Exciting plants to grow in 2026
Exciting plants to grow in 2026. A new year brings fresh opportunities to experiment and make changes in the garden. And this year I want to grow some less common flowers and shrubs, and also some plants that I just haven’t grown before. To help me choose these plants, I’ve been looking back at photos from visits to RHS Chelsea, Malvern Spring Festival and visits to gardens and garden centres where I’ve spotted an ‘oh, I like that!’ plant.
A garden where every plant is unusual or challenges our preconceptions has the potential to feel uncomfortable to spend much time in. But adding one or two less familiar plants here and there and can give the garden a new dynamic, a different feel and a zing of excitement.
So here are a few suggestions to inspire you to look beyond your existing range of plants and try something just a little bit, or a whole lot, different!
Sophora ‘Little Baby’
Here’s an easy recommendation for exciting plants to grow in 2026. I spotted this at RHS Chelsea 20025 as was so excited by the way the branches grow at angles from each leaf node, creating a zig zag effect. It is an evergreen shrub that forms a dense mound of tiny leaflets. In spring it produces small, pea-like flowers. Grow in sandy, loam or chalk soil that is well-drained. It will need a sheltered spot in full sun in a west- or south-facing garden. Hardy through most of UK and Ireland, although you may lose it during colder winters. Height 150cm (4ft11in).
Dianthus superbus
This plant offers interest throughout the year. An evergreen plant that forms a cushion of foliage and during summer flower stems appear above the grey-green leaves. The flowers have five petals that are fringed and look shaggy and to add further interest, they are sweetly scented. Grow in full sun, in alkaline or neutral soil that is well-drained. Hardy across UK, Ireland and the rest of Europe, even during harsh winters. Deadhead regularly to encourage continued flowering. Propagate by taking softwood cuttings in summer, just make sure you take non-flowering material.
Anthyllis vulneraria var. coccinea
Here’s a plant that is great for drier areas. Most commonly known as kidney vetch. It’s low-growing, height 30cm to 60cm (1ft to 2ft) and spread 46cm to 79cm (1ft6in to 2ft7in), but provides good impact. From late spring and through summer it produces clusters of red flowers, which contrast well with the grey-green foliage. Gow in full sun in well-drained soil in a south-facing position. Although they are short-lived perennials, they are often grown as annuals. They self-seed, usually without becoming a nuisance in the garden. Hardy throughout UK, Ireland and northern Europe. Other varieties are available that offer different colours of flower.
Deutzia gracalis ‘Nikko’
I think all Deutzia plants are beautiful, but even more so is this white variety which I saw at Gardeners’ World Live show this year. ‘Nikko’ is a fairly compact plant, ideal for gardens where space is limited, and also for containers. It grows to 60cm (2ft) height and spread and produces masses of white in spring and early summer. It is a deciduous plant, its leaves turning a rich, dark purple in the autumn. Grow in full sun or partial shade in any soil type, although it will struggle in soil that regularly dries out completely. Hardy in most places in UK and Ireland, except during the most severe of winters.
Salvia ‘Love and Wishes’ (‘Serendip6’PBR)
I see Salvias in so many colours, but every time I see ‘Love and Wishes’ I am drawn to the intensity and colour. Salvias are not all hardy and this one may survive outside in the mildest and coastal areas of UK and Ireland. In other areas, be prepared to grow in pots or lift and move into a frost-free space for the coldest months of the year.
Although not a new introduction,Salvia ‘Love and Wishes’ has a lot to offer andtherefore, makes my list of exciting plants to grow in 2026. From its drought-tolerant nature and upright habit with fragrant leaves to the rich colours of the stems and flowers. Height 79cm (2ft7in). Grow in moist, but well-drained soil and avoid clay soil. It requires full sun on a west- or south-facing site in a sheltered position. If you can provide these growing conditions, it will reward you with flowers from summer, and regular deadheading will encourage continued flowering through autumn.
Weigela ‘All Summer Red’ (‘Slingco 1’PBR) (All Summer Series)
I gasped when I first saw the intensity of these red flowers. My parents had a Weigela ‘Bristol Ruby’ in their garden and I liked the shape, form and colour of it, but the red of ‘All Summer Red’ is more fiery. And unlike the shrub in my parent’s garden, this plant is compact, growing to 76cm (2ft6in) height and spread. The leaves have a red flush when young. And it has the advantage that the vivid red flowers appear over a long period, from mid-spring until the first frosts. Grow in any soil type in full sun or partial shade. Hardy across the UK, Ireland and northern Europe. Search for Weigela ‘All Summer Red’ (‘Slingco 1’PBR) (All Summer Series).
Aconitum lycoctonum subsp. neapolitanum
Commonly called yellow monkshood or wolfsbane, you may find it in the garden centre as Aconitum ‘Lamarckii’. I saw this plant on a visit to a Llysdinam Gardens in mid Wales and I was intrigued by it growing near the edge of their woodland garden. It’s an herbaceous perennial with an upright habit. Grow in full sun or partial shade, in moist, but well-drained soil. It grows to 120cm (3ft11in) and flowers during mid and late summer. This plant is toxic, do not eat any part of it and wear protective gloves when handling.
Disporum longistylum
Here’s an uncommon, but intriguing plant. The young foliage often has a dark or purple tinge and the leaves are well-spaced up the stem, giving it an almost angular look. Grow in partial shade in acid to neutral, loam or clay soil. Provide a sheltered spot, avoiding a south-facing site. Height 183cm (6ft). Hardy across UK, Ireland and the rest of northern Europe. During spring it produces white to yellow, or purple to brown flowers, that are followed by berries in autumn.
Lysimachia atropurpurea ‘Beaujolais’
I’m a keen fan of Lysimachia, they tend to spread quickly and give a colourful display. However, if you have limited space, they can be kept in check by dividing on a regular basis. This variety has silvery leaves and produces spikes of burgundy-red to purple flowers, often held above the foliage. It’s a short-lived perennial, growing 60cm (2ft) in height. Grow in full sun or partial shade in moist soil that doesn’t dry out, preferably in a sheltered spot. That said, we grow other varieties of Lysimachia on our windy site and it puts on a good display, although maybe not growing as tall as its sheltered counterparts.
More information
The article about Exciting plants to grow in 2026 was written for Amateur Gardening magazine and published in January 2026. I may have updated some of the specific varieties and images and added further suggestions. Additionally, links are included to help you find the suggested plants.
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