My nominations for plants that just can't be beat:

1. Nepeta. Wow. If you have space, this is a great plant - nothing bothers it, it grows in clay, lots of sun, lots of water, no water.... mine have withstood just about any abuse but foot traffic. I haven't tried it in a part-sun situation - any experiences?

2. Pulmonaria. This was a complete surprise to me. I planted Trevi Fountain, Mrs. Moon and Bubblegum this year - in a VERY hot July, thinking they were goners, especially with my brand of benign neglect. They have not only survived, but thrived and grown so well that I'm going to have to move them to a spot where they can spread better - they're a little cramped!

3. Heuchera. You all probably know this one already - I love, love, love this plant. It loves my awful clay soil, takes periods of drought in stride and the changing colors keep me watching them. They're nearly evergreen here. Favorite: Georgia Peach.

Anything in your garden that can take some abuse?

What, did you all plant wimps this year???

Yes, with your plant choices, Sheryl.

Monarda is a great one in my garden, as well as
Black-eyed Susans,
Echinacea,
Salvias,
Agastache,
Hostas,
Daylilies,
Silphium Perfoliatum (Cup plant)..... one that you can abuse, and it just keeps on growing is a great Butterfly magnet as well and great native Prairie plant,
Rudbeckia Nitidia .......must have moved this one 3 times and it didn't miss a beat...big plant and over 5 feet tall, but beautiful

Silphium with friends....

The native Texas penstemons are tough...at least, for here. Scarlet Penstemon, Brazos Penstemon and Fox-Glove are the 3 I have now.






I respect all the natives that have weathered everything that the local climate and weather can throw at them, with droughts, poor soils, severe heat and cold, etc. Nothing worse than buying a plant that people in other parts of the country rave about and then watching it wither and die here.

I grew Tennessee Coneflower and Tennessee Aster this year and they did great.

Geranium Rozanne was my champ. Bloomed all summer with no care. I bought and planted another in early fall.

Nepeta Walker's Low -new this year- was a little thing when I bought it in early summer. It spread a lot,and bloomed a lot in part sun.

Polmonium Stairway to Heaven is also new, very pretty.

I like the 2 Georgia Peach heuchs I planted last year, though one has done better than the other. I wintersowed heuch Ruby Bells, will see if they survive winter and how they fare next year.

I also wintersowed Salvia "Merlot Blue" so this coming year will be it's challenge.

Karen

My Heucheras have done well. They seem quite hardy here.

Yeah, Karen - I have to agree with you on 'Rozanne' (again!) - I just ordered some more from Brent & Becky's 50% off sale.

Lets see how they do with subzero planting!!!

Yikes. Did you get snow Sheryl? I heard that parts of Tn did.

Karen

Yeah, got some brief flurries this afternoon, but it was still 37º out, so not a big deal...

We didn't get any snow here. Interesting the difference a few miles can make.

Tee, another Bromeliad, huh? Pretty, pretty, pretty.

We're right on the edge of the Cumberland Plateau, so our weather can vary considerably.

That's for sure.

Thanks.

Cardoon has amazed me with its' cold hardiness.
It is along the front walk and visitors always ask about it, since most things are "sleeping".
On 12/22/11

Love that ... it's on my list for next season.

New England Aster

Thanks, Tee!

Jmorth, beautiful photos and plant!!

Well, if you plant it before October, it's a tough plant, J! I've killed it twice so far....

thanks Janice and keep on trying sheryl

I have Lamiums that wont quit.