It loves the sun, and if it will bloom in the shade bed, I cant imagine how good it will look when its transplanted to a more suitable bed. Why we love it: The foliage lasts all season, so the blooms are just a bonus. Why we love it: Its one of the first perennials to emerge in spring, and then it offers interesting foliage until it begins blooming from late summer through the end of fall. They grow in clumps, and they can reach heights of up to six inches tall in zones four through eight. Many species can tolerate a range of light conditions. When dividing in the fall, do it early enough so that the newly divided plants have a chance to establish their root systems before winter sets in. Cookies collect information about your preferences and your devices and are used to make the site work as you expect it to, to understand how you interact with the site, and to show advertisements that are targeted to your interests. They are generally still known and sold as sedums in the trade, despite the genus reassignment. USDA Hardiness Zones: 59 (depends on variety). GardenLoversClub.com is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com. Emily Hannemann is an associate digital editor for Birds & Blooms. Penstemon plant is tough, blooming early summer to fall. This is a short one, reaching about two feet, but there are other cultivars that get four feet tall and dance in the late summer breeze. This pure species plant has petals that curve downward, so most varieties chosen for gardens are cultivars bred to have more open flower faces. A well-known favorite of avid gardeners, daylilies come in various colors that boast numerous flower stalks and clusters of sword-like vegetation. Bleeding Heart (Lamprocapnos Spectabilis) 12. Some plants may produce lots of lush foliage in the shade but produce few or no flowers unless adequate sunlight is available. Plants vary in their requirement/tolerance of drought, wet feet and soil quality. Late in the season, the seed heads provide food for birds. If more for less is your motto, yuccas are a must-have. These plants will be back year after year, will save you money on watering (all are drought-tolerant!) The following lists suggest a selection of plants for part to full shade, but be sure to do the rest of your homework in matching species to site conditions. Annuals vs. perennials what is the difference? They do need water, but they are drought-resistant plants that do well with only an inch a week. Catharanthus roseus (annual vinca) is a compact, upright plant with intense flower colors, including pink, red, white, and purple. Their flowers resemble clusters of vibrant ferns that come in various colors including purple, red, and pink. It produces blue-purple flowers and minty leaves, which repel deer and other critters . Erupting in a long-lasting shower of sky-blue blooms in late spring, this vigorous ground-hugger looks equally delightful trailing over stone . Another species with flowers reminiscent of daisies, Echinacea will grow two to four feet tall, is drought tolerant, and is an excellent source of pollen for bees and seeds for over-wintering birds once the blooms have faded. Zone: 4 - 9 Grecian Pattern Plant Acanthus mollis 'Oak Leaf' Not only loves afternoon shade, but dry shade to boot! These perennials bloom for a long time and offer a wonderful perfume that will transport you to the Mediterranean. It will do well in full sun, but it can also grow in shady conditions and without a lot of water. Dwarf Globe Blue Spruce These bright flowers are ideal for attracting butterflies, and they tend to grow well in zones three through eight. Be aware that even though they are low maintenance, these hardy species can become competitive and escape from your garden beds, so many will need thinning every few seasons. When youre at the garden center, the cost of plants can add up in a hurry. @media(min-width:0px){#div-gpt-ad-gardenloversclub_com-leader-1-0-asloaded{max-width:320px;width:320px!important;max-height:50px;height:50px!important}}if(typeof ez_ad_units!='undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[320,50],'gardenloversclub_com-leader-1','ezslot_10',804,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-gardenloversclub_com-leader-1-0');@media(min-width:0px){#div-gpt-ad-gardenloversclub_com-leader-1-0_1-asloaded{max-width:320px;width:320px!important;max-height:50px;height:50px!important}}if(typeof ez_ad_units!='undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[320,50],'gardenloversclub_com-leader-1','ezslot_11',804,'0','1'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-gardenloversclub_com-leader-1-0_1');.leader-1-multi-804{border:none!important;display:block!important;float:none!important;line-height:0;margin-bottom:7px!important;margin-left:auto!important;margin-right:auto!important;margin-top:7px!important;max-width:100%!important;min-height:50px;padding:0;text-align:center!important}. Sedums come in many varieties, from creeping groundcovers to upright shrub-like plants. That's not true of the Siberian iris, which is truly a trouble-free plant. This beautiful pink plant is an excellent option for any garden, but I love how it makes great edging. It loves the sun and thrives in dry conditions. What a beauty this abundant bloomer is! Kokedama orchid We often think of light as being either sunny or shady, but, in fact, there are many shades of light in between. Modern varieties are rebloomers, some flower for most of the summer. When they thrive in a variety of conditions, the plants show their worth. One of my favorite things about gaura is how light and airy it is. These plants can grow in full sun, partial sun, or a shady location. Hostas can tolerate part sun but prefer the shade, especially in the afternoon. If youre a flower lover, then a peony should be your top pick. Creeping phlox blooms are available in a variety of colors, including white, pink, lavender, and even a bluish-purple shade. Ramps are a springtime delicacy that many people search the woods for, but establishing your own population isnt difficult and certainly worth the effort. The species known as common sage is Salvia officinalis, but there are several other sage species, including pineapple sage (S. elegans) and woodland sage (S. nemoros). Midwest gardeners have a wonderful foliage palette that can fill in areas among other perennials, or even star as the focal point. Here are our favorites low maintenance flowering perennials that thrive in Sun. Last April plants filled with blooms were covered in snow but werent bothered at all. Color Varieties: foliage can be many shades of green or bluish-green, solid or variegated; flowers are lavender or white, Soil Needs: Rich, fertile, well-drained soil, Bearded irises are beautiful plants, but you want seem them on a list of low-maintenance plants due to their susceptibility to iris borers. Today I am sharing my list of the best low-maintenance perennials that just about anyone can grow. The main varieties produce either white or pink flowers, which wave in the wind on their thin stalks. This Chinese ground orchid is relatively low-maintenance, but it does ask for one thing: that you plant it in a partially shaded location, where it's only exposed to several hours of morning. 1. The leaves are detailed and colorful and excellent for adding interest to dim areas of the landscape. Cookie information is stored in your browser and performs functions such as recognising you when you return to our website and helping our team to understand which sections of the website you find most interesting and useful. Azaleas - Azaleas grow best in the morning sun and afternoon shade and need an inch of water every 10 to 14 days. With experience working on an organic farm, water conservation research, farmers' markets, and plant nursery, she understands what makes plants thrive and how we can better understand the connection between microclimate and plant health. Debra is a member of The Spruce Garden Review Board. Plant them in full sun for early spring blooms. Catmint grows from one and a half to three feet tall, bursting with violet-blue flowers in the spring and summer. It will grow in most soil conditions as well in full and partial sun. I'm always looking for low-maintenance plant ideas. They don't get a great flower, but they have fantastic green/white/blueish foliage from early spring through late fall, which makes them a great "filler plant" for your perennial beds. Be patient with new perennial plants. Most perennials, including the 12 listed here, are easy to propagate by digging them up and dividing the root clumps. When you need reliable and low-maintenance plants that offer some serious flower power, these tough-as-nails hardy perennials are the way to go. Avoid planting azaleas where they are exposed to full hot summer sun. A few of the hardier species of the plant can grow in zones 10 and 11 as well. Yarrow blooms during the summer months from June to September and comes in various colors, including white, yellow, and pink. Learn how, when and why you should divide perennial plants. New varieties offer pretty alternatives to the traditional yellow blooms, and the orange, pink and bright-red -varieties add a color twist to this favorite. Spend time scouring the nursery for sale or TLC plants. This beautiful small herbaceous perennial blooms early in spring before most plants begin flowering. Theyve all been grown in my garden and have stood the test of time. Thank you for sharing! I would much rather email you. There are many different Iris varieties, many of which do very well in partial shade. These plants have a shrubby growth habit that works well to create shape and form in a mixed perennial garden; they are a good choice for cottage-style gardens. Its wise to address the drainage issue before planting. These are the best perennials to plant in full sun. The best way to still have a garden is to try to plant some of the plants that require little care to upkeep. They prefer sun but can grow in light shade, dont need fertilizing, and will grow in just about any soil. They are sensitive to wet soil, so choose well-draining options that will not cause too much water to be absorbed. Some plants want all sun, while others prefer a light shade. Learn how your comment data is processed. They are the perfect garden backdrop, adding texture, color and fullness to any space, making them one of our favorite low maintenance perennials. Yarrow grows one to three feet tall with delicate, wispy, fern-like foliage. They grow in a large bush, so the golden flowers will brighten up your garden. Add 1 to 2 new perennials each year as you discover what grows best. Youll need to spray a deer repellent on daylilies if you want to see them bloom if your local herd is active. For a refined flower with the look and low maintenance of a wildflower, use false indigo to fill up large spaces in the garden. Birds and butterflies also love coneflower, and many birds will feed off the seed heads of the flowers if left until the fall and winter. Rex Begonia (Begonia 'Rex) 5. This is a plant with bright yellow blooms that appear from late spring until late summer. purchasing bare-root plants from online plant nurseries, Identify your planting zone. Lavender needs full sun. An example is the very popular 'Moonshine', a cross between A. clypeolata and A. Taygetea. They are also one of the best perennials for a cut flower garden. They start to bloom in the spring with the crocus and there is a multitude of different colors, shapes and sizes of the flowers. If youre looking for something to plant that doesnt take a lot of maintenance, check out these perennials, which will return annually and are tough. These blooming plants thrive in any type of soil. Also called periwinkle, vinca minor is one of the most low maintenance flowering plants you could ever plant in your garden. Gathered Goods100 N 8th St Suite ARogers, Arkansas. Bacopa is a dainty flower that thrives in part shade - and dislikes strong afternoon sun. When shes not on the land, Amber loves informing people of new ideas/things related to gardening, especially organic gardening, houseplants, and growing plants in a small space. No plants are easier to care for than daylilies. You can grow the plants outdoors in flower containers and pots or in your garden. They grow best in zones three through eight and make sure that you do not overwater them because it can cause mildew and growth issues. It does not care for wet soil, so if you get too much rain or plant in a spot with bad drainage, it wont be very happy. It grows relatively short and compact, not getting much taller than 9 inches, but will spread up to about 3 feet over time. SHOP LAVENDER mooninwell // Getty Images 2 Fuchsia This species, native to North America, thrives in shady areas with fertile soil, like woodland areas, making them the perfect plant to go in a shaded wildflower garden. USDA growing zones: 5 to 9. Wax begonia. (Penstemon species and cultivars, Zones 3 to 8). 2023 Purdue University | An equal access/equal opportunity university | Copyright Complaints | Maintained by Indiana Yard and Garden Purdue Consumer Horticulture, If you have trouble accessing this page because of a disability, please contact Indiana Yard and Garden Purdue Consumer Horticulture at homehort@purdue.edu | Accessibility Resources, Indiana Yard and Garden Purdue Consumer Horticulture -, Indiana Yard and Garden Purdue Consumer Horticulture, A Purdue Extension Service for Home Gardeners, Department of Horticulture & Landscape Architecture, Horticulture & Landscape Architecture, 625 Agriculture Mall, West Lafayette, IN 47907, An equal access/equal opportunity university. Most varieties grow 3 to 5 feet tall (with some giant varieties reaching up to 9 feet), so its a good idea to keep their size in mind when choosing a spot for them in your garden. Zone: 9 to 11, zones 3-8 dig up and replant each spring. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. We hope these low-maintenance perennials will help you to create a beautiful, finished look for your yard, pollinator garden, or professional landscaping projects. Color Varieties: White, cream, yellow, pink, maroon, reddish-rust (depends on variety), Soil Needs: Dry to medium moisture, sandy loam. Another great plant for problem areas. One of the most popular cool-season flowers, undemanding pansies require minimal deadheading to keep blooming throughout the spring. This will be a pest-free plant that requires little care; in fact, it can even grow in dry soil for a short period of time. (If you place it in full shade, the leaves will start to fade to green.) 01 of 19 Daylily BHG / Evgeniya Vlasova 24-28 " tall, 2 0-24 " spread, full sun to part shade, zone 5b-9. Find a shady woodland area with leaf litter that hosts other wildflowers and transplant a few individuals. Or, some varieties grow into a mounded shape. This is not true. All coreopsis species have daisy-like flowers but otherwise have somewhat different foliage and growth habits: All four species are very easy to care for and do well in rocky, poor soils. These late spring to early summer blooms can be white, cream, several shades of pink, purple, or red. Soils can be wet with good drainage or be wet because of poor drainage; the latter is a more difficult situation. Why we love it: Though yarrow is sometimes considered a weed, the right cultivar is like discovering hidden treasure! I love easy plants that produce great color for you--low maintenance for the win! As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. If planted in full sun and kept watered, this plant will continue to flower every season. Why we love it: Once the flowers are gone, attractive ornamental seed heads last for several weeks. If deer presence is a problem in your area, be aware that hostas are one of their favorite meals and overnight can nibble lush hosta foliage down to the ground. Debra LaGattuta is a Master Gardener with 30+ years of experience in perennial and flowering plants, container gardening, and raised bed vegetable gardening. Turned out that plant was a Veronica, or a Speedwell (how many names can one plant have? Learn how your comment data is processed. In part-shade conditions, false indigo may require some pruning or the use of supports to keep them from flopping. See more ideas about plants, planting flowers, perennials. They are the perfect garden backdrop, adding texture, color and fullness to any space, making them one of our favorite low maintenance perennials. However the sturdy stems and glossy green leaves continue to grow throughout the summer and into the fall, so they can still provide visual interest for your garden. I was delighted to find an elephant ear plant sprouting from one of my flower beds a few months after we moved into your new home. You rarely have to worry about whether this one of our low maintenance perennials will come back each year. Plants differ in their adaptability to different growing conditions. Best Shrubs for Shade A favorite for naturalists and gardeners alike, coneflower species are a great low-maintenance perennial for any garden. In the Midwest, place it in an area that gets morning sun but afternoon shade for best results and coloration. Despite the name, these are not lilies at all, but belong to a different genus that includes about 15 common species. These easy-maintenance plants are perfect for stretching down your walkway. Because of its deep taproot, gaura needs little watering and thrives in hot, dry weather.