If you want to make your outdoor space look fabulous this year, it’s not complicated. Just do a little planning and choose easy plants. If you are new to gardening, the secret to success is keeping it simple.
It also makes sense to keep your equipment to the essentials. If gardening is a hobby you want to commit to, you can continually expand your toolkit as time goes on. Of course, you'll need a mower if you have a lawn. Before buying one, check out our guide to the best gas or electric lawnmowers.
RHS-trained gardener Annette Hurt explains why growing your plants can be so rewarding. “One of the benefits of growing your plants is that you get to raise them from start to finish, so you know exactly how they have started their life and what chemicals, if any, have been used. Plants you’ve grown yourself benefit from developing in your local environment and are not subject to artificial conditions, unlike some plants grown and bred for commercial sale."
Other useful tools include a garden fork and spade, a hand trowel and fork, a watering can, and/or hose. If you want to grow from seed, you may need some compost and seed trays or pots. But these should be all you need to start—and your choice from the easy plants for the garden we have listed below. Happy growing!
8 easy plants for the garden
1. Ornamental Alliums
Ornamental Alliums are part of the onion family and are sold as bulbs you plant in a border or container. They're available in many colors, shapes, and sizes - but the purple globes are probably the most popular. The best time to plant these bulbs is in the fall, a few weeks before the ground freezes, or early spring when the soil is workable.
Gardener Annette Hurt says ornamental alliums are a gardener's dream. They're easy to grow, drought-tolerant, require little maintenance, and are excellent for cutting. With these beauties in your garden, you can relax and enjoy their loveliness.
2. Lavender
Aside from its fabulous scent, lavender is a versatile plant with scented flowers and aromatic foliage. Its flowers come in shades from white through pink to deep purple and are virtually indestructible. It will thrive in a spot in full sun where other plants will wilt—plant it in hedges leading up to the front door for a fabulous effect. Remember to prune after flowering to stop it from becoming woody.
3. Spiraea
Spiraea shrubs are a valuable addition to any garden, offering year-round appeal. They stand out with their tiny white, pink, and purple blooms, and depending on the variety and conditions, they can grow in mounds from 2ft to 10ft high, perfect for filling spaces.
As a bushy, deciduous shrub, Spiraea changes color in the fall and winter, adding a dynamic element to your garden. They are generally pest and disease-free, requiring only regular pruning to keep them healthy. With their year-round appeal, Spiraea shrubs are a must-have for any garden.
4. Daylilies
Hemerocallis are pretty spectacular - they come in various colors and shapes. They're also relatively easy to divide, so you'll have more plants in your yard after a few years.
Annette Hurt says Daylilies are easy to grow because "although they thrive best in moist, well-drained soil, they're not too fussy about soil conditions and happily grow in both full sun and part shade."
5. Rudbeckia
"You can divide existing plants or take cuttings from friends' gardens if you grow your plants," says RHS-trained gardener Annette Hurt. "You can grow a lot of colors and varieties from seeds you don't see in your local garden center. You can feel good and accomplished when you see your plants flourishing in your garden.
"Watching your seedlings or cuttings grow into beautiful adults in your garden brings you back to nature."
These sunny plants, which look like tall golden daisies with a brown or black center, are related to the sunflower. They're easy to grow and love a sunny or partially shaded spot. Their bright yellow petals and orange, copper, and brown hues make them a low-maintenance choice for harvest decorations. They're easy to grow, too. They self-seed and aren't fussy about soil, so you can relax knowing they won't require much attention.
6. Pansies
From yellow, orange, and white to pink, purple, and black, pansies come in various colors, ensuring you'll find the perfect match for your garden color scheme. These potted plants are resilient enough to withstand winter temperatures in many areas, making them a great addition when other plants are dormant.
In hot areas, they thrive in the shade. The best part? You can grow them from seed or purchase them from a nursery at a reasonable price, making them an affordable choice for your garden.
7. Mint
Add mint leaves to any dessert for a summer taste—it's great for tea, lemonade, and more. Because mint produces runners, it will take over an herb garden if you don't keep it in check. Not only is it one of the easiest plants to grow in the garden, but it needs to be stopped from spreading!
To contain its growth, plant it in a big pot, then bury the pot in the ground so it's contained. Mint includes spearmint, apple mint, and even chocolate mint.
8. Tomatoes
As a beginner, tomatoes are an excellent choice to kickstart your gardening journey. They're remarkably straightforward to grow and yield fruit that surpasses the taste of any store-bought variety, provided you maintain regular watering. You can purchase young plants or seeds from your local garden center. For your first attempt, consider a plant that produces small tomatoes, such as cherry tomatoes.
