Plant These Perennials in Your Garden for the Gift That Keeps on Growing
If you’re a gardener, you know that perennials truly are the gifts that keep on giving—or should we say growing? These plants and flowers are a great investment because you can plant them once and enjoy them as part of your landscape for years to come. In fact, some even last for decades! Watch them bloom in your small gardens or even raised beds. But you do need a little patience—even the best perennial plants and flowers don’t do much the first year or two. The old saying is that perennials crawl, walk, run, so by the third season, they really take off.
Here, we've found options that will do just that! There are cottage garden flowers like peonies and lavender as well as flowers that attract hummingbirds to your yard. Because who wouldn't want visits from those sweet creatures year after year? You'll even find easy-to-plant low maintenance plants as well as plants that will add to your garden edging ideas or thrive in rock gardens. Just keep in mind that typically, perennial plants bloom for just a few weeks each year, compared to annuals, which bloom from planting until the first hard frost.
By including both annuals and perennials in your garden, you’ll provide food and shelter to beneficial pollinators and wildlife all year long. Also, you need to choose plants that can survive winters in your USDA Hardiness zone. (Find yours here!) Finally, read the plant tag or description before buying to be sure about what kind of light your perennial plant needs.
Bee Balm
Like its name suggests, the uniquely shaped bee balm is basically irresistible to bees—as well as hummingbirds and butterflies. The fringed and aromatic petals that come in purple, pink, and red can be planted in either spring or fall and can handle a variety of conditions. Just be sure they get good air circulation, otherwise the leaves can develop a fungal disease.
Chrysanthemums
Here's the thing with chrysanthemums: They're perennial if you get them in the ground during the spring to mid-summer months. If you wait too long, the roots won't have enough time to settle before winter and they'll act as annuals. So, plant the beautifully bright blooms early (and in direct sunlight) and with a little TLC, you'll be rewarded year after year.
Roman Chamomile
How delightful are the daisy-like flowers on this perennial? The low-growing herb is often used as ground cover or along walkways. It's also a great candidate for containers! No matter where you plant it, you'll enjoy the sweet apple-scented aroma and the fact that you can make tea from its dried flowers. When buying this one, double-check that you have the perennial Roman chamomile and not the annual called German chamomile.
Astilbe
Whether added to borders, used in wet sites, or placed in containers, these feathery plumed blossoms atop fern-like foliage will add both vibrant color and texture to your garden. Plant them in the fall or spring, then watch as they flower from late spring into late summer. Better yet, they'll attract butterflies but are resistant to rabbits and deer.
Lamb's Ear
The only downside to this pretty plant? You'll have a hard time not running your fingers over the silvery, soft leaves every time you pass it. This option is perfect for ground cover and would make a great addition to the edges of your beds. Because it's extremely drought tolerant, you could also add it to rock gardens or to cover a dry spot in your garden. The best time to plant lamb's ear is spring, but it can also be planted up until fall.
Columbine
This unique-looking wildflower is known to be one of the best for attracting hummingbirds to your shady gardens! That's because as they bloom from spring through early summer, they provide early nectar for pollinators. And though they may look delicate, these perennials are super dependable, too.
Shasta Daisy
Though the shasta daisy is similar in appearance to the classic daisy, it's actually larger and produces stronger blooms. Easy and fresh, this short-lived perennial will make its return for several years. You should also note that they're capable of spreading so you may want to keep them contained in garden beds.
Iris
These beautiful purple blooms were actually named after the Greek goddess of the rainbow. They can grow up to two to three feet tall and will make a colorful statement in your garden in the spring and summer. Plant them in full sun to ensure they reach their full potential.
Foxglove
If you want to invite lovely little creatures like hummingbirds and bumblebees into your yard, these colorful and elegant, bell-shaped blossoms are the way to do it. Plant them two years in a row to enjoy continuous blooms.
Goatsbeard
Add whimsy and allure to your yard when you plant this shade perennial. It's full of dark green fern-like leaves and feathery plumes of cream colored flowers that will bloom in late spring or summer. Bonus points: This plant can also weather any storm—in fact, it's even been known to survive tornados unharmed!
Amsonia
Bring a pretty pop of color to your garden by planting these soft blue, star-shaped flowers. Amsonias pair perfectly with the larger-leaved plants on this list, like peonies and hosta.
Baptisia
Plant these long-living perennials once and they can last for decades! They also bloom from spring through fall, so you'll be able to enjoy them for the better part of the year.
Daylily
Can’t get anything else to grow? Plant daylilies! These hardy sun-loving plants bloom in midsummer, and though the blooms last just one day (thus, the name), they have multiple flowers per stem. They come in every shade of the rainbow and tolerate most soil types.
Coneflower
Coneflowers come in an array of colors and heights, and they’re long-blooming sun-loving flowers that add gorgeous color to the summer garden. You also can leave the seed heads intact for winter interest and food for the birds in your garden.
Lenten Rose
These stunning shade lovers almost don’t look real! Lenten rose, also called hellebore, appear in late winter or early spring (around the time of Lent) when snow still is on the ground. Their thick, glossy foliage remains year-round.
Peony
Peonies are the queens of the springtime garden! With huge, lush flowers that are lavishly scented, they bloom in late spring. Make sure they get full sun, or they don’t bloom well. Don’t worry about the ants that visit; they do not harm the plant and are simply enjoying the nectar. (It’s also a myth that they’re necessary to make the plants bloom) If you’re cutting to bring indoors, just shake the ants off.
Catmint
Catmint is nearly indestructible. With its grey-green fuzzy foliage and pretty spikes of purple flowers that pollinators love, this perennial adds fuss-free color to sunny spots in your garden.
Penstemon
Bees and hummingbirds love the tubular flowers of this tough perennial, which loves full sun. It comes in many different colors, and some varieties have pretty burgundy foliage that shines all season long.
Heuchera
This beautiful plant is a must-have in any garden. Heuchera, also called coral bells, is grown more for its gorgeous, frilly foliage that comes in shades ranging from deep burgundy to pale chartreuse. The tiny flower spikes appear in mid-summer. It’s also not particularly tasty to deer or bunnies and tolerates both sun and shade.
Tiarella
Tiarella, also called foamflower, has tons of frothy, foamy-looking flowers in late spring. It’s the perfect perennial to brighten up shady spots. The pretty foliage adds season-long interest to the garden.
Brunnera
The silver-green, heart-shaped leaves of brunnera offer gorgeous texture and pattern to the garden all year. They like mostly shade, making them easy to grow in a darker yard.
Aster
Asters are one of the last perennials to bloom in the garden in late fall, so you absolutely should plant these sturdy plants for one last hurrah before winter! Plant in full sun at the back of a mixed border.
Black-eyed Susan
These sunny-faced plants are guaranteed to make you smile in mid to late summer with their cheerful black button centers and bright yellow petals. Make sure to purchase a perennial type, as some are grown as annuals. They need full sun.
Salvia
Spikes of pink, purple, or white flowers attract pollinators to this sun-loving plant. The blooms last for weeks in late spring to early summer. Make sure to buy a perennial type.
Dianthus
Dianthus, also called pinks, come in colors ranging from pinks and purples to whites and reds. Some have double blooms and are fragrant. These old-fashioned favorites like sun to part sun.
Sedum
Sedum come in trailing, creeping, and upright varieties. These succulents love, love, love the sun and are quite drought-hardy once established.
Speedwell
Small spikes of deep pink, purple or white cover the low-growing foliage of this charming perennial. It’s also called veronica. Bees and butterflies adore this sun-loving flower.
Ferns
Ferns comes in many different shapes and sizes, but they’re a beautiful perennial for long-lived color. Some types are green, while others have a more silvery, golden or bronze color. Give them full shade.
Lavender
Lavender has beautiful purple spikes and silvery foliage. It’s tough as nails once established. Make sure it has full sun and choose a variety that is suited to your hardiness zone.
Blanket Flower
These pretty flowers have orange and yellow petals with scarlet tips, which makes them quite striking in the garden. They don’t mind heat and drought once established. Give them full sun.
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