There's nothing more disheartening for a gardener than seeing your hard work ruined by pests. Slugs and snails are infamous for wreaking havoc on plants, particularly seedlings or those with tender leaves.

However, there's a silver lining for those who enjoy a bit of gardening. There are ways to ward off these garden nuisances, including planting certain types of flora that deter these slimy critters.

This approach also minimises harm to other desirable wildlife visitors like hedgehogs.

While slug pellets can be an effective deterrent, some contain metaldehyde, which can harm wildlife, and other forms of slug control can be time-consuming - and not all are guaranteed to work.

Having plants in the garden that attract these slippery pests can lead to heartbreak and costly consequences, causing frustration, reports the Mirror US.

According to Gardeners' World, there are numerous types of plants that will keep these intruders at bay. Famed gardening enthusiast Alan Titchmarsh spoke to the publication and shared his top recommendations for slug-resistant plants.

Here are 20 of the best plants for tackling molluscs in your garden:.

Ajuga reptans

This is a common plant related to the wild bugle, boasting sturdy, evergreen and dark green foliage. These leaves provide a nice backdrop for the upright spikes of dark blue flowers that bloom from late spring to mid-summer.

Ajuga is a versatile plant, which can be utilised as ground cover under trees or as shrubs in a sunny flower border. It can even be situated in containers and it's particularly useful as background foliage in winter beds of ivies, santolina and pansies.

Alchemilla mollis

Alchemilla mollis boasts apple-green, fan-shaped leaves and lime-green flowers but most importantly, its hairy leaves are believed to deter some pests.

The texture of the foliage will prove to be an irritation to some slimy species. The plant also makes an excellent ground cover option and can be grown in the sun or shade.

Aquilegia

Also known as 'Granny's bonnet' due to the shape of the flower, aquilegias come in a variety of different colours and tolerate shade. Some of the flowers also have spurs in the top of them and another name for them is columbine.

They self-seed readily and are perfect for placement through the border of your garden.

Astilbe

This plant is ideal for growing in the shade where its flowers add height and colour. When bloomed, it displayed plumes of dramatic colour and fern-like foliage.

Slugs don't tend to see astilbe as a viable food source which combined with its hairy leaves tends to deter their visits to this particular piece of flora.

Astrantia

Astrantias are elegant looking plants that are well-suited to growing under trees, preferably in moist soil. Their pretty flowers can attract bees and other pollinators, while their leaves are largely ignored by slugs and snails.

Campanula

This plant boasts a variety of types, including annuals and perennials - some even evergreen. The Campanula is known for its bell-shaped flowers, typically blue in colour.

Depending on your garden's needs, this plant offers a range of heights. Some versions serve as ground cover, while others can reach up to 2m tall.

Cranesbill Geraniums

Also known simply as geraniums, these plants are reliable but can sometimes be invasive, requiring careful monitoring. However, their long-lasting beauty is undeniable.

These hardy geraniums are adaptable, making them suitable for nearly every garden situation.

Crocosmia

Blooming in autumn, Crocosmia showcases a lovely blossom. Varieties like the 'Lucifer' provide a late-season burst of pollen and nectar for various pollinators.

Their trap-like leaves not only create an ideal backdrop for the flowers but also deter slugs, who generally avoid this plant.

Cyclamen

The robust cyclamen flower blooms in early spring and late autumn, adding beauty to your garden when it might otherwise look sparse.

Ideal for naturalising under trees or in a shady border, these plants aren't popular with fussy, slimy visitors due to their taste.

Euphorbia

These garden dwellers have a milky sap that can irritate human skin, but the silver lining is it also seems to be unpalatable to slugs and snails.

The Euphorbia's petite flowers are nestled in cupped, often vibrant bracts.

Ferns

Ferns are a favoured garden variety that come in an extensive range of shapes and sizes. Smaller versions can sprout in wall cracks, while larger specimens can be showcased as a statement piece.

They tend to withstand different soil conditions and are generally straightforward to grow. Their robust, leathery leaves are challenging for slugs to consume which make them an excellent choice for your garden.

Foxglove

You will need to tread carefully with Foxglove as its leaves contain the toxin digoxin, which can be lethal to a person. The plant boasts some unusual flowers which are eye-catching as they stack up in rows above each other.

Foxglove's plant's toxins also seem to be harmful to slugs and snails, as they steer clear of eating the leaves.

Fuchsias

Some fuchsias varieties are sturdy enough to be grown as a hedge or specimen shrub.

Fuchsias bear appealing, pendent flowers throughout summer which would make a splendid addition to any garden.

The less hardy varieties of the plant can be utilised in summer bedding schemes or placed in containers.

Hellebores

With a vast variety to select from, this is a plant that can cater to the needs of many. The flowers also come in a spectrum of different colours including white, pink, purple and even green.

When young, these plants can be targeted by slugs and snails. They generally become more resistant as they get older.

Heuchera

Also known as coral bells, this plant is typically used in planting schemes which include shade. It's more renowned for its foliage colour rather than its flowers, with leaves coming in a variety of different options from dark purple to lime green.

In summer, the plants bear spikes of white-pink flowers.

Hydrangeas

Woody varieties of hydrangeas are unpalatable to slugs and snails, helping to deter these pests from your garden.

The plant comes in various forms, with mop head and lace cap flowers prevalent. If you want something a bit different, you can try growing climbing hydrangea's which could give you a slug-proof cover of a wall.

Japanese anemone

These plants contain beautiful, daisy-like flowers which make them a stunning addition to your yard. Japanese anemones have rough leaves and their pretty flowers bloom from late summer to autumn.

They can be invasive in some soils, so you will need to keep an eye on its growth. If you have a small garden, you might consider growing them in a container instead.

Lavender

This herb tends to attract a wide berth from slugs and snails, possibly due to their woody structure or their oily leaves.

Lavender is a great slug-proof plant which bears blue-green leaves and purple flowers. It is best known for its lovely fragrance which is a favourite to many.

Nasturtiums

This annual climber boasts large, trumpet-shaped blooms in red, maroon or yellow hues. Due to these flowers, it's a favourite amongst bees and other pollinators.

Its leaves are incredibly water-resistant, which is another appealing factor for gardeners. While they're a preferred food source for large and small white butterflies, slugs and snails won't nibble on them.

Penstemon

These are not only a brilliant choice for those who wish to keep molluscs at bay in the garden, but Penstemon also serves as an excellent lure for bees.

They produce foxglove-like flowers, which look splendid in informal and cottage garden schemes, making them popular for those aiming to achieve a certain aesthetic.