BBC Garden Rescue star reveals four ‘near-indestructible’ plants – including two that are ‘slug-proof’
Both gardeners who have been tending to their back yards for years and newcomers alike can end up grappling with dying plants – despite having seemingly done everything right.
But, while it is impossible to take the difficulties and disappointments out of gardening entirely, there are ways for the green-fingered among us to boost the chances of creating and maintaining an idyllic outdoor space.
And, according to award-winning designer and BBC1’s Garden Rescue presenter Lee Burkhill, a surefire way to experience success with your garden is by bringing in what he describes as ‘near-indestructible garden plants you can’t kill’.
The Express reported that while these plants would not survive weed killer, they were generally hardy and low maintenance, and perfect for UK gardens.
Burkhill’s four top picks – geraniums, lady’s mantle, crocosmia and sedum, also known as stonecrops or hylotelephium – promise to not only brighten your garden but make life that little bit easier.
Geraniums
Geraniums (pictured) require no maintenance once they are established
Cranesbill, pratense or rozanne – all hardy geraniums – require ‘pretty much no maintenance once established’, according to Burkhill.
The TV personality explained that the popular bedding plants will quickly develop and will flower ‘for seemingly months at a time’.
On that basis, amateur gardeners will find that they will be able to separate them in the future and grow even more in the future for no extra charge.
Alchemilla Mollis
Also known as lady’s mantle, alchemilla mollis (pictured), is more or less impossible to kill
Alchemilla mollis, also known as lady’s mantle, is, according to Burkhill, impossible to kill.
He explained that the flowering plant, which is part of the rosaceae family, is the ‘ultimate no-fuss plant that can’t be killed’.
He added: ‘This wonder plant has limey green leaves, that bead water once it’s rained.
‘They have acid-yellow flowers in summer and if left will self-seed everywhere. Great for poor soil, rockeries or unloved shady spots and slug-proof too.’
Another plus for this particular plant is the fact that slugs will avoid it entirely.
Crocosmia
Crocosmia (pictured) adds height without requiring a lot of input from the gardener
Burkill believes that crocosmia, which has pleated leaves and funnel-shaped flowers, is a brilliant choice for both those who are new to gardening and those who are particularly busy.
Flowering from July to September, the plant is ‘pretty much bulletproof. Furthermore, crocosmia has longevity in that it provides foliage with its large leaves from the month of May.
Crocosmia is a ‘great value plant’ that also adds height to a garden without requiring a lot of input.
Sedum
When sedum (pictured) starts to flower, it will proliferate throughout the garden
Able to survive in both very hot and very cold weather, sedum is ‘one of the most tolerant plants of neglect’, according to Burkhill.
As an evergreen plant, sedum doesn’t require any maintenance or pruning – providing it doesn’t get waterlogged.
As soon as the plant starts to flower, it will proliferate throughout the garden – and ‘slugs won’t touch it’.
