Ready to make your garden the talk of the town? Imagine a vibrant, unique outdoor space with your neighbors stopping in their tracks to admire your handiwork. Whether you dream of dazzling colors, enchanting fragrances, or a garden bursting with personality, we’ve got just the thing for you.
Dive into our guide on nine extraordinary plant varieties that’ll transform your backyard into a blooming paradise. It doesn’t matter if you’re a seasoned horticulture hero or a newbie with a fresh pair of gardening gloves—these plants are your ticket to a garden that stands out in every possible way.
So grab your trowel, and let’s get growing! Your garden makeover starts now, and trust me, it will be absolutely blooming fabulous.
1. Echium Candicans: A Showstopper from Madeira
Echium fastuosum, or Madeira Bugloss, is a striking perennial from the island of Madeira. This plant grows into a large bush, reaching up to 5 feet tall and nearly 10 feet wide over two to three seasons. In spring, its green-gray hairy foliage is adorned with spikes of dense flowers ranging from sapphire blue to violet-blue, attracting many pollinators. Though not very frost-hardy, it can tolerate temperatures down to 28°F if the soil is well-drained. Ideal for warm climates or large pots, it thrives in sunny spots with poor, calcareous, and arid soils, making it perfect for seaside gardens and large rockeries. This plant can reseed itself and has a lifespan of 5 to 7 years, offering a long-lasting, low-maintenance addition to Mediterranean gardens. It pairs beautifully with shrub sages or Aloe arborescens for vibrant, drought-resistant compositions.
2. Clematis ‘Taiga’: The Award-Winning Climber
Clematis ‘Taiga’ is a recent variety that was awarded at Plantarium 2016 for its stunning blooms. It produces large, double flowers reminiscent of cactus dahlias from summer to fall. This climbing perennial can grow up to 8 feet tall and spread about 3 feet wide. Its reddish stems support deciduous green leaves, sometimes tinged with purple. The flowers open in three stages, starting with a central light green bud that evolves into curved purplish-blue petals, ending in green tips, and finally turning purple with creamy white hues. It thrives in sunny to partially shaded locations, perfect for small gardens, exterior walls, pergolas, or pots on balconies. Like all clematis, it prefers its base shaded, ideally by ground cover plants like perennial geraniums. This clematis adds a touch of originality, being both resilient and adaptable to various environments.
3. Agapanthus ‘Fireworks’: A Burst of Color
Agapanthus ‘Fireworks’ stands out with its spectacular two-tone flowers, blue at the base and pure white at the tips. This semi-evergreen, relatively hardy plant can tolerate temperatures down to 14°F. Its flowers form large umbels on short, sturdy stems from June to August that withstand wind well. Reaching up to 2 feet in height, it blooms with linear, shiny dark green foliage. Perfect for edging terraces or flowerbeds, it’s also suitable for pots on balconies or terraces. This plant adapts easily to full sun and well-drained soil that doesn’t dry out too much in summer. It fits well in exotic plant beds and more refined settings, blending harmoniously with other agapanthus varieties, Kniphofias, daylilies, grasses, and Cannas.
4. Colocasia esculenta ‘Pink China’: The Hardy Elephant Ear
Colocasia ‘Pink China’, or Elephant Ear, is notable for its hardiness, withstanding temperatures down to 10°F. Native to tropical regions, this prolific variety features bright pink petioles and large green leaves with bluish hues. Ideal for cool and humid climates, it grows to about 4 feet tall and 3 feet wide when mature, showcasing heart-shaped foliage. Easy to cultivate in the ground or pots, it thrives in cool to moist soils and sunny to semi-shaded spots. It fits perfectly into city gardens, terraces, or near water features, combining well with cannas, arums, and banana trees.
5. Cornus florida ‘Magic Dogwood’: The Unique Flowering Tree
Cornus florida ‘Urbiniana’, or Mexican Flowering Dogwood, is a rare species from the forests of eastern Mexico. Its spring flowering features small green flowers surrounded by white bracts resembling Chinese lanterns. This small tree can reach up to 26 feet tall and is valued for its narrow habit. In autumn, its foliage turns stunning burgundy red before falling. Adapting well to small gardens, it thrives in cool, acidic soil in bright locations sheltered from strong winds and late frosts. With average hardiness, it can resist temperatures down to 10°F. Ideal for various garden styles, from white gardens to contemporary or cottage gardens, this dogwood pairs beautifully with Hydrangea paniculata ‘Great Star’ and other white or pink perennials and heather shrubs.
6. Zantedeschia aethiopica ‘Himalaya’: The Giant Arum
Zantedeschia aethiopica ‘Himalaya’, or Giant Ethiopian Arum, is known for its imposing stature, reaching up to 4 feet for its foliage and up to 6.5 feet for its flowers. This perennial features shiny, wavy, lance-shaped foliage, dark green and speckled with white. From May to September, large white cone-shaped flowers appear, surrounding a pale yellow spadix. The flowers continue throughout this period if the soil remains moist. To thrive, it needs moist, fertile soil and a sunny to partially shaded position. Hardy down to 19°F, it requires winter protection with good mulch or should be cultivated in a large pot. This arum is perfect for edging water features and contemporary or exotic gardens, pairing well with peonies, daylilies, larkspur, and beautiful ferns.
7. Hollyhock ‘Chater’s Double Salmon Pink’: A Romantic Bloom
Alcea rosea ‘Chater’s Double Salmon Pink’ captivates with its romantic and abundant blooms. All summer long, large flower spikes are adorned with double-wavy pompom flowers in a soft, warm salmon pink. This hollyhock also attracts bees and butterflies with its prolonged flowering from June to September. The flowers give way to seed-filled fruits, which spontaneously reseed, adding a wild and natural aspect to the garden. Often reaching over 6.5 feet tall, this perennial is perfect for the back of flowerbeds or walled gardens. Undemanding, it grows easily even in poor, stony, or clay soils and resists drought, appreciating warm spots sheltered from strong winds. Ideal for English cottage or country gardens, its soft hue pairs well with dark or light-toned plants like yarrow and Agastache ‘Summer Sunset.’
8. Canna ‘Musifolia’: The Giant Canna Lily
Canna Musifolia stands out with its impressive height, up to 9 feet tall. Its lush bronze-green leaves, edged with purple, are particularly striking, reminiscent of banana trees. In July and August, in mild climates, it produces orange-red flowers grouped in dense spikes at the stem’s top. In more temperate regions, it’s cultivated solely for its foliage’s beauty. Fast-growing and easy to grow, it appreciates sun and rich soil. It adapts to almost any region and can tolerate temperatures down to 5°F with good mulching. Deciduous, it disappears at the first frost, reappearing in spring. Perfect for adding height to flowerbeds, this giant canna pairs wonderfully with Dahlias (especially the ‘Imperialis’ variety for its impressive size), Kniphofia, or Agapanthus.
Final Showdown
Adding any of these remarkable plants to your garden will enhance its beauty and make it stand out in the neighborhood. Whether you’re looking for unique blooms or impressive foliage, these plants offer various options to suit different climates and garden styles. So go ahead and transform your garden into a stunning masterpiece that will leave your neighbors green with envy!
