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Simple and low maintenance ideas for your perennial garden, including hardy flower favorites that return year after year with lasting beauty.
Perennials are the backbone of any garden, offering reliable color, texture, and height year after year with minimal effort. Once planted, they settle in and return season after season, adding life and beauty to even the smallest corners of your yard. If you’re like me and looking forward to the return of gardening weather, now is the perfect time to start thinking and planning. I’ve gathered a list of the best hardy flowers for your perennial garden. These favorites thrived in our yard at the Sutton Place house, located in Northwest Ohio (U.S. planting zone 6). This is my fourth growing season at the Sugar Maple House. Although progress has been slower than I imagined, I’ve gradually added perennials here and there. Little by little, the garden is starting to take shape.

What Is A Perennial?
A perennial is a plant that, once planted, returns year after year. Unlike annuals, which complete their life cycle in a single season, perennials go dormant during the winter months and reappear when the weather warms. While the technical definition is a plant that lives at least two years, many perennials last much longer, becoming long-time staples in your garden with very little effort.

Low Maintenance Perennial Flowers
The following plants are ones I’ve had personal success with, either at our Sutton Place home or here at our current house on Sugar Maple Ct. I live in zone 6, and each of these perennials has grown well in our yard with very little effort. They were chosen for their ability to thrive with minimal care, and over time, they proved to be dependable and rewarding. Whether your garden gets full sun, partial shade, or something in between, these low maintenance perennial flowers are a simple way to add long-lasting beauty and color—without adding extra work to your to-do list. They’re easy to grow in zones 3 through 8, and with a little extra watering, many can also do well in zones 9 and 10. If you’re not sure of your zone, you can find it here. If you’re not sure of your zone, you can find it here.

Hosta
Hosta plants are an ideal choice for partial to full shade, making them perfect for those tricky spots where other flowers may struggle. They thrive in well-drained, consistently moist soil, and once established, require very little attention. Their lush foliage adds beautiful texture and fullness to any garden bed, and their tall, elegant blooms appear in mid to late summer. Hostas come in a wide range of sizes and leaf colors, from deep green to variegated patterns, which makes them easy to incorporate into almost any garden design. For new gardeners, hostas are one of the easiest and most dependable perennials to grow, and every shade garden should have at least a few.

Speedwell
Speedwell, also known as Veronica, is a hardy perennial that’s easy to grow and brings a burst of color to any garden bed. It prefers full sun but will tolerate partial shade, especially in hotter climates. Speedwell thrives in well-drained soil and doesn’t require much attention once established. Its spiky flower clusters bloom in shades of blue, purple, pink, or white, depending on the variety, and they attract pollinators like bees and butterflies. This plant has a neat, upright habit, making it a great choice for borders or the middle of a mixed bed. With regular deadheading, it can bloom from late spring into summer.

Clematis
Clematis is a beautiful climbing vine that grows best in full to partial sun. It’s a wonderful way to add vertical interest to a garden, whether it’s trained to grow on a fence, trellis, or arbor. The variety shown above was planted two years ago. It had just a few blooms during its first season, which is completely normal. Like many perennials, clematis takes a year or so to settle in—and once it does, the growth and blooms take off. The variety I planted is called Galore, and its vibrant purple flowers look stunning against our wood fence. Clematis needs well-drained soil and benefits from having its roots shaded while the top of the plant reaches for the sun. With just a bit of patience, it quickly becomes a standout in the garden.

Daylily
Daylilies are incredibly reliable perennials that grow well in full sun to partial shade. One of the most successful varieties in my garden has been Stella D’Oro, a compact, golden-yellow daylily known for its long blooming period and easy care. Like hostas, daylilies die back in the fall, which makes for quick and tidy clean-up. Their blooming window is relatively short, but the flowers are vibrant and plentiful, and with consistent deadheading, they often rebloom throughout the season. We’ve divided and moved our daylilies several times, and they’ve continued to thrive in different areas of the yard. If you’re looking for a no-fuss perennial that adds cheerful color and fills in garden spaces quickly, daylilies are a great choice.

Peonies
Peonies are classic perennial flowers that thrive in full sun but can also do well in partial sun, especially in cooler climates. Several years ago, I received three peony plants as a remembrance when my father-in-law passed away. I planted them in the fence row garden at the Sutton Place house, and like many peony growers, had to be patient. The first season brought no blooms, but by the second year, each bush gifted me with several flowers. After that, they bloomed abundantly every spring. The variety I had was ‘Kansas’, and the color is absolutely stunning. Peonies are incredibly low maintenance. They die back in the fall and return in late spring, stronger each year. The only care they really require is optional staking to keep the large, heavy blooms from drooping. If you have the space and a bit of patience, peonies are a beautiful and meaningful addition to any perennial garden.

Dianthus
Dianthus is a cheerful and easy-to-grow perennial that thrives with at least 6 hours of sun each day. I originally planted dark pink peonies in one section of our garden because I knew they would complement the dianthus already growing there. After the first couple of years, the dianthus reliably returned each spring with a flush of bright, frilly blooms that last for several weeks. They add a soft, cottage-style charm to any garden bed or border. Dianthus requires very little care. Deadheading is optional, but helps keep things tidy and may encourage more blooms. It spreads gradually and fills in beautifully, and if it becomes too thick, it’s very easy to divide and transplant to other spots in the yard.

English Lavender
English lavender is a must-have in any perennial flower garden. It thrives in full sun and prefers dry, well-drained soil, making it perfect for areas that don’t get much rain. While I haven’t had outstanding success with it, I will say this: my lavender has never completely given up. Some years it looks better than others, and I’ve found that its performance often depends on how wet or dry the season has been. Lavender doesn’t like soggy soil, so choosing the right spot is key. There are several popular varieties to try. I grow Hidcote, which has deep purple blooms, but Munstead is another great option that’s slightly more compact. With its fragrant blooms and silvery foliage, lavender adds both beauty and scent to any sunny garden.

Allium
Allium is a striking perennial known for its tall stems and globe-shaped flower heads that add architectural interest to any garden. It grows best in full sun and well-drained soil, and once planted, it’s very low maintenance. Allium bulbs are typically planted in the fall, with blooms appearing in late spring to early summer. The flowers come in shades of purple, pink, white, and yellow, depending on the variety. Alliums are deer resistant and a favorite of bees and other pollinators. They look beautiful planted in groups, and their dried seed heads add texture long after the blooms have faded.

Bleeding Hearts
Bleeding hearts are one of the first perennials to bloom in early spring, often appearing before many other plants have even started to wake up. With their delicate, heart-shaped flowers that hang from arching stems, they bring a soft, romantic feel to any shade garden. Bleeding hearts grow best in partial to full shade and prefer rich, well-drained soil. Once the weather warms and their blooming period ends, the foliage will naturally die back—this is completely normal and nothing to worry about. These graceful plants are low maintenance, long-lived, and a lovely way to add early interest and charm to your perennial beds.

More Plants for your Perennial Garden
- coral bells
- fern-leaf yarrow
- sedum (stonecrop)
- lady fern
- Shasta daisies (‘Becky’ is my favorite)
- rudbeckia (Black-eyed Susans)
- purple coneflower
- tall larkspur
- Russian sage

I’m a self-taught gardener who has always been drawn to plants that bloom and bring life to a garden. Over the years, I’ve learned through trial and error which perennials truly earn their place in the flower beds. These are dependable, all-American favorites that thrive with just a little care, and they reward you with beautiful color season after season. With a bit of sunshine, a little water, and maybe a prayer or two, anyone can grow a perennial garden that feels like home.

I grow all the perennials you mentioned successfully, but I am not lucky with allium. I have followed directions for planting depth and other requirements. I get a year or two of blooms and that’s it. I guess I am not meant to have them in my garden!
I enjoy your blog. It is one of my favorites. Thank you!
Good afternoon! I just wanted to thank you for these mini newsletters. They are always very interesting and informative. I look forward to these!
Wishing you an awesome day! Margaret
Thank you, Ann, for these suggestions. I am wondering, do you know how easy Peonies are to transplant? I also live in a zone 6 area. I have 1 plant that came with our house. :) It is overshadowed by a beautiful rose bush. I would like to move it, and possible add a couple more.
Hi Rose…I have never personally transplanted a peony bush. That said, I know it’s pretty easy. You can dig them up, even divide them, and replant. It’s best to do it in the fall, well after they are finished blooming. Here is a link to a source that I use quite often: https://www.extension.iastate.edu/news/2009/aug/062801.htm# Good luck!
Peonies are picky about being planted too deep.
I learned from experience.
Thank you compiling this wonderful list for the garden – very helpful and perfect timing since I am almost done cleaning up our yard and preparing for planting time. I appreciate your pictures of the flowers in a garden, too. It gives a much better perspective than just tiny pictures of the flowers. I will be copying this list with hints for reference. I have been keeping a small garden journal for years. Just brief notes of what I planted, where, and where I purchased. I also note when plants do really well and poorly for the next year. Some years I even took a few pictures when the yard looked really good. I will be copying several of your spring and summer recipes to use for quick meals after working in the yard all day. 😉.
Your blog is always such a pleasure to read – thank you and Happy Weekend.
Loved your perennials! I have gotten several daylilies that rebloom; all of them have stella d’oro as an “ancestor.” My favorite is one called “Happy Returns;” it’s a smallish one but the yellow is more of a true yellow and it blooms it’s little heart out! A good source of lots of rebloomers (early, mid and late season) is Brecks. I’ve ordered a number of different daylilies from them and been happy with them all!
Your blog is amazing! Quality, quantity, perfection! What a resource!
I really enjoy reading your blog! You always have such great ideas & they are not over the top like some blogs. Keep up the good work!
Dear Ann thanks so much for all your advises I been learning amount the way with you my house it’s beginning to look very cute
Thank you so much for the information on the flowers. I want to plant flowers this spring that will come back and have them to cut for myself, friends and family. Can’t wait for the nice weather to get started. I love your web site. Thank you for the great ideas and for the wonderful recipes.
I found your post on Pinterest. I have a few of the plants you listed and will get others that I hope will grow in my zone 3 environment. I would love to know why my Peony has never bloomed… it comes from my parents garden and I have been patiently hoping for years!!
Peony… likely planted to deep
Thanks for this tip, I’ll replant it shallower.
Great tips. I have lily of the valley and it is finally being invasive and growing in almost straight gravel! Will dig it up and put it where I want it! I can’t grow Black-eyed Susans. Not enough sun? I have had a woodchuck come up on my front porch to eat a phlox plant (intended as a gift!) right down to the bare stem!
David the white phlox is blooming in my garden and is by far one of my Best Buys!
These are all my favorites and easy to care for! I was blessed many years ago to have my yard updated with new landscape and they started many of my plants for me which included most of your suggested plants. Living on the lake, I have two “front” yards resulting in lots of maintenance, but it keeps me in shape and busy all summer.
Thank you for sharing all the wonderful plants and ideas…
Hi Ann! Today’s post inspired me in a different way. I am going to raise some of these in pots on my deck where I have a tiered bench in full sun. Ross built it for me a couple years ago for herbs and I haven’t been thrilled with the look – rather too green and boring. So I am going to switch over part of it to bright daisies and who knows what. Like you, I’ve been gardening for a long time and am always switching around to something new. The spot is my only full sun area and I always fuss that I wish I had a place for more color. I think this will be my joy bringer! Thanks, as always for your excellent blog.
Zone matters, but soil matters even more. I live in zone 5, but our soil here is filled with heavy clay. It’s great for pottery but not so good for gardening. So lavender doesn’t like it so much… I do incorporate compost and mulch into the soil every year, but the clay always manages to find its way back (sigh).
The one thing you can do is add gypsum to your soil. It helps to soften the soil for better planting. Use it every year to keep the soil looser. Also add a little sand. It too loosens the soil but not too much sand. Hope that helps.
Add sand for lavender
I also love sedum in a perennial garden. They are hardy, drought and pest resistant, and colorful well into Fall.
Ann I have lived in the same house for 42 years. My yard is big and I have never planted anything! I have always wanted pretty flowers but I never knew where to start. I have thought, bought tons of idea books, it was to overwhelming After finding your web site I am going on your recommendations and doing something this year. I have made this one of my yearly goals.
Thanks for the inspiration. If something fails and does not grow, I may blow up a picture of your garden, laminate it, then stick it in my yard!!!
Ann—-I seriously thought this would be a post that I wouldn’t find to be useful for me, and perhaps people who are in a different zone than you. But I was delighted to see that every single plant and flower you featured is a tried and true in my garden…and most likely in many climates. I have a bit of a problem with lavender…I think I may have simply planted it in the wrong spot so Ill try again.
I absolutely love your landscaping…please do more garden posts this season!
Jane xx.
I hear you about the lavender. Mine has never done well but I am not giving up!
I am trying to tame our yard and I am looking exactly for hardy+perennials. Pinning this post in my garden board.
I have all of them! They are hardy and colorful!
Thank you for sharing .
Love all the plants you listed. I’m in a fairly new house and tried my luck with lavender- along a walkway. Did my research and it should have been fine….after 3 years I gave up and pulled it all out. I’ve replaced it with lots of Black-eye Susan so we will see how they do this year if the snow can ever leave! lol
My clematis are doing well and this is probably my favorite plant. Love the look of peony but I’ve read that ants love this one, so I’ve not planted any.
Hi, I live in Canada and most of the flowers you listed grow here depending on location. I love peonies, you do not need ants for them to bloom however the syrup like liquid as the buds open do attract some! If planted to deep they will not flower.
Love reading garden articles! Thanks
A great and truly timely article Ann! Thank you!
Great pics, easy to grow and beautiful colors! Can’t wait to get down and dirty in the garden!!!