Your hard work in your garden can quickly be ruined when diseases attack your plants. One of the best ways to avoid this is to grow disease-resistant plants. Several plants are much less susceptible to diseases than others. We’ve made a list of some disease-resistant plants that you can add to your garden.
Bounce Violet Impatiens
Unlike other impatiens, the bounce violet is known for being more resistant to downy mildew. Bounce violets have two features that give them their name. These flowers have a purple hue and the ability to bounce back after unfavorable conditions. Bounce violets do best in shady areas. They like having plenty of moisture, but they need to be placed in well-draining soil. Bounce violets can be placed indoors or outdoors depending on your preferences. They are able to bloom from spring to the first frost.
Just Joey Rose
This rose is less susceptible to rust, powdery mildew and black spot disease. Just joey roses are hybrid tea roses with orange and peach petals. It’s an offspring of the fragrant cloud rose, which is also known to show signs of disease resistance. The just joey rose does well in moist, well-drained soil. These roses do best when placed in areas where they can receive full sun exposure. They start blooming in the spring and they will continue to bloom until the fall. Just joey roses attract butterflies, which are known for helping with pollination.
Jasper Cherry Tomatoes
If you want to add produce to your garden, jasper cherry tomatoes may be a good option. These tomatoes have shown resistance to early and late blight. Jasper cherry tomatoes are small and deep red. You’ll want to plant them in a sunny spot with full sun exposure. They also thrive in warmer areas. When planting, leave about 2 feet of space between each plant. You’ll also need to add stakes since they do have vine growth. Jasper cherry tomatoes require moist soil, but it’s best to water under the leaves to help keep other diseases from infecting the plant.
Tickseed
Tickseed, or coreopsis, is considered a low maintenance flower. Its yellow petals can add a pop of color to your garden. This flower is typically disease-free, but it has been known to develop less serious cases of powdery mildew. Tickseed requires at least 6 hours of sunlight. It will need watered regularly, especially when being established. However, once established it is more drought tolerant. Blooming takes place between May and July. If you want to attract pollinators, like butterflies and bees, add tickseed to your garden.
Yew
If you are looking for a hardy shrub, yew is a great option. Yew has dark green evergreen needles. While flowers don’t bloom, the shrub can produce seeds that look like red berries. It can grow up to 5 feet tall, but it can be pruned to your desired size. Yew prefers partial to full sun exposure. This shrub isn’t susceptible to many diseases. Problems usually only occur if the plant’s roots are too wet. Make sure to plant these shrubs in well-drained soil to prevent moisture build-up. Keep your eyes open for signs of overwatering.
Blue Star Juniper
Another disease-resistant shrub is the blue star juniper. This shrub has silvery-blue, needle-like foliage. They grow between 1-3 feet in height and have dense foliage. The blue star juniper isn’t very susceptible to disease unless it’s faced with hot and humid conditions. Keep this shrub in areas with full sun exposure. Though they need moisture, they don’t like to be overwatered. Well-drained soil can help keep moisture build-up to a minimum. Once they are established, which can take about a year, they are fairly drought-resistant.
