For the Beginning Gardener: Five Garden Plants That Are Hard to Kill

Gardening just isn't that difficult. All it takes is some good soil, a little compost, some sunshine, and the right amount of water. Unfortunately for some beginning gardeners, they have a devil of a time getting anything to survive. Are you one of those poor unfortunates with a black thumb instead of a green one? For people who would like to to garden but can't get anything to stay alive, here are five plants that even a beginning gardener can successfully grow .

Virginia Creeper

In my neighborhood, we call this stuff The Vine That Won't Die.

Virginia creeper is a perennial vine that grows a whopping 10-20 feet every year, reaching a mature length of over 60 feet. It will climb along fences to create privacy, grow over patios and up into trees, and can even be used to cover up that rusted old car sitting in the back yard. This plant throws out all sorts of tendrils that cling to surfaces and will develop into new plants once they reach soil.

In the early spring, Virginia Creeper is full of dark green leaves which turn to a brilliant red in the late fall. It also produces a non-edible berry which is green in the summer, and turns to a dark purple.

Virginia Creepers do well in sun or partial shade, needs some water but doesn't mind if it gets too much, and seems to tolerate all kind of soil. Even though it can get away in a hurry, it's a popular plant because it is so easy to grow and has such spectacular fall foliage. One of the nicest things about owning a Virginia Creeper is that the vines can be torn back in the late fall and made into Christmas wreaths.

This plant grows in zones 2-9.

Lemon Thyme

Lemon Thyme is an aromatic herb that looks like regular Thyme, but has a wonderful lemon scent. This herb grows between 8-12 inches in height, had dark green leaves, and spreads like a weed. It prefers hot dry soil and does quite well in areas where other plants might not want to go.

As a seasoning herb, Lemon Thyme can be used in poultry dishes. Brewed as a tea, Lemon Thyme is popular as a folk medicine and is said to have anti-aging properties, relieves muscle spasms, and eases chest congestion.

This plant grows in zones 4-9.

Perennial Phlox