Want flowers that come back on their own every year? Me too!
I got tired of buying and planting new flowers each spring, so I switched to these 15 amazing plants that pop up year after year.
They save you money, time, and make your yard look amazing without all the work!
15 Perennials for a Forever-Blooming Garden
1. Roses
I used to think roses were fussy and difficult, but they’ve become my absolute favorite perennials. My David Austin roses have been thriving for seven years now!
The Olivia Rose Austin and Lady of Shallot varieties are my top picks for beginners. They’re incredibly hardy and smell amazing.
Don’t let apartment living stop you – I grew my roses in containers for four years before moving them to my garden. They did beautifully either way!
Growing Tips:
Most roses do well in zones 5-10, though some tough varieties can handle zones 3-4. Fun fact: The world’s oldest living rose is actually over 1,000 years old, growing on a cathedral in Germany since 815 AD!
2. Echinaceas (Cone Flowers)
Purple coneflowers are my go-to for reliable summer color. The butterflies and bees absolutely adore them in my garden.
These native plants come in gorgeous shades of pink, purple, white, and yellow. I especially love the classic purple variety – it looks stunning in bouquets!
They’re practically bulletproof in zones 3-9, laughing off drought and deer. Plus, many gardeners make tea from them to boost their immune systems.
3. Daylilies
Don’t let the name fool you – while each bloom lasts just one day, these powerhouse plants keep producing new flowers all season long.
I’ve found that mixing early, mid, and late-blooming varieties gives me continuous color from early summer through fall. The Wild Frills variety is particularly spectacular in my garden.
They’re perfect for busy gardeners in zones 3-9, thriving in almost any well-drained soil. Some varieties even keep their leaves green all winter!
4. Blanket Flowers (Gaillardia)
These cheerful blooms have stolen my heart with their bold red, orange, and yellow colors. They remind me of little sunbursts in the garden.
I love how they keep flowering from early summer until the first frost hits. All they ask for is a sunny spot and occasional deadheading.
For those in zones 3-10, these native beauties are a dream come true. They laugh at drought and never complain, even during our hottest summers.
5. Yarrow (Achillea)
If you’re looking for a true garden warrior, yarrow is your plant! I discovered this North American native during a hiking trip and had to add it to my garden.
The delicate clusters of white, yellow, pink, or red flowers are simply magical. My pollinators can’t get enough of them!
Historically, people used yarrow to treat bug bites and help heal wounds. While I can’t speak to the medicine, I can tell you it’s one of the toughest plants in my garden.
6. Lavender
Oh, the heavenly scent of lavender! I planted a row along my pathway, and every breeze brings that calming fragrance into my home.
Here’s a hard lesson I learned: don’t skip the winter pruning! I sadly lost my gorgeous lavender plant after missing one year of pruning – it turned into a woody, sprawling mess.
For zones 5-9 gardeners (and even zones 3-4 with protection), lavender offers beautiful purple-blue spikes and endless fragrance. Just avoid planting it in clay soil – trust me on this one!
7. Peonies
Peonies are the spring show-stoppers of the perennial world. Though they only bloom for 2-3 weeks, their gorgeous pink, red, or white flowers make it worth the wait.
These hardy souls thrive in zones 3-8, though they can be a bit tricky in warmer areas like my zone 10 garden.
Each plant produces an abundance of blooms that look straight out of a bridal bouquet. They’re definitely on my wish list if I ever move to a cooler climate!
8. Shasta Daisies
These cheerful white flowers with sunny yellow centers never fail to make me smile. They’re like the friendly faces of the garden!
What I love most about Shasta daisies is how they spread naturally underground. Every few years, you can divide them to create more plants – it’s like getting free flowers!
They’re perfectly happy in zones 5-9 and make wonderful cut flowers for summer bouquets. Plus, they’re one of the easiest perennials I’ve ever grown.
9. Bee Balm
The hummingbirds in my garden go absolutely crazy for bee balm! Its bright red, pink, or purple flowers are like natural sugar feeders.
I’ve noticed something fascinating about the bees that visit – they often “cheat” by making tiny holes at the base of the flowers to get to the nectar more easily.
Though it’s nicknamed “wild bergamot,” don’t expect Earl Grey tea flavoring – that comes from a completely different plant! Still, it’s a wonderful addition to any pollinator garden.
10. Salvias (Sage)
Salvias are the backbone of my summer garden, blooming their hearts out from late spring to fall. I especially love watching the Russian sage sway in the breeze.
If you’re worried about deer, these aromatic beauties are usually left alone. They’re perfect for zones 4-10, depending on the variety.
For smaller spaces, try the compact Peruvian sage – it stays a manageable 1-3 feet tall and looks stunning in containers.
11. Rudbeckia (Black-eyed Susan)
These sunny flowers are pure joy in plant form! Every time I look at their bright yellow petals and dark centers, they make me smile.
I grew the Prairie Sun variety with its lighter centers, and it was spectacular – until the slugs discovered it. Just keep an eye out for these slimy visitors!
Hardy in zones 3-10, these native favorites bloom from midsummer through fall with practically zero effort on your part.
12. Hydrangeas
My six hydrangeas are the showstoppers of my garden, producing beautiful blooms in shades of pink, blue, white, and even green – sometimes all on the same plant!
Here’s a crucial tip I learned: they hate full sun! Plant them where they’ll get morning light or dappled shade for the happiest hydrangeas.
I love how the dried blooms add winter interest to my garden – I just leave them on the plant instead of cutting them back.
13. Phlox
From ground-hugging creepers to tall garden varieties, phlox offers something for every garden style. The fragrant star-shaped flowers are simply irresistible!
I’ve seen creeping phlox used as a gorgeous lawn alternative, creating a carpet of white, pink, red, or purple blooms.
These hardy plants (zones 3-9) are deer resistant and beloved by butterflies. What more could you ask for?
14. Chrysanthemums (Mums)
Want to know a secret? If you’re buying fall mums from the garden center, plant them in spring instead! They’ll have a much better chance of coming back year after year.
These autumn beauties are hungry plants – I feed mine monthly until the flower buds appear. The result is a spectacular fall show in zones 5-9.
In warmer areas like mine, we sometimes get lucky with two blooming seasons – one in spring and another in fall!
15. Iris
These elegant spring bloomers put on a brief but unforgettable show. Their orchid-like flowers come in stunning shades of purple, blue, white, and yellow.
Plant the rhizomes in fall for spring blooms, and remember their quirky needs – they like “wet feet but dry knees.”
Just be careful if you have pets – while deer and rabbits leave them alone, iris plants are toxic to cats, dogs, and horses if eaten.