Suggestions please

[Lesley Cox]

Can you give me some suggestions for plants that might start off a garden of easy plants, sort of alpine to low perennial, hardy and easy to come by. A friend is hoping to start a very little nursery for such plants (neither in the UK nor in NZ so there's no possibility of competition) but the target market is small and relatively undiscerning, just wanting something easy and pretty.

I've suggested dianthus, dwarf beared irises, phloxes, hardy geraniums but there must be many more I've not thought of. Any suggestions would be very welcome, thanks.

[Maggi Young]

Dwarf Astilbes, Saxifragas, Helianthemums...

[BryanEmery]

semps. so much variety and very easy! I also sent a PM with a suggestion...

B

[maggiepie]

More hardy geraniums, clematis, aquilegias, campanulas, hostas, do erodiums count as hardy geraniums?

[fermi de Sousa]

Erythroniums, Trilliums, meconopsis....
You could give us an idea of what climate they'd be dealing with!
The above would be "easy" in some places but not where I am; if it was here I'd suggest Euphorbias, sempervivums, echeverias, delosperma, yuccas, iris, South African bulbs and lavenders!
cheers
fermi

[Lesley Cox]

Thanks everyone, good stuff there. I think the summer climate is hot and dry, not sure about the winter, probably quite cold.

[Martin Baxendale]

Hellebores. Tough as old boots and quick and easy from seed.