Foolproof Plants For Brown Thumb Gardeners

Psst! I have a secret to share with all you newbie gardeners. You’re not the only ones who routinely kill plants. Even experienced green thumbs still kill their fair share of plants. Killing plants is an inevitable part of gardening. But that doesn’t mean you can’t stack the deck in your favor and start out with plants that are so easy to grow, you might call them foolproof.

OK, there is no plant that you can simply plop down anywhere and it will grow, at least none that I am aware of. But these three plants come pretty close. They are what we call ‘easily adaptable’ meaning they tolerate a wide range of soil and light conditions. They are typically free of pests and disease and should be deer-resistant. All you need to do is meet a few basic requirements and you'll be rewarded not only with colorful blooms but also healthy and happy plants.

A Sure-Fire Bet for Shade

Astilbes are a mainstay in many Connecticut shade gardens. With their finely cut, lacy foliage and feathery flower plumes in shades of white, red and lavender, Astilbes add a refreshing pop of color to semi-shady areas.

Astilbes prefer soil that is consistently moist but not wet. The species A. chinensis tolerates drier soil and more sun than other Astilbes. Astilbes can be used as a groundcover, to edge beds or you can interplant them with other shade lovers such as ferns and Hosta.

Flawless Fragrance

Every Connecticut garden should be home to at least one Summersweet shrub (Clethra alnifolia). This native has a dense, rounded habit and is covered in fragrant flower spikes in early summer that attract a parade of pollinators. Summersweet is adaptable to a wide range of conditions, including full sun to full shade, soil that is occasionally dry or even occasionally soaking wet, and even winter road salt spray.

Because it blooms on new wood, Summersweet is a bit more forgiving when it comes to pruning that than some other summer stalwarts (yes, I’m talking about you, Mophead hydrangea). Use Summersweet in a mixed shrub border, massed alongside a pond or stream or let it naturalize in a woodland setting. Keep in mind Summersweet leafs out late (mine were just pushing out new foliage on Memorial Day). Don’t fear that you’ve killed another plant, just be patient and put away your pruners.

Carefree Color

If you’re looking for a carefree perennial that blooms all summer long, look no further than Geranium ‘Rozanne’. With her bright purple flowers from June right through to the first frost, Rozanne thrives in full sun or partial shade and average soil. Weaving her way in and around her neighbors, Rozanne is the perfect plant to pull your garden together in a flash.

Even though the exact shade of purple you get depends on the amount of sun Rozanne receives, I’ve found her to be a classic companion for an array of plants, from subtle pastels to vivid yellows and oranges. Use Rozanne in the front of borders, in rock gardens, or simply spilling out of containers.