Starting a perennial garden doesn’t have to be complicated. These 5 beginner-friendly plants are the perfect foundation for any new garden.
They’re low-maintenance, reliable, and will give you beautiful blooms for years to come.
Easy-Care Perennials for New Gardeners
1. Daylily
These beauties have become my absolute garden workhorses. I started with just one variety, and now I can’t stop collecting them!
They pop up on sturdy stems between 2-5 feet tall, showing off their trumpet-shaped blooms that last just a day each – but don’t worry, there are always more buds ready to open.
The best part? Deer leave them alone, and I’ve never had to spray them for pests or diseases. My kids love watching the new colors unfold throughout summer.
2. Shasta Daisy
These cheerful flowers remind me of the ones I used to pick in my grandmother’s garden. They’re truly the classic “he loves me, he loves me not” flower!
Standing proud at 2-3 feet tall, they’re perfect for brightening up any sunny spot in your yard. Some varieties even smell amazing!
I’ve found that cutting off the dead flowers (we gardeners call it “deadheading”) makes them bloom like crazy. Plus, they’re tough cookies during dry spells – mine survived even when I forgot to water them for weeks!
3. Peony
Oh my goodness, let me tell you about peonies! These stunning flowers are like the crown jewels of my spring garden.
They’re incredibly special because once you plant them, they’ll probably outlive you – talk about getting your money’s worth! Mine are growing in the exact spot where my grandmother planted them 30 years ago.
Just remember to plant them where you want them to stay – they’re like cats, they hate moving house. Their gorgeous blooms and lovely scent in late spring make them worth every bit of patience.
4. Coneflower
These are the ultimate “plant it and forget it” flowers in my garden. Their daisy-like blooms keep going strong all summer long.
My favorite part is watching the goldfinches swoop in during winter to snack on the seedheads. It’s like having a natural bird feeder!
They spread themselves around the garden naturally, which means free plants! I started with three plants, and now I have a whole patch of them.
5. Lupine
These gorgeous spikes of flowers make me feel like I’m living in an English cottage garden. They stand tall at 2-3 feet, creating the most beautiful vertical interest.
While they might not stick around forever, they’re super easy to grow from seeds. I simply sprinkle the seeds in fall and let nature do its thing.
The best surprise? Sometimes they pop up in new colors the following year! My original purple ones have given me pink and white babies too.
Wrapping Up
I can’t tell you how many compliments I’ve gotten on these five plants in my garden. They’ve given me the confidence to try growing other things too. Remember, even us experienced gardeners had to start somewhere – and these plants are the perfect place to begin your gardening journey