5 Must Have Plants For Any Garden

Designing a garden or transforming an existing one needs a lot of work and prior knowledge, especially when it comes to selecting the right plant. There are plants that look glamorous and others that bloom in a variety of colors. Of course, selecting the right plant depends on several factors such as the garden size, the weather, the quality of the soil and so forth. Many garden owners prefer to pick plants and trees that are easier to maintain, require less pruning, will not grow to great heights, require less pest control, and most importantly bloom every year. 

Here are 5 must have plants that should be included in any garden design:  

The giant taro

The giant taro is one of the most beautiful perennial plants. Many garden owners prefer them over other evergreen plants, due to their glamorous appearance. They are also called Alocasia macrorrhiza (Giant Elephant's Ear), referring to their gigantic leaves that actually look like an elephant’s ear with an arrow-shape that points upwards. They grow best when planted in partly shaded areas, as they may dry up when exposed to full sun. Moreover, they need to be sheltered away from strong winds to protect those long pretty leaves; they will look fascinating if planted against the walls of buildings.

Hosta

Another perennial plant that will provide a colorful touch in any garden is the Hosta. They are best planted in shaded areas within the garden, similar to the giant taro. They have a variety of shapes, sizes and colors. Hosta develops flower spikes that are pink, white and lavender in color. However, if you have slugs within your garden or are occasionally visited by wildlife, planting them would not be a good idea as they are ingested by them, resulting in torn plants or holes on the leaves. 

Coneflower

The toughest flower known is the coneflower. A beautiful and colorful addition to any garden with fewer constraints compared to many other flowering plants. They tolerate almost everything, such as sun, heat, deer and slugs. Coneflowers (Echinaces) are easy to grow and maintain. They come in shades of pink, orange, yellow and red. They are best planted in naturalized areas, beds and borders. 

Umbrella bamboo

Fargesia murielae or umbrella bamboo is an elegant, evergreen bamboo. They are short and narrow, and their leaves are grayish from the inside and bright green from the top. They grow quickly and can tolerate the cold, making them green and they stay alive all year long; along with being a wildlife resistant, yet still loved by the slugs. They look great in public gardens and near ponds and can be used for screening. 

Russian sage

Russian sage or Perovskia is a multi-stemmed and sub-shrub, perennial plant, with small blue-violet flowers and aromatic green leaves. This delicate looking plant is actually tough, making it a valuable addition to any garden. They resist heat, pests, poor soil and drought. Furthermore, the plant looks stunning in any garden design, whether in singles or clusters. 

Imagine those 5 must have plants in any garden and you can appreciate how beautiful and low maintenance the garden will be. They will save you time and keep any garden looking terrific all year long.