Underutilized Plants That Deserve More Attention in 2026

As a landscape designer, I often notice trends in which plants gain popularity and which ones get overlooked. This year, I’ve seen a few incredible plants that simply haven’t received the attention they deserve. While some landscapes are filled with the same go-to choices, I believe that variety and thoughtful plant selection create the most memorable outdoor spaces. Four standouts that were underutilized this year include Swamp White Oak, Midnight Sun Weigela, Japanese White Pine, and Black Scallop Bugleweed.

Swamp White Oak – A Strong and Reliable Shade Tree

The Swamp White Oak (Quercus bicolor) is a fantastic shade tree that doesn’t get enough credit. It’s highly adaptable, tolerating wet soils and clay that would challenge many other trees. The leaves turn a beautiful golden color in fall, adding seasonal interest to any property. Homeowners who want a long-lived tree with minimal issues should seriously consider this oak. Despite its resilience and beauty, it’s often passed over for faster-growing but less durable trees.

Swamp White Oak also supports wildlife. Its acorns are a valuable food source for birds and mammals, and its canopy provides excellent shade for both people and smaller plantings below. Choosing this tree is an investment in long-term landscape value. With proper siting, it becomes a legacy tree that can last for generations.

Midnight Sun Weigela – A Burst of Foliage Color

While flowering shrubs often take the spotlight, Midnight Sun Weigela stands out for its foliage as much as its blooms. The plant has stunning golden-orange leaves in spring that deepen to rich green as the season progresses. Paired with its pink trumpet-shaped flowers, this shrub adds season-long interest to any border or foundation planting.

Despite its versatility, I’ve seen very few landscapes featuring this shrub. Many homeowners default to traditional weigela varieties, not realizing that Midnight Sun offers compact size and easy maintenance. It thrives in full sun, resists deer browsing, and brings a punch of color that doesn’t fade with the first heatwave. For those looking for low-maintenance beauty, it’s a gem.

Japanese White Pine and Black Scallop Bugleweed – Structure and Groundcover

The Japanese White Pine (Pinus parviflora) is another underutilized plant. Its soft blue-green needles and irregular growth habit make it a sculptural focal point. Unlike common evergreens, it offers year-round character with a lighter, more graceful texture. Japanese White Pine works beautifully in modern landscapes, Asian-inspired gardens, or as a striking specimen tree. Yet, it remains rare in residential yards, likely due to limited availability and lack of awareness.

To complement bold trees and shrubs, groundcovers like Black Scallop Bugleweed (Ajuga reptans ‘Black Scallop’) are excellent choices. This plant forms a dense mat of nearly black foliage with spikes of vibrant blue flowers in spring. It thrives in part shade, suppresses weeds, and adds dramatic contrast to lighter-colored plants. Despite being hardy and low-maintenance, it’s often ignored in favor of more common groundcovers. Black Scallop brings depth and contrast that elevate planting beds.

Why These Plants Deserve More Attention

Each of these plants offers something unique—whether it’s the durability of Swamp White Oak, the color-changing foliage of Midnight Sun Weigela, the sculptural beauty of Japanese White Pine, or the bold groundcover effect of Black Scallop Bugleweed. They’re resilient, attractive, and provide year-round value. By incorporating them into more projects, landscapes can become richer, healthier, and far more interesting.

As trends continue to favor resilient and distinctive plants, I encourage homeowners and designers alike to take a second look at these underutilized species. Sometimes the best plants are the ones that haven’t yet made it into the mainstream.