I love perennials, but finding hardy options that can grow in the hardiness zone where I live can be very difficult. I live in the northeastern part of the country, and having plants that can survive the winter without having to be replanted each year is a great advantage, especially when having a thriving garden space.
Many of these plants in this guide are options that I have growing in my garden right now, so let’s take a look at some of the hardy perennials that could make your garden complete.
1. Astilbe
This is a beautiful fern-like plant that can grow to be two feet in height. It does well in shady environments in zones three to eight, and they produce soft pastel blooms that add a lot of color to a garden. They also like soil that is somewhat moist, so make sure to water it often.
2. Shasta Daisy
The shasta daisy is a plant that is found in US hardiness zones between five and nine. It can eventually grow to be three feet tall, and it does not require a lot of care. It will grow well in full sun and well-drained soil. In addition, it will not need to be watered frequently.
3. Gaillardia
These small flowers produce cone-shaped blooms that are orange and yellow in color. They grow in hardiness zones three to nine, and with full sun and well-drained soil, they can grow to be 18 inches tall when they mature. Clay soil is not the best option for this plant.
4. Daylilies
Daylilies are flowers that have brightly colored blooms that will bring life to any garden. They like to grow in well-drained soil and full sun in zones three to nine. These plants are tolerant of a lot of things, so if you tend to forget your plants, it will not be an issue.
5. Coneflowers
The brightly colored blooms that this plant can create are great for attracting butterflies, birds, and bees to your garden. These plants can grow to be five feet tall, and will typically bloom from the time that summer begins until the first frost of the year. The plant will grow best in well-drained soil and full sun to partial shade.
6. Salvia
Salvia is a tubular plant that has orange, red, purple, and blue blooms that is ideal for attracting hummingbirds and other pollinators to your garden space. They grow in zones eight to 11, and it will do well in full sun and well-drained soil. Sandy soil is actually a great option for this plant.
7. Hosta
This plant can grow in hardiness zones three through nine. It is a great plant to grow in a shady space, especially since it is tolerant of cooler temperatures. If the temperature drops below 40, the plant tends to go dormant. They will require at least partial sun if you would like the foliage to turn yellow. If you would like more information on growing Hostas, check out this guide I wrote on growing beautiful Hostas.
8. Bugleweed
Bugleweed is a great option for a garden that needs ground cover because it grows so low to the ground. In fact, this plant will typically not grow more than six inches tall. It grows in hardiness zones three through eight, and it will grow well in partial to full sun.
9. Yarrow
The yarrow is a plant that is great for ground cover as well, but it will grow rather rapidly in your garden, so make sure to have the space to accommodate it. It is a drought-resistant plant that does not require a lot of care. It will grow best in full sun with soil that is well-draining.
10. Japanese Anemone
This plant will grow well in zones four through eight. It will do well in partial shade or partial sun, and it can tolerate full sun as long as the plant gets sufficient water when it is growing. It will also require well-drained soil to make sure that the plant does not get root rot.
11. Butterfly Weed
As you may infer from the name of this plant, it is one that attracts butterflies to your garden. It creates bright orange blooms that will also give your garden a bit of color. It tends to do well in zones three to nine, and it is a very resilient plant that will not require much care.
12. Lily of the Valley
This plant is one that can be seen growing in zones two through nine. It will really thrive in moist, or somewhat wet soil, so if there is water at the bottom of the pot, it will not be an issue. They also like to be planted in partial shade, and the blooms have a sweet smell that can attract pollinators to the garden space.
13. Alcea (Hollyhock)
Hollyhocks are breathtaking plants that can grow to be as tall as eight feet. They can be found growing in hardiness zones three through nine, and they tend to thrive when they can grow in well-drained soil and full sun. You don’t want the soil to be too dry though, so when the top layer of soil becomes dry to the touch water the plant. See more information on growing Hollyhocks.
14. Alchemilla Mollis (Lady’s Mantle)
If you are looking for a perennial that does not require a lot of additional care, then the lady’s mantle is a great option to consider. The yellow blooms that it produces are lovely, and the plant will do well in full sun to partial shade. Slightly acidic soil is preferred for it to thrive.
15. Andropogon Gerardii (Big Bluestem)
This is a perennial that can be found in zones four to nine, and it will grow best in full sun. This plant can grow to be anywhere from three to eight feet when it matures, and it can have a width of up to three feet wide. This grass-like plant is great for landscaping your space, and it creates pink flowers when it blooms.
16. Artemisia Schmidtiana
This is a type of plant that will grow in partial sun to full shade. It will grow well in most types of soil, but it needs to be well-draining, so sand and clay can be best for its growth. It has small white blooms that will attract pollinators as well.
17. Baptisia (False Indigo)
Another plant that requires very little care is false indigo. It is a drought-tolerant plant that will grow small blue flowers that are pea-sized. This plant can grow in zones three to 10, and it should be planted in a space that gets six hours of sunlight a day.
18. Brunnera Macrophylla (Siberian Bugloss)
This plant does well in soil that is well-drained, but it also needs to be slightly moist. If the soil dries out too much, it will stop thriving. It does well in full shade so that the sun does not soak up all of the moisture in the soil. It does best in hardiness zones three to eight.
