Which Plant Do You Recommend Every Gardener Try Growing at Least Once?

[TEG Project Manager]

Every gardener has that one special plant—the one that brings a little extra joy or satisfaction each season. It might be because it’s surprisingly easy to grow, yields a bountiful harvest, or simply brings beauty to the garden. In this thread, we’re sharing those “must-try” plants that have left a lasting impression in our own gardens.

Whether you’re suggesting a vegetable, herb, flower, or fruit, we’d love to hear why you think it’s a game-changer. Let’s inspire each other to try something new next season—who knows, your recommendation might just become someone else’s new favorite!

So, what plant would you suggest every gardener grows at least once? Share your experiences, tips, and photos below!

 

[flowerbug]

too easy! beans, whatever kinds will grow in your area that you like to eat fresh or dry (or both).

a longer first question to a new gardener is "What do you like to eat?" and the followup is "Can you find varieties which will grow in your area?" the kinds that need minimal care, don't need to be pampered and best of all those that won't be eaten by other herbivores. garlic and onions work for spaces outside the fences here, deer may trample them and sample them but they do not target them as they will almost any other vegetables we grow.

for flowers the yellow and orange cosmos as an annual are fire and forget, then come back in the early fall or a bit later to harvest seeds. the bees love 'em! the seeds are best easily harvested when they are fully dried and spread out where most of the chaff is gone. don't poke yourself though they can be sharp - plus they will stick to clothes very easy and can also hurt if they go through your socks when you get them down your shoes or boots.

creeping thyme works so well in rock gardens and other border areas and doesn't need a lot of care once established. it's much less work for me than mowing or weeding any of the rest of the gardens if you have full control of the surrounding areas it's even easier.

 

[Shades-of-Oregon]

Since we are going for a game changer in our gardens my number 1 plant in my flower garden are dahlias. These flowers grow in every size from 2” to 10-12”. Two tone , speckled to bright primary colors, single and double blooms. They are warm weather flowers don’t melt in the heat and bloom from late June to the first frost in October/Nov.

The next best plant is lavender. There are many varieties and all perform well in any garden. Highly sought after for their calming fragrance .

The best early spring flowers are the many colors and varieties of hellebores, depending on growthing zones. They bloom before daffodils and even while snow in still on the ground. Many blooms are real stunners.

If you like small trees then dwarf acer palmatum lace leaf maple is the tree for small and large gardens. There are many varieties that thrive in many different growing zones.

Another easy care shrub are hydrangeas that come in many colors and varieties. These shrubs sport 20-30 huge flowers on each shrub from June thru the first frost. Cut & Dry the flowers in Sept. for holiday arrangements for swags and wreaths are easy peasy and a great holiday gifts for friends and family.

I have so many unique plants and flowers it’s hard to chose just a few …I may be back later !

 

[heirloomgal]

An equally good thread would be, 'what not to plant in your garden, even once'. I'd have a few for that list. And a lot less work every season if I had known.

 

[TEG Project Manager]

An equally good thread would be, 'what not to plant in your garden, even once'. I'd have a few for that list. And a lot less work every season if I had known.

Thanks for that idea!

 

[Blueberry Acres]

I'd say dahlias. I grew them for the first time last year, and it's definitely addicting! The number of varieties out there is absolutely incredible.

 

[flowerbug]

An equally good thread would be, 'what not to plant in your garden, even once'. I'd have a few for that list. And a lot less work every season if I had known.

for me it would be rocks...

 

[heirloomgal]

for me it would be rocks...

I guess those come back every year too.

 

[Branching Out]

For those looking for an easy yet exquisite flower I would recommend trying Orlaya, which is also known as White Lace Flower. The prickly burr-like seeds can be scattered on the ground either in the autumn or in very late winter (depending on your conditions); the seeds benefit from exposure to alternating warm and cold temperatures for germination. In our zone 7 garden these plants start to bloom in May at the same time as peonies, producing pure white 4" blossoms that are both simple and elegant. When viewed from above they are especially lovely, so I always plant some where I can see them from our second floor living room window. The flowers last for weeks in the garden, and are also wonderful additions to bouquets. Starting with fresh seed is recommended; if you sow an extra patch in an out of the way spot you can leave a few plants to mature and set seed for planting the following year (I also store some seed in a glass jar in the freezer). Note that the seeds are spiky, so rose gloves are a good idea when harvesting the dry seeds (or just place the stems in a bin and stomp on them a bit to release the seeds). This year I saved buckets full of seed that I will share with other gardeners and our local seed bank. It really is difficult to pick just one favourite, but I absolutely love Orlaya!

Fall Planting for Spring Blooms: Orlaya

O.grandiflora! You are the essence of effortless elegance. Orlaya’s snowy petals radiating around smaller florets in graceful umbels are the source of the lacy look and common name, laceflower. She’s floriferous, she’s timeless, she’s so much more than a fancy carrot. Airy Orlaya is also...

farmerbailey.com

How to Grow Orlaya for the Cutting Garden (and Floral Design) — the kokoro garden

Orlaya is the funny name for a beautiful flower that we weren’t growing. I wasn’t convinced initially that we should grow it - it was an umbellifer much like Queen Anne’s Lace (Chocolate Lace Flower) and Ammi and fennel, all of which we were growing already and had good success with. On the other

thekokorogarden.com

 

[flowerbug]

I guess those come back every year too.

so many of them have been moved several times... by me... and this is only 1/4 of our "collection"...