Herbaceous peony

Daylily

Here is a list of flowering perennials that need little care after planting. Ornamental grasses and ferns are not listed here. One steadfast rule that you must follow if this group of plants are to work for you: “choose the right plant for the right site”. Shady plants in full sun and terrestrial plants in swampy ground are no-nos. If these plants are properly planted, all should prosper.

In most locations (zones 5-7), they’re long-lived and are disease and insect free. Many (except where indicated) flowering perennials prefer full sun and humus-rich well-drained soil.

The list:

Italian arum (Arum italicum)  – bright variegated foliage arise in fall and grow through winter; red cluster berry fruits appearing in late spring; partial to full shade.

Baptisia or wild indigo (Baptisia spp.) – full sun; purple, blue, yellow or white flowers appear in mid-spring.

Coreopsis (Coreopsis spp.) – full sun and moderate soil moisture; many cultivars including single-, semi-, or double- petalled yellow flowers bloom in late spring thru summer if deadheaded.

Lenten rose (Helleborus x hybrida) – many great cultivars to choose from; partial shade; mid-to late winter flowering.

Catmint (Nepeta x faassenii) – several great cultivars including ‘Walker’s Low’ and ‘Six Hills Giant’; spring-summer flowering.

Cranesbill, hardy geranium (Geranium spp.) – lots of great cultivar choices available; partial shade; spring flowering, popular cultivar ‘Rozanne’ blooms intermittently from late spring to autumn.

Chinese astilbe (Astilbe chinensis) – many cultivars; easier to grow compared to A. x arendsii; morning sun; late spring-early summer blooming.

Fairy Wings, barrenworts (Epimedium spp) – excellent ground cover ; early spring flowers; deciduous or evergreen varieties available; partial to full shade.

Siberian iris (Iris sibirica) – green, black and variegated foliage and numerous flower colors; full sun.

Daylilies (Hemerocallis x) – over 70.00 varieties to choose from. Select those suited to your regional location; shop at a daylily grower in your locale.

Peony (Paeonia officinalis) – hundreds of great cultivar choices available; full to partial sun; mid-spring flowering.

Russian sage (Perovskia atriplicifolia) – full sun; mid-summer and later bloomer; several new dwarf or compact growing cultivars such as ‘Denim and Lace’, ‘Little Spire’, ‘Filigran’.

Variegated Solomon seal (Polygonatum odoratum ‘Variegatum’) – bright variegated foliage, flowering is secondary; partial shade.

Tall sedums (Sedum x spectabile) – several cultivars; full sun; summer flowering.

Lilytuft, Monkeygrass (Liriope muscari) – part to full sun; many cultivars including with dark green ‘Big Blue’, striped ‘Variegata), and chartreuse (‘Peedee Ingot’); clumps 8-12 inches high; Spike-like clusters of pale violet to white flowers in mid to late summer.