Chelsea Flower Show encourages gardeners to grow plant which can cause pain ‘as bad as childbirth’

By William On May 22, 2023

cistus

Often known as rockrose, these evergreens come in shades of white, pink or purple.

All types of cistus are drought tolerant and can survive in poor, stony soil. The RHS says this makes them perfect for coastal and gravel gardens.

The pretty flowers require little maintenance and are easy to grow when temperatures rise, as they thrive in full sun.

But cistus must be protected from wind and severe frost and must be watered regularly.

Also called ornamental sage, these vibrant flowers come in blue, purple, scarlet, pink, peach, and even yellow.

Loved by bees and other pollinating insects, these flowers keep their color when the sun shines.

Salvia tolerates wind well, but can die if the soil is very cold and wet, so experts recommend taking cuttings as winter approaches.

Another drought tolerant flower, salvia are good plants for a dry garden.

Mexican fleabane is part of the Daisy family and is very similar in appearance.

They are easy to grow and pop in abundance throughout the spring and summer.

The flowers start out white in color when they first bloom and gradually turn pink and then purple.

A firm favorite with butterfly bees, Mexican fleabane is drought tolerant and native to Mexico. They grow best in warm and dry climates.

Native to Morocco and the Iberian Peninsula, golden oats are a type of grass.

It grows long stems and golden oat-like flowers, hence the name, and grows best in the sun.

Garden experts recommend this plant to add movement to a display and say it copes well with icy conditions.

Golden oats require little care and are deer resistant.

Artemisia is part of a family of large, aromatic herbs and shrubs.

Some are grown for their essential oils, which are then used as medicines or flavorings.

One of the most famous species of Artemisia is tarragon, an herb often used in cooking.

Another drought tolerant plant, Artemisia thrives in warm climates. In winter it loses its leaves.

The iris germanica, known as bearded iris, is a firm favorite among gardeners.

However, this popular plant is poisonous to dogs.

From May to June, these plants grow sword-like foliage and thrive best in the sun.

This striking plant consists of outer and inner petals called ruffles and falls.

Stachys byzantina is an evergreen plant with tongue-shaped leaves. It is known as Lamb’s Ear.

Another very easy plant to grow, Lamb’s Ear is drought tolerant and resistant to deer and rabbits.

It requires little maintenance and little water, making it ideal for those who struggle with plant maintenance.

This plant thrives in full sun or light shade, in dry and well-drained soil.

Another plant used in cooking, fennel has soft, feathery leaves and tall stems.

It’s easy to grow, hardy and drought tolerant, and the RHS says it requires “virtually no maintenance once established.”

This plant likes full sun and well-drained soil. It dies back in fall, but re-emerges when spring arrives.

If you self-sow fennel, plants will pop up in the garden.

As the name suggests, vibrating grass gently vibrates in the wind.

It has heart-shaped flowers that sit atop very delicate stems.

Its movement has given the plant many names, such as Totter Grass, Dithery Dock, and Toddling Grass.

This is not a fussy plant as it can tolerate a wide variety of soils and is also drought tolerant. However, he does not like hot summers.

Source: The RHS, The Spruce, Gardenia