If you dream of a garden bursting with color year after year, then growing perennials is the way to go. Perennials are plants that come back season after season, gracing your garden with beautiful blooms and making life easier for gardeners. Whether you’re a seasoned gardener or a newbie with a sunny spot in your yard, there’s a perfect perennial out there for you. Plus, many perennials are easy to grow and need minimal care, making them a must-have.
Not only do perennials offer gorgeous flowers, but they also have plenty of benefits! They help attract beneficial insects like bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds, all while providing structure and color to your landscape. From drought-tolerant plants to shade-loving species, a wide variety suits every garden. Let’s talk about perennials that will make your outdoor space shine.
Most Popular Perennials
1. Hibiscus
Hibiscus is a tropical beauty that will bring vibrant blooms to your garden, making it a favorite among gardeners. This plant is known for its large, vibrant flowers in shades of pink, red, orange, and even purple. Hibiscus thrives in full sun and well-drained soil, perfect for those who love to make a statement. And don’t worry if you’re new to gardening—this plant is relatively easy to grow!
A fun fact about Hibiscus: it’s a perennial that attracts plenty of pollinators, especially hummingbirds and butterflies. Their bright colors and nectar-rich blooms are simply irresistible. Just be sure to give your Hibiscus a sunny spot and watch it bloom all summer. Though it loves the heat, Hibiscus will need extra care in winter if you live in colder climates.
Growing Tip: Water regularly, but avoid letting the soil get soggy. It loves moisture but hates being waterlogged. Deadheading the spent flowers can also encourage more blooms. To encourage abundant blooms, use a high-potassium fertilizer during the growing season (spring through fall). Feeding your hibiscus every 2-3 weeks can significantly boost its bloom production.
2. Perovskia (Russian Sage)
Looking for a drought-tolerant plant with lovely, delicate blooms? Perovskia, also known as Russian Sage, is the answer! Its tall, wispy stems are topped with mini blooms in shades of blue and purple that will sway beautifully in the wind. This plant thrives in dry climates and requires little maintenance, making it perfect for all gardens. Plus, its aromatic leaves make it deer-resistant—a great bonus!
Pollinators love it too, as bees can’t resist its nectar-rich flowers. Plant it in full sun, and you’ll have a long-lasting beauty that’s hard to beat.
Growing Tip: Russian Sage needs very little care once established. Trim it back in early spring to encourage fresh growth and more blooms throughout the season.
3. Hemerocallis (Daylily)
Daylilies, or Hemerocallis, are known as the “perfect perennial” for a reason. They come in a wide range of colors, from soft pastels to bold oranges and reds, making them easy to incorporate into any garden design. Daylilies are super hardy, thriving in average soil and tolerating both full sun and some shade.
What’s even better? They are rabbit-resistant and deer-resistant, making them perfect for the yards prone to hungry wildlife. Plus, they bloom in late spring to early summer, giving your garden a burst of color when you need it most. With their long blooming season, you’ll enjoy their beauty for weeks!
Growing Tip: They multiply quickly, so be prepared to divide them every few years to keep them healthy and blooming. This makes them an excellent ground cover for larger spaces.
Hostas are the kings of shade lawns. With their large leaves that come in various hues of green, blue, and even variegated patterns, Hostas bring texture and beauty to any landscape. While they don’t produce showy flowers, their foliage alone makes them a star in the garden. Hostas prefer partial to full shade and moist, well-drained soil, making them ideal for those tricky shaded areas.
The fun fact about Hostas is that they are incredibly easy to grow, making them a great choice for beginners. And while slugs can sometimes be a problem, Hostas are rabbit-resistant and perfect for planting in full shade.
To keep slugs at bay, try sprinkling crushed eggshells or coffee grounds around your Hostas. This natural method helps protect their lovely leaves.
5. Heuchera (Coral Bells)
Heuchera, commonly known as Coral Bells, is a beautiful perennial with colorful foliage and tiny blooms that add a delicate touch to the garden. These plants thrive in part shade and love well-drained soil, making them an excellent addition to gardens with varying sunlight levels. Coral Bells are known for their unique leaf colors, from deep purple to bright green, giving your landscape year-round interest.
The foliage of Heuchera is what really makes it stand out. Even when it’s not blooming, its colorful leaves will add charm. Plus, its tiny blooms are a favorite of bees and other beneficial insects.
Growing Tip: Coral Bells prefer cooler climates and don’t do well in extreme heat. Water them regularly and mulch around the plants to help retain moisture in the soil.
6. Salvia
Salvia is a garden staple, known for its beautiful spikes of purple, pink, or white flowers that bloom throughout the growing season. This hardy perennial is both deer-resistant and drought-tolerant, making it a popular choice for gardens in dry climates. With its long-lasting blooms, Salvia attracts bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds, making it a pollinator’s dream.
Salvia thrives in full sun and well-drained soil, so be sure to plant it in a sunny spot for the best results. Its bold color and upright growth make it a great addition to perennial gardens, borders, or even containers.
Growing Tip: Prune Salvia back after its first round of blooms to encourage a second blooming period later in the summer. This keeps your garden looking vibrant all season long.
7. Ornamental Grass
Ornamental grasses are a fantastic way to add texture, height, and movement to your garden. These perennials thrive in full sun and well-drained soil, making them ideal for a range of landscapes. From tall varieties like Miscanthus to smaller, tufted options like Blue Fescue, they offer something for every garden size and style.
A fun fact: they’re incredibly low-maintenance! Once established, they can thrive in dry climates and need very little care. Their graceful, flowing foliage provides year-round interest, and many varieties produce beautiful blooms in the late summer to early fall.
Growing Tip: Leave the foliage standing through the winter to add interest to your landscape and provide shelter for wildlife. Cut back in early spring before new growth begins.
Conclusion
Growing perennials is one of the best ways to create a thriving, low-maintenance garden that comes back year after year. With a wide variety of plants to choose from, there’s something for every garden, whether you’re working with full sun, part shade, or even dry climates. From the showy blooms of Hibiscus to the delicate beauty of Heuchera, these perennials will add life, color, and texture to your landscape.
Not only do these plants provide stunning beauty, but they also attract pollinators like bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds. Whether you’re new to gardening or a seasoned pro, the most popular perennials on this list will make a fantastic addition to your outdoor space.
So go ahead and pick the perfect perennial for your garden, and watch as it blooms year after year, bringing joy and color to your life. Happy gardening!
