Opting for more unusual and often underrated bedding plants is a way of giving your garden long-lasting color and interest. In many cases, it’s possible to choose repeat performers that will come back year after year, as well as varieties that will beautifully fill out beds, borders and containers all summer long.
Traditional annual bedding plants are designed to give an instant off-the-shelf fix to borders and container gardens. They come in a range of showy colors that lift the garden such as intense pink petunias, scarlet geraniums, and coral begonias. The downside is these high maintenance plants need regular watering, feeding and deadheading.
They also have a high carbon footprint due to the intensive cultivation methods used in glasshouse growing. Plus, they usually end up on the compost heap at the end of the season, so you’re back to the garden center the following summer to start over. So, by choosing from within this expert-led selection of underrated plants that offer good looks as well as longevity, you’re helping the environment too.
1. Cuphea
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‘Cuphea is often overlooked in the garden center because it doesn’t scream for attention.’ says horticultural expert Amy Enfield. ‘Also known as firecracker plant or cigar flower, its beauty is more refined than many other bedding plants.
‘The individual flowers are small and slender, which can make the plant look less impactful. Gardeners might pass over the unique, tubular “cigar” blooms, thinking them too quirky or niche.’
Subtlety is cuphea’s greatest asset. A heat-loving annual that produces a profusion of flowers that are an irresistible magnet for hummingbirds, its fine-textured foliage and long bloom season make it a delightful addition to mixed containers and borders.
‘The flowers of cuphea are unlike most common bedding plants,’ says Amy. ‘Varieties like ‘David Verity’ have orange, cigar-shaped flowers with a flared tip, while others, such as ‘Bat Face’, have whimsical purple and red blooms that resemble the face of a tiny bat.’
Cuphea handles intense summer heat and humidity with grace, blooming continuously without needing to be deadheaded. It’s also a great alternative for any “filler” plant in container gardens. Its airy texture provides a beautiful contrast to plants with large leaves like coleus or sweet potato vine.
Perennial in zones 8-11, cuphea is grown as an annual elsewhere. Planting beds should be amended with a product like Miracle-Gro® all purpose soil from Amazon before planting. Full sun will result in the most prolific blooming. A light shearing in midsummer can rejuvenate the plant and encourage even more blooms.
Amy Enfield has 30 years’ experience in the garden industry and has been with ScottsMiracle-Gro for 13 years. She has a BS and MS in Horticulture from Michigan State University, and a PhD in Plant and Environmental Sciences from Clemson University.
2. Blue daze
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‘Blue daze is one of the most underrated bedding plants, primarily because of its subtlety,’ says Amy Enfield. ‘In a garden center filled with tall, upright plants in a rainbow of colors, the gentle, ground-cover nature of blue daze can be overlooked.’ It’s one of the most underrated ground covers too.
Also known as Evolvulus and dwarf morning glory, blue daze is a true workhorse in the summer garden. Its most outstanding feature is the profusion of stunning, true blue flowers that offer a striking contrast against the fuzzy, silvery-green foliage.
‘Once established, blue daze is heat and drought-tolerant, making it a perfect choice for hot, sunny locations where other plants might struggle,’ says Amy. ‘It blooms continuously from late spring until the first frost with no deadheading required.’
Blue daze can act as a “spiller” in container gardens, beautifully cascading over the edges of pots and hanging baskets. ‘A great alternative for trailing petunias and calibrachoa, blue daze is more tolerant of intense heat and less susceptible to late-season bug damage,’ says Amy. It also functions as a fantastic, weed-suppressing ground cover plant in flower beds.
Hardy in zones 9-11, elsewhere blue daze is grown as an annual. They prefer well-drained soil and dislike wet feet. Full sun gives the most prolific blooming. Once established, it’s quite drought-tolerant, but will look its best with consistent moisture.
3. Zinnia
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‘Often passed over as a basic annual, zinnias are actually one of the most rewarding bedding plants you can grow,’ says landscape architect Laura Janney, CEO of The Inspired Garden masterclass. ‘Their electric blooms transform even the smallest garden into a vibrant, pollinator-friendly space.’
The joy of zinnias is that you can opt for many different colors if you want something different for bedding plant ideas. They also come in a mix of flowers, from daisy-like to disc and button shapes.
Tall varieties of zinnia are underrated bedding plants that will give height at the back of the border, while the shorter more compact ones are good for edging or planting up in containers.
‘Zinnias are great alternatives for anyone who wants the height of a coneflower but a more vibrant color,’ says Laura. ‘Also, with varieties ranging from compact to tall, you can use the different varieties to fill in middle and back-layer beds for a full and layered look. What’s more, they make excellent cut flowers too.’
Thriving in zones 2-11, zinnias like a position in full sun with well-draining soil. The seeds can be planted straight into the ground once the soil has warmed up. Find heirloom zinnia seeds at Amazon.
Laura Janney is the CEO of The Inspired Garden Masterclass. She has left her mark on the cottage garden landscape design scene, winning the 2023 Houzz Best in Design award for her work in the New York area. Driven by the belief that “flowers feed the soul”, Laura sees gardens as living, breathing sanctuaries that awaken the senses.
4. Angelonia
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‘These beauties bring upright structure and cottage garden charm to any yard without the maintenance that many upright bloomers require,’ says Laura Janney. ‘Angelonia is tolerant of extreme heat, humidity and drought, making it a go-to plant for hot climates. It’s a good replacement for foxgloves, which look very similar’.
Angelonia is one of the most underrated bedding plants for warm season container gardens and mixed borders. The easiest way to grow angelonia is to buy the plants from nurseries and garden centers in spring. This is preferable to planting seeds, as they are very fine and fiddly to handle.
These plants need warm temperatures and lots of sun to prosper, and can be planted in any garden bed or container with rich, well-draining soil and full sun if you want to get continuous blooms. Another plus is that this variety of flower doesn’t need deadheading.
Angelonia is a tender perennial that only survives winters in warm to hot climates. It thrives in zones 9-11, so if you live in a cooler climate you will need to overwinter container plants indoors and move them outside again when temperatures warm up, or alternatively grow them as an annual.
5. Astilbe
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‘Astilbe are often one of the most underrated bedding plants in landscaping despite their many standout qualities,’ says gardening expert Jennifer Hoytema of Earthworks Landscaping. ‘These hardy perennials thrive in shade, offer feathery, colorful blooms from early to late summer, and require minimal maintenance once established.’
Ranging in height from 1-4 feet their fern-like foliage adds texture and interest even after flowering. They’re deer-resistant and adaptable to a variety of soil conditions. Astilbe can brighten up difficult, shady spots where many other plants struggle, making them a versatile and reliable choice. Astilbe are one of the best full-shade perennials too. ‘They are my favorite choice for moist and shaded soil conditions,’ says Jennifer.
Astilbe thrive in zones 3-8, and they can survive winter temperatures as low as -40°F. They are best planted in swathes in garden beds or layered with other perennials, where they will add color, texture and movement.
Find an extensive choice of Astilbe varieties at Nature Hills.
With nearly two decades of experience in the landscaping industry, Jennifer Hoytema is the business manager at Earthworks Landscaping & Pools, the award-winning company she co-founded in 2006. Jennifer is passionate about helping homeowners create beautiful, functional outdoor spaces using locally sourced materials and sustainable practices.
6. Water hyssop
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‘One of my favorite underrated bedding plants is the water hyssop,’ says gardening expert Lydia Beaumont. ‘It’s perfect for wet climates and thrives in zones 8-11. A stunning perennial, it has delicate white blooms and lush green leaves that make for a great ground cover plant that’s hardy and easy to grow.’
Also known as herb-of-grace, in warmer climates this creeping perennial blooms in spring right round to fall.
The pretty pinkish-white flowers are bell-shaped with a violet center. It’s related to lemon bacopa (Bacopa caroliniana), and they look very similar. The way to tell them apart is to crush a leaf and see if it smells of lemon or not.
As well as being a good ground cover, water hyssop works well in a container or hanging pot. It does best when given plenty of sun and water as it’s one of the best plants for wet soil. It will generally die back in winter, although in warmer climates it can be evergreen.
Lydia Beaumont is a gardening expert for Gardeners Yards, a trusted online resource for gardeners to grow, inspire and discover. When transforming a garden into a personal oasis, Lydia’s creative touch brings a fresh and vibrant feel to every project she works on.
7. Salvia ‘Rose Marvel’
Chosen for its long-flowering habit from May to October and gorgeous rose pink blooms, Salvia ‘Rose Marvel’ is one of the best underrated bedding plants you can add to your planting scheme.
When other bedding plants are fading fast, this compact perennial (typically growing to around 12 inches tall) will carry on, perfect for edging borders and filling container gardens.
‘A cold-hardy, reblooming perennial with vibrant rose-pink blooms on compact, sturdy spikes from summer into fall, ‘Rose Marvel’ thrives in zone 4 and up, tolerates drought, and attracts bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds,’ says Laura Root, senior merchant, Live Plants & Garden Accessories at J&P Park Acquisitions, Inc. ‘Its dense, upright habit makes it ideal for borders, beds, or containers.’
It’s effortless to grow too, thriving in sunny, well-drained locations. It tolerates heat and drought once established, and returns reliably year after year. It’s deer- and rabbit-resistant too, as well as being one of the best pollinator-friendly plants.
Find Salvia ‘Rose Marvel’ at Nature Hills.
Laura Root is senior product manager for Wayside Gardens, Jackson & Perkins, and Park Seed. She holds a degree in environmental horticulture from Virginia Tech. She blends her deep understanding of plant science and sustainable gardening with her professional expertise to lead the selection and development of high-quality plants and garden accessories. Laura also provides reliable, scientifically informed advice for gardeners.
8. Creeping thyme
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‘As a garden-to-table expert, I am always looking for everything I plant to not only look beautiful but to serve a purpose,’ says expert gardener Jackie Johnson McBride. ‘An option most people don’t think of for bedding plants is creeping thyme, which is commonly referred to as wild thyme.’
Creeping thyme fits into the current edimentals trend of ornamental plants that also happen to be edible, as you can eat both the flowers and the leaves. ‘It can be used in cooking as it has a slightly milder taste than regular thyme.
Part of the mint family, this plant is not only absolutely gorgeous, as it flowers in shades of lavender, pink (such as this lovely Thymus praecox ‘Coccineus’ variety from Nature Hills), white and even red, it’s soft to walk on, non-toxic to pets and attracts pollinators. It also produces a fragrant aroma.’
Creeping thyme is one of the best ground cover plants too, and will even thrive in poor soil. It’s also a great spiller plant for pots, especially if you add a little grit to the soil. Creeping thyme plants are readily available at most nurseries. It’s very hardy, loves the sun but can tolerate some shade, and does best in zones 4-9.
Jackie Johnson McBride is a meteorologist turned expert gardener and chef. She is known for her garden-to-table style cooking that is influenced by the weather. Jackie is an Emmy award winner and has been recently been featured in Forbes.
Finally, in addition to our selection of the best underrated bedding plants, Laura Root has the following two suggestions.
‘Try Lantana ‘Summer Popsicle’, a vibrant, sun-loving bloomer with rose and mauve flowers that shift to yellow-orange in fall, paired with sculpted deep green foliage. ‘Summer Popsicle’ is drought-tolerant and a great choice for xeriscaping.
‘Verbena ‘Lolipop’ is compact and free-flowering, with clouds of soft lavender-violet blooms from early summer to fall. ‘Lollipop’ is drought-tolerant, heat-loving, and low-maintenance, thriving in full sun with minimal care. Its airy blooms attract butterflies and hummingbirds, making it a standout in borders and containers.’