Picture this: a garden that blooms year after year, without the hassle of replanting. That’s the beauty of perennial plants.
But with so many perennials to choose from, how do you know which ones are the best for your garden?
We’ve done the research and compiled a list of the top 15 perennial plants that are sure to thrive and bring joy to your outdoor space for years to come
1. Lavender
Lavender is a classic perennial that’s beloved for its sweet fragrance and versatility. This hardy plant can tolerate drought and loves full sun, making it a great choice for rock gardens or borders.
Plus, lavender has many uses beyond the garden. You can dry the flowers for sachets or use them in cooking and baking.
Lavender typically blooms from June to August, depending on the variety. It’s a great choice for attracting pollinators like bees and butterflies to your garden.
2. Echinacea
Echinacea, also known as coneflower, is a stunning perennial that adds a pop of color to any garden. These daisy-like flowers come in shades of purple, pink, and white, and bloom from mid-summer to fall.
But echinacea isn’t just a pretty face – it’s also known for its medicinal properties. Native Americans have used echinacea for centuries to boost immunity and treat colds and flu.
Echinacea is easy to grow and low-maintenance, making it a great choice for beginner gardeners. It prefers full sun and well-drained soil, and can tolerate drought once established.
3. Peonies
Peonies are a timeless favorite in gardens around the world. These lush, fragrant flowers have a rich history dating back thousands of years. In ancient China, peonies were revered as a symbol of wealth and honor, and were often depicted in art and literature.
Today, peonies are prized for their large, showy blooms in shades of pink, red, white, and yellow. They typically bloom in late spring to early summer, and make excellent cut flowers.
4. Hostas
Hostas are a go-to perennial for shady areas of the garden. These plants are known for their lush, textured foliage that comes in a variety of colors and patterns. Some varieties even produce fragrant flowers in the summer.
Hostas can be divided every few years to create new plants and keep them looking their best. According to the Old Farmer’s Almanac (ref), there are 3000 named hosta varieties, making them one of the most diverse perennial plants available.
5. Daylilies
Daylilies produce large, trumpet-shaped flowers in a rainbow of colors, from yellow and orange to pink and purple. As the name suggests, each flower only lasts for one day, but the plant produces a succession of blooms throughout the summer.
Daylilies are tolerant of a wide range of soil types and can grow in full sun to partial shade. They’re also drought-tolerant once established, making them a great choice for low-maintenance gardens.
6. Black-Eyed Susans
Black-eyed Susans get their name from their distinctive appearance, with bright yellow petals surrounding a dark brown or black center cone. The petals are often described as looking like a “mane” around the center, giving the flowers a wild and untamed look.
In the garden, black-eyed Susans are a low-maintenance and versatile choice. They can handle a wide range of soil types and conditions, from dry and sandy to clay and loam.
7. Salvia
Salvia is a vibrant perennial that produces spikes of colorful flowers in shades of purple, blue, red, and pink. These plants are a favorite of hummingbirds and butterflies, and bloom from late spring to fall.
Salvia prefers full sun and well-drained soil, and is drought-tolerant once established.
8. Coreopsis
Coreopsis is a bright and cheery perennial that produces daisy-like flowers in shades of yellow, orange, and red. These plants bloom from early summer to fall, and are a great choice for borders, rock gardens, or containers.
9. Sedum
Sedum is a tough and textural perennial that adds interest to the garden with its fleshy leaves and clusters of star-shaped flowers. These succulents come in a variety of colors and shapes, from low-growing groundcovers to upright varieties.
Many varieties bloom in late summer to fall, providing a late-season nectar source for pollinators.
10. Rudbeckia
Rudbeckia, also known as coneflower, is a bold and beautiful perennial that adds a touch of drama to the garden. These plants produce large, daisy-like flowers with raised centers in shades of yellow, orange, and red.
11. Yarrow
Yarrow is a delicate and drought-tolerant perennial that produces clusters of tiny flowers in shades of yellow, pink, and red.
Yarrow has been used medicinally for centuries. In fact, the genus name Achillea comes from the Greek hero Achilles, who was said to have used yarrow to treat his soldiers’ wounds during the Trojan War.
12. Gaura
If you’re looking for a perennial that adds a touch of whimsy and grace to your garden, look no further than gaura. Also known as bee blossom or wandflower, this native North American plant produces delicate, dancing flowers on long, slender stems that can reach up to 4 feet tall.
Not only is gaura beautiful and easy to grow, but it also has a rich history of medicinal use by Native American tribes. The Zuni people used gaura to treat skin infections, while the Navajo used it to treat stomach issues and as a ceremonial plant.
Today, gaura is still used in herbal medicine to treat a variety of ailments, including anxiety, insomnia, and menstrual cramps.
13. Gaillardia
With its sunset-colored daisy blooms, Gaillardia brings cheer to the garden from early summer into fall. This tough perennial thrives in full sun and lean soil, pumping out flowers even during droughts.
The vibrant blankets of non-stop color make Gaillardia a perfect choice for borders, rock gardens, and pollinator plots.
14. Heuchera
Grown as much for its ornamental leaves as its delicate blooms, Heuchera offers a diverse palette of foliage colors to brighten shady spots. Ruffled leaves in hues from deep plum to chartreuse create striking combos with hostas and ferns.
Heuchera’s versatility makes it a staple for adding long-lasting color to shady gardens.
15. Aster
Asters give gardens a final hurrah of color before winter sets in. Clusters of dainty daisy-like blooms in soft pinks, purples, and whites appear just as other plants fade in fall. These late-season perennials thrive in full sun to part shade and deliver nectar for migrating butterflies and bees.
A Garden for All Seasons
Whether you’re a seasoned gardener or a beginner, these 15 perennial plants are sure to bring beauty and joy to your outdoor space for years to come. With a little care and attention, you can create a thriving garden that welcomes you home with a riot of color and life each season.
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Davin is a jack-of-all-trades but has professional training and experience in various home and garden subjects. He leans on other experts when needed and edits and fact-checks all articles.