what flowers/plants are the easiest to grow, that come back each year?

[whiteandyellowiris]

so far we have done quite well with strawberries, they have come back, a fushia, dianthus, mini apple tree, and some lillies look like that are coming back, but no buds yet

so looking for a few more ideaas

For anyone who wants to keep talking plants, there's always a chat thread in Gardening. The current one is called Flaming June. All welcome!

Scented perennial Violas and Nemesia are lovely in pots and come back year after year.Its not too late to plant some bulbs.I live up a cold hill so tend to plant things late.Have just planted some Dahlia tubers and Gladioli and Dutch Iris bulbs[plus everything is late this year everywhere].

Ceanothus (sp) and aliums I think.

Just back in from watering (baby crying again grrr) so have up to the minute thoughts for you! Astrangias do v well in my garden with no input from me, slightly more unusual looking and v pretty. Strawberries good for shady growdcover. Foxgloves are easy from seed but you need to sow them this year to come up next. As well as the classic purple ones you get some in pastel shades - think they are 'excelsior' or something similar. They'll keep coming back once established.

And lavender, you'll need lavender.

Agree with poster up thread about fetes and plant sales. Cheap as chips.

Yes,I also agree with the church fete plants.
Got loads of my stuff that way.
Also plant exchanges with friends and neighbours.

Chives are very pretty with their purple top.
And the big mysotis (i think thats its name)that is a bugger to get rid of if you don't want it but very pretty I think.
Also borage for a purpley,bluey,pinky scheme.Perfect for when its Pimms o clock.

And if you have a biggish garden and can get hold of a cardoon or two,they're a brilliant addition (think globe artichoke)

Lychnis is a nother good 'un.
Silver foliage and absolutely vivid fuschia pink flowers.

Poppies are good. Even if you don't want them, the fuckers still come back.

This year, I am going around cutting the seed heads off before they can release the seeds.

On the plus side, we have some lovely aquilegia, purple flowers plus a yellowish green foliage.

I (well OH) have just planted my first plant in 10 years (used to do a lot of gardening but this house had me beat). Now I've found where the BumbleBees hang out I'll try and plant somethign suitable for them.

This is the 3rd BumbleBee house I've found so they must like it even though theres little for them in my garden

Fast climbers: climbing nasturtiums, morning glories, flowering runner beans are good for quick prolific coverage

Columbines, welsh poppies, honesty and love-in-the-mist (lazy gardener here!).

Herbal ones:calendula,camomile,sage,thyme,chives,lavender
Madonna lilies,
daffodils,pansies,lobelia,nicotiana,pinks,monarda,coreopsis...

Have you got any evergreens to provide a bit of all year round interest and structure? Box are dead easy in the ground or a pot, and choisia are nice - glossy leaves and fragrant white flowers. How about a bay tree in a pot too? Fuschia are pretty bomb proof too. Crocus website is great for plants and ideas, think they supply to Next now too - discount via Quidco.

Hardy Geranium, but some varieties take over so choose with care.

Climbers: Clematis Montana Broughton Star, Clematis Polish Spirit, Clematis Countess of Wessex, Honeysuckle, Jasmine officianalis
Roses: Alfred Carriere, Queen of Sweden, Generous Gardener, Munstead Wood, American Pillar
Hedge fillers: Hawthorn rosa rugosa, Rhodedenron King George
Back of Border: Buddlea, Lavatera, Ceanothus, Verbena Bonariensis, Digitalis, Lupins, Hollyhocks
Mid/front border: Snowdrops, Daffodils, tulips, hellebores, forgetmenots for spring. For summer: Peony Sarah Berhardt, Geranium Johnsons Blue or Rozanne, Salvia, Black Eyed Susan, Cornflowers, Aquilegia, Lavender, Cosmos, sweet peas, dianthus, lilies, Ceratostigma, Crambe cordoflora. For late summer/Autumn: Asters, Japanese Anemone, Sedum, Hardy fuschia, day lilies
Acid soil or pots: Camellia, Magnolia Stellata, Rhodedendron Yakushimanum, Pieris forest flame
Fruit: Raspberry canes; little apple tree;Cherry tree; pear tree; fig tree if sunny spot; rhubarb in a pot.
Shady spots: Ferns, hosta, acanthus, lily of the valley, a geranium album, white foxgloves
For structure and winter interest: Box which you clip into balls/birds etc
Herbs: Dry sunny spots: oregano, tarragon, sage, rosemary, thyme
Ordinary garden: Chives, angelica, fennel, Parsley
Veg: Rocket, salad, radishes, mange tout, squash are all vv easy:water well.

You can find out what type of soil you have here
www.landis.org.uk/soilscapes/
You need to work out what way the border faces eg north south east
Is it shady or sunny?
Look on here to choose the right plants for the place
apps.rhs.org.uk/plantselector/

You can plant now as long as you dig a generous hole, part fill with organic compost and water generously at least twice weekly if it doesn't rain. Order bulbs for the spring in August/early sept.

Forgot to mention: sand pit, trampoline, place to ride tricycles, seating, washing line, play house, basketball goal, etc need a generous space. Patios should be more rather than less. Trampolines are best when sunk.

cosmos - go on all summer, great border fillers, very pretty, good cut flowers, great value.

Dhalias, so pretty, go on till october good for late summer, last year in and out if taken care of.

I love my lavender plants but have had terrible luck with French lavender though. English lavender is well better. The French one can't seem to cope with our winters. The English one is made of tougher stuff obviously!

I love the Hebe plant in my garden, its a beautiful colour. Gorgeous purpley- red leaves. Love it.

Great thread.

I love flowers but I'm a complete novice.

Are geraniums put in for one summer then you have to replace them? (What are they called?)

I have some pansies in the front but would like a bit more colour in the back. I've always loved rhododendrons but is it too late to plant them now?

What can I plant now as a plant that will last over the summer?

Lurking too. My garden's looking quite boring, although the clematis are doing well.

funnyperson brilliant advice!

I think if I was going to do one hedge filler,it'd be rosa rugosa.
The smell is beautiful and it's as prickly as hell so a good burglar deterrent.

Dancer the ones we know as geraniums commonly are actually pelargoniums and are annuals. (one summer)

Hardy geraniums are less showy but very pretty and are perennials (that is,they come back year after year).

They will flower well for a long time if cut back.

sprring. snowdrops, crocus, daffodils and tulips. come out after each other. also a fosythia bush. they grow accidently from brroken off sticks that re stuck in the gound to support other things... and have survived hackings and children's over enthusiastic play.

summerr... I am still looking for ideas! lavender seems good. going to scroll through now.

one tip I hve had is go to the gaden centre every month and see what is in flower and if you like it. that way you get something for all year.