10 Most Disease-Resistant Plants and Flowers, Recommended by Gardeners

Profusion Zinnias — Photo:
Elha Wulansari / GETTY IMAGES

In a perfect world, our plants thrive and blossom without a single setback—but even the most vigilant and experienced gardeners run into issues from time to time. Common diseases, like powdery mildew and botrytis blight, can strike and deplete many plants, including those that are otherwise easy to care for. Luckily, several varieties have been cultivated specifically to withstand these diseases. If you're ready to grow a hardier, healthier garden, put a few of these disease-resistant plants on your radar.

Leirion Sorensen, gardens manager at Mt. Cuba Center
Adrienne Roethling, garden director of Paul J. Ciener Botanical Garden
Jon Roethling, director of Reynolda Gardens

01 of 10

Largeleaf Phlox

Largeleaf phlox (Phlox amplifolia) is a sun-tolerant plant that's resistant to powdery mildew, a fungal disease that affects many flowers. The native plant produces underground runners that slowly spread to form a large mass. "Blooming in early summer, the airy pink inflorescences are held 1 to 2 feet above the mass of foliage and continue to bloom for about six weeks," says Leirion Sorensen, the gardens manager at Mt. Cuba Center.

Zones: 3 to 8
Size: 44 inches tall x 36 inches wide
Growing conditions: full sun to part shade; loamy, well-drained soil

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02 of 10

Garden Phlox

A clump-forming herbaceous perennial, certain varieties of garden phlox (Phlox paniculata) have been cultivated to be mildew-free. One example is Jeana garden phlox. "The individual flowers are smaller than most other garden phlox, but that does not deter butterflies from feeding on its nectar," says Sorensen. This variety is highly coveted for its ecological value and is native to the eastern United States.

Zones: 3 to 8
Size: 5 feet tall x 4 feet wide
Growing conditions: full sun to part shade; average, well-drained soil

03 of 10

Wild Pansy

Wild pansy (Viola pedunculata) is a great winter bedding plant, as well as a container filler. "They often have a dark upper petal and two lower petals with spotted or two-toned colors," says Adrienne Roethling, the garden director for Paul J. Ciener Botanical Garden. Though they do occasionally suffer from botrytis when the roots get too wet, the plants are generally resistant to rot and fungal disease.

Zones: 3 to 8
Size: 6 to 8 inches tall x 6 to 8 inches wide
Growing conditions: full sun to part shade; average, well-drained soil

04 of 10

Mountain Gordlinia

A hybrid of Ben Franklin tree and loblolly bay, mountain gordlinia (Gordlinia grandiflora) has many of the desirable traits of both parents. "It's a vigorous grower and much more resistant to root rot and other maladies than its parents," says Jon Roethling, the director of Reynolda Gardens. "It is semi-evergreen, often displaying some of the reddish fall color common on Franklinia."

Zones: 7 to 9
Mature size: 20 to 25 feet tall x 30 feet wide
Growing conditions: full sun to part shade; well-drained soil

05 of 10

Profusion Zinnias

Red Profusion Zinnia — RobertSchneider / GETTY IMAGES

Looking for a summer flowering annual with a long bloom period? Zinnias are just that—and they draw a variety of pollinators. "When flowers are in full bloom, they attract an array of bees, beetles, butterflies, and moths," says Adrienne Roethling. When choosing a variety, opt for disease-resistant profusion zinnias (Zinnia elegans 'Profusion'). "The profusion series is a hybrid with results that include medium sized, colorful blooms on short stems," she says. They are also self-cleaning, meaning there is no deadheading required.

Zones: 2 to 11
Size: 16 to 18 inches tall x 16 to 18 inches wide
Growing conditions: full sun; well-drained soil

06 of 10

Purple Coneflower

Purple coneflower (Echinacea purpurea) has it all—it's heat-, drought-, and disease-resistant, plus it attracts pollinators like bees and butterflies. Two varieties that are known for being especially hardy are Pow Wow Wild Berry and Pow Wow White. "They emerge in spring with a rosette of elongated leaves, quickly giving rise to stalks of brilliant pink or pure white daisy-like flowers," says Adrienne Roethling. "The center or cone are cinnamon in color and quite large—a pollinator's delight."

Zones: 3 to 9
Size: 12 to 36 inches tall x 12 to 24 inches wide
Growing conditions: full sun; well-drained soil

07 of 10

Itoh Peony

Many peonies can be grown with little to no problems with disease, especially when planted in the correct location. But a new class of peonies—a cross between tree peonies and garden peonies (Paeonia suffruticosa x Paeonia lactiflora)—have superior disease resistance. In spring, the plant re-grows long, woody stems. "At the end of May, large buds open to a bright yellow mass of petals," says Adrienne Roethling.

Zones: 3 to 8
Size: 3 feet tall x 4 feet wide
Growing conditions: full sun to part shade; rich, well-drained soil

08 of 10

Kousa Dogwood

Looking for a small, disease-resistant tree to add to your yard? Kousa dogwood (Cornus kousa) is a great choice. It's particularly resistant against anthracnose and powdery mildew, two common disease that sometimes affect native flowering dogwoods.

Zones: 5 to 8
Mature size: 10 to 25 feet tall x 10 to 25 feet wide
Growing conditions: full sun to part shade; well-drained soil

09 of 10

Dandy Man Color Wheel Rhododendron

Similar in appearance to other types of evergreen rhododendron, Dandy Man Color Wheel Rhododendron (Rhododendron 'NCRX1') has evergreen leathery leaves and blooms that emerge as red buds. The blooms unfurl and reveal large, ruffled flowers with light and dark colors. "What you don't see are the genes imparted to it by one of its parents, Rhododendron hyperythrum which gives this selection of Rhododendron greater heat tolerance and resistance to phytophthora—often the death knell of many a rhododendron," says Jon Roethling.

Zones: 5 to 8
Mature size: 4 feet tall x 4 feet wide
Growing conditions: full sun to part shade; well-drained soil

10 of 10

Fuji Waterfall Hydrangea

Lacecap hydrangeas (Hydrangea macrophylla) are hydrangeas with flower heads that have flat caps surrounded by small flowers that look like unopened buds. Fuji waterfall is a type of lacecap hydrangea that has a reputation for being disease-resistant. "This selection is highly resistant to powdery mildew, which often is the scourge of many hydrangeas," says Jon Roethling. "The leaves are dark green with a glossy appearance, which is a trait to look for on other selections of hydrangea as that usually corresponds to resistance to powdery mildew."