If you’re looking to build a garden that keeps giving without needing to replant every year, perennials are your best bet. They come back season after season, often growing stronger and more beautiful as time goes on.
These 25 perennial flowers will save you time and effort by returning year after year, adding lasting color and charm to your garden. Whether you’re new to gardening or just want plants that are low maintenance, perennials are a smart choice for vibrant, reliable blooms.
Peony
Peonies are great if you want flowers that come back year after year without much fuss. You can expect big, beautiful blooms that last a long time with strong stems.
Plant them in early fall for the best chance at healthy growth. Choose varieties that fit your climate for reliable blooms.
They’re tough and can thrive for decades, making them a solid addition to any garden. For more tips, check out peony growing advice.
Lavandula Phenomenal (Lavender)
You’ll appreciate Lavandula Phenomenal for its strong resistance to heat, cold, and humidity. It’s a low-maintenance choice that keeps its leaves through winter, so your garden looks good even in harsher seasons.
The fragrant purple flowers bloom early and add a nice splash of color. It’s a great companion for roses, peonies, and other perennials you might have. Check out more about this hardy lavender here.
Echinacea “Magnus” Coneflower
You’ll love the bright, rosy blooms of Echinacea “Magnus.” The petals stay pretty straight, giving the flowers a clean, bold look.
This plant flowers from late spring through fall, so you get a long season of color in your garden. It’s also super easy to grow and attracts pollinators like bees and goldfinches to your yard.
Penstemon ‘Blackbeard’ (Beardtongue)
If you want a low-maintenance plant with unique dark foliage, Penstemon ‘Blackbeard’ is a great choice. Its burgundy-red leaves contrast nicely with mauvy lavender flowers, adding color to your garden all season.
This perennial thrives in sunny spots with well-drained soil. It’s cold-hardy and easy to grow, making it perfect if you want something reliable and attractive.
Blanket Flower
If you want a flower that keeps coming back, blanket flowers are a solid choice. These perennials bloom from early summer to fall with shades of red and gold.
They’re pretty tough and handle drought well, so you don’t have to fuss much. In most climates, you’ll see them return year after year, often looking even better. Learn more about growing blanket flowers here.
Blazing Star
If you want a plant that adds height and color, Blazing Star is a solid pick. You’ll notice tall spikes covered in vibrant purple flowers that show off all summer.
It thrives in full sun and well-drained soil, making it low-maintenance for your garden. Plus, it attracts pollinators, which is a nice bonus for your yard.
Native Asters
Native asters are great if you want reliable blooms that come back yearly. They usually grow in clumps and can reach up to two or three feet tall, adding height to your garden.
You’ll also like that they provide nectar for pollinators late in the season. They bloom from late summer into fall, giving your garden color when most other flowers are done. Check out more about native asters here.
Buddleia (Butterfly Bush)
If you want a plant that draws butterflies and bees, Buddleia is a solid pick. It grows quickly and can reach 5-6 feet tall, filling your garden with long, fragrant flower spikes.
You can start it indoors in winter and expect blooms the first year. Just remember to prune it in spring to keep it healthy and looking good. For more details, check out this Butterfly Bush guide.
Clematis
If you want a flower that comes back year after year, clematis is a great pick. These perennials grow strong and often bloom brighter with each season.
Most clematis vines will climb and spread, but some types die back to the ground and regrow in spring. You can find a variety that fits your garden style. Check out options to match your climate and sunlight preferences for the best results.
Daffodils
Daffodils are a great choice if you want flowers that come back year after year. You can plant them once, and they’ll naturalize and multiply over time, filling your garden with bright yellow blooms each spring.
They’re easy to grow and work well in most garden settings. Check out some popular types of daffodils to find the ones that suit your style.
Baby’s Breath (Gypsophila)
If you want a delicate, airy flower to add to your garden, Baby’s Breath is a solid choice. It thrives in well-drained soil and loves full sun, making it pretty low-maintenance.
You’ll see tiny white or pink clusters that bloom from late summer into fall. It’s also great as a ground cover or in rock gardens for a soft, cloud-like look. For more details, check out this guide on how to grow and care for Baby’s Breath.
Roses
If you want a classic garden favorite, roses are a solid choice. They are perennial shrubs, so they come back every year even if they die back in winter. With proper care, your roses will bloom season after season, adding color and fragrance to your outdoor space. Check out more about roses and other perennials here.
Tulips
If you want tulips that come back year after year, focus on varieties like Darwin Hybrids. They’re known to be tougher and more reliable in reblooming.
Tulips are technically perennials, so with proper care, your bulbs can survive winter and return each spring. Plant them once, and they’ll often naturalize and multiply on their own over time. For more on tulips that reliably come back, check out this guide on pretty tulips that come back every year.
Monarda Didyma (Bee Balm)
If you want a flower that keeps coming back, Monarda Didyma, or Bee Balm, is a solid pick. It’s a perennial, so it returns year after year with some basic care. You’ll get bright, colorful blooms that attract pollinators like bees and hummingbirds.
Plant it in well-drained soil, and it’ll reward you with splashes of red, pink, or purple. It’s pretty low-maintenance and adds a nice pop to your garden borders.
Hollyhocks
If you want tall, colorful blooms, hollyhocks are a great pick. They usually behave like biennials, blooming in their second year.
You can also treat them like perennials by letting them reseed themselves. This means they’ll pop up year after year without much effort on your part.
They attract butterflies and hummingbirds, adding life to your garden. For more details, check out how to grow and care for hollyhocks here.
Black Eyed Susan
You’ll love how Black Eyed Susans add bright yellow color to your garden from summer to fall. They’re low-maintenance and come back every year, especially if you’re in USDA zones 3-9.
These flowers have a classic daisy-like look with a dark center, giving a cheerful vibe to any space. They pair well with plants like Shasta daisies for a fuller garden display. Learn more about growing Black Eyed Susan for your garden here.
Astilbe
If you have shady spots in your garden, astilbe is a great pick. It loves shade and produces soft, feathery plumes in colors like pink, red, and white.
You’ll enjoy its long-lasting blooms throughout spring and into summer. Plus, it adds nice texture with its fern-like foliage that stays lush all season.
Daylilies
If you want a low-maintenance flower that keeps coming back, daylilies are a solid choice. They bloom in vibrant colors and can handle a range of weather conditions. While each flower lasts only a day, you’ll get plenty of blooms over the season.
For more about their resilience, check out these daylilies that come back every year.
Hydrangeas
Hydrangeas are great if you want flowers that bounce back every year. You just need to make sure they get partial sun and well-drained soil.
Pruning, tidying up, and mulching in early spring can help your hydrangeas come back even bigger. They’re pretty hardy and will reward you with blooms season after season. For more on caring for hydrangeas, check out this guide on essential hydrangea care.
Primrose
If you want a flower that comes back year after year, primroses are a great choice. They thrive best in cool, moist spots, making them perfect for shady gardens.
With proper care, your primroses will not only return but can multiply, filling your garden with colorful blooms every spring.
Iris
If you want a flower that pops up year after year, iris is a solid choice. It has beautiful, often brightly colored blooms that add a nice touch to your garden.
These perennials are pretty low maintenance and can thrive with minimal care once established. Siberian iris, in particular, is known for lasting a long time in your garden without much fuss. You can learn more about iris varieties and care here.
Azaleas
Azaleas are a great choice if you want colorful blooms that come back every year. They prefer partial shade and well-drained soil to thrive.
After they bloom in spring, make sure to trim them before July 1. This helps your azaleas come back strong next season with plenty of flowers. For more tips, check out detailed Encore Azalea care advice.
Phlox
Phlox is a great choice if you want colorful blooms that come back year after year. It prefers full sun but can handle some light shade, especially in hotter spots.
You’ll want to plant it in well-drained soil and keep the soil consistently moist. Good air circulation helps prevent mildew, which phlox can be prone to. For a variety of options and care tips, check out this guide on phlox varieties.
Rhododendron
If you want a perennial that keeps coming back, rhododendrons are a solid pick. They can live for decades with the right care, making your garden pop year after year.
Plant them in partial shade, and mulch with pine bark or needles to protect their shallow roots. You’ll enjoy their lush leaves and vibrant blooms without too much fuss.
Lilac
If you want a flower that brings strong spring vibes, lilacs are a great pick. They come back year after year with those lovely, fragrant blooms.
Lilacs do well in full sun and need well-drained soil. Once established, they’re pretty low-maintenance and can add a lot of charm to your garden.