21 Easy Perennial Plants for Beginner Gardeners
There’s nothing like a reliable perennial that thrives in conditions where other plants wither. Their outstanding flowers and foliage bring beauty, diversity, and pollinator value to the display. Easy to grow, the best performers are unfussy and low-maintenance. Explore exceptional perennials for gardeners of any level with expert Katherine Rowe. Beginners welcome!

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One of the many beauties of gardening is that no matter your horticultural skill level, there’s always more to learn. The garden is always teaching. The main thing is to dive in to experience nature and enjoy the harvests and flowering displays as rewards.
While trial and error is part of the fun, having a plant selection you can count on anchors the arrangement. Easy-care perennials do the job with reliable blooming, attractive foliage, and years of multi-season enjoyment.
Our list of favorites includes easy-to-grow perennials that require little gardener intervention. Deadheading, which helps some bloomers produce more flowers for an extended season, is optional.
These durable and reliable performers won’t need much supplemental irrigation, fertilizers, or extra care. They grow across a wide range of climates and zones and are often native to North America. These outstanding, long-lived perennials are ideal additions for beginner and experienced gardeners alike.
Black-Eyed Susan

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common name Black-eyed Susan |
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botanical name Rudbeckia fulgida |
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sun requirements Full Sun |
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height 2-3’ |
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hardiness zones 3-9 |
Black-eyed Susan produces cheery golden blooms nonstop from summer through frost. The yellow-orange daisy-like flowers have chocolate button centers. They rise prolifically on single stems from deep green basal leaves.
Black-eyed Susan is native to parts of the South, Central, and Western United States. It’s naturally a meadow and prairie grower. This adaptable wildflower is self-sustaining in various conditions, including heat, humidity, and drought. It goes dormant over the winter and can withstand cold temperatures.
Rudbeckia is an easy-care plant. Its sunny flowers brighten the perennial bed in groups, along borders, and in naturalistic and cottage gardens.
Coreopsis

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common name Coreopsis |
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botanical name Coreopsis spp. |
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sun requirements Full sun |
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height 6”-4’ |
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hardiness zones 4-10 |
Coreopsis is one of the first to bloom and last to fade in late fall. At its mid-summer peak, easy waves of bright yellow flowers sweep the landscape.
Lance-leaved coreopsis (Coreopsis lanceolata) is a common species with signature feathery golden ray petals with yellow centers. Easy to grow, C. lanceolata is winter-hardy, thrives in heat, and is drought-tolerant.
A favorite performer is Coreopsis verticillata ‘Zagreb.’ Its stems reach 20 inches and flower uniformly, creating a billowy sea of gold. Finely textured foliage in deep green is pretty, even when the plants aren’t showing color. ‘Zagreb’ has a tight habit. Plants spread to form tidy colonies through rhizomes.
Some selections of coreopsis reseed readily in the landscape. It’s a favorite nectar and pollen source for bees, butterflies, and other beneficial insects. Songbirds forage on the seeds in fall and winter.
Catmint

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common name Catmint |
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botanical name Nepeta spp. |
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sun requirements Full sun |
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height 1-3’ |
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hardiness zones 3-8 |
Catmint produces a cloud of purple bloom spikes at the start of summer. It’s best known for its soft, mounding gray-green foliage and tiny, tubular flowers throughout the warm season.
Catmint blooms mostly in lavender and violet, with pink, white, and yellow species adding pastel shades. The leaves are aromatic. They hold essential oils that repel certain garden pests while attracting feline friends.
With a neat habit, ‘Cat’s Meow’ retains its shape all season. It has well-branching stems with robust blooming among small, gray-green leaves. ‘Cat’s Meow’ grows one to two feet tall with a spread of two to three feet. It bears a big bloom display among low-growing plants, especially in a group or mass planting. Periwinkle flowers in summer last until early autumn to welcome the season in jewel-tone hues.
‘Walker’s Low’ is a high-performing variety. A profusion of lavender-blue blooms begins in early summer and lasts most of the season. Plants tolerate humidity, heat, and salty conditions better than other selections. They retain a mounding form. The selection received the Royal Horticultural Society’s Award of Garden Merit for its performance and ornamental value.
Robust and versatile, catmint thrives with neglect. Deadhead spent flower spikes or shear plants to encourage new blooms after their initial bloom cycle.
Echinacea

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common name Echinacea |
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botanical name Echinacea purpurea |
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sun requirements Full sun |
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height 1.5-5’ |
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hardiness zones 3-9 |
Echinacea is a favorite summer bloomer in vibrant purples, pinks, reds, yellows, and oranges. The native E. purpurea is a natural prairie wildflower undaunted by less-than-ideal growing conditions. Long, purple ray petals surround orange disc florets, a prime nectar source for beneficial insects.
Coneflower cultivars like ‘Sombrero Adobe Orange,’ ‘Rainbow Sherbet,’ and ‘Mango Meadowbrite’ are a few vibrant color selections. For smaller spaces or containers, more compact varieties like Echinacea ‘Butter Pecan’ (a true double bloom) and ‘Paradiso Mix’ (a mix of gem tones and flower forms) have compact habits with well-branching stems.
Coneflower flourishes in the summer heat. It needs well-draining soils for best health and flowering. Plants reseed naturally. Leave late-season blooms on the stem; the dried seed heads provide lasting winter interest and food for wildlife. Any dropped seeds will help expand the colony the following spring.
Aster

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common name Aster |
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botanical name Aster spp. |
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sun requirements Full sun to partial shade |
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height 1-8’ |
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hardiness zones 4-8 |
Asters, many of which are native to North America, have deep blue-purple ray flowers with contrasting yellow centers. They bloom in late summer when the little daisies cover plants in a blanket of color. Their late-season blooms last well into fall and bridge the summer-to-fall transition. They flower when many other plants begin to fade.
Georgia aster (Symphyotrichum georgianum) produces deep violet, two-inch flowers from October through frost. Plants form a broad clump for lovely additions to the perennial border. They grow in average soils across zones 4-9.
In late summer, ‘Purple Dome’ New England aster (Symphyotrichum novae-angliae) produces masses of semi-double purple ray petals. Plants reach one to two feet tall and wide. In zones 4-8, the dense floral display and short stature make up for possible late-season foliar decline.
Asters prefer moist, organically rich soils. To prevent foliar diseases, allow plenty of air circulation. Ensure soils have good drainage.
Blanketflower

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common name Blanketflower |
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botanical name Gaillardia spp. |
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sun requirements Full sun |
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height 1-2’ |
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hardiness zones 3-9 |
Blanketflower brightens the garden with daisy-like flowers in spinning golds, oranges, reds, and bi-color. Brown button centers punctuate the ray petals.
This North American native wildflower is drought and heat-tolerant. Gaillardia blooms throughout the summer until cold weather. A carefree performer, it grows in poor, sandy soils and adapts to various site conditions. With well-draining soils, blanketflower needs little else.
Look for the All-America Selections winner ‘Arizona Sun’ for compact plants with vibrant gold, orange-red, and scarlet flowers. The dwarf growers reach 8-10 inches tall and 10-12 inches wide.
Gaillardia x grandiflora ‘Arizona Apricot’ boasts masses of mellow orange and yellow blooms across hardiness zones 2-10. ‘Mesa Peach’ has upright blooms with peachy-orange centers that transition to yellow. This intense combination gives a sunrise glow in muted tones. Plants are well-branched and uniform.
Heliopsis

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common name Heliopsis |
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botanical name Heliopsis helianthoides |
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sun requirements Full sun to partial shade |
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height 2-5’ |
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hardiness zones 3-9 |
Heliopsis, commonly called false sunflower, is native to the central and eastern United States. In summer through fall, golden sunflower-like blooms with fuzzy yellow button centers rise above deep green leaves.
Heliopsis has stiff, sturdy stems that grow to five feet. Compact varieties like ‘Tuscan Sun’ and ‘Sunstruck’ make excellent options for the front of the border and containers. ‘Tuscan Sun’ is heat-tolerant and doesn’t need deadheading for prolific flowering. ‘Sunstruck’ produces loads of deep yellow ray florets above unique, variegated foliage.
Heliopsis’ showy flowers attract bees, butterflies, and other pollinators. Birds eat the seeds post-bloom, and leftovers will self-seed. False sunflower adapts to various soil conditions, making it a no-fuss wildflower.
Blazing Star

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common name Blazing Star |
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botanical name Liatris spp. |
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sun requirements Full sun to partial shade |
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height 1-5’ |
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hardiness zones 3-9 |
Blazing star liatris holds dense flower spikes in purples, pinks, and whites. Arching, fine-bladed foliage clumps beneath the leafy stems. The flowering batons thrive in the summer heat, and their long-lasting color attracts pollinators.
Blazing star blooms from July to September. Stiff, upright stems reach up to five feet tall, depending on the variety. Liatris ‘Lavender Glowsticks’ has exceptionally long bloom spikes in electric lavender along narrow stems.
‘Kobold’ is a garden classic that grows 18 to 30 inches tall with bright purple-pink spikes. Plants give a strong vertical accent to beds and fresh-cut florals.
Liatris are hardy perennials native to North America, from Canada to Florida, depending on the species. Once established, blazing star is cold-hardy, heat-resilient, and drought-tolerant.
Iris

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common name Iris |
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botanical name Iris spp. |
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sun requirements Full sun |
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height 1-2’ |
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hardiness zones 5-9 |
With nearly 300 species of Iris and thousands of cultivars, these blooming perennials span the spectrum in color, form, and size. They bear the name of the Greek Goddess of the Rainbow, Iris. The blooms sprung up wherever her feet touched the ground and in a rainbow of colors.
Popular garden selections include bearded iris, crested iris, Siberian iris, Japanese iris, and sweet iris. Each brings vertical interest to the garden with distinct flower forms of three upper and three lower petals (falls). Petals range from broad and ruffled to narrow and strappy with solid tones, stripes, and painterly details.
Irises grow best in organically rich soils with consistent moisture, though some readily adapt to varying conditions. While low maintenance, you may opt to divide iris colonies every few years. Replant the divided rhizomes to expand the collection.
Salvia

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common name Salvia |
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botanical name Salvia spp. |
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sun requirements Full sun to partial shade |
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height 1-3’ |
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hardiness zones 5-10 |
Salvia, or sage, encompasses over 1,000 species and varieties, bringing diversity in color and form to planting arrangements. Its vibrant, tubular blooms are a favorite among pollinators.
One of the first to bloom in spring is Salvia sylvestris ‘May Night.’ It flowers abundantly in deep violet spires through early summer, and its compact, mounding habit makes it a good fit for a pot or border.
Salvia guaranitica ‘Black and Blue’ is a favorite native salvia. It performs well in partial shade and has tall, deep blue tubular flowers through the fall.
Salvia leucantha, or Mexican bush sage, features velvety purple and white bicolor blooms in late summer through fall. The vibrant, tubular blossoms attract pollinators at a time when other flowers fade. Foliage is silvery gray and aromatic. Cultivars include ‘Danielle’s Dream’ with pink flowers, ‘Santa Barbara’ with a compact habit, and ‘All Purple’ with royal purple blooms.
Salvia thrives in hot, dry conditions. Ensure soils are well-draining. Water during dry spells, allowing soils to dry out slightly between sessions.
Bee Balm

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common name Bee Balm |
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botanical name Monarda didyma |
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sun requirements Full sun |
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height 2-4’ |
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hardiness zones 4-9 |
Bee balm is native to the eastern U.S. and is a favorite performer due to its hardy nature and outstanding scarlet blooms. Flared flowers cluster on stems above minty, herbaceous foliage.
Numerous hybrids offer vibrant flowers in purple, pink, and red hues. ‘Jacob Cline’ in brilliant red is a hardy variety with good powdery-mildew resistance. The bloom season is long, lasting from early summer until freezing temperatures.
‘Fireball’ is a compact plant with large, bushy petals in bright crimson. The plant’s small size doesn’t reduce the big bloom display from mid-summer. ‘Cherry Pops’ is a dwarf cultivar with robust growth and a uniform habit. Prolific carmine blooms persist on sturdy stems.
Monarda spreads by both seed and rhizome. Divide plants and weed out volunteers to keep them in check. Monarda grows best with good air circulation, organic soils, and consistent moisture.
Yarrow

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common name Yarrow |
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botanical name Achillea millefolium |
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sun requirements Full sun |
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height 1-3’ |
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hardiness zones 3-9 |
Yarrow is a tough, adaptable, native North American perennial with fine, feathery foliage. Its large, flat flower clusters in vivid colors attract bees, butterflies, and other beneficial insects. The species boasts broad, yellow flower heads atop tall, upright stems.
Cultivars in red, apricot, pink, white, and purple vary in height, with improved forms for dense, floriferous plants. Achillea ‘Crazy Little Thing’ is a pink-blooming dwarf form, ideal for pots and containers.
Achillea ‘Firefly Peach Sky’ holds lovely peach flower clusters atop sturdy two-and-a-half-foot stems. Similar in size, ‘Paprika’ in scarlet and salmon retains its color-saturated hues all summer.
Yarrow is a low-maintenance, drought-tolerant perennial. It flourishes in a sunny spot with well-draining soil.
Baptisia

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common name Baptisia |
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botanical name Baptisia australis |
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sun requirements Full sun to partial shade |
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height 3-4’ |
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hardiness zones 3-9 |
Baptisia, or false indigo, is a beloved perennial known for its sweet pea-like blooms in spring and summer. Its blue-green foliage is soft, full, and attractive all season. After the flowers fade, spikes bear showy seed pods that add winter interest.
Baptisia is native to the eastern U.S. and grows naturally along streambanks, meadows, and open woodlands. It tolerates average to dry soils.
The straight species is highly ornamental, with numerous spikes covered with blue-purple, lupine-like flowers. Cultivars in sky blue, purple, white, yellow, and bicolor blooms create a pronounced display on denser forms.
‘Carolina Moonlight’ bears buttery yellow blooms in spring on tall flower spikes. ‘Pink Lemonade’ has bicolor flowers that begin light yellow and mature to raspberry mauve. The long spikes grace a vase-shaped habit.
A Perennial Plant Association award-winner, baptisia is long-lived. It spends its first seasons developing hardy roots and shines in its third year. Native bees and bumblebees appreciate tucking into the blooms.
Hardy Hibiscus

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common name Hardy Hibiscus |
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botanical name Hibiscus spp. |
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sun requirements Full sun |
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height 3-5’ |
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hardiness zones 5-9 |
Hardy hibiscus lends a tropical look with huge disc flowers that reach six to ten inches across. North American native mallows include H. moscheutos, H. laevis, and H. coccineus. Hardy hybrids feature improved landscape durability and hardiness.
Flowers emerge from mid-summer through fall and range from pale pink to deep scarlet. Although buds open only for a day, plants produce numerous blooms simultaneously for continual flowering.
Hibiscus ‘Holy Grail’ is striking with nearly black foliage and crimson flowers. The vast blooms reach eight to nine inches across. For bold drama, this hibiscus shines.
‘Ballet Slippers’ softens the look with ruffly white blooms tinged with blush pink edges. Centers are deep red. Bright green leaves provide a lovely backdrop to the large discs.
Mallows need consistent, evenly moist soils. They tolerate various soil types but don’t withstand prolonged dry spells.
Sedum

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common name Sedum |
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botanical name Sedum spp. |
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sun requirements Full sun to partial shade |
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height 3”-2’ |
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hardiness zones 3-9 |
Sedum, or stonecrop, brings exciting color and texture through its foliage and flowers. The heat-tolerant succulents typically bloom in summer and early fall.
The favorite Hylotelophium ‘Autumn Joy’ has large clusters of tiny, starry flowers in the fall. The late-season blooms emerge as pink flowerheads and gradually become deep rose-red, fading to copper as they mature. Silvery green, padded leaves are attractive from spring through heavy frost.
For a fall-flowering groundcover, opt for Sedum ‘Yellow Brick Road.’ The low-growers have deep green, mounding, and spreading foliage. Small yellow blooms create a carpet of color in mid to late summer and early autumn.
‘Back in Black’ brings clumping, nearly black foliage. Tall, upright stems hold massive flower heads that develop mid-summer. Creamy white petals with deep red centers beautifully contrast the dark leaves.
Sedums are drought-tolerant succulents that need well-draining soil to thrive. Butterflies enjoy the late-season flowers as a food source. Let them persist on the plant through the cool season for added interest.
Columbine

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common name Columbine |
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botanical name Aquilegia spp. |
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sun requirements Full sun to partial shade |
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height 1-3’ |
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hardiness zones 3-8 |
Columbine is a North American native perennial with delicate, intricate blooms. The nodding flowers range from vibrant red and yellow to blues, purples, and pinks, depending on the variety. Hummingbirds and other pollinators appreciate the nectar from the tubular blooms, and birds feed on the seeds in the fall.
Columbine has a natural habitat along woodland edges, clearings, and riverbanks. It grows best in moderately moist, well-drained soils (not too wet or dry). Columbine is semi-evergreen and retains its basal leaves except in overly cold and hot temperatures when it enters dormancy until temperatures level off.
Eastern red columbine (Aquilegia canadensis) has gracefully drooping red flowers that transition to pale yellow. Colorado blue columbine (A. coerulea) has purple-blue sepals that support white petals with bright yellow centers.
Columbine appreciates shade protection from the afternoon sun. In cool climates, it tolerates sunnier conditions.
Hosta

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common name Hosta |
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botanical name Hosta spp. |
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sun requirements Partial to full shade |
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height 4”-3’ |
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hardiness zones 3-9 |
Hostas have lush, sculptural leaves in various shapes, from broad to strappy to curly. They bring high textural contrast and visual interest. Color tones of blue-green, emerald, lime, and variegated foliage brighten shady spots and cool down the arrangement.
Hosta ‘Abiqua Drinking Gourd’ carries large, uniquely cupped leaves. ‘Blue Mouse Ears’ features petite blue-green rounded foliage, while miniature Hosta ‘Curly Fries’ has rippled, narrow leaves in chartreuse. ‘Sum and Substance’ is one of the largest and slightly more sun-tolerant varieties. Bright green leaves vary from light green to gold based on sun exposure.
In addition to stunning leaves, hostas bloom in early summer with lavender or white flowers. Tall bloom scapes float above the leafy base and attract hummingbirds.
Morning sun benefits bright or variegated varieties to retain color and vibrance. Provide well-draining soils and regular moisture as plants establish.
Swamp Sunflower

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common name Swamp Sunflower |
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botanical name Helianthus angustifolius |
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sun requirements Full sun to partial shade |
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height 5-8’ |
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hardiness zones 5-9 |
Perennial sunflowers have tall, branching stems with clusters of yellow daisy-ray flowers. Plants bloom in late summer and fall for a surprise of bright gold. They lend a naturalized look to the border.
Helianthus angustifolius, or swamp sunflower, is a large native U.S. perennial. They’re an excellent food source for birds and specialized bees and a host plant for the silvery checkerspot butterfly.
The dwarf Helianthus salicifolius ‘Low Down’ reaches two to three feet, while ‘First Light’ grows three to four. Both have good branching and compact forms that support bundles of sunny blooms seen from near or far. Leaves are narrow and willowy.
Perennial sunflowers tolerate occasionally wet and dry conditions. They withstand high heat and humidity.
Chrysanthemum

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common name Chrysanthemum |
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botanical name Chrysanthemum spp. |
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sun requirements Full sun to partial shade |
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height 2-4’ |
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hardiness zones 3-9 |
A hallmark of autumn, chrysanthemums bloom in profusion from early fall until heavy frost in seasonal jewel tones. Scarlet, gold, orange, pink, or purple blooms cover dark green, lobed leaves that mound and trail.
Perennial chrysanthemums are cold-hardy and rich in color. They grow vigorously with upright or sprawling stems and a clumping habit. ‘Ryan’s Pink’ is a lovely trailer in pale pink. ‘Mrs. Robinson’ yields prolific pincushions of deep red. ‘Miss Gloria’s Thanksgiving Day’ has daisy-like rose pink flowers.
Easy-care chrysanthemums grow best in moist, organically rich soils. Plant them and forget until the stunning bloom show unfolds.
Daylily

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common name Daylily |
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botanical name Hemerocallis spp. |
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sun requirements Full sun to partial shade |
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height 1-4’ |
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hardiness zones 3-9 |
Daylilies follow the sun with their lovely blossoms that open during the day and close at night. Each flower lasts only a day or two, but with abundant successional blooms, they offer long-lasting color. Flower stems rise tall above mounds of strappy, bladed leaves in green or blue-green.
The breeders of Hemerocallis ‘Blood Sweat and Tears’ did all the work for us in creating a stunning raspberry, white, and yellow bloom that reaches six inches across. This midseason bloomer flowers in July and produces a second round of blooms.
‘Apricot Sparkles’ has peach flowers with a sprinkling of diamond dust and ruffled edges. Dwarf plants reach 15 inches high and are ideal for containers and garden borders. ‘Apricot Sparkles’ blooms early, from May to June, and reblooms later in the season.
‘Going Bananas’ blooms continuously from early summer to fall with yellow four-inch blossoms. Stems are uniform, and flowers are fragrant.
As tough perennials, daylilies handle hot and cold climates and live for years with little care. For a tidy appearance, deadhead spent blooms and stems. Choose species that aren’t invasive to your region, as there are many that are across North America.
Hellebore

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common name Hellebore |
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botanical name Helleborus orientalis |
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sun requirements Partial to full shade |
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height 18” |
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hardiness zones 4-9 |
Hellebores, or lenten roses, feature elegant, cupped-shaped nodding blooms atop dark green leaves. They bloom in late winter and early spring. Depending on the climate, the leaves are evergreen or semi-evergreen.
Hellebores’ toothed, palmate leaves provide interest year-round, and their exquisite single or double blooms bring beauty to the late winter landscape. Hellebores feature a long bloom time in various colors, from creamy white to soft pink to wine red.
‘Mother of the Bride’ bears three-inch flowers in pale apricot with tinges of pink along the edges. This glowing, frilly hellebore is part of the Wedding PartyⓇ series of vigorous double-flowering selections.
The HoneymoonⓇ series also boasts improved vigor and numerous blooms per plant but with single flowers. ‘Sandy Shores’ warms the garden with tropical pale peach flowers and deep rose undersides. ‘Irish Luck’ has creamy green petals with a central burgundy flare; the stamens are pale green and ivory.
Helleborus ‘New York Night’ brings single blooms in black and dark purple shades. The drama is high among dark green leaves.
Hellebores thrive in well-drained soils in a woodland setting. They colonize slowly in consistently moist, average soil under canopy cover.