Do you want a beautifully colored yard but don’t have the time to work at it daily? Me too. Even though I work from home, I tend to get busier as the years go on with the kids in sports, and I mostly drive them here and there.
Having all the beautiful colors is key when you live in an area with a short growing season. I want to enjoy our three months of growth with abundance.
But, and this is the tricky part, maintaining that slice of heaven throughout the summer demands an unfathomable amount of tender love and care, a luxury that most of us garden enthusiasts don’t have.
Enter the unsung heroes of the garden world: low-maintenance perennials that bloom throughout the summer. Today, we’re unearthing the secrets of a resilient garden with 13 perennial plants that demand little but give so much.
What’s the Hoopla About Perennials?
Understanding perennials and their unique role in your garden is step one in the low-maintenance game. Unlike their annual counterparts (I guess you could call them the sprinters of the plant world), perennials are marathoners. They return yearly, establishing deeper roots and more robust health with each cycle.
The Gist on Perennials
- Perennials, like your favorite plants in all the best TV dramas, are known for their ability to come back.
- Typically, they require less water and care because they’ve become a bit more seasoned in their gardening experience (translation: they know how to handle the summer all on their own!).
But don’t be fooled by their low-maintenance nature; these plants still bring the wow factor to your garden. Some make for stunning cut flowers you can enjoy in your home. Look out for the bold and beautiful Echinacea (also known as coneflowers), and the ever-poised Daylilies.
Nothing beats cut flowers when it comes to adding a touch of nature to our homes. But, constantly buying them from the store can be costly and time-consuming. That’s why having perennials that make great-cut flowers is a win-win situation!
Some of the best options from this list include peonies, hydrangeas, and black-eyed Susans. These perennials have beautiful blooms and last long when cut and put in a vase. So you can enjoy the beauty of your garden inside and outside your home.
The Power of Perennial Combinations
One of the best things about perennials is their versatility. With so many different types, you can mix and match them to create stunning displays in your garden.
Pair tall, spiky flowers like delphiniums with low-growing ones like creeping phlox for a dynamic look. Or, combine bold red poppies with delicate purple catmint for a pop of color. The options are endless, and the results are always beautiful.
Why Perennials Are the Ultimate Wingman
Planting perennials is like investing in your garden’s long-term happiness. They stabilize the soil, prevent erosion, and provide a reliably consistent splash of color where you need it most.
Low Maintenance Personified
We’re gunning for plants that don’t need a bouncer’s level of vigilance from us every day – the ones you can more or less set and forget (well, almost).
Picking the Low Maintenance Champion
When selecting plants, look for the phrases “drought-tolerant,” “resistant,” and “self-sufficient.” Think of it as the equivalent of planting the Rambo of perennials.
The Perennial All-Stars List
What’s a list without some fanfare? Alright, folks, fasten your seatbelts because we’re about to drop 13 names that will transform your summer garden dreams into reality.
Daisy – A Classic Amongst Flowers
Name a more iconic summer flower; I’ll wait. With its cheery countenance and simplicity, the daisy thrives with minimal intervention. It’s one of my favorite flowers and where our yellow lab’s name came from!
- Loves a good sunbathing session
- Damp soil? Absolutely not, this one’s got a sturdy constitution that handles drought like a champ.
- For an English countryside vibe, plant as if you’re making a mini-flower forest about a foot apart.
Blanket Flower – Nature’s Fireworks
The blanket flower is your ticket if your garden plans need a little spontaneous combustion of colors.
- Full sun worshipper
- Like a culinary prodigy who can cook a five-star meal with three ingredients, the blanket flower needs only good drainage, sunshine, and a median degree of water.
- Pop ’em in your perennial bed or meadow garden – they’ll mingle well with other natives.
Lavender – A Scent Above the Rest
Lavender is poetry incarnate in your garden, and the good news is, it’s not as finicky as its fragility might suggest.
- The sun is its soulmate
- Tip your watering can towards it in its nascent stage; once mature, it’s a “one sip of water every now and then” kind of friend.
- Bees and butterflies can’t resist its aromatic charms, so expect a pollinator paradise.
Salvia – Elegance Redefined
With its regal appearance, the salvia is the perennial equivalent of a garden party with Taylor Swift on the playlist.
- A salute to the sun
- It’s on the fence about moisture – just enough to keep the soil moist, please.
- It’s a real winner in a butterfly or perennial border, especially with its tall, stately presence.
Yarrow – The Neverending Bloomer
Like the energizer bunny, the yarrow just keeps on blooming – make place in your garden for a plant that joins the marathon.
- Sun? Absolutely.
- Soil? Relatively dry is the advanced directive here.
- Its lacy foliage complements cacti and succulents beautifully, while its long-lasting blooms make for splendid cut flowers.
Catmint – Mint for Cat Lovers
Purple flower spikes and gray-green foliage, the catmint known as Walker’s Low is a true showstopper in any garden. And it’s not just a pretty face – this plant is low-maintenance and thrives in hot and dry conditions. After its initial burst of flowers in late spring, give it a trim to keep it compact and watch as it blooms again.
- Sun? Of course, it loves to bask in the sun just like our feline friends.
- Soil? Well-drained and drier soil is ideal, but don’t worry if it gets a bit wet. It’s a tough plant and can handle it.
- Bonus: Its fragrance is irresistible to cats, so be prepared for some furry visitors in your garden. Just make sure they don’t nibble on the leaves too much!
Coreopsis – Midsummer Goldrush
If a plant exuding sunshine were a thing, it’d be the coreopsis — the flower is literally called ‘sunburst.’
- The sun is shining, and so is the coreopsis’s disposition.
- Soil? Dry to medium makes it happy.
- It’s the Beyoncé of the garden world — plant confidently solo or alongside others; it always steals the spotlight.
The list goes on, and the best part? They all follow a similar set of rules. But we’re not done yet. There’s more where that came from.
Black Eyed Susan – The Wild Child
The black eyed Susan is as lively and carefree as its name suggests.
- Sun worshipping is a must for this plant.
- Soil? Well-drained, but it’s not opposed to some moisture every now and then.
- Perfect for adding a pop of color to your garden or container – let it roam free, or corral it. Either way, it’s sure to impress.
Coneflower – The All-Star
The coneflower is a staple in any garden, and for good reason.
- Sun? You betcha.
- Soil? Moist but well-drained, but it’s not a deal breaker if it gets a little dry.
- Its striking blooms will attract pollinators like bees and butterflies, making your garden the place to be.
Peonies – The Drama Queen
Once peonies have made themselves at home in your garden, they are practically indestructible. From well-drained to fertile soil, these divas can handle it all. And don’t even get us started on their drought tolerance – these beauties require less watering than other flowers.
Plus, with their strong resistance to pests and diseases, peonies are the drama queens we all need in our gardens. With minimal pruning needs, you’ll have stunning flowers year after year without all the extra work. Who says gardening can’t be dramatic?
So go ahead and add some showy flowers to your garden with these showstopping peonies!
- Sun? They prefer full sun but can tolerate a bit of shade.
- Soil? Rich and well-drained soil is a must for these beauties.
- Bonus: With their large, fragrant blooms in various colors, peonies are sure to steal the spotlight in any garden. And with their long lifespan, they’ll keep coming back to wow you yearly. Just don’t forget to water them during dry periods!
Phlox – The Social Butterfly
With their vibrant flower clusters, phlox will surely attract attention in your garden. However, they also have a special talent for bringing pollinators and other beneficial insects together.
This plant is like that low-maintenance friend who’s comfortable basking in the spotlight and chilling in the background. It’s pretty chill, thriving in full sun or sliding into a cool partial shade without a fuss. And the flowers!
They come in this delightful array of colors – imagine purples, pinks, and whites that would make a rainbow jealous. Each cluster of fragrant flowers is like a party; honestly, my garden’s never been livelier. It’s like the garden phlox knows it’s the star of the show without even trying.
Bee Balm – The Life of the Party
You know that one friend who’s always the life of the party and can make anyone feel welcome? That’s bee balm in a nutshell. With its vibrant, nectar-filled flowers, this plant is a magnet for bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds. Plus, its leaves can be brewed into a tasty tea with medicinal properties. Talk about multi-talented!
But let’s not forget the real reason we all invite bee balm to our garden parties – those show-stopping flowers. From dark purples to bright reds, there’s a color for every taste. And they’ll bloom all summer, keeping the party going until the end.
Design 101: Making Your Garden Sing With Perennials
You’ve got the players; now it’s time to learn the playbook. A well-designed garden can look just as good if it’s low-maintenance, and I’m here to tell you how.
Layer It Up
Think of your garden as a beautiful dress and the perennials as layers of tulle and satin that add depth and dimension to the overall look. Low-growing varieties can be your foundational layer, followed by medium and then tall plants.
Keep It Balanced, Like a Well-Predicated Diet
A good garden, much like a good meal, has balance. Think about your color palette — aim for harmony or contrast, depending on the mood you’re going for.
The Care and Feeding of Perennials
Even low-maintenance beauties need a bit of care. The good news is, it’s a lot less than you think.
Pruning
It’s less about shaping your perennials into poodles and more about telling them, “Hey, you’re doing great, don’t go popping up in your neighbor’s plot.”
- Prune after the plant has finished blooming for the season, typically in late fall or early spring.
- Use sharp and clean pruning shears to make a clean cut without damaging the plant.
- Cut off dead or diseased stems and leaves, as well as any crossing branches that may cause overcrowding.
- Don’t be afraid to prune back up to one-third of the plant to encourage healthy growth.
- Avoid pruning during times of extreme temperature or drought, as this can stress the plant.
- Regularly remove any dead flowers to promote continuous blooming and prevent the plant from putting energy into producing seeds.
Deadheading
This not-so-grim task keeps your plants happy and encourages more blooms. It’s telling them, “you can do this, buddy, just focus on the flowers.”
- Step 1: Identify spent blooms – look for wilted, faded or brown flowers.
- Step 2: Use clean, sharp pruners or scissors to cut the stem just above a healthy set of leaves.
- Step 3: Dispose of dead blooms and any debris to prevent diseases.
- Optional step 4: Some perennials may benefit from deadheading throughout the growing season to promote continuous blooming. Keep an eye on your plants and repeat as needed.
The beauty of a garden is not just in its visual appeal but in the stories and memories it hosts. Our perennial pals are the unsung storytellers, weaving tales of resilience and grace as they return each summer.
Perennials are the perfect addition to any garden – they add color, depth, and dimension without requiring too much maintenance. And let’s not forget their social butterfly tendencies, attracting bees, butterflies, and other pollinators to your outdoor space. So go ahead and give them a try in your own garden – you won’t regret it.