The 9 Easiest Perennials To Grow
Growing perennials doesn't have to be complicated. In fact, it can be one of the simplest ways to build a long-lasting, low-maintenance garden. These plants return each year with minimal effort, often rewarding you with more growth and blooms as time goes on. Whether you’re working with a big yard or a few containers, there are hardy options that thrive with just the basics.
Daylilies
Daylilies are ideal for beginners. They handle drought, poor soil, and neglect better than most. Once planted, they spread steadily, forming thick clusters of greenery and cheerful flowers. Each bloom only lasts a day, but they come in waves, covering the plant for weeks. You won't need to fuss over them. Just trim back dead leaves in the fall, divide every few years if needed, and that’s it. They’re consistent, colorful, and hard to mess up.
Hostas
If your space leans more shady, hostas are a dependable choice. Their leaves offer structure and interest from spring through frost, and they get fuller each season. They're not the flashiest, but they’re reliable and easy to manage. Slugs can be an issue in damp spots, but a bit of crushed eggshell or diatomaceous earth usually keeps things under control. Give them time, and they’ll settle in and become a cornerstone of your shaded garden.
Sedum
Sedum, often called stonecrop, is built for tough conditions. It doesn't mind dry soil or full sun, so it often thrives where other plants struggle. With thick, succulent-like leaves and late-season flowers, sedum needs almost no upkeep. It’s especially useful for border areas, rock gardens, or places you forget to water. Its clean, compact form makes it easy to pair with other plants without overcrowding.
Coneflowers
Coneflowers aren't just beautiful, they’re functional. Bees and butterflies love them, and birds will eat the seeds in the fall. They tolerate heat, poor soil, and irregular watering. Once they’re established, they basically run themselves. You can cut back dead flowers to encourage more blooms, but even the dried seed heads look good through winter. Plant a few and let them spread naturally, or move seedlings to other areas of your yard.
Catmint
Catmint brings soft color and scent from early summer through fall. It's drought-tolerant, grows quickly, and blooms for months without much help. You can also shear it back mid-season to encourage a second flush of flowers. It doesn’t mind tough conditions, attracts pollinators, and resists pests. Plant it at the edge of a border or along a walkway and forget about it.
Yarrow
Yarrow is one of those plants that can take a beating and still put on a good show. It thrives in dry, rocky, or sandy soil, making it perfect for areas where other plants might fail. Its flat-topped blooms bring a soft, wild look to the garden and stay upright without support. Once it's established, yarrow rarely needs water. It spreads easily, so just cut it back if it starts to wander too far.
Coreopsis
Coreopsis grows in neat mounds and produces bright yellow or pink daisy-like flowers through most of the summer. It does well in poor soil, needs very little watering once rooted, and isn't fussy about care. It looks best when planted in groups, especially near pathways or borders. Even if you forget about it for weeks, it keeps on blooming. Trim it once or twice during the season to keep things tidy, but that’s about all.
Black-eyed Susans
These golden flowers are one of the most recognizable garden perennials. They thrive in sun, grow fast, and bounce back from most problems. You'll often find them still blooming when other plants have already started fading for the season. Black-eyed Susans spread readily, which is great if you want to fill space quickly, but be ready to thin them out if they start to take over. They handle poor soil, heat, and even some drought, making them a true workhorse.
Bee Balm
Bee balm adds bold color and attracts hummingbirds, butterflies, and bees. It's happiest in a sunny spot with decent soil, though it will still bloom in light shade. Its upright flowers stand tall in midsummer, adding both height and texture. The plant can spread quickly, so give it room or divide it regularly. Sometimes a powdery mildew can show up in more humid areas, but spacing plants out and keeping the area airy usually prevents that.
The best gardens aren't the ones that demand constant work, they’re the ones that offer beauty without taking over your schedule. These perennials don’t need special treatment, and over time, they’ll reward you for your choice with reliability, color, and life. Choose just one or two to start and see what grows well in your space. Gardening doesn’t have to be complicated, and with plants like these, it usually isn’t.