The legendary Johnny Cash once gave his daughter, Rosanne, a list of what he thought were the 100 essential country-music songs. This got us thinking: What are the essential plants that we would pass along to a loved one? To see what we could put together as a list, we surveyed leading plantspeople, designers, and gardeners for their top 10 essential plants. Here are the genera that rose to the top.
1. Hydrangea
![](https://images.finegardening.com/app/uploads/2018/01/23172812/experts_hydrangea_xlg.jpg)
USDA Hardiness Zones 4–9
A garden classic with beautiful blooms and a variety for almost any
situation—is there any question why this one came in first?
Highly recommended:
• ‘Big Ben’ panicle hydrangea (Hydrangea paniculata ‘Big Ben’, Zones 4–8)
• ‘Blue Billow’ serrata hydrangea (H. serrata ‘Blue Billow’, Zones 6–9)
• ‘Snowflake’ oakleaf hydrangea (H. quercifolia ‘Snowflake’, Zones 5–9, pictured)
2. Salvia
![](https://images.finegardening.com/app/uploads/2018/01/23172812/experts_salvia_lg.jpg)
Zones 5–11
Everyone can find something to love in this genus of long bloomers. Even where the variety isn’t hardy, it is worth growing as an annual.
Highly recommended:
• ‘Amethyst’ salvia (Salvia nemorosa ‘Amethyst’, Zones 5–9)
• ‘Black and Blue’ salvia (S. guaranitica ‘Black and Blue’, Zones 7–10, pictured)
3. Rose
![](https://images.finegardening.com/app/uploads/2018/01/23172812/experts_rose_xlg.jpg)
Zones 3–9
Is any garden complete without a rose? While some deserve their fussy reputation, countless cultivars require no special attention to reward you with their unmatchable blooms.
Highly recommended:
• Carefree Celebration™ rose (Rosa ‘Radral’, Zones 5–9, pictured)
• ‘Graham Thomas’ rose (R. ‘Graham Thomas’, Zones 5–9)
• ‘Just Joey’ rose (R. ‘Just Joey’, Zones 5–7)
4. Viburnum
![](https://images.finegardening.com/app/uploads/2018/01/23172812/experts_viburnum_xlg.jpg)
Zones 3–9
For sheer presence in the garden, few shrubs can match a viburnum. Fragrant blooms, colorful berries, and fall color are just some of the attributes you will find in this genus.
Highly recommended:
• Koreanspice viburnum (Viburnum carlesii, Zones 5–8)
• ‘Winterthur’ smooth witherod viburnum (V. nudum ‘Winterthur’, Zones 5–9)
5. Hellebore
![](https://images.finegardening.com/app/uploads/2018/01/23172812/experts_hellebore_xlg.jpg)
Zones 4–9
You want what? A plant that is not only deerproof, shade loving, and low maintenance but also starts blooming in winter? No plant does…oh, wait—hellebores are all that.
Highly recommended:
• ‘Janet Starnes’ Corsican hellebore (Helleborus argutifolius ‘Janet Starnes’, Zones 6–9)
• Oriental hybrid hellebores (H. × hybridus cvs., Zones 6–9, pictured)
6. Iris
![](https://images.finegardening.com/app/uploads/2018/01/23172813/experts_iris_xlg.jpg)
Zones 3–9
Although irises come in almost every color and height, they are always elegant—and supremely easy to pass along.
Highly recommended:
• ‘High Stakes’ iris (Iris ‘High Stakes’, Zones 3–9, pictured)
• Variegated Japanese iris (I. ensata ‘Variegata’, Zones 3–9)
7. Oak
![](https://images.finegardening.com/app/uploads/2018/01/23172813/experts_oak_xlg.jpg)
Zones 4–9
The three words used most often to describe an oak are “mighty,” “majestic,” and “strong.” What more could you want from a tree?
Highly recommended:
• Live oak (Quercus virginiana, Zones 8–10)
• White oak (Q. alba, Zones 5–9, pictured)
8. Hosta
![](https://images.finegardening.com/app/uploads/2018/01/23172813/experta_hosta_xlg.jpg)
Zones 3-9
Had the North American deer population been allowed to vote, this genus surely would have come in at number one.
Highly recommended:
• ‘Fried Green Tomatoes’ hosta (Hosta ‘Fried Green Tomatoes’, Zones 3–9)
• Giant blue hosta (H. seiboldiana var. elegans, Zones 3–9)
• ‘Sum and Substance’ hosta (H. ‘Sum and Substance’, Zones 3–9, pictured)
9. Sedum
![](https://images.finegardening.com/app/uploads/2018/01/23172813/experts_sedum_xlg.jpg)
Zones 3–11
Be they upright or ground hugging, these succulents never look bad and rarely need help from you.
Highly recommended:
• ‘Matrona’ sedum (Sedum ‘Matrona’, Zones 4–9, pictured)
• ‘Neon’ sedum (S. spectabile ‘Neon’, Zones 4–9)
• ‘Purple Emperor’ sedum (S. ‘Purple Emperor’, Zones 3–7)
10. Japanese forest grass
![](https://images.finegardening.com/app/uploads/2018/01/23172813/experts_japaneseforestgrass_xlg.jpg)
Zones 5–9
Here is a design tip: If you want to immediately improve the look of any shady spot, plant something from this genus.
Highly recommended:
• ‘All Gold’ Japanese forest grass (Hakonechloa macra ‘All Gold’, Zones 5–9, pictured)
• ‘Aureola’ Japanese forest grass (H. macra ‘Aureola’, Zones 5–9)
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