Plant This Instead: Though its flowers aren’t fragrant, ajuga also can grow in shady spots similar to lily-of-the-valley, but won’t take over the garden. Plant This Instead: For early summer color, plant well-behaved, pollinator favorite penstemon instead of perennial bachelor’s button. Plant This Instead: There are many other well-behaved groundcover plants like creeping thyme, oregano, or barrenwort that won’t give you a decade-long headache like chameleon plant will. Plant This Instead: If you want early color with a more pleasing scent, opt for the delightful perfume of miniature daffodils. Plant This Instead: Consider growing perennial sunflower, such as ‘Maximillian,’ for similar pollinator-friendly flowers on plants that aren’t bent on taking over the world. Plant This Instead: For a long-lasting punch of purple in the garden, plant native purple coneflower or blazing star instead of purple loosestrife.
