33 Easy Care Perennial Flowers and Plants for a Hassle-Free Garden

Daylilies are brilliant at tolerating all sorts of weather conditions. Plus, these hardy beauties handle drought, poor soil, and even a little neglect, making them ideal for the forgetful gardener. Their trumpet-shaped flowers only bloom for a day, but don’t worry—more are always on the way. Plant them into a sunny border or as a focal point in beds, and they’ll shine all summer long.

• Bloom Time: Summer
• Growing Zones: 3–9
• Colors: Orange, Yellow, Red, Pink
• Height/Spread: 1-4 ft / 1-2 ft
• Soil: Well-drained
• Sun: Full Sun/Part Shade

If plants could have personalities, Black-eyed Susans would be the cheerful optimists. Their bright yellow petals and dark centers practically shout, “Look at me!” These sun-loving perennials are as low maintenance as they come, thriving in poor soil and dry conditions. Plant them in masses along a fence or in wildflower gardens—they’ll spread the sunshine wherever they’re planted.

• Bloom Time: Summer to fall
• Growing Zones: 3–9
• Colors: Yellow, Gold
• Height/Spread: 2-3 ft / 1-2 ft
• Soil: Average, well-drained
• Sun: Full Sun

Hostas are lovely shade-tolerant perennials. With their lush, broad leaves in various notes of green, they’re perfect for those shady spots where nothing else wants to grow. They don’t demand much—just a bit of shade and water. Plant them under trees or along a shady walkway for instant greenery that comes back year after year, without a fuss.

• Bloom Time: Summer
• Growing Zones: 3-8
• Colors: Green, Variegated, Purple, White
• Height/Spread: 1-3 ft / 2-4 ft
• Soil: Rich, well-drained
• Sun: Part Shade/Full Shade

Coneflowers are the resilient warriors of the garden. They’ll take the heat, the drought, and even the deer, and still stand tall. Their daisy-like flowers in purple, pink, or white attract pollinators like bees and butterflies. Perfect for a cottage garden or a wildflower patch, they’ll bring a laid-back vibe to any sunny space. Plus, they make great cut flowers!

• Bloom Time: Summer to Fall
• Growing Zones: 3-9
• Colors: Purple, Pink, White
• Height/Spread: 2-4 ft / 1-2 ft
• Soil: Average, well-drained
• Sun: Full Sun

Sedum is like the camel of the plant world—it thrives on neglect and needs little water. Its thick, fleshy leaves store water, making it perfect for dry spots or rock gardens. Its blooms come in late summer, attracting bees like crazy. Stick it in that awkward, dry corner of your yard, and it’ll happily take root and flourish, no pampering required.

• Bloom Time: Late Summer to Fall
• Growing Zones: 3-9
• Colors: Pink, Red, White, Yellow
• Height/Spread: 1-2 ft / 1-2 ft
• Soil: Sandy, well-drained
• Sun: Full Sun

Lavender is your garden’s built-in spa. Its calming scent can transport you to the Mediterranean without leaving your backyard. This drought-tolerant perennial loves the sun and dry soil, making it perfect for borders or raised beds. Plant it near walkways or patios so you can enjoy its fragrance every time you pass by. And yes, it’s deer-resistant, too.

• Bloom Time: Summer
• Growing Zones: 5-9
• Colors: Purple, Lavender
• Height/Spread: 1-3 ft / 1-3 ft
• Soil: Sandy, well-drained
• Sun: Full Sun

Yarrow is the tough-as-nails garden companion. Its feathery leaves and flat-topped flowers thrive in hot, dry conditions. It’s perfect for filling those tricky spots where other plants wither. Yarrow attracts pollinators and makes a great addition to any wildflower garden or sunny border. You can even use it in cut flower arrangements—it’s the gift that keeps on giving!

• Bloom Time: Summer
• Growing Zones: 3-9
• Colors: Yellow, Red, Pink, White
• Height/Spread: 1-3 ft / 1-2 ft
• Soil: Average, well-drained
• Sun: Full Sun

Shasta daisies are the quintessential cottage garden flower. Their cheerful white petals with sunny yellow centers bloom for weeks, and they’re as easygoing as it gets. They love full sun and well-drained soil but aren’t too picky. Plant them in clumps along a border or mix them with other perennials for a classic, carefree look.

• Bloom Time: Summer
• Growing Zones: 5-9
• Colors: White with Yellow Centers
• Height/Spread: 2-3 ft / 1-2 ft
• Soil: Well-drained
• Sun: Full Sun

Russian Sage is the cool kid of the perennial garden. With silvery, aromatic foliage and delicate purple flowers, it’s a showstopper from summer to fall. This sun-loving plant thrives in poor, dry soil, making it perfect for xeriscaping. Plant it in drifts for a soft, meadow-like effect, and enjoy its graceful presence as it sways in the breeze.

• Bloom Time: Summer to Fall
• Growing Zones: 4-9
• Colors: Purple
• Height/Spread: 3-5 ft / 2-4 ft
• Soil: Sandy, well-drained
• Sun: Full Sun

Bee Balm is like the garden’s party host, attracting all the bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds with its colorful, fragrant blooms. It loves moist, sunny spots and spreads easily—great for filling in garden gaps. Its bright flowers come in red, pink, purple, or white, adding a punch of color to your beds. Just give it room to spread, and it’ll reward you every year.

• Bloom Time: Summer
• Growing Zones: 4-9
• Colors: Red, Pink, Purple, White
• Height/Spread: 2-4 ft / 2-3 ft
• Soil: Moist, well-drained
• Sun: Full Sun/Part Shade

Coral Bells might be the easiest way to add instant color to a shady garden. Their leaves come in a rainbow of hues, from deep purples to bright lime greens. They’re not fussy about soil and can handle drought once established. Perfect for shady borders, under trees, or in containers, Coral Bells add texture and interest wherever they’re planted.

• Bloom Time: Spring to Summer
• Growing Zones: 4-9
• Colors: Purple, Pink, Red, Variegated
• Height/Spread: 1-2 ft / 1-2 ft
• Soil: Average, well-drained
• Sun: Part Shade/Full Shade

Hellebores are the winter warriors of the garden, blooming when most other plants are still in hibernation. Their nodding flowers in shades of pink, purple, white, and green brighten up the winter and early spring landscape. They love shady spots and well-drained soil. Plant them under trees or along walkways, and they’ll reward you with blooms year after year, no fuss.

• Bloom Time: Late Winter to Early Spring
• Growing Zones: 4-9
• Colors: Pink, White, Green, Purple
• Height/Spread: 1-2 ft / 1-2 ft
• Soil: Rich, well-drained
• Sun: Part Shade/Full Shade

Catmint is a garden multitasker. It’s drought-tolerant, deer-resistant, and a magnet for pollinators. Its soft, silvery foliage and spikes of blue-purple flowers bring a calming effect to sunny borders or pathways. Plus, it’s low maintenance—just cut it back after its first bloom, and it’ll reward you with a second round of flowers. Plant it, forget it, and enjoy the beauty.

• Bloom Time: Late Spring to Early Fall
• Growing Zones: 4-9
• Colors: Blue, Purple
• Height/Spread: 1-2 ft / 1-3 ft
• Soil: Average, well-drained
• Sun: Full Sun/Part Shade

Blanket Flower doesn’t ask for much—just a sunny spot and well-drained soil. This heat-tolerant, drought-resistant perennial blooms in vibrant shades of red, orange, and yellow all summer long. It’s perfect for those hot, sunny spots where other plants wilt. Great for borders, rock gardens, or wildflower meadows, Blanket Flower adds a pop of color without the fuss.

• Bloom Time: Summer to Fall
• Growing Zones: 3-10
• Colors: Red, Yellow, Orange
• Height/Spread: 1-3 ft / 1-2 ft
• Soil: Well-drained
• Sun: Full Sun

Lungwort may have an unfortunate name, but its beauty more than makes up for it. This shade-loving perennial has spotted or silvery leaves that brighten up dark corners of the garden. Its clusters of pink, blue, or white flowers bloom in early spring, adding a touch of color when the garden is just waking up. Plant it in shady borders or woodland gardens for a low-maintenance splash of color.

• Bloom Time: Early Spring
• Growing Zones: 3-8
• Colors: Pink, Blue, White
• Height/Spread: 1-2 ft / 1-2 ft
• Soil: Moist, well-drained
• Sun: Part Shade/Full Shade

Japanese Anemones bring elegance to late summer and fall gardens. Their tall, slender stems hold delicate white or pink blooms that sway gracefully in the breeze. They thrive in partial shade and rich, well-drained soil, making them perfect for woodland gardens or shady borders. Once they settle in, they’re easy to care for and spread out slowly, filling in spaces with minimal effort.

• Bloom Time: Late Summer to Fall
• Growing Zones: 4-8
• Colors: White, Pink
• Height/Spread: 2-4 ft / 2-3 ft
• Soil: Rich, well-drained
• Sun: Part Shade/Full Sun

Astilbe is the perfect match for damp, shaded spots where most plants won’t dare go. Its feathery plumes of pink, red, or white flowers add texture and softness to any garden. The lush, fern-like foliage stays attractive all season long, even after the blooms fade. Toss them into shady borders or alongside streams and ponds, and you’ll have a low-maintenance stunner that thrives in moisture.

• Bloom Time: Summer
• Growing Zones: 3-8
• Colors: Pink, Red, White
• Height/Spread: 1-3 ft / 1-2 ft
• Soil: Moist, well-drained
• Sun: Part Shade/Full Shade
• Guide: How to Grow Astilbe

Peonies are the royalty of the perennial garden. Their big, fragrant blooms are a spring showstopper, and they’re incredibly easygoing once established. Just plant them in a sunny spot, and they’ll reward you with gorgeous flowers for decades—seriously, these plants can live for generations. They look stunning in borders or as a statement in a cottage garden, and they’re perfect for cutting to enjoy indoors.

• Bloom Time: Spring
• Growing Zones: 3-8
• Colors: Pink, Red, White, Yellow
• Height/Spread: 2-3 ft / 2-4 ft
• Soil: Well-drained, loamy
• Sun: Full Sun
• Guide: How to Grow Peonies

Creeping Phlox is like a living carpet of color in the spring. It spreads low to the ground, covering rock gardens, borders, or slopes with a sea of pink, purple, or white flowers. This sun-loving perennial is drought-tolerant and requires very little care. Just let it sprawl and do its thing—it’ll fill in tough spots where other plants struggle, with very little fuss from you.

• Bloom Time: Spring
• Growing Zones: 3-9
• Colors: Pink, Purple, White, Blue
• Height/Spread: 4-6 in / 1-2 ft
• Soil: Well-drained, sandy
• Sun: Full Sun
• Guide: How to Grow Creeping Phlox

Coreopsis is the kind of perennial that’ll have you saying, “Wait, didn’t I just water you last month?” These tough-as-nails flowers bloom all summer long, even in poor, dry soil. Their bright yellow or pink daisy-like flowers are perfect for adding color to borders or wildflower gardens. They’re also great at attracting butterflies and other pollinators, making your garden buzz with life.

• Bloom Time: Summer
• Growing Zones: 4-9
• Colors: Yellow, Pink
• Height/Spread: 1-3 ft / 1-2 ft
• Soil: Well-drained
• Sun: Full Sun

Speedwell is a no-nonsense perennial that rewards you with long-lasting spikes of blue, pink, or white flowers. It thrives in full sun and well-drained soil, making it perfect for sunny borders or rock gardens. Low maintenance and drought-tolerant once established, it’s one of those plants that just keeps on giving without much demand for attention. It’s also a magnet for bees and butterflies.

• Bloom Time: Summer
• Growing Zones: 3-8
• Colors: Blue, Pink, White
• Height/Spread: 1-2 ft / 1-2 ft
• Soil: Well-drained
• Sun: Full Sun

Liatris adds vertical drama to any garden with its tall, feathery spikes of purple or white flowers. This sun-loving perennial is drought-tolerant and thrives in poor soil, making it perfect for low-maintenance gardens. It’s a favorite of pollinators, and its unique texture makes it a standout in borders, wildflower gardens, or as a focal point in a sunny corner.

• Bloom Time: Summer
• Growing Zones: 3-9
• Colors: Purple, White
• Height/Spread: 2-5 ft / 1-2 ft
• Soil: Well-drained
• Sun: Full Sun

As the name suggests, Butterfly Weed is a magnet for butterflies, especially monarchs. Its bright orange flowers bloom all summer long, attracting pollinators left and right. This drought-tolerant perennial loves sunny, well-drained spots and doesn’t need much attention once it’s established. Plant it in wildflower meadows or borders, and watch the pollinators flock to your garden.

• Bloom Time: Summer to Fall
• Growing Zones: 3-9
• Colors: Orange
• Height/Spread: 1-2 ft / 1-2 ft
• Soil: Well-drained, sandy
• Sun: Full Sun

Lamb’s Ear is a soft, fuzzy favorite for kids and adults alike. Its silvery-gray leaves add a lovely texture to borders, rock gardens, or as ground cover. It’s tough as nails, thriving in poor, dry soil and hot sun. Plus, it’s deer-resistant, so you won’t have to worry about it becoming a buffet. Plant it anywhere you need a little soft texture, and it’ll fill in beautifully.

• Bloom Time: Summer
• Growing Zones: 4-8
• Colors: Purple, Silver Foliage
• Height/Spread: 1-2 ft / 1-2 ft
• Soil: Well-drained
• Sun: Full Sun/Part Shade

Hardy Geraniums, also known as Cranesbills, are the easygoing guests of the garden. With their mounds of deeply cut leaves and long-lasting blooms in shades of blue, pink, and white, they’re perfect for borders, ground cover, or mixed beds. They love full sun or partial shade and can tolerate a range of soils. Once they’re in, they’ll just keep coming back without much effort on your part.

• Bloom Time: Spring to Summer
• Growing Zones: 4-9
• Colors: Blue, Pink, White
• Height/Spread: 1-2 ft / 1-2 ft
• Soil: Well-drained
• Sun: Full Sun/Part Shade

Purple Palace Heuchera is like the crown jewel of shade gardens. Its rich, dark purple leaves provide striking contrast against green plants, and it’s not just about the foliage—tiny bell-shaped flowers appear in late spring. Perfect for shady spots, Purple Palace adds depth and color where other plants might struggle. Plant it in borders or containers, and it’ll make your garden look like a royal affair.

• Bloom Time: Spring to Summer
• Growing Zones: 4-9
• Colors: Purple Foliage, Pink Flowers
• Height/Spread: 1-2 ft / 1-2 ft
• Soil: Well-drained, average
• Sun: Part Shade/Full Shade

Salvia is the life of the party when it comes to long-lasting perennial blooms and attracting pollinators. Its spikes of blue, pink, or purple flowers stand tall all summer, and it thrives in full sun and well-drained soil. Plant it in borders, cottage gardens, or wildflower patches, and enjoy its low-maintenance charm. Bonus: deer and rabbits tend to steer clear of this beauty.

• Bloom Time: Summer
• Growing Zones: 4-9
• Colors: Blue, Pink, Purple
• Height/Spread: 1-3 ft / 1-2 ft
• Soil: Well-drained
• Sun: Full Sun

False Indigo brings a prairie vibe to your easy-care perennial garden with its tall spikes of indigo-blue flowers in late spring. This native perennial is as tough as they come, thriving in full sun and poor soil. Once it’s established, it’s nearly indestructible, and decorative seed pods follow the flowers. Plant it in borders or wildflower gardens, and let it bring a bit of the wild to your landscape.

• Bloom Time: Late Spring
• Growing Zones: 3-9
• Colors: Blue, Purple, White
• Height/Spread: 3-4 ft / 3-4 ft
• Soil: Well-drained, average
• Sun: Full Sun

Foxglove is like that tall, graceful friend who turns heads wherever they go. Its tall spikes of tubular flowers come in shades of pink, purple, white, or yellow, and they bloom from early to mid-summer. While they prefer a bit of shade and moist soil, they aren’t too fussy. Perfect for cottage gardens or woodland borders, Foxglove adds height and drama wherever you plant it.

• Bloom Time: Early to Mid Summer
• Growing Zones: 4-9
• Colors: Pink, Purple, White, Yellow
• Height/Spread: 2-5 ft / 1-2 ft
• Soil: Moist, well-drained
• Sun: Part Shade/Full Sun

Irises are the artists of the garden, with their intricate, frilly blooms in every shade of the rainbow. These easy-care perennials thrive in full sun and well-drained soil, and they’re easy to care for once they’re established. Plant them in sunny borders, along pathways, or in clumps for a bold, colorful statement. Irises are also great for cutting, so you can enjoy their beauty indoors, too.

• Bloom Time: Spring
• Growing Zones: 3-9
• Colors: Purple, Blue, Yellow, White
• Height/Spread: 1-3 ft / 1-2 ft
• Soil: Well-drained
• Sun: Full Sun

Primrose is one of the first perennials to bloom in spring, bringing cheerful pops of pink, yellow, or purple to the garden. These shade-loving perennials prefer cool, moist soil and are perfect for woodland gardens or shaded borders. They’re low maintenance and will keep coming back each year with minimal fuss, making them a delightful early-season addition to any garden.

• Bloom Time: Early Spring
• Growing Zones: 3-8
• Colors: Pink, Yellow, Purple
• Height/Spread: 6-12 in / 1-2 ft
• Soil: Moist, well-drained
• Sun: Part Shade/Full Shade

Columbine is like a little surprise in the garden, with its delicate, nodding flowers in shades of red, pink, purple, and blue. This woodland perennial thrives in partial shade and well-drained soil, making it perfect for shady borders or woodland gardens. It’s a favorite among hummingbirds, and its unique, spurred flowers add a whimsical touch to any garden space.

• Bloom Time: Spring to Early Summer
• Growing Zones: 3-9
• Colors: Red, Pink, Purple, Blue
• Height/Spread: 1-3 ft / 1-2 ft
• Soil: Well-drained, average
• Sun: Part Shade/Full Sun

Jacob’s Ladder is a quiet achiever, perfect for those shaded spots where color is hard to come by. Its fern-like foliage stays attractive all season, and its clusters of blue or white flowers bloom in late spring. It thrives in partial to full shade and moist, well-drained soil. Use it to fill in shaded borders or woodland gardens, and it’ll add an understated elegance with minimal effort on your part.

• Bloom Time: Late Spring
• Growing Zones: 3-8
• Colors: Blue, White
• Height/Spread: 1-2 ft / 1-2 ft
• Soil: Moist, well-drained
• Sun: Part Shade/Full Shade