You may also like<\/strong><\/p> Learning to live with them isn\u2019t easy and picking them off plants or using barrier methods like wool and shells rarely deters them for long, if at all. Our last line of defence is to grow plants they don\u2019t like to eat. Leathery leaved plants, hairy plants or ones with oily, aromatic leaves are rarely touched, and in normal years some plants are vigorous enough to outgrow early damage. If we grow enough of these, maybe we won\u2019t notice any gaps where the tastier plants have succumbed.<\/p> Jump to <\/strong><\/p> Perennial<\/a> plants that re-grow every year are often badly affected by slugs and snails and can even be killed. The ones on this list are usually left alone, so by growing some of them you can have plants thriving and flowering from late spring, when molluscs first emerge, until autumn.<\/p> Bergenia<\/strong><\/p> The large, leathery leaves of Bergenia<\/a> don\u2019t endear themselves to every gardener, but they\u2019re not attractive to slugs and snails either. They grow well in sun or shade and in any soil, but will flower better in a more open place with some sun in soil that doesn\u2019t dry out completely. Cultivars such as \u2018Overture\u2019, \u2018Eden\u2019s Magic Giant\u2019 (AGM) and \u2018Claire Maxine\u2019 (AGM) have lovely spring flowers and deep red leaves in winter<\/a>.<\/p> Here’s how to grow bergenia<\/a><\/p> Aquilegia<\/strong><\/p> A stalwart of the early summer cottage garden, aquilegia don\u2019t have particularly tough or hairy leaves yet aren\u2019t on the menu for molluscs. We can only assume they don\u2019t like the flavour. They can be grown in sun or light shade but are prone to powdery mildew in dry soil. Classic varieties include A. vulgaris \u2018William Guiness\u2019, A. vulgaris var. stellata \u2018Nora Barlow\u2019 and \u2018Black Barlow\u2019 and A. chrysantha \u2018Yellow Queen\u2019.<\/p> Alliums<\/strong><\/p> The leaves of most late spring flowering alliums<\/a> die back as they come into flower, so it might not matter if slugs did eat them. They don\u2019t seem to like the taste, though, so alliums are left are generally left alone. Grow them in well-drained soil and sun. There are many to choose from; Allium hollandicum<\/em> \u2018Purple Sensation\u2019 (AGM) is reliable, \u2018Globemaster\u2019 (AGM) is striking and \u2018Eros\u2019 is more delicate, with lilac flowers.<\/p> Here’s how to grow alliums<\/a><\/p> How to grow summer-flowering alliums<\/a><\/p> Foxgloves<\/strong><\/p> With flower spikes emerging from big clumps of hairy leaves, foxgloves are rarely troubled by slug damage and shrug it off if they do get nibbled. Unfussy about soil and happy in sun or shade, foxgloves also tend to seed themselves around. Try biennial<\/a> Digitalis purpurea<\/em> cultivars such as \u2018Sutton\u2019s Apricot\u2019 or \u2018Pam\u2019s Split\u2019 or go for a perennial foxglove such as Digitalis ferruginea<\/em>, Digitalis grandiflora<\/em> or Digitalis <\/em>x mertonensis<\/em>.<\/p> Foxgloves for colour and structure<\/a><\/p> Astrantia<\/strong><\/p> Shade loving<\/a> Astrantia flowers from early to mid or late-summer, its large, lobed leaves entirely untouched by slugs or snails. It can be grown in sun but will turn up its toes if it gets too hot and dry, so keep it well watered in dry weather. Opt for the subtle beauty of Astrantia<\/em> \u2018Roma\u2019 or \u2018Buckland\u2019 (AGM) or go for the deeper colours of \u2018Moulin Rouge\u2019 or \u2018Burgundy Major\u2019 (AGM).<\/p> Here’s more great plants for shade<\/a><\/p> Euphorbia<\/strong><\/p> Euphorbia come in a dizzying range of sizes and types, and perhaps the milky sap that we need to be wary of when handling plants is the reason that slugs and snails don\u2019t touch them. They\u2019re best suited to sunny situations and are drought tolerant once established. Try evergreen, long flowering Euphorbia<\/a><\/em> martini \u2018Ascot Rainbow\u2019 (AGM) vibrant, early summer flowering Euphorbia grifithii \u2018<\/em>Fireglow\u2019 or the billowing Euphorbia<\/em> characias subsp. Wulfenii.<\/p> Here’s our guide to growing euphorbia<\/a><\/p> Geum<\/strong><\/p> The hairy foliage of geums<\/a> is a slug and snail free zone and forms a robust leafy backdrop to the brightly coloured flowers. They grow and flower best in full sun and well-drained soil, though they can also do well in part shade<\/a>. Both \u2018Scarlet Tempest\u2019 and \u2018Totally Tangerine\u2019 (see above) are long flowering modern varieties, while yellow-flowered \u2018Lady Stratheden\u2019 which blooms from spring to mid-summer is much older but still an excellent choice.<\/p> Here’s how to grow geums<\/a><\/p> Peonies<\/strong><\/p> Peonies<\/a> have a famously short-lived flowering season, but their spectacular display lives on in the memory. The plants are long-lived too and the slug-proof leaves of some cultivars are deep red when young in spring and again in autumn. Grow them in full sun and well-drained soil, plant tubers just below the soil surface and enjoy the show of cultivars like \u2018Bowl of Beauty\u2019, \u2018Festiva Maxima\u2019 and \u2018Madame Gaudichau\u2019.<\/p> Here’s how to grow peonies<\/a><\/p> Heuchera<\/strong><\/p> Heuchera are mainly grown for their brightly coloured leaves which luckily aren\u2019t popular with slugs. The long spikes of flowers are also attractive; some plants have very large, bright blooms. They can be grown in pots or the ground, sun or shade, depending on leaf colour and don\u2019t like soggy soil. \u2018Marmalade\u2019 (AGM) and Lime Marmalde (AGM) are both good choices, as is deep purple \u2018Palace Purple\u2019, but there are many, many more.<\/p> Discover this winter pot display using heuchera<\/a><\/p> Alchemilla mollis<\/em><\/strong><\/p> The furry leaves of lady\u2019s mantle repel slugs and snails and collect beautiful droplets of water when it rains. Their woody stems can spread into large clumps, which will be covered with sprays of lime green flowers in early to mid-summer. They are enthusiastic self-seeders,<\/a> but are easily pulled out if you don\u2019t want too many. Lady\u2019s mantle is drought tolerant and can be grown in any soil, in sun or part-shade.<\/p> Penstemon<\/strong><\/p> Light and airy penstemon<\/a> are very long flowering, blooming from early summer to the first frosts, although the plants themselves aren\u2019t always long lived. Take cuttings of your favourites. They grow best in full sun in well-drained soil that doesn\u2019t dry out too much in summer. Of the many cultivars on offer \u2018Hidcote Pink\u2019 (AGM) has lovely markings, \u2018Raven\u2019 (AGM) is darkly handsome and \u2018Pensham Just Jayne\u2019 (AGM) is elegant.<\/p> Here’s everything you need to know about penstemon<\/a><\/p> Lilies<\/strong><\/p> These summer flowering bulbs<\/a> might fall prey to the scarlet lily beetle unless you are vigilant, but slugs and snails won\u2019t trouble them. They\u2019re easy to grow in most gardens, although you need to choose the right species for your soil. Oriental hybrids need acid soil while Asiatic hybrids, martagon lilies and scented regal lilies can be grown in any soil. Their flowers are spectacular in mid to late summer.<\/p> Best flowers for summer<\/a><\/p> Salvias<\/strong><\/p> While some salvias attract slugs when new leaves emerge in spring, their hairy, oily and aromatic foliage means damage is normally minimal. Salvia<\/em> microphylla<\/em> \u2018Cerro Potosi\u2019 (AGM), which might need some protection from frost, and Salvia<\/a><\/em> x jamensis<\/em> \u2018Nactvlinder\u2019 (AGM) are particularly resistant, while among the hardier varieties Salvia<\/em> nemerosa<\/em> \u2019Amethyst\u2019 (AGM) and Salvia<\/em> x sylvestris<\/em> \u2018Schneehugel\u2019 are usually free from damage. Grow them in full sun and well-drained soil.<\/p> Here are the best salvias to grow for your garden <\/a><\/p> Hardy geraniums<\/strong><\/p> Hardy geraniums <\/a>are easy, cheery, plants which can be in flower for months. There are species and cultivars suited to sun and shade, dry soil and moist, although they do need good drainage, and if slugs do show an interest, they soon outgrow any damage. The choice is vast, but you might go for the vigorous \u2018Orion\u2019 mid-summer flowering \u2018Rozanne\u2019, early flowering Geranium<\/em> phaeum or dainty Geranium<\/em> sanguisorba<\/em> var. striatum<\/em> (AGM).<\/p> Here are the best hardy geraniums to grow<\/a><\/p> Grasses<\/strong><\/p> Grasses are perfect companions for flowering plants, bringing different elements to your borders with their arching shapes, airy flower heads and movement on breezy days. The choice is huge, and can be colourful or subtle, variegated or plain, taller than you or ground hugging. There are grasses for most soil types and situations and if you include rushes and sedges there is even more choice. Most have few pests.<\/p> Great ornamental grasses to grow<\/a><\/p> Alstroemeria<\/strong><\/p> For a plant that looks so exotic, alstroemeria<\/a> is easy to grow and if young shoots do attract molluscs, they grow fast and soon recover. They\u2019re best grown in sun and like rich soil, plus they should be deeply mulched in their first winter after planting but are hardy once well established. \u2018Indian Summer\u2019 (see above) is an outstanding modern cultivar, as is \u2018Summer Snow\u2019. Shorter varieties such as the Intacancha series are ideal for containers.<\/p> Veronicas<\/strong><\/p> Herbaceous perennial veronicas<\/a> are great for creating vertical accents in borders and are popular cottage garden plants that happily hold no appeal for slugs and snails. They flower from mid-summer to autumn and do best in full sun or light shade, while soil should be well drained but not dry; they will need to be watered in dry spells. Try Veronicastrum<\/em> longifolia<\/em> \u2018Charlotte\u2019, Veronicastrum<\/em> longifolia<\/em> \u2018Pink Damask\u2019, Veronicastrum<\/em> spicata \u2018Red Fox\u2019, or Veronicastrum spicata<\/em> \u2018Royal Candles\u2019<\/p> Here’s how to grow veronicastrum<\/a><\/p> Achillea<\/strong><\/p> The flat flower heads of achillea<\/a> form a welcome contrasting shape in borders. They\u2019re hardy but not necessarily long lived so you might need to replace them from time to time, and they are quite aromatic so won\u2019t attract slugs and snails. They need sun and well-drained soil to thrive. Achillea fillipendulina<\/em> \u2018Cloth of Gold\u2019 is a statuesque stunner, while smaller species and cultivars such as Achillea<\/em> millefolium<\/em> \u2018Lilac Beauty\u2019 are better for smaller gardens.<\/p> Crocosmia<\/strong><\/p> Native to South Africa, crocosmia has become a staple of UK gardens. Their brightly coloured arching flower heads, surrounded by strappy leaves light up the garden in late summer. Grow in full sun or light shade and make sure soil stays moist in summer. Crocosmia<\/em> \u2018Lucifer\u2019 (AGM) is a tall, bright red variety, Crocosmia<\/em> x crocosmiiflora \u2018Emily Mckenzie\u2019 (AGM) a great orange and \u2018Paul\u2019s Best Yellow\u2019 speaks for itself.<\/p> How to grow and care for crocosmia<\/a><\/p> Helenium<\/strong><\/p> The dusky yellow and orange colours of this flowering daisy are well suited to the mellow days of late summer and autumn. Fresh spring growth sometimes attracts slugs and snails, but once past that stage they\u2019re left alone. They\u2019re easy to grow as long as they\u2019re in a sunny spot and the soil isn\u2019t too heavy or wet. Try \u2018Moorheim Beauty\u2019 (AGM), \u2018Sahin\u2019s Early Flowerer\u2019 (AGM) or Helenium<\/em> autumnale \u2018Short and Sassy\u2019. <\/p> Here’s great orange plants for the garden <\/a><\/p> Hylotelephium<\/p> Upright, succulent leaved hylotelephium, until recently called sedum, are drought tolerant as well as slug and snail free. They prefer free-draining, poor, alkaline soil and can become soft and floppy if grown in rich, damp soil, although you can cut them back by half in late May to solve that problem. They also like sun. Good choices include Hylotelephium<\/em> \u2018Matrona\u2019 (AGM), \u2018Mr Goodbud\u2019 (AGM) and Hylotelephium<\/em> telephium \u2018Purple Emperor\u2019 (AGM).<\/p> Here’s great drought tolerant plants for your garden <\/a><\/p> Japanese anemone<\/strong><\/p> Autumn flowering Japanese anemone are a fresh and welcome sight as so many other plants fade in late summer. Some varieties are notorious for running amok through borders, while others, such as Anemone<\/em> x hybrida \u2018September Charm\u2019 and \u2018Bressingham Glow\u2019 tend to form clumps, and compact varieties such as Anemone<\/em> x hybrida \u2018Pretty Lady Emily\u2019 are much less likely to run. They can be grown in sun or shade and like moist soil that doesn\u2019t waterlog in winter.<\/p> Here’s our grow guide to Japanese anemone<\/a><\/p> Rudbeckia fulgida<\/strong><\/p> The yellow daisy flowers of Black-eyed Susan open in late summer. They are easy plants to grow in sun or part-shade and well-drained soil. Young growth might attract some slug damage, but the hairy leaves of larger plants are usually untouched. R. fulgida var deamii (AGM) and R. fulgida var. sulivantii \u2018Goldsturm\u2019 (AGM) are classic varieties while R. fulgida \u2018Little Goldstar\u2019 is more compact and R. fulgida \u2018Early Bird Gold\u2019 flowers a month or two earlier than others<\/p> For summer colour in baskets and pots you find you need to avoid petunias, calabrocha, pansies and violas which slugs and snails love. These are much less likely to be eaten.<\/p> Begonias<\/strong><\/p> Begonias<\/a> are another hugely diverse range of plants. For container growing the most common varieties are tuberous cultivars such as the Million Kisses series and Illumination series, both of which have a slightly trailing habit, or there are fibrous rooted cultivars of Begonia semperflorens<\/em>, which are more upright and can also be grown in the ground. They grow and flower best in part shade and need moist but well-drained soil or compost.<\/p> Here’s how to grow the best begonias<\/a><\/p> Diascia<\/strong><\/p> The Diascia<\/a> sold for summer containers fill a similar niche to lobelia with their bushy, trailing shape and mass of brightly coloured flowers, but they can cope with slightly less regular watering<\/a>. Their colour range tends towards hot pink<\/a> and orange, but also white or pastel colours too. Any in the extensive Diamond series will be a reliable choice. Diascia are borderline hardy and might survive winter with some shelter.<\/p> Fuchsias<\/strong><\/p>The flowers and plants that slugs won’t eat<\/h2>
Perennial plants that slugs don’t like<\/h3>
![\"Aquilegia](\"https:\/\/c02.purpledshub.com\/uploads\/sites\/40\/2024\/07\/140411_OrchardDeneApril-164_preview-scaled.jpg?fit=1024,1024\")
![\"Allium](\"https:\/\/c02.purpledshub.com\/uploads\/sites\/40\/2024\/06\/JI_240718_WildegooseNursery_055_preview-edited-scaled.jpg\")
![\"Digitalis](\"https:\/\/c02.purpledshub.com\/uploads\/sites\/40\/2023\/07\/JI_0616_Digitalis_152-v2-4e48411-edited-scaled.jpg\")
![\"Astrantia](\"https:\/\/c02.purpledshub.com\/uploads\/sites\/40\/2024\/07\/JI_060613_SpecialPlantsJun_282_preview-scaled.jpg?fit=1024,1024\")
![\"Euphorbia](\"https:\/\/c02.purpledshub.com\/uploads\/sites\/40\/2024\/07\/JI_190511_OrchardDeneMay-097_preview-edited-scaled.jpg\")
![\"Geum](\"https:\/\/c02.purpledshub.com\/uploads\/sites\/40\/2017\/01\/JI_060613_SpecialPlantsJun_077-fa9ecf0-scaled.jpg?fit=1024,1024\")
![\"Paeonia](\"https:\/\/c02.purpledshub.com\/uploads\/sites\/40\/2023\/03\/Screenshot-2024-03-28-at-11.15.07.png\")
![\"Heuchera](\"https:\/\/c02.purpledshub.com\/uploads\/sites\/40\/2024\/07\/JI_111218_ParhamGardens_044_preview-edited.jpg\")
![\"Alchemilla](\"https:\/\/c02.purpledshub.com\/uploads\/sites\/40\/2022\/06\/RBD150721190-fd8dc2b-e1655299057557.jpg\")
![\"Penstemon\"](\"https:\/\/c02.purpledshub.com\/uploads\/sites\/40\/2022\/04\/JI_230817_Penstemon_143-d1afdee-e1651132590787.jpg\")
![\"Lilium](\"https:\/\/c02.purpledshub.com\/uploads\/sites\/40\/2024\/07\/RBD130622-26_2_preview-edited-1-scaled.jpg\")
![\"Salvia](\"https:\/\/c02.purpledshub.com\/uploads\/sites\/40\/2024\/07\/RBD041019_516-3a98dd5-edited.jpg\")
![\"Geranium](\"https:\/\/c02.purpledshub.com\/uploads\/sites\/40\/2024\/07\/MG_6732-Geranium-Signalcj2-3bc7a9e-edited-scaled.jpg\")
![\"Stipa](\"https:\/\/c02.purpledshub.com\/uploads\/sites\/40\/2023\/07\/JI_230719_KeithWiley_094_previewstipagigusethis-edited.jpg\")
![\"Alstroemeria](\"https:\/\/c02.purpledshub.com\/uploads\/sites\/40\/2024\/07\/JI_181018_ParhamGardens_050-e7e37d3-edited.jpg\")
![\"Veronicastrum](\"https:\/\/c02.purpledshub.com\/uploads\/sites\/40\/2019\/01\/JI_270715_PhoenixPlants_180_JasonIngram-20667b2.jpg?fit=1024,966\")
![\"Achillea](\"https:\/\/c02.purpledshub.com\/uploads\/sites\/40\/2024\/07\/JI200718ParhamGardens061-9a4b9eb-edited-1-scaled.jpg\")
![\"Croscosmia](\"https:\/\/c02.purpledshub.com\/uploads\/sites\/40\/2023\/06\/JI270722Crocosmia028-9a9398f.jpg\")
![\"Helenium](\"https:\/\/c02.purpledshub.com\/uploads\/sites\/40\/2024\/07\/JI_200718_ParhamGardens_020-9bd4970-edited-1-scaled.jpg\")
![\"Sedum](\"https:\/\/c02.purpledshub.com\/uploads\/sites\/40\/2024\/07\/JI_091415_PietOudolf_309-v2_preview-edited-scaled.jpg\")
![\"Anemone](\"https:\/\/c02.purpledshub.com\/uploads\/sites\/40\/2024\/07\/JI_080819_ElisabethMacGregor_274_1-0f30618-edited.jpg\")
![\"Rudbeckia](\"https:\/\/c02.purpledshub.com\/uploads\/sites\/40\/2024\/07\/JI160921TillinghamWinery053-d9916af-edited.jpg\")
Tender perennials the slugs won’t eat<\/h3>
![\"Begonia](\"https:\/\/c02.purpledshub.com\/uploads\/sites\/40\/2020\/12\/DSC2257-0320928.jpg\")
![\"Diascia](\"https:\/\/c02.purpledshub.com\/uploads\/sites\/40\/2024\/07\/MdR-4717-01-Diascia-personata-41dd129-edited-scaled.jpg\")
![\"Fuchsia](\"https:\/\/c02.purpledshub.com\/uploads\/sites\/40\/2019\/07\/JI_221018_Fuchsias_015-copy-3fed408.jpg?fit=1024,628\")
![\"Gillardia\"](\"https:\/\/c02.purpledshub.com\/uploads\/sites\/40\/2024\/07\/GettyImages-1229176984-2-scaled.jpg?fit=1024,1024\")