24 Easy Care Biennials to Grow in Your Garden
My favorite thing about easy-care biennials is that they give you the best of both worlds: the long-lasting presence of perennials and the quick reward of annuals. You plant them once, and while they spend their first year quietly establishing roots, in the second year, they burst into bloom with minimal effort on your part. Plus, they often self-seed, so they can keep coming back year after year without you lifting a finger. They’re perfect for gardeners who want beauty without constant fuss! Here are 24 of my favorites.
For those new to biennial gardening, see our in-depth guide to the various types of biennial flowers to grow at home.
1) Hollyhock (Alcea rosea)
These tall, spire-like beauties shoot up to 8 feet and bring a touch of old-fashioned charm to your garden. Hollyhocks bloom in lots of lovely colors, with classic varieties like ‘Chater’s Double’ being a personal favorite. They are a great choice for adding height and need very little care to thrive—just a sunny spot and the occasional drink.
- Growing Zones: 3–9
- Flowering Season: Summer
- Colors: Pink, red, yellow, white
- Height/Spread: 6–8 ft / 1–2 ft
- Sun: Full Sun
- Guide: How to Grow Hollyhocks
2) Sweet William (Dianthus barbatus)
With its delicate clusters of blooms, Sweet William brings color and fragrance in neat little packages. ‘Wee Willie’ and ‘Heart Attack’ are among the most popular varieties you’ll find. These little charmers love sunlight and are perfect for garden borders where they’ll politely bloom without much fuss.
- Growing Zones: 3–9
- Flowering Season: Late spring to summer
- Colors: Pink, red, white, purple
- Sunlight: Full sun to partial shade
- Height/Spread: 1–2 ft / 0.5–1 ft
3) Canterbury Bells (Campanula medium)
Canterbury Bells are like nature’s trumpets, ringing out pastel hues of pink, blue, and white. Varieties like ‘Cup and Saucer’ offer bell-shaped flowers that seem to layer upon themselves. They’re a solid pick for cottage gardens, needing little more than some well-drained soil to thrive.
- Growing Zones: 4–10
- Flowering Season: Late spring to summer
- Colors: Pink, blue, white, purple
- Sunlight: Full sun to partial shade
- Height/Spread: 2–3 ft / 1–2 ft
4) Forget-Me-Not (Myosotis sylvatica)
These tiny blue flowers carry a lot of sentiment, often symbolizing remembrance. Varieties like ‘Victoria Blue’ are known for their dense, sky-colored blooms. They’re perfect for filling in shady corners, and once planted, they’ll stick around with minimal effort—hence the name!
- Growing Zones: 3–8
- Flowering Season: Spring to early summer
- Colors: Blue, pink, white
- Sunlight: Partial shade to full shade
- Height/Spread: 6–12 in / 6–12 in
5) Honesty (Lunaria annua)
Famous for its translucent seed pods, Honesty offers both easy-care biennial flowers and a beautiful, ornate quality after the blooms fade. You’ll often find the vibrant ‘Alba Variegata’ variety. Scatter the seeds once, and they’ll return year after year without breaking a sweat.
- Growing Zones: 4–8
- Flowering Season: Spring
- Colors: Purple, white
- Sunlight: Full sun to partial shade
- Height/Spread: 2–3 ft / 1–2 ft
6) Wallflower (Erysimum cheiri)
Wallflowers offer a lovely fragrance in addition to their sunset-colored blooms. Varieties like ‘Bowles Mauve’ are loved for their long-lasting flowers. These sun-loving biennials grow best in well-drained soil, and they’ll reward you with waves of color that practically bloom on autopilot.
- Growing Zones: 5–9
- Flowering Season: Spring to early summer
- Colors: Yellow, orange, purple
- Sunlight: Full sun to partial shade
- Height/Spread: 1–2 ft / 1–2 ft
7) Evening Primrose (Oenothera biennis)
This low-maintenance biennial plant isn’t just a night owl—it opens its lemony flowers at dusk, attracting pollinators. Popular varieties like ‘Sundrop’ make it a standout in moon gardens. With its preference for poor soil, it’ll thrive where others struggle.
- Growing Zones: 4–9
- Flowering Season: Summer to fall
- Colors: Yellow
- Sunlight: Full sun
- Height/Spread: 2–5 ft / 2–3 ft
8) Sweet Rocket (Hesperis matronalis)
Sweet Rocket gives off a scent that’s nothing short of intoxicating, especially in the evening. The white and purple flowers of ‘Alba’ are a magnet for bees and butterflies. Scatter the seeds into your garden, and they’ll pop up every spring without asking for much care.
- Growing Zones: 4–8
- Flowering Season: Spring to early summer
- Colors: White, purple, pink
- Sunlight: Full sun to partial shade
- Height/Spread: 2–3 ft / 1–2 ft
9) Mullein (Verbascum thapsus)
Mullein stands out like a sentry in the garden with its tall, velvety leaves and spires of yellow flowers. The ‘Olympian’ variety can reach impressive heights. It’s a great pick if you want something low-maintenance that still makes a big statement—like the friend who always looks effortlessly stylish.
- Growing Zones: 3–9
- Flowering Season: Summer
- Colors: Yellow
- Sunlight: Full sun
- Height/Spread: 4–6 ft / 1–2 ft
10) Money Plant (Lunaria biennis)
Known for its silvery, coin-like seed pods, the Money Plant delivers both flowers and an ornamental bonus. Varieties like ‘Alba’ feature white blooms before turning into their famous moon-shaped discs. Plant it once, and you’ll be “making money” every spring with little care needed.
- Growing Zones: 5–9
- Flowering Season: Spring
- Colors: Purple, white
- Sunlight: Full sun to partial shade
- Height/Spread: 2–3 ft / 1–2 ft
11) Clary Sage (Salvia sclarea)
Clary Sage is the garden’s gentle giant, with its tall stems and soft lavender-pink blooms. The ‘Vatican White’ variety is especially striking. It grows with little effort, and its foliage is so aromatic that you might find yourself brushing by it just to take a whiff.
- Growing Zones: 5–9
- Flowering Season: Summer
- Colors: White, pink, purple
- Sunlight: Full sun
- Height/Spread: 3–4 ft / 2–3 ft
12) Silver Sage (Salvia argentea)
This plant is as much about the leaves as the flowers, with silvery, velvety foliage that looks like it was dusted with fairy powder. Varieties like ‘Silver Queen’ are perfect for adding texture to a garden. And the best part? It’s drought-tolerant, making it a tough cookie in sunny spots.
- Growing Zones: 5–8
- Flowering Season: Summer
- Colors: White
- Sunlight: Full sun
- Height/Spread: 1–2 ft / 1–2 ft
13) Scotch Thistle (Onopordum acanthium)
Don’t let the prickly exterior fool you—Scotch Thistle is a striking biennial with its steel-blue flowers and spiny, silvery leaves. Known for its resilience, it thrives in poor soil where others might falter. Just give it space to sprawl and watch it shine.
- Growing Zones: 4–8
- Flowering Season: Summer to early fall
- Colors: Lavender, purple
- Sunlight: Full sun
- Height/Spread: 5–8 ft / 3–5 ft
14) Cow Parsley (Anthriscus sylvestris)
Cow Parsley is an elegant option if you’re growing a wildflower meadow with delicate white umbels that sway gently in the breeze. The ‘Ravenswing’ variety, with its dark purple leaves, adds a touch of drama. Let it loose in the garden, and it’ll bring that easy, natural charm.
- Growing Zones: 4–8
- Flowering Season: Late spring to early summer
- Colors: White
- Sunlight: Full sun to partial shade
- Height/Spread: 3–5 ft / 2–3 ft
15) Evening Stock (Matthiola longipetala)
Evening Stock is all about subtle beauty and fragrance. With varieties like ‘Starlight Sensation,’ its pale flowers open at night, filling the air with a sweet, spicy scent. It’s a perfect easy-care biennial for containers or borders where you want evening visitors to get a pleasant surprise.
- Growing Zones: 7–10
- Flowering Season: Summer
- Colors: Purple, pink, white
- Sunlight: Full sun
- Height/Spread: 1–2 ft / 1 ft
16) Dame’s Rocket (Hesperis matronalis)
Dame’s Rocket is a cottage garden staple, with clusters of purple and white flowers that release their best scent in the cool evening air. The ‘Alba’ variety is particularly lovely. It’s easy to grow and a favorite with pollinators—an ideal “set it and forget it” plant.
- Growing Zones: 4–8
- Flowering Season: Spring to early summer
- Colors: White, purple, pink
- Sunlight: Full sun to partial shade
- Height/Spread: 2–4 ft / 1–2 ft
17) Common Caraway (Carum carvi)
Caraway isn’t just for the kitchen—it’s a delicate plant with feathery foliage and small white flowers. ‘Lustrous’ is a common variety to grow. It’s useful, too; you’ll get both pretty blooms and seeds for baking. A true win-win!
- Growing Zones: 4–10
- Flowering Season: Early summer
- Colors: White
- Sunlight: Full sun
- Height/Spread: 1–2 ft / 1–2 ft
18) Papaver nudicaule (Iceland Poppy)
Iceland Poppies offer delicate, papery petals in shades of orange, yellow, and white. Varieties like ‘Champagne Bubbles’ are especially popular. They love a sunny spot and will reward you with continuous blooms for weeks with minimal effort.
- Growing Zones: 2–7
- Flowering Season: Spring to early summer
- Colors: Orange, yellow, white, pink
- Sunlight: Full sun
- Height/Spread: 1–2 ft / 1 ft
19) Foxglove (Digitalis purpurea)
Foxgloves stand tall and proud, with spires of tubular blooms that hum with bees. Varieties like ‘Excelsior’ are favorites, adding a dramatic vertical element to any garden. They might look fancy, but they’re surprisingly easygoing—just give them partial shade and let them work their magic.
- Growing Zones: 4–10
- Flowering Season: Late spring to summer
- Colors: Pink, purple, white, yellow
- Sunlight: Full sun to partial shade
- Height/Spread: 3–5 ft / 1–2 ft
20) Teasel (Dipsacus fullonum)
Teasel’s tall, spiky flowers attract pollinators in summer, then transform into unique seed heads that look fantastic in dried arrangements. It’s not fussy about soil or water, making it a no-drama plant. Plus, the birds love the seeds, so expect some happy visitors.
- Growing Zones: 3–8
- Flowering Season: Summer to fall
- Colors: Lavender
- Sunlight: Full sun
- Height/Spread: 3–7 ft / 2–3 ft
21) Angelica (Angelica archangelica)
Angelica is the gentle giant of the garden, with towering stems and clusters of white or greenish flowers. The ‘Purpurea’ variety adds a hint of dark foliage to the mix. It’s a graceful easy-care binnial for herb gardens, bringing both beauty and a bit of old-world mystique.
- Growing Zones: 4–9
- Flowering Season: Summer
- Colors: White, green
- Sunlight: Partial shade
- Height/Spread: 4–6 ft / 2–3 ft
22) Nicotiana sylvestris (Tobacco Plant)
With its long, graceful white flowers and delightful evening fragrance, Nicotiana sylvestris makes an elegant addition to any garden. ‘Only the Lonely’ is a popular variety that adds height and drama. It’s easy to grow and will turn heads without demanding much in return.
- Growing Zones: 10–11
- Flowering Season: Summer to fall
- Colors: White
- Sunlight: Full sun to partial shade
- Height/Spread: 4–5 ft / 1–2 ft
23) Feverfew (Tanacetum parthenium)
Feverfew brings masses of daisy-like white flowers to your garden, often self-seeding for future years. The ‘Golden Moss’ variety adds a little extra pizzazz with bright yellow foliage. It’s great for adding a splash of color without needing too much care.
- Growing Zones: 5–9
- Flowering Season: Summer
- Colors: White, yellow
- Sunlight: Full sun
- Height/Spread: 1–2 ft / 1–1.5 ft
24) Viper’s Bugloss (Echium vulgare)
With its spiky blue flowers and prickly stems, Viper’s Bugloss is a favorite among bees. It thrives in poor, sandy soil where others might struggle. Just give it a sunny spot, and it’ll do its thing without needing much attention. It’s the type of plant that thrives on neglect, making it perfect for those who prefer a low-maintenance biennial garden with lots of pollinator activity.
- Growing Zones: 3–8
- Flowering Season: Summer
- Colors: Blue, purple
- Sunlight: Full sun
- Height/Spread: 1–3 ft / 1–2 ft
Resources And Further Reading
There’s a lot to learn and love about perennial plants. Here are some of my favorite books and resources:
Books:
- “The Complete Garden Flower Book” by Lewis Hill and Susan Hill – A comprehensive guide covering over 600 plants, including biennials, with practical growing tips and troubleshooting advice. This book is ideal for both beginners and experienced gardeners.
- “From Seed to Bloom: How to Grow over 500 Annuals, Perennials & Herbs” by Eileen Powell – This book includes detailed instructions on growing biennials from seed, along with a wide range of other flowering plants.
- “Floret Farm’s Cut Flower Garden” by Erin Benzakein – This beautifully illustrated book provides a detailed guide to growing cut flowers, including biennials like foxgloves and sweet William. It’s a favorite among gardeners for its practical advice and inspirational photography.
- “Mastering the Art of Flower Gardening” by Matt Mattus – This book is ideal for gardeners looking for a deeper understanding of flower cultivation, including how to grow and manage biennial flowers for season-long blooms.
- “Color in Your Garden” by Penelope Hobhouse – Known for its insights into biennial planting designs and color schemes, this book is ideal for gardeners who want to add an artistic touch to their gardens.
Online Resources:
- National Gardening Association (NGA) – The NGA offers practical advice for growing and caring for biennial flowers, with tips for planting and maintenance.
Forums and Communities
Getting advice from fellow gardeners can be incredibly useful. Websites like GardenWeb and The National Gardening Association have forums where people share their experiences and tips for growing perennials.
Wrapping Up
These true, easy-care biennials offer a great mix of beauty, and their variety of colors, sizes, and textures make them perfect for any type of garden.
Andrew is the Editorial Director at Petal Republic. He holds a BSc degree in Plant Sciences and has trained professionally at leading floristry schools in London and Paris. In amongst overseeing a global editorial team, Andrew's a passionate content creator around all things flowers, floral design, gardening, and houseplants.