Resilient Flowers That Will Improve Your Garden

For any successful and beautiful garden, you will need resilient flowers. They can withstand the extreme conditions your garden will inevitably face in the cold and hot seasons.

In this article, we will go through the various plants and flowers that will not just survive these harsh conditions but will thrive regardless of the prevailing weather. Moreover, they are robust and beautiful enough to keep your garden looking elegant.

The list below entails five flowering plants that can do well in dry or wet weather, most soil types, and can withstand varying climates.

Moreover, they are less fussy about partial shade and sun than other flowering plants.

Let’s take a look.

1. Oakleaf Hydrangeas

Oakleaf Hydrangeas are not only resilient, but they are also low maintenance, as we show in our list of low maintenance plants.

Oakleaf Hydrangeas’ ability to withstand most conditions means that you can plant this flower under a tree or beside a wall, and you will see it thriving.

They can easily survive in those places where most plants don’t, and when it blooms, they can become one of the prettiest flowers in your garden with their beautiful conical white flowers.

During the autumn season, it has beautiful rich red foliage.

Though they are resilient plants, during a prolonged heatwave, they can quickly drop. Therefore, you need to water these plants in hot and dry water.

However, these Oakleaf flowers do not require watering or pruning, making them low maintenance. Other hydrangeas survive better in partial shade, but Oakleaf can work well with full sun.

This resilience allows you to plant it in North, South, East, or West positions. In addition, it can do well in either exposed or sheltered places.

These flowers come from the US and can also thrive in climates in the UK, Australia, and most European countries.

2. Cosmos Are Resilient Flowers

Cosmos is one of the most resilient flowers for a border. You can grow it almost every year, and it can thrive regardless of the weather.

They are available in beautiful colors such as pink, red, lemon yellow, and white. However, to enjoy flowers until the first frosts, you should ensure that you keep deadheading the Cosmos throughout the summer period.

It does not require watering or fertilizing, even during the driest times of the year. They look more beautiful during the wet summers. It is one of the hardiest annual plants that can thrive well in various climates and areas.

However, Cosmos struggle to survive during the winter periods. Cosmo’s inability to cope with the cold winter requires you to plant a new seed during the spring seasons.

To help them survive in winter, you can also plant Cosmos seeds under a cover in September or inside a greenhouse or potting shed.

They do well on most soils, whether dry or moist and prefer soils of a neutral pH. 

Pollinators adore this type of flower, leading them to spread quite quickly. 

Cosmos were originally from South America, but due to their incredible resilience, they grow well in North America, Northern Europe, and Australia climates.

3. Catmint / Nepeta

If you are looking for a less fussy, more resilient plant compared to Lavender, Catmint is the best choice.

While Lavender is not the fussiest of plants, it does not like damp soils with poor drainage. 

Nepeta comes in a vast number of varieties. They typically have grey-green foliage with white, blue, and purple flowers. 

These flowers thrive from June to September, but you must water them regularly. It is a reasonably animal-resistant shrub as animals like deers and rabbits won’t feed on them. However, the flower is a favorite amongst cats (hence their name) and can make them act wild!

Interestingly, you do not have to plant Catmint since it can quickly develop its roots after its seeds have spread to a soil surface. 

Some experts suggest you grow Roses with Catmint as they complement each other’s appearance. However, this is not recommended since roses dislike competition for nutrients.

Nepeta needs full sun for optimal growth; however, it will still thrive in partial shade.

4. Globe Thistle

Globe Thistle grows well in any weather. However, due to its ability to spread its seed quite quickly, it is regarded as one of the most invasive plants in the garden.

The shrub’s ability to spread quickly can be curtailed by cutting the flower heads as they start to fade. Cutting the flower heads prevents the seeds from spreading, and you can even place a bag over the flowers as they begin to wilt.

Before planting it, you should ensure that it suits the surrounding area. It grows up to an average height of approximately 2ft-4ft. However, the blue variety stands out in your garden because it can even reach a height of 5.5ft.

The white variety can grow up to 6ft, so ensure you have enough room for these potentially invasive plants. All types can grow in partial light, but they will grow healthier and more beautiful in full sunlight.

5. Roses

Roses are one of the most resilient flowers you can grow in your garden. However, the standard of the flowers you will get will greatly depend on their conditions.

The conditions that Roses can withstand depend mainly on the variety. Some survive in very wet climates, while others can easily survive super dry summers.  

The ‘Bonica’ variety does well in partial and full sun and can be grown in different types of soils. They can quickly flower from mid-summer to late autumn if you deadhead more regularly.

The Bonica blooms well in most conditions, even the shade, and produces bright pink flowers. They can withstand harsh weather conditions but rarely show any signs of disease, making them a must for your garden borders.

5. Bear’s Breeches

Another resilient flower is the Bear’s breeches which, like the Globe Thistle, are well known to spread quickly each time you have them in your garden.

It has a unique sculptural shape and withstands any weather. However, make sure you want it in your garden, as removing it won’t be easy. Even when you think you have removed it, new shoots will emerge from roots you may have missed.

Also, the Rue Ledan has pure white spikes, which pollinators love. Combine the ease at which it can spread and the difficulty in removing it, and you start to see why this particular plant can take over your garden.

Although Bear Breeches can grow beautifully in your garden, there is a reason some countries prohibit the growth of these plants. Due to their invasive nature, you should think twice before putting them in your garden. 

Final Thoughts on Resilient Flowers

There you have it – some of our favorite resilient flowers will add beauty to any garden.

What do you think of this resilient flowers article? In the comments section below, let us know if you have any others to add to the list.