literally 'plant more flowers and fewer thorns'; to speak kindly and avoid making enemies or starting disputes

to plant flowers with intent but the flowers do not bloom; describes a situation where careful effort and planning fail to produce the desired outcome

intentional efforts may fail while unexpected actions lead to success; literally: planting flowers with care but they do not bloom, while sticks of willow planted without thought grow into shade

Literally "to plant flowers with intent and have them not bloom, while sticking a willow branch in the ground without thought and having it grow into shade"; describes how well-laid plans may fail while success can come unexpectedly from casual actions.

to fail in an endeavor despite putting in great effort or deliberation; the first half of a common proverb about the irony of effort versus outcome