Reliability is a great quality in any plant. Annuals keep the blooms coming all season, but perennial plants provide beauty with staying power.
Perennials can be used anywhere in your landscape. Plant a few here and there, or plant them in masses for the greatest impact.
Plant according to size and bloom time for the best effect. Traditionally tallest perennials are planted toward the back of the bed, or the middle if you’re planting an island bed. Most varieties are long blooming (4-6 weeks at a time), but not all perennials bloom at the same time. Stagger your spring, summer, and fall bloomers for color throughout the season. Don’t over-think it though, some of the best perennial beds are happy accidents of a not so well laid plan.
When planning your perennial garden, consider using a backdrop (the side of your house, a fence, a privacy hedge), create an island bed, or plant along a tree line. If space allows, anchor your bed with small ornamental trees or shrubs to fill the space quickly and to combine multiple colors and textures to give your space a finished look.
If you ask any garden professional, listing his/her Top 20 Perennials is like naming your favorite children. There are many plants beyond this list that would make excellent companions for your perennial garden. Stop in and ask Nursery Manager Kerry or a member of his team for additional recommendations.
BLACK-EYED SUSAN
FULL/PART SUN
HEIGHT
18″ – 36″
DESCRIPTION
A classic perennial, native to North America. Golden blooms begin to show mid-summer and last for weeks at a time. Tough and forgiving of just about any environment. Multiplies quickly. A great plant for the beginning perennial gardener.
2012 Perennial Plant of the Year, Perennial Plant Association
BUTTERFLY WEED
FULL/PART SUN
HEIGHT
18″ – 36″
DESCRIPTION
A type of native milkweed and a butterfly favorite! Especially popular as a host and nectar source for monarchs and swallowtails. Long lasting blooms. Low maintenance.
2017 Perennial Plant of the Year, Perennial Plant Association
CATMINT
FULL/PART SUN
HEIGHT
18″ – 36″
DESCRIPTION
Long blooming, and easy to grow. Lovely lavender-blue flower spike appear early summer and continue for many weeks. Has fragrant foliage too!
2007 Perennial Plant of the Year, Perennial Plant Association
CONEFLOWER
FULL/PART SUN
HEIGHT
18″ – 36″
DESCRIPTION
Something for everyone! Coneflowers come in all colors and sizes. Native, tough, and striking when planted in masses. Well known for attracting goldfinches and other songbirds.
1998 Perennial Plant of the Year, Perennial Plant Association
CORAL BELLS
SUN/SHADE
HEIGHT
8″ – 12″
DESCRIPTION
Coral Bells come in just about every color you can imagine. Brighten a shady spot or plant near Hostas for amazing contrast. Though Coral Bells flower, the main attraction is the foliage. A native perennial.
1991 Perennial Plant of the Year, Perennial Plant Association
COREOPSIS
FULL/PART SUN
HEIGHT
15″ – 36″
DESCRIPTION
Delicate blooms hover above feathery or compact, tidy foliage…depending on the variety. Profuse blooms through summer. Striking addition to a mixed perennial garden. A native perennial.
1992 Perennial Plant of the Year, Perennial Plant Association
DAYLILY
FULL/PART SUN
HEIGHT
15″ – 36″
DESCRIPTION
Oh so easy! Daylilies can take the harshest environments and preform beautifully year after year. Trumpet shaped blooms appear from a fountain of shiny green foliage. Some varieties will re-bloom if previous blooms and stems are removed.
DIANTHUS
FULL/PART SUN
HEIGHT
8″ – 12″
DESCRIPTION
Perky pink to scarlet blooms atop compact silvery blue-green foliage. Perfect for the perennial bed border.
2006 Perennial Plant of the Year, Perennial Plant Association
FERNS
PART SUN/SHADE
HEIGHT
18″ – 36″
DESCRIPTION
Ferns provide an air of sophistication when planted en mass or among other part shade/shade perennials. Who needs blooms to impress? Not this plant.
2004 Perennial Plant of the Year, Perennial Plant Association
(ORNAMENTAL) GRASSES
FULL/PART SUN
HEIGHT
12″ & up
DESCRIPTION
Ornamental grasses work double duty as a fantastic filler and year-long entertainer. Most varieties sprout furry to feathery plumes from summer to fall.
2001 & 2014 Perennial Plant of the Year, Perennial Plant Association
(HARDY) GERANIUM
FULL/PART SUN
HEIGHT
18″ – 24″
DESCRIPTION
Violet-blue, lavender, pink, or white saucer-shaped blooms atop a delicate mound of lobed foliage. One of the longest blooming perennials for our area. So many blooms it can be used in container gardens then planted in the landscape at the end of the season. That’s impressive blooming power!
2008 & 2015 Perennial Plant of the Year, Perennial Plant Association
HELIOPSIS
FULL/PART SUN
HEIGHT
24″ – 36″
DESCRIPTION
Also known as false sunflower, likely due to its sunny personality, Heliopsis is a native, sturdy perennial that’s very adaptable to most environments. A cheerful addition to the middle of the perennial bed.
HOSTA
PART SUN/SHADE
HEIGHT
18″ – 48″
DESCRIPTION
One of the most recognizable perennials, with good reason. A beautiful plant for shadier environments, and it not only survives but thrives! There is a nearly endless list of Hosta varieties. A very dependable perennial (just keep the deer away).
LIRIOPE
SUN/SHADE
HEIGHT
12″ – 18″
DESCRIPTION
Liriope is another perennial that is exceptionally impressive planted in clusters. A favorite for use in landscape plans as a border plant. Versatile and tough, Liriope does well in sun or shade. Lavender-purple flower shoots appear late summer.
MONARDA
FULL/PART SUN
HEIGHT
10″ – 48″
DESCRIPTION
Fuzzy flowers with tubular fingers atop sweetly scented foliage, Monarda (Bee Balm) is a hummingbird and butterfly favorite. A native perennial.
PLUMBAGO
FULL/PART SUN
HEIGHT
8″ – 12″
DESCRIPTION
Cobalt blue blooms appear late season. Foliage turns red tipped as temperatures drop in fall. A must for the perennial garden border. Easy care, attractive tear shaped foliage, and spreads easily in the landscape without being invasive.
SALVIA
FULL/PART SUN
HEIGHT
8″ – 30″
DESCRIPTION
Salvia is another perennial that makes the longest bloom list. If deadheaded, it will re-bloom throughout the summer. This is an all around good perennial that is well known by new and seasoned gardeners because it’s a reliable performer in the garden.
1997 Perennial Plant of the Year, Perennial Plant Association
SHASTA DAISY
FULL/PART SUN
HEIGHT
12″ – 42″
DESCRIPTION
Daisy delights! Sturdy and easy to care for, Shasta Daisies bloom and bloom. When you think they’re done they bloom some more. A native perennial.
2003 Perennial Plant of the Year, Perennial Plant Association
SEDUM
FULL/PART SUN
HEIGHT
4″ – 24″
DESCRIPTION
Sedum have many faces, but they all have the same great features. Fleshy foliage that stores water to sustain the plant even in the harshest conditions. A minimum maintenance plant with maximum interest in any environment.
TALL PHLOX
FULL/PART SUN
HEIGHT
15″ – 42″
DESCRIPTION
Another classic favorite with pretty bloom clusters that last for weeks at a time. New varieties have been introduced over time. A native perennial.
2002 Perennial Plant of the Year, Perennial Plant Association
