Perennials are the plants you can count on year after year, bringing color, texture, and personality without starting from scratch every season. Some perennials have been garden staples for generations, showing up in yards, parks, and even old homesteads where they’ve outlived everything else.
These plants are hardy, beautiful, and usually a lot less work than you’d think. If you’re looking to refresh your garden or start something new, these twelve perennials are worth considering.
Tulips
Tulips are one of the easiest ways to bring early color to your yard. They come in so many shades—red, yellow, pink, orange—you can mix and match for any look you want. Just plant the bulbs in the fall, and by early spring, you’ll have a vibrant garden. The only catch? Tulips usually only last a few years before you’ll need to replant.
These flowers thrive in zones 3-8 and enjoy partial to full sun. They’re simple to grow, making them a great option whether you’re a seasoned gardener or just starting out.
Mother of Thyme
Mother of Thyme is a colorful ground cover that works hard for your yard. It’s perfect for filling in gaps between stepping stones, bordering a garden bed, or even replacing grass in smaller areas. Plus, its leaves smell amazing and can be used for teas or potpourri.
This plant thrives in zones 4-8 with full sun and blooms from late spring to early summer. Once it’s established, it’s practically hands-off, making it a great pick if you want a plant that looks good without much effort.
Oriental Poppy
Oriental poppies make a big statement in any garden. Their bold, paper-like blooms might look fragile, but these perennials are surprisingly tough. They can handle drought and poor conditions, blooming in spring before going dormant for the summer heat. They’ll reappear in fall like nothing ever happened.
Growing in zones 3-7, Oriental poppies prefer full sun and well-drained soil. Once they’re settled, they don’t like being moved, but you can divide them in the fall if necessary. These are a great choice if you want low-maintenance beauty with a little edge.
New England Aster
New England asters bring a splash of color when most other flowers are fading. With purple or pink blooms that last into fall, they’re also a favorite of butterflies, especially monarchs fueling up for migration. Pinching the stems before mid-summer can help keep the plants more compact, though staking is still helpful for taller varieties.
These perennials thrive in zones 4-8 with full sun and well-drained soil. If you want to keep your garden looking alive late in the year, New England asters are a solid choice that delivers every time.
Baby’s Breath
Baby’s Breath adds a soft, clean look to any garden with its small white or pink flowers. It’s often seen in floral arrangements, but it’s just as beautiful in the yard. This plant grows best in dry soil that drains well and loves full sun, making it an easy choice for gardeners in the right conditions.
This perennial thrives in zones 3-9 and blooms from late spring through early summer. It doesn’t need much attention once it’s planted, making it a low-effort option for brightening up your space.
Roses
Roses are a dependable choice if you want color and variety in your yard. They bloom from late spring to early autumn and come in all shapes and sizes, like tea roses, English roses, or grandifloras. While they might seem intimidating, most varieties are straightforward to care for once you get the basics down.
They grow best in zones 5-8 and need full sun to thrive. With good soil and occasional pruning, rose bushes will continue to provide fresh blooms year after year.
Hostas
Hostas are a reliable pick for areas with limited sunlight. They come in many sizes, leaf shapes, and colors, so it’s easy to find one that fits your space. Hostas come back every year without needing much from you, which makes them a solid choice for beginners or busy gardeners.
These plants grow best in zones 3-8 and need part to full shade. While they’re generally low-maintenance, you’ll need to watch for slugs, snails, and deer, which can damage the leaves.
Iris
Irises are well-suited for gardeners who want perennials that require minimal upkeep. Bearded irises are particularly common and known for thriving in a variety of conditions. Other types, like Siberian and African irises, are just as durable and versatile, making them a good addition to most gardens.
Irises grow in zones 3-10, depending on the variety, and need full sun with well-drained soil. Dividing them every few years helps keep the blooms coming back strong, but they’ll keep growing even if you skip this step.
Clematis
Clematis is perfect for winding along fences or trellises. It blooms twice a year—once in early summer and again in late summer or fall—giving your garden some serious staying power. To thrive, clematis needs full sun and grows best in zones 4-9. Pair it with a sturdy structure, and you’ll have a plant that keeps climbing and looking gorgeous season after season. Just remember to give its roots some shade to keep it happy.
Clematis likes consistency. Make sure the soil drains well and stays slightly moist, but avoid overwatering—its roots don’t like sitting in soggy soil. Adding mulch around the base will help keep the roots cool during those hot summer months.
For the best blooms, prune it back annually. Not all clematis varieties need the same pruning, so check which type you have to avoid cutting off next season’s flowers.
Daffodils
Daffodils are the sunshine your garden needs just as winter is wearing out its welcome. These perennials are low-maintenance, multiplying on their own and showing up every spring without fail. They grow in zones 3-8 and prefer full sun but don’t mind a bit of shade. Whether tucked into flower beds or sprinkled around trees, daffodils bring a cheerful vibe to any space.
To keep daffodils happy, plant them in well-draining soil and avoid areas that stay soggy. After blooming, resist the urge to cut back their leaves right away—those greens are recharging the bulbs for next year.
When they start looking overcrowded, dig them up in late spring or early summer and divide the bulbs. Spread them out, and you’ll have even more daffodils brightening your yard the following year.
Peonies
Peonies stick around for decades, making them a great pick if you’re planning to pass down your garden skills. Their lush blooms come in shades of pink, red, and white, and they smell amazing to boot.
Peonies thrive in zones 3-8, enjoying full sun to part shade. Plant them in well-drained soil, and you’ll have a garden centerpiece that’s here to stay. Just be ready to give those heavy flowers some support when they’re in full bloom.
Don’t plant them too deep—their “eyes” (the buds on the roots) should sit no more than 2 inches below the soil. Stake the stems as they grow to prevent blooms from flopping over. In the fall, trim them back to the ground to avoid any disease carrying over into the next year. And while it’s tempting to move them around, peonies prefer to stay put.
Daylilies
Daylilies are vibrant, resilient, and tough enough to grow just about anywhere—think highways, steep hills, or neglected gardens. Zones 3-10 are where daylilies thrive, and they’re happy in full sun to part shade. While they do need dividing every few years to keep blooming strong, they’re not fussy if you fall behind on care.
Daylilies don’t demand much, but dividing them every three to four years keeps them blooming their best. Look for clumps that have stopped producing as many flowers, dig them up, and split them into smaller sections. They’ll thrive in well-drained soil, so don’t plant them in overly wet spots. If you’re a fan of low-effort gardening, daylilies are a no-brainer. Once planted, they pretty much take care of themselves.
*This content was created with the assistance of AI.