10 gorgeous ‘Plants of the Future’ TV expert says every UK garden needs – including a perfect alternative to lavender

ARE you coming to the end of the summer and a bit bored by what you’re growing?

Fear not – because Plant expert, QVC gardening presenter and podcast presenter Michael Perry , AKA The Plant Geek, has shared TEN incredible Plants of the Future exclusively with Sun Gardening .

Hosta Red Ninja

This new cultivar of Hosta is so unbelievable, even the experts were suspicious that the photo was AI when it first dropped.

But, it turns out it’s a very real plant, and I’ve got one on my balcony, shh.. don’t tell anyone!

It’s the first red leaf Hosta, and shade gardeners up and down the country are itching to get their hands on one. Hopefully we will see the first stocks available next summer

GranDaisy Series

Do you remember growing those lovely Marguerites, the ones with the filigree foliage and familiar daisy flowers?

Well, now they’re all grown up, as breeding experts have hybridised them with a type of Chrydanthemum.

The result is super size flowers, uber colourful flowers on huge chunky plants!

Delphinium Pixie Rockets Series

Some of the best new plants are ones that solve problems. The usual problem with delphiniums?

They are so tall that they blow over. How about these lovely little short ones, which will never need staking?

Their diminutive statue also means they are ideal for patio containers, meaning you can create a cottage garden eight floors up!

Coleus Sunfighter Solar Flare

I really do think that Coleus are the next big thing in plants, and you heard it here first… They used to be popular back in the 80s, but new breeding means they are bigger, more colourful, and super vigorous.

It’s the ideal plant for sun, yet will also prove very useful in shade, as seen in the Embankment Gardens in London this summer.

Alpetunia Series

When is a Petunia not Petunia? When it’s an Alpetunia! A whole new series from German breeding experts, and named Alpetunia as they evoke memories of alpine villas clothed with summer blooms.

These plants are selected for super long trailing stems, extreme weather tolerance, and profuse flowering.

Check out this awesome cultivar too, just one of around 15 different colours.

Agastache Pink Pearl

I love lavender , but sometimes I want an alternative.. a plant that is just as easy to care for, but maybe in a different colour, and maybe a bit easier to care for and prune.

Step forward Agastache, with punchy pink blooms and a minty fragrance. The bees and butterflies love it, and plants are perennial too!

Begonia Solenia Series

What you’re looking at here is a sun tolerant begonia, oh yes! A bit of a revolution for balconies and patios, Solenia can tolerate baking hot summer sun, unlike most other Begonias.

They look lovely and tropical too, and flower a very long time, sometimes even clocking up 5 months of blooming..

Thyme Pom Pom

We all love something cute and fluffy, but I wouldn’t usually put herbs into that category..

However, this Thyme is a game changer, with the typical fragrance we all love, yet check out these handsome flowers- loved by pollinators too!

Schizanthus Atlantis Series

For some reason, they call this the “poor man’s orchid”, but do you know what, I would happily choose this over an orchid! It’s an annual for summer pots, with some of the most spectacular flowers I’ve ever seen.

Multi-branching too, so it’ll go on through the summer. Win win!

Cyclamen Blue Dragon Series

Something unique for your autumn containers, it’s a new colour break in the ever popular Cyclamen family.

Blue-purple flowers have never been seen before, and could change up your autumn displays. Get ready to shock the neighbours!