Most bloom are prise for their beauty , but some have looks that only a gardener can love . These “ ugly ” bloom often have unequalled anatomy , uneven colors , or an unconventional ingathering . Beneath their lackluster appearance , many serve essential roles in the garden , from supporting wildlife to flourish in harsh conditions .
Here ’s a list of these odd beauties and why they deserve a spot in your garden .
Pigface (Carpobrotus spp.)
Pigface , with its thickheaded , fleshy leaves and bright but passably awkward - looking flowers , may not win a sweetheart competition . This succulent is rugged and can manage sandy soil , drouth , and saltiness , urinate it a popular choice in coastal garden . Its resilience and colorful blooms attract pollinator like bees , adding ecological note value .
Hardiness Zone:8 - 11Watering Needs : Low water needs , drouth - liberal once instal .
Skunk Cabbage (Symplocarpus foetidus)
Skunk cabbage features orotund , calendered leaf that grow directly from the ground , and its bloom is a fleshy , royal flower that resembles something more meet for a swamp . Its smell , which is like to rotten meat , only adds to its unappealing nature . However , this plant is vital for early - time of year pollinators , especially flies , which it pull in with its foul aroma .
Hardiness Zone:6 - 8Watering pauperism : veritable watering to keep the soil moist but not swampy .
Corpse Flower (Amorphophallus titanum)
Known for its notorious smell , the corpse flower is notorious for emitting a scent reminiscent of rotting flesh . The jumbo bloom , which can grow over eight feet tall , is a rare spectacle . Though its foul smell deter many , the corpse flower attracts beetle and take flight essential for pollenation . Its tower social organization and unique animation cycle add machination to any aggregation , even if it ’s far from the pretty plant in the garden .
Hardiness Zone:7 - 10Watering Needs : Regular watering to check that the soil is systematically moist .
Toad Lily (Tricyrtis hirta)
salientian lily have small , spotted flowers that may look more like amphibious aircraft than blooms . Their unusual appearance and speckle petal might not appeal to everyone , yet these fearless plants bloom in later summer and fall , adding color when other flowers disappearance . Toad lilies thrive in shade , providing beauty in challenging smear and draw in pollinators like bee .
Hardiness Zone:4 - 8Watering Needs : Moderate watering to ensure well - drained , damp stain .
Sneezeweed (Helenium autumnale)
Sneezeweed may not sound attractive , and its xanthous , daisy - like flowers with raised centers give it a wild , moderately scraggly appearance . Despite its flavor , sneezeweed has practical uses and a long account in folk medication . tolerant to most pests , its heyday , which bloom late in the time of year , appeal bee and butterflies , making it a utile addition to pollinator - friendly garden .
Hardiness Zone:4 - 9Watering Needs : Prefers dampish stain , but can tolerate some drought once established .
Carrion Flower (Stapelia gigantea)
The carrion bloom , with its star - shape prime and maroon coloration , often resembles a piece of rotting meat . Its primary determination is to attract fly for pollination , which it does with an unmistakable smell similar to decaying flesh . This succulent , hardy in warm mood , is a unequalled addition to rock or desert gardens .
Hardiness Zone:9 - 11Watering Needs : H2O sparingly , and let soil to dry out completely between lacrimation .
Jack-in-the-Pulpit (Arisaema triphyllum)
The jack - in - the - pulpit ’s bloom is a hood - like social organization that encloses a stiletto heel , give it an odd , somewhat awkward appearance . The plant ’s unassuming green or purplish color and its resemblance to a preacher in a pulpit might not be the most eye - catching , however , it ’s a native forest plant life that thrives in shade and provides intellectual nourishment for razzing , particularly with its burnished cherry berries in fall .
Hardiness Zone:4 - 9Watering demand : Keep the soil consistently moist , especially during the grow time of year .
Dead Nettle (Lamium spp.)
Dead nettle might look like a weed , but it ’s a versatile primer masking with fuzzy leave and small pinkish or white flowers . Its name and reasonably weedy coming into court can be off - putting , yet idle nettle thrives in suspect spots where other plants fail . This plant is also helpful for corroding control and attracts bees .
Hardiness Zone:3 - 8Watering Needs : Water regularly but ensure dirt is well - enfeeble .
Stinking Hellebore (Helleborus foetidus)
With its small , dark-green flowers and leathery , dark leaves , stinking hellebore often die to catch the resourcefulness . The unpleasant olfactory sensation that emanates from its blooms adds to its unattractive nature . Still , it blooms in wintertime , offering much - involve color during a season when most plants are dormant . While they might not charm with their look , Hellebores are cervid - resistant , leisurely to grow , and support early pollinator .
Hardiness Zone:5 - 8Watering motive : Moderate tearing , prefer well - drained , damp soil .
Lungwort (Pulmonaria spp.)
Lungwort has recognise , silvern leafage that may depend like mildew or disease , and its small flowers are insidious in colouring material and sizing . It often does n’t catch the eye in the same mode as more dramatic blooms . However , its other spring flowers provide essential ambrosia for bees , and its resilience in shady , damp region makes it an excellent ground back , eliminating weeds .
Hardiness Zone:2 - 8Watering Needs : Prefers moist , well - debilitate filth , even watering is all-important .
Crown Imperial (Fritillaria imperialis)
The peak imperial has a foreign , downward - facing bloom that hang in clusters beneath a crown of green leaves . Its orange or yellow flush are beautiful in an improper elbow room , but the plant life emits a musky smell that deters many gardener . Despite its queer shape and smell , Crown Imperial is hardy , gadfly - resistant , and can produce a dramatic focal point in leaping gardens .
Hardiness Zone:5 - 8Watering Needs : restrained tearing , prefers well - drained filth .
