Low Perennials for Full Sun in Zone 5 (Chicago Area)

A Chicago-area gardener wants two rows of colorful perennials (14-inch and 10-inch tall) in full sun, blooming spring through summer, with minimal replanting.

14-Inch Row: Lavender

Lavandula angustifolia cultivars ('Munstead', 'Hidcote') offer purple, pink, or white flowers, fragrance, and long bloom (late spring to summer). Drought-tolerant once established.

10-Inch Row: Dianthus & Sweet William

• Dianthus gratianopolitanus (Cheddar pinks): Low mats of gray-green foliage, pink flowers spring to early summer.
• Dianthus barbatus (Sweet William): Biennial but self-seeds reliably; blooms late spring in mixed colors.

Design Tips

• Plant in well-drained soil; amend with grit if clayey.
• Mulch with gravel to reflect heat and prevent crown rot.
• Deadhead to prolong bloom.

These choices provide months of color with little annual maintenance.