8 Underrated Plants That Will Add an Element of Surprise to Your Garden

Golden Valerian: With rich yellow flowers that persist into fall, this plant offers late-season interest and serves as a great cut flower, thriving in full sun and well-drained soil.

Gladiolus "Boone": Featuring soft peach tones, this reliably hardy gladiolus variety adds elegance to the front of a border, complementing other flowers like Agastache 'Blue Boa'

Arisaema sikokianum: Plant this Japanese Jack-in-the-pulpit variety for a unique addition to shade gardens, with dark purple spathe and deeply cut leaves contrasting

Sanguisorba 'Blackthorne': Known for its handsome compound foliage and deep rose flowers, this tall perennial adds vertical interest to late summer borders, thriving in full sun and moist soil.

Sorghastrum nutans 'Golden Sunset': With massive golden flowers and olive green foliage, this native grass creates a striking backdrop, growing well in full sun and rich soil.

Tetrapanax 'Steroidal Giant': This dramatic plant with coarsely lobed foliage makes a bold statement, thriving in part sun and adaptable moisture conditions.

Canna x ehemanii: A rare hybrid with pendulous fuchsia flowers, this Canna variety adds Victorian charm to gardens, preferring full sun to partial shade and rich, organic soil.

Kalanchoe prolifera: Offering a Jurassic-era aesthetic with lush green leaves, this exotic plant is fast-growing and drought-tolerant, thriving in full sun and well-drained soil.