Finding plants that perform well no matter where you plant them can be a challenge. Whether you have sunny spots, shady corners, or areas with tricky soil, choosing the right perennials makes all the difference.
These 24 reliable perennials are great picks for thriving in every corner of your yard, helping you create a beautiful and low-maintenance garden. With the right choices, you can enjoy lasting color and texture without too much fuss.
Hosta
Hostas are great if you need plants for shady spots in your yard. They come in lots of sizes and shades of green, with some even showing blue or yellow tones.
You don’t have to worry much about care—hostas are pretty low maintenance. If you want to mix things up, look into companion plants that boost their look and growth. Check out more on reliable hosta companion plants.
Astilbe
If you have a shady spot that needs some color, astilbe is a great pick. You’ll find it thrives in moist, well-drained soil and prefers partial to full shade.
Its feathery flowers come in pink, red, white, and purple, adding a soft touch to your garden. Plus, the fern-like foliage stays attractive even when the flowers fade.
Sedum
Sedum is a great choice if you want a low-maintenance, drought-tolerant plant. It handles dry, sunny spots well and adds nice texture to your garden.
You’ll find many varieties with different colors and shapes, making sedum easy to mix with other perennials. It’s perfect for filling in tricky corners or rocky areas.
Coreopsis
If you want a cheerful splash of color, coreopsis is a great pick. It blooms bright yellow flowers that last all summer long.
You don’t have to fuss much with it. Coreopsis is low-maintenance and thrives in most spots around your yard, including corners. Check out options like threadleaf varieties for a delicate look or other types with red-centered petals to mix things up naturally.
Catmint
Catmint is a super low-maintenance perennial that you can plant almost anywhere in your yard. It likes sunny, dry spots but will do fine in a range of soil types.
You can use it to line walkways or add some color to pollinator gardens. If you want something hardy that keeps on giving, catmint is a solid pick.
Siberian Iris
If you’re looking for a low-maintenance perennial, Siberian iris is a great choice. It loves moist soil but can handle dryness once established.
You’ll appreciate its tall, graceful blooms that add color to any garden bed. Plus, it’s tough enough to thrive in various yard spots. Learn more about the varieties and care at this guide to Siberian Iris.
Peony
If you want a perennial that adds classic charm, peonies are a great pick. They come back every year with large, colorful blooms that brighten up any yard.
Peonies prefer full sun and well-drained soil. Once established, they’re fairly low-maintenance and can thrive in many garden spots. You can find peonies easily at garden centers or online to start your collection. Check out options for buying Peony Perennials.
Hellebore
You’ll like hellebores for their early blooms when most plants are still waking up. They thrive in well-drained, loamy soil that stays moist without drying out.
These perennials handle a variety of conditions, including deep, fertile calcareous soil. Plant them near evergreens or shrubs for a nice, natural look that lasts through winter and early spring.
Carex
Carex is a great choice if you want something low-maintenance that looks good year-round. You’ll find lots of different types to fit shady spots or sunnier corners.
It’s a native perennial grass alternative that handles wet or dry soils well. Carex adds texture and movement to your garden without much fuss. For more on Carex and how it fits in your landscape, check out this Carex problem-solving guide.
Yew
If you need an evergreen that handles shade well, yew is a solid choice for your yard. It grows nicely in low light but can take some sun too, especially if summers aren’t too hot.
Yews are pretty adaptable and don’t demand much once established, making them easy to care for. They work well as foundation plants or for creating year-round structure in your garden.
Hydrangea
If you want a shrub that adds big, colorful blooms, hydrangeas are a solid choice. They do well in partly shaded spots and can brighten up corners with their lush flowers.
Oakleaf and Bigleaf hydrangeas grow large enough to hide fences or walls. They’re fairly low-maintenance and fit well in many garden styles.
Succulents
Succulents are great if you want low-maintenance plants that still add texture and color to your yard. They store water in their leaves, so they can handle dry spots easily.
You can find varieties that work well in almost any part of your garden. Some even flower, giving your space a little extra life.
Daylily
You’ll appreciate how tough daylilies are. They handle a bunch of soil types and don’t mind drought much. Their long, green leaves and trumpet-shaped flowers add a nice touch to your garden.
If you want blooms that come back more than once, look for reblooming varieties like ‘Passionate Returns’ that’ll keep going through the season.
Black-eyed Susan
You’ll like black-eyed Susan if you want bright, cheerful flowers from midsummer to frost. They grow well in full sun but can handle some shade, though blooms may be fewer.
These hardy plants do fine in many soil types as long as there’s good drainage. They’re low-maintenance and add a nice splash of gold or orange to your garden. For more growing tips, check this guide to black-eyed Susan care.
Coneflower
You’ll find coneflowers tough and low maintenance, making them perfect for almost any spot in your yard. They handle heat and drought well, so you don’t have to worry much once they’re established.
These flowers bloom all summer long, adding consistent color without much effort on your part. Plant them toward the back or middle of your garden bed for the best look.
Bleeding Heart
If you have a shady spot, Bleeding Heart is a great pick. It grows well in cool, moist soil and loves dappled light, like under trees.
You’ll notice its unique heart-shaped flowers that bloom in spring. Plus, its fern-like foliage stays attractive all season long. These plants are pretty low maintenance and add a delicate, charming touch to your garden space.
Coral Bells (Heuchera)
Coral Bells are perfect if you want colorful foliage that stands out. You can grow them in shade or part sun, making them a flexible choice for many spots in your yard.
They handle heat and humidity well, so they thrive in containers or garden beds. You’ll find a variety of leaf colors to brighten up your outdoor space here.
Japanese Forest Grass (Hakonechloa)
Japanese Forest Grass is a great choice if you want something low-maintenance for shady spots. Its arching leaves add a soft, flowing look to your garden.
You’ll find varieties like ‘All Gold’ that brighten up darker corners with golden foliage. It’s reliable and adapts well to different yard conditions.
Lungwort (Pulmonaria)
Lungwort is a great choice if you want a low-maintenance perennial that can brighten shady corners. You’ll notice its spotted leaves and flowers that change color from orange to pink, then blue.
Plant lungwort in well-drained soil, and it will do well in spring and fall. Dividing the clumps every 3 to 5 years helps keep your plant healthy and full.
Toad Lily (Tricyrtis)
If you have a shady spot, toad lilies are a solid pick. They love part to full shade and moist, rich soil. You can count on them to bloom late in the season, adding a unique look when many other plants are done.
These perennials are pretty low-maintenance and can survive outside year-round. Just keep the soil moist, especially if your climate gets warm.
Foamflower (Tiarella)
If you’re looking for a low-maintenance perennial, foamflower is a solid pick. It has airy, delicate blooms and interesting foliage that adds texture to your garden.
Foamflower thrives in shady spots and can fill in corners where other plants might struggle. It’s a great option for reliable groundcover you can count on.
Lavender
Lavender is a great choice if you want a plant that handles full sun and well-drained soil. It adds a nice pop of purple and gives off a pleasant scent that attracts pollinators.
You’ll find many varieties, so pick one that fits your garden’s look. Lavender is low-maintenance and can brighten just about any corner of your yard. For more details, check out this guide on lavenders for all seasons.
Russian Sage
Russian sage is perfect if you want low-maintenance color. It grows tall, up to 8 feet, and has silvery, fragrant leaves that deer tend to avoid.
You’ll appreciate how it adds texture without needing much care. Check out different varieties to find one that fits your garden style.
Bugleweed (Ajuga)
Bugleweed is a tough groundcover that works well in sun or shade. You can rely on it to fill in bare spots and keep weeds down.
It’s evergreen or semi-evergreen, so your yard stays green longer. Plus, it spreads quickly without much fuss. If you want a low-maintenance option to cover tricky corners, Ajuga is a solid choice.