Common Perennial Flowers for the Garden

Overview

Perennials live for years, dying back in cold winters (roots survive) or staying evergreen in mild climates. Their longevity makes them garden staples.

Hellebores (Helleborus)

Winter to early spring bloom; cup-shaped flowers in green, pink, white, purple. Winter sun, summer shade. Vulnerable to black rot, leaf spot, mildew, slugs.

Daylilies (Hemerocallis)

Early summer to fall; 3–4.5 inch pale yellow, orange, red, pink, purple flowers, each lasting one day but many buds. Near-neutral pH, full sun with optional afternoon shade.

Bee Balm (Monarda didyma)

Mid to late summer; tubular white, pink, red, lavender, blue, violet flowers in full sun or light shade. Cool climates; prone to mildew, rust, leaf spot, stem borers.

Goldenrod (Solidago)

Late summer/fall; numerous small yellow flowers like fireworks. Slightly alkaline soil, full sun to light shade. Doesn't cause hay fever—ragweed does.

Coneflowers (Echinacea)

Midsummer to fall; large daisy-like flowers in red, pink, purple, white with bristly cones. Sun with optional light shade; drought-tolerant but susceptible to leaf spot and Japanese beetles.

Other Popular Perennials

African lily, monkshood, canna lily, summer daisy, common thrift, peony, queen-of-the-prairie, daffodil, Virginia bluebell, spiderwort, prairie zinnia.