00:00We all love a showstopper, but there are plenty of underrated and unsung garden heroes that should not go unnoticed.
00:08Even with unique charm, colorful blooms, and wide appeal, some plants are often overshadowed by their showy counterparts,
00:16but are still worth your attention and a space in your garden.
00:20Hi, this is Amy from Gardening Know How, and I'm going to share the top 10 underrated plants chosen by
00:25our team of experts and gardeners just like you.
00:31Starting off our list is the Astilbe, a perennial gem that deserves more attention.
00:36The feathery, plume-like flowers add a touch of elegance, making them the perfect choice for those often overlooked corners
00:43of the garden.
00:44These low-maintenance, easy-to-grow perennials not only thrive in part shade to full shade, but also flourish in
00:50moist soil,
00:51enabling gardeners to fill those often neglected spots in the garden with vibrant color and texture.
00:57Growing to just a modest size, they're often overshadowed by larger or flashier blooms.
01:03But these underappreciated flowers also attract pollinators, which contribute to the biodiversity of your garden.
01:16Next is the Joe Pie Weed. This extremely adaptable plant with the quirky name can provide serious impact in the
01:24garden.
01:24This hardy perennial is often overlooked in the landscape, primarily due to its imposing height, which can reach up to
01:317 feet.
01:32However, some newer varieties on the market grow to just half that size.
01:37Despite its underappreciation, it boasts numerous other benefits.
01:42It tolerates average to dry soil, but thrives in moist soils, and is the perfect choice for areas prone to
01:48periodic flooding.
01:50Additionally, in late summer, its nectar-rich, mauve-pink flowers attract butterflies, bees, and other pollinators,
01:57injecting a burst of color into the garden when many other perennials have finished blooming.
02:07Despite being a true garden gem, the garden phlox often goes underrated and overlooked due to its occasional need for
02:15staking
02:15and susceptibility to powdery mildew, which can make the plant appear less attractive.
02:21But with its vibrant blooms and versatility, perennial garden phlox can bring color and life to your landscape.
02:27The clusters of vibrantly colored, fragrant blooms come in a variety of colors, from soft pastels to rich, bold hues,
02:35offering versatility in design.
02:37Plus, the flowers attract beneficial pollinators like butterflies and hummingbirds, making them an invaluable addition to any garden.
02:49Last on our list of perennials is the hellebore.
02:52Also known as Lenten roses, hellebores are evergreen plants offering long-lasting, early-season blooms in a variety of shades
03:00and forms.
03:01While these plants are adored by many, they often escape the notice of most gardeners,
03:06because they are either out of bloom or sold out by the time the majority of gardeners make their initial
03:11visit to the garden center in the spring.
03:13Apart from their visual appeal, hellebores are known for their low-maintenance nature, deer resistance, and their ability to thrive
03:21in the shade.
03:22In fact, hellebores are among the select few plants, capable of tolerating both shade and large root systems,
03:30making them suitable for planting under large shade trees or at the edge of wooded areas.
03:42Nasturtium flowers, often overlooked and undervalued, perhaps due to their unassuming size or trailing habit,
03:48are actually very versatile, offering a myriad of benefits to the garden.
03:53Easily grown by seed, the vibrant blooms are available in pastel shades to rich colors,
03:59bringing a burst of color to garden beds or spilling over the side of a container.
04:03They also play an invaluable role in the herb and vegetable garden,
04:07by serving as natural pest repellents, deterring certain insects while attracting beneficial ones.
04:14Additionally, both the leaves and flowers are edible, providing a peppery kick to salads,
04:19or serving as a simple decoration for cakes.
04:27Claiming the next spot on our list are Cosmos.
04:30Despite their remarkable attributes, the airy and free-spirited growth habit of Cosmos
04:36are often overlooked for more compact or structured plants.
04:40However, their vivid, daisy-like flowers boast an impressively long blooming season
04:45and offer numerous benefits, including easy care, the ability to attract pollinators,
04:51and thriving in poor, dry soils.
04:53Plus, their long stems make excellent cut flowers.
05:04Calycanthus, also known as the Carolina allspice or sweet shrub,
05:07is a unique plant with an inconspicuous nature.
05:10Its modest appearance might not immediately catch the eye in a garden center,
05:14bustling with flashy alternatives.
05:16But, the benefits of this plant are well worth a second look.
05:20For example, the distinctive aromatic flowers, often resembling magnolia blossoms,
05:26release a captivating fragrance, almost reminiscent of ripe bananas and strawberries.
05:31And we can't forget to mention how remarkably adaptable they are,
05:35thriving in various soil conditions, and demonstrating resilience against pests and disease.
05:45Clethra, commonly known as summer sweet or the sweet pepperbush,
05:49offers an array of benefits to any garden space.
05:53Unfortunately, the vast array of landscape plant options often overshadow this beneficial native plant.
05:59The sweetly fragrant, slender spikes of flowers, usually in white or pink,
06:04are loved by pollinators and bloom late, extending the season along with the warm,
06:08golden yellow hues of the fall foliage.
06:11These plants not only flourish in partial shade to full sun,
06:15but can also be accommodated in various garden settings,
06:18due to their easy care and versatility.
06:26My pick and personal favorite from this list is the Oakleaf hydrangea.
06:31These plants are spectacular all on their own,
06:33but are often overlooked in comparison to their mophead cousins.
06:36With their showy, rounded flowers in vibrant hues such as bright pink and blue.
06:42But Oakleaf hydrangeas have a few advantages in the landscape compared to their flashy relatives.
06:48First, they are much more tolerant to sunlight and dry soil,
06:52making them more versatile in the landscape.
06:55Secondly, they offer large oak-shaped leaves and elongated clusters of flowers
06:59that evolve from white to pink.
07:01And the foliage transforms into a rich burgundy in the fall,
07:06providing year-round interest.
07:08These are the perfect choice for a busy or low-maintenance loving gardener.
07:16Finally, a plant that is not often considered a landscape shrub, the blueberry.
07:21Blueberries not only produce tasty and healthy berries,
07:23but they offer multi-season interest with their pretty white, bell-shaped spring flowers
07:29and fall foliage that rivals the burning bush with brilliant hues of red and purple.
07:34Ensure that you choose the appropriate type of blueberry for your needs.
07:38If you're planning to incorporate blueberries around your home in beds or borders,
07:42the low-bush blueberry is the preferred choice for smaller spaces,
07:47as it forms dense, compact mounds.
07:50On the other hand, high-bush blueberries are ideal for creating a more substantial hedge,
07:55growing into an attractive shrub that yields larger berries.
07:59This careful selection allows for both an aesthetically pleasing landscape and a fruitful harvest.
08:11Thank you for joining us on this journey through our Top 10 Underrated Plants.
08:16Until next time, happy gardening!
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