37 Low-Maintenance Perennial Flowers to Add Charm to Your Garden
These hardy plants will add beauty to your garden for years to come.
Whether you love the appeal of rose bushes or the versatility of hydrangeas, there are an array of perennial flowers and plants that can add beauty to your home garden. These low-maintenance flowers establish deep root systems that are able to withstand harsh weather conditions, unlike annuals that complete their life cycle in a year. The best part? They bloom again and again, for decades, and some can even live for more than a century.
Ahead, you’ll find a colorful assortment of our favorite perennial plants to consider, even if you have a small garden. And along with zone requirements, we’ve sprinkled in helpful care tips for all of these easy-to-grow flowers—think sunlight requirements, soil needs, and average bloom times. Keep in mind that most perennials have a brief bloom season, which can last a couple days to a few weeks. If you grow perennials from seeds, the blooms can take a few years to fully thrive. That's why it’s best to plant a mix of perennials and annuals to set your garden up for success. View perennials as the foundation of your garden layout and rely on annuals (such as summer flowers and fall foliage) to fill in the gaps.
Liatris (Blazing Star)
Also known as blazing star, liatris is a grass-like perennial that you'll find in arresting shades of purple, pink, and white. They're a great choice for supporting pollinators—think bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds. Stick to six to eight hours of direct sunlight to help them thrive.
Hardiness zones: 3-8
Sunlight: Full sun
Soil needs: Well-drained soil that is neutral or slightly acidic
Bloom time: Mid-summer to early fall
Sedum (Autumn Joy)
Go for this easy-to-grow plant, which flourishes with at least six hours of direct sunlight. It's drought-tolerant and also known as a four-season perennial, thanks to its changing colors and texture year-round.
Hardiness zones: 3-9
Sunlight: Full sun
Soil needs: loose, sandy soil
Bloom time: Late summer to fall
Cranesbill Geraniums
If your goal is to add more pollinators to your garden, cranesbill geraniums are a good choice. They grow up to two feet tall and since they spread over time, they make great ground cover plants. They're also resistant to deer and rabbits.
Hardiness zones: 4-8
Sunlight: Partial shade to full sun
Soil needs: rich, well-drained soil
Bloom time: Late spring to early fall
Astilbe
Place this hardy perennial in a shady corner to add color and a dose of sophistication to your garden. Often seen in colors like pink and white, they have tall, feathery blooms that can bring beauty to cut arrangements. They tend to be deer- and pest-resistant, too.
Hardiness zones: 4-9
Sunlight: partial to full shade
Soil needs: moist, well-drained soil
Bloom time: late spring to late summer
Catmint
Often referred to as nepeta, catmint releases a herbal scent that's known to attract cats, as its name suggests. It blooms from late spring through the summer season and has flowers in colors, including lavender-blue, pink, and white. Add them to rock gardens, borders, you name it.
Hardiness zones: 3-8
Sunlight: full sun
Soil needs: well-drained soil
Bloom time: late spring to early fall
Russian Sage (Salvia Yangii)
This woody shrub has a weeping effect: It starts growing tall, but then falls over due to the weight of the long panicles of flowers. The pale blue flowers transform into a bright, cyan-blue throughout summer. Though the sun-loving plant has a sage-like aroma, the blooms are not edible.
Hardiness zones: 4-9
Sunlight: Full sun
Soil needs: Tolerates a variety of well-draining soil
Bloom time: Mid-summer to fall
RELATED: Plants That Will Attract Hummingbirds to Your Home Garden
Helenium Autumnale (Sneezeweed)
With sunny yellow, orange, and red flowers, this hardy perennial thrives in full sun and attracts pollinators like bees and butterflies. Despite its name, the blooms shouldn't impact your allergies—the dried leaves and flowers were historically used by Native Americans to create a snuff.
Hardiness zones: 3-8
Sunlight: Full sun
Soil needs: Moist, acidic soil
Bloom time: Late summer to fall
Platycodon (Balloon Flower)
Platycodon are a herbaceous flowering perennial that can thrive for decades in the right conditions (they prefer full sun and a hardiness zone between 3 and 8). They're nicknamed the balloon flower because of their puffy, round buds that turn into star-shaped flowers every summer.
Hardiness zones: 3-8
Sunlight: Full sun, but can tolerate partial shade
Soil needs: Well-drained, loamy soil
Bloom time: Summer
Heuchera (Coral Bells)
This hardy ground cover plant pops up in shades of green, amber, burgundy, and more. In late spring to early summer, its small, bell-shaped flowers attract pollinators and hummingbirds. The colorful foliage works well as a border in woodlands or rock gardens.
Hardiness zones: 4-8
Sunlight: Full sun or part shade
Soil needs: Rich, well-draining soil
Bloom time: Spring to summer
Daffodils
Just when you're wishing winter away, these gorgeous yellow flowers begin to bloom. Aside from their cheerful color, daffodils provide nectar for bees and other early-season pollinators. Daffodils are known to multiply quickly and return to bloom each spring with little effort. They prefer sun, but can tolerate partial shade and they're not fussy about soil.
Hardiness zones: 3-8
Sunlight: Full sun or partial shade
Soil needs: Loose, loamy soil that is slightly acidic
Bloom time: Late winter to early spring
Roses
A symbol of love, beauty, and romance, roses come in many varieties—like English roses, grandiflora roses, and garden roses. Rose bushes come back every year, but keep in mind that every rose variety may prefer slightly different conditions.
Hardiness zones: 5-8
Sunlight: Full sun
Soil needs: Loam soil
Bloom time: Late spring to early autumn
RELATED: 85 Flower Meanings That Will Take Your Bouquet to the Next Level
Lupines
Lupines are frequently spotted in the wild, but you can also grow these spiky flowers in your garden at home. Throughout their short life—typically 3 to 4 seasons—stems can grow up to five feet tall, complete with red, white, yellow, pink, or purple blooms that resemble pea flowers.
Hardiness zones: 4-7
Sunlight: Full to partial sun
Soil needs: Well-draining, slightly acidic soil
Bloom time: Spring to summer
Allium
Believe it or not, these purple pom-pom flowers are actually a part of the onion family. Once planted, they can be left untouched for years, especially since rodents, deer, and pests tend to avoid them. Their skinny stems rise to 30 inches in height, making them stand out against ground covers and low-growing varieties.
Hardiness zones: 3-9
Sunlight: Full sun
Soil needs: Well-draining, slightly acidic soil
Bloom time: Summer to fall
Rudbeckia Hirta (Black-Eyed Susan)
Known for its deep yellow petals and dark brown center, the black-eyed Susan is popular for its long blooming period (flowers often last until the first frost). The perennial thrives in full sun, but can tolerate partial sun. They are deer-resistant, yet attract pollinators like bees, butterflies, and birds.
Hardiness zones: 3-9
Sunlight: Full sun
Soil needs: Any soil that is well-draining
Bloom time: Early summer to winter
Hydrangeas
Hydrangeas—a favorite among gardeners—have flowers that vary between pink, lavender, and blue, depending on the soil pH. Hydrangea shrubs have a longer blooming season, typically from late spring through early fall. To ensure that they live a full life (50 years!), plant them in spring after the last spring frost or in fall before the first fall frost.
Hardiness zones: 3-9
Sunlight: Partial sun
Soil needs: Acidic, well-drained soil
Bloom time: Late spring to fall
RELATED: Best Fall Flowers to Transform Your Garden Into an Autumn Paradise
Bearded Iris
There are about 300 iris species, but the bearded iris is among the most popular. The striking blooms, which can range from deep purple and blue to yellow and white, prefer full sun and well-drained soil to thrive, but require minimal watering. The iris flower is a favorite among pollinators, especially bees that are drawn to its vibrant petals.
Hardiness zones: 3-10
Sunlight: Full sun
Soil needs: Well-drained, neutral to slightly acidic soil
Bloom time: Late spring to early summer
Achillea (Yarrow)
This hardy and versatile perennial is as carefree as it gets: Yarrow is pest-resistant, quick to spread, and a major pollinator. Since it grows quickly, use it as ground cover or to fill large spaces. Once the red, yellow, pink, or white flowers bloom, cut them (a.k.a. deadhead) when their color starts to fade to encourage more flower growth.
Hardiness zones: 3-9
Sunlight: Full sun
Soil needs: Any soil that is well-draining
Bloom time: Summer
Lavender
Lavender's fragrant blooms add vibrant color to any garden. Not to mention, the strong scent deters pests like mosquitoes, moths, and flies, making it a natural insect repellent. It grows especially well in areas with hot temperatures and little rain, so it's a great addition for extreme climates.
Hardiness zones: 5-9
Sunlight: Full sun
Soil needs: Alkaline-rich, well-drained and sandy soil
Bloom time: Late spring to early summer
Astereae (Asters)
The star-shaped flower heads may give off the same look as daisies, but they're an entirely different type of perennial. The plants, which can grow anywhere from eight inches to eight feet in height, come to life in late summer, giving bees and butterflies an important late-season pollen supply.
Hardiness zones: 3-8
Sunlight: Full sun
Soil needs: Well-drained, loamy soil
Bloom time: Late summer to fall
Monarda Didyma (Bee Balms)
This easy-to-grow plant has strong stems, large leaves, and bright flowers in shades of berry red, pink, and purple. Use them to attract hummingbirds, butterflies, and bees. The sun-loving plant requires a lot of water and the foliage can be cut back after flowering to encourage growth. Added bonus? When crushed, the flowers release a spicy fragrance that's perfect for tea.
Hardiness zones: 4-9
Sunlight: Full or half sun
Soil needs: Rich, moisture-retaining soil
Bloom time: Early summer to early fall
Alyssa Gautieri (she/her) leads Good Housekeeping’s gift guide strategy. She writes and edits commerce content, where she analyzes lifestyle trends, shopping data, and works closely with the Good Housekeeping Institute to recommend top-tested products. Previously, she was the associate lifestyle editor for GH and wrote for publications including ELLE Decor, BobVila.com, and Unique Homes Magazine. When she’s not tracking down buzzy products, you can find her walking her dog, Skye, around Jersey City.
Monique Valeris is the home design director for Good Housekeeping, where she oversees the brand's home decorating coverage across print and digital. Prior to joining GH in 2020, she was the digital editor at Elle Decor. In her current role, she explores everything from design trends and home tours to lifestyle product recommendations, including writing her monthly column, "What's in My Cart."
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