Confused about what to plant in your garden this spring? Why not try perennials?
Perennials are a fantastic way to bring lasting color to your flower beds. Unlike annuals, they return year after year, often spreading to fill in empty spaces—giving you more beauty for your investment.
Take this perennial bed, for example. It was at my former home and ran alongside our deck and house, and by late summer, it’s bursting with color. The Autumn Joy Sedum is just beginning to bloom, while Russian Sage and Black-Eyed Susans are in their full summer glory.
One of my best gardening decisions was filling this bed with low-maintenance perennials. I chose a few hardy favorites for my growing zone (6b) and repeated them throughout. With just a bit of trimming and deadheading, they have flourished, creating a stunning display from summer through fall—and even offering winter interest with their seed heads.
Before You Plant: Be sure to check the USDA Hardiness Zone Map to confirm which perennials will thrive in your area. Simply enter your zip code to find your zone, and check plant tags or catalog descriptions for zone compatibility.
Ready to get started? Here are 7 of my favorite sun-loving perennials to brighten up your garden this season!
1. Sedum (Autumn Joy)
- Hardiness Zone: 3-9
- Soil Requirements: Well-drained soil, drought-tolerant
- Sun Requirements: Full sun
- Why It's Great:
- Blooms in late summer with pink flowers that deepen to russet in fall. I leave the brown flower heads on the plants for winter interest.
- Requires minimal maintenance—just cut back dead stems in spring
- Forms attractive mounds that can be divided for more plants
2. Black-Eyed Susans (Rudbeckia)
- Hardiness Zone: 3-9
- Soil Requirements: Adaptable, prefers well-drained soil
- Sun Requirements: Full sun
- Why It's Great:
- Bright yellow blooms last from mid-summer through fall. I leave the seed heads on the plant for winter interest and deadhead in the spring.
- Attracts pollinators and adds vibrant color to the garden
- Spreads easily, making it ideal for filling large spaces
#3 Russian Sage (Perovskia atriplicifolia)
- Hardiness Zone: 4-9
- Soil Requirements: Well-drained, dry to medium soil
- Sun Requirements: Full sun
- Why It's Great:
- Produces delicate purple-blue flowers with wispy stems
- Blooms from mid-to-late summer with minimal upkeep
- Resistant to deer and drought, making it a tough choice for any garden
#4 Daylily (Hemerocallis)
- Hardiness Zone: 3-10
- Soil Requirements: Well-drained, adaptable to various soil types
- Sun Requirements: Full sun to partial shade
- Why It's Great:
- Comes in a variety of colors and sizes
- Blooms in early to mid-summer, with some varieties reblooming
- Easy to divide and share with friends
#5 Variegated Liriope (Liriope muscari)
- Hardiness Zone: 5-10
- Soil Requirements: Well-drained, tolerates various soil types
- Sun Requirements: Full sun to partial shade
- Why It's Great:
- Provides striking variegated foliage year-round
- Produces purple flowers in late summer
- Minimal maintenance—cut back in early spring to refresh growth
#6 Purple Coneflower (Echinacea purpurea)
- Hardiness Zone: 3-9
- Soil Requirements: Well-drained, tolerates poor soil
- Sun Requirements: Full sun
- Why It's Great:
- Native to the eastern U.S. and great for pollinators
- Tall growth (up to 5 feet) makes it perfect for back-of-bed placement
- Drought-tolerant and easy to grow
#7 Shasta Daisy (Leucanthemum x superbum)
- Hardiness Zone: 5-9
- Soil Requirements: Well-drained, fertile soil
- Sun Requirements: Full sun
- Why It's Great:
- Produces classic white flowers from July through September
- Deadheading encourages continuous blooming
- Low-maintenance and adds a fresh, crisp look to any garden
What Perennials Are You Planting This Spring? Do you have a favorite sun-loving perennial? Share your picks in the comments below!
