Tough as old boots plants - nominations ( no prizes)

Wow “one one man’s meat is another man’s poison” .
Spanish Bluebells are on my list of 10 of the most ghastly things in my garden. I have not only the “blue” but pink and white. Despite years and years of trying to eradicate them during which time I must have dug up and destroyed 1000s I still have plenty scattered about Oblivious to weedkiller unless painted on neat and I do not have the time or inclination to spend days doing that. However, each to their own and who is to say I am right, although I think , not sure, it is illegal to sell them.

 

Some tough good-doers in my garden are:

• Lonicera Nitida (Baggesen's Gold). Evergreen, lime to yellow foliage, likes most conditions, is hardy. It's a nice way to add contrast to plants with dark green foliage.
• Heathers (though I have fallen a little out of love with them).
• Hellebores.
• Carex - I think the specific variant is "Everlime".

I see that heucheras have been mentioned. They are such good plants, but for me they look a little worse for wear during the winter, that's why I haven't included them.

This year I have planted lots of hybrid lavenders (the variant is "Sensational"), which are said to be better with cold/wet conditions but let's see how they get on during the winter. In theory they could be another great option but they still need to be tested.

Sedums are great, but of course die back during winter. I got some really nice ones this year called "Cherry Truffle". Purple foliage, and flowered for ages.

A plant that surprised me is sedum "dragon's blood". I used it as ground cover for a slightly sloped area. It didn't seem to be doing great for the first year or two and I covered them with a lot of bark chippings, thinking that would kill them due to lack of sunlight. Instead they went "OH REALLY?" and decided to thrive to spite me Some started peaking through gradually and eventually completely took over and did the thing I wanted them to do originally! (Must have been the nutrition from the bark breaking down + having more time to establish...)

 

I agree with you re the V. bonariensis @hailbopp. Over on this side, it's the wet cold that finishes them off, as well as the usual winter stuff. The last few winters have been very mild, so I've managed to keep a couple that were right up against the house wall, which had other permanent planting in front of them to keep them drier and warmer. Otherwise, like you, I take cuttings to grow on, and they're under cover for winter. They don't readily seed here as the seed tends to rot on the plants before it gets much of a chance, and if you get seeding, it's very little. I got some a few years ago in the gravel, under an 'open' mat I had, and in a window box thing I had for a while, where they'd got in under an alpine plant.
We're quite lucky with the Spanish bluebells here, but they're making inroads along some verges, which is a pity. They're quite easy to differentiate if you have them growing together - much more upright, and heavier foliage, as said. Bigger flowers, and on both sides, whereas the natives grow along one side of a drooping stem, and are more delicate. Natives are scented, but I don't know about the Spanish ones.

The white Jap. anems are good here @Allotment Boy, but I think the climate works well for them.
Ajuga is very tough, and so is Saxifraga urbium [London Pride] but I think some people find ithe latter isn't so good in heat and long dry spells. It grows very easily here on all sorts of sites and aspects.

 

Belated thanks for the bluebell tips. If the weather is drier next year maybe I will find out if they are as tough as they think they are.

 

Vinca major and minor. Forget me nots. Monbretias.