The 17 Most Beautiful Perennial Flowers to Plant in Your Garden
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SEP15,2023
These stunning flowers bloom in mid to late winter, often around the time of Lent when snow still is on the ground. Lenten roses, also called hellebores, may seem fragile, but their toughness is legendary. They have evergreen foliage and need mostly shade, though they’ll take morning sun.
Peonies can live for decades, so they’re a worthwhile investment for your perennial garden. These lush flowers bloom in late spring. Many have intense fragrances, and they’re available in many colors and forms. The ants that visit the flowers aren’t pests; they’re just sipping the nectar. Peonies need full sun.
Penstemon, also called beardtongue, is a sturdy, sun-loving summer bloomer. This drought-tolerant and deer-resistant plant is ideal for all types of gardens. The foliage may be deep green or burgundy, while the deep-throated pink flowers are magnets for butterflies and hummingbirds.
There are several different kinds of lavender, suited for different conditions: English lavender (Lavandula angustifolia) is the most common, but you’ll also see lavandin, a hybrid that’s less fussy. Spanish lavender has “bunny ear” tufts on its flower spikes, but it’s not as cold-hardy as other types. Make sure to read the tag to find one that’s suited to your USDA hardiness zone. Lavender needs full sun and good drainage.
Coral bells, also called heuchera, have skyrocketed in popularity in recent years with many new cultivars, or cultivated varieties, introduced. Grown mostly for its striking, ruffled foliage, which comes in every color from lime green to bright plum, coral bells send up delicate flower spikes, which hummingbirds love, during the summer. Coral bells like sun or shade, though they prefer afternoon shade in hot climates.
Dahlias are so perfect that they don’t even look real! They’re available in an array of types, sizes, and colors. Their forms range from tiny ball-shaped blooms to flowers the size of a dinner plate. They’re also long-lived in the vase. In northern gardens, you’ll need to dig up and save the tubers after the first frost kills the foliage, then replant in the spring. Dahlias need full sun.
Papaver, or Oriental poppies, have papery blooms that appear in spring through early summer. Plant the roots in fall for blooms the next year; there also are annual types which often reseed themselves freely. Butterflies love papaver blooms! Poppies need full sun.
It might not be the loveliest name, but lungwort is a pretty perennial for shade gardens. It has silvery spots and charming purple-pink flowers in early spring. The plant, also called pulmonaria, earned its name because it was once thought to treat breathing disorders.
Aster. Asters come in a wide variety of colors, including purple, pink, blue, white, and yellow. They bloom in late summer and fall, and they attract butterflies and other pollinators.
Balloon Flower. Balloon flowers have bell-shaped flowers that bloom in shades of blue, purple, and white. They are easy to grow and deer resistant.
Begonia. Begonias come in a variety of shapes and sizes, with flowers that bloom in shades of red, pink, orange, yellow, and white. They can be grown indoors or outdoors.
Clematis are vining plants that can be trained to climb a fence, trellis, or arbor. They come in a variety of colors, including blue, purple, pink, white, and yellow.
. Daylilies are easy-to-grow perennials that bloom in a variety of colors, including yellow, orange, red, pink, and white. They bloom for several weeks in the summer.
Gaillardias are known for their daisy-like flowers that bloom in shades of red, orange, and yellow. They are easy to grow and deer resistant.
Hostas are shade-loving perennials that have large, heart-shaped leaves. Some varieties of hostas also bloom with flowers in shades of white, lavender, or purple.
Hydrangeas are large, showy flowers that bloom in shades of blue, pink, purple, and white. They need full sun to partial shade and well-drained soil.
Irises come in a variety of colors, including blue, purple, yellow, and white. They are easy to grow and deer resistant.