Perennial Flax
Perennial Flax offers delicate blue flowers that dance above slender stems, bringing a touch of elegance to any garden. Its long blooming period ensures months of enjoyment, with blooms that seem to float gracefully. Ideal for rock gardens or meadow-style plantings, it adds a soft, airy feel. This plant is easy to grow and thrives in full sun, preferring well-drained soil. Despite its delicate appearance, it’s surprisingly hardy, making it a reliable choice for gardeners of all skill levels. Its understated beauty complements more robust plants, offering balance.
Celandine Poppy
Celandine Poppy is a bright spot in shaded gardens, with its cheerful yellow blooms and lush foliage. It thrives in woodland settings, bringing color to areas often overlooked. This perennial is easy to grow, preferring moist, well-drained soil and dappled sunlight. It’s an ideal choice for gardeners looking to add low-maintenance color to shaded areas. The poppy’s self-seeding nature ensures it can populate a garden with ease, creating vibrant displays year after year. Its adaptability makes it a favorite among those who appreciate effortless beauty.
Bear’s Breeches
Bear’s Breeches offers bold architectural interest with its large, glossy leaves and dramatic flower spikes. It’s perfect for adding structure and form to mixed borders or as a standout specimen plant. This perennial prefers a sunny spot with well-drained soil, making it a suitable choice for Mediterranean-style gardens. Once established, it’s drought tolerant, reducing the need for frequent watering. Its unique look makes it a conversation piece, drawing attention and admiration. Bear’s Breeches is a long-lived perennial, providing years of enjoyment with minimal fuss.
Chinese Lantern
Chinese Lantern plants are celebrated for their bright orange husks that resemble glowing lanterns in autumn. These unique seed pods steal the show as summer fades, providing interest long after flowers have gone. They thrive in sunny areas with well-drained soil and are relatively low maintenance. The plant’s spreading habit makes it excellent for ground cover, though it’s best contained to avoid taking over. Its striking appearance adds a festive touch to gardens and can be used in dried floral arrangements. Their vibrant color is a welcome sight as seasons change.
Feverfew
Feverfew boasts cheerful, daisy-like blooms that add brightness and charm to any garden. This plant is not only attractive but also functional, known for its traditional medicinal uses. It’s easy to grow, thriving in full sun and well-drained soil. Its compact habit makes it ideal for borders or containers, where it can be easily accessed. Regular harvesting of its flowers ensures a prolonged blooming period. Feverfew is a must-have for those interested in herbal gardens, providing aesthetic appeal alongside practical benefits. It’s a delightful addition, promising both beauty and utility.
Goji Berry
Goji Berry plants offer more than just visual appeal with their vibrant red berries. These berries, celebrated for their health benefits, make this plant a nutritious addition to gardens. Thriving in well-drained soil and full sun, Goji Berries are relatively low maintenance. Their sprawling growth habit requires occasional pruning to keep them in check, but they reward with an abundant harvest. Perfect for edible landscapes, they offer both beauty and sustenance. Incorporating Goji Berries into your garden can provide a unique focal point, blending ornamental and edible gardening seamlessly.