I like coleus. I live in a semi-tropical climate, so no frost, and my yard is in partial shade, so no over-exposure to sunlight. Coleus need regular trimming to prevent spindliness and the cuttings can be propagated and turned into new plants, to replace the ones that get messed up by gardeners trimming my bushes with power tools and heavy boots. My goal is to have a yard filled entirely by coleus (and bushes and trees, which my HOA takes care of.) I’m getting pretty close.
Okay - if we are talking coleus, do you pinch the flowers or not? Me - I’m a hardcore pincher. Encourages much bushier growth. But I’ve encountered others who think the flowers are an attractive part of the plant.
My first was also given to me and freshly cut from a local patch. After it got established in my yard, I’ve since cut another division and planted that clump at my parents’ in the suburbs, also doing great. So lots of bangs for div/0 bucks.
A friend of mine has some neat white ones with purplish centers and has said I could harvest a bit. I think that’s a spring thing.
I got lucky with a lovely patch of peonies the size of a bathtub that came with my house. The must have already been be decades old when I got them and my ‘care’ consists of mowing around them and trashing the old stalks in December.
Actually, as pretty as they are, I think they are basically wildflowers - and darned tough.
Now peonies, IMO, are up there with magnolias as almost the OPPOSITE of big bang for your buck. One good rainstorm, and they are a mess. Decent foliage the rest of the year, and darned impressive when blooming, but you really hope for no spring thunderstorms during the blooming window!
Creeping Vinca vine is very tolerate. I think it will grow anywhere. You often see it on roadside from folks planting at their mail box posts.
I have a ring around a tree with Vinca. It is a bit of an escape artist. My Son just weed eats back.
It has a small but prolific blue (they can be other colors)flower. I like the smell. Kinda spicy.