I’m always on the lookout for beautiful plants to enhance my outdoor space. Recently, I’ve been obsessing over low-growing perennials for my garden edges and borders.
These little beauties not only add charm but also come back year after year, saving me time and effort.
Let me share my top 10 favorites that have transformed my garden into a blooming paradise!
Top 10 Low Growing Perennial Plants
1. Astilbe
Characteristics
- Flower colors: white or deep purple
- Covered in spikes
- Varying stem types: upright or arching
Growing Conditions
- Shade with few hours of sunlight
- Fertile, well-drained soil
- USDA Hardiness Zones: 4-9
Care and Maintenance
- Pruning plumes in spring
- Flowering period: spring and summer
I absolutely adore how astilbe adds a touch of whimsy to my shaded garden spots. Their feathery plumes never fail to make me smile!
2. Barrenwort (Epimedium)
Characteristics
- Height: up to 1 foot
- Width: up to 3 feet
- Multicolored spring flowers: pink, yellow, orange
- Distinctive intricate veins
- Evergreen varieties available
Growing Conditions
- Shade-loving plant
- Drought-resistant
- USDA Hardiness Zones: 4-8
Care and Maintenance
- Low maintenance due to leathery leaves
Barrenwort has been a game-changer in my dry, shaded areas. Its resilience and colorful blooms make it a true gem in my garden.
3. Bearberry (Arctostaphylos uva-ursi)
Characteristics
- Low-growing, spreading habit
- Forms dense mat via rhizomes
- Flowers: white or pink
- Flowering period: April to June
- Attracts butterflies
Growing Conditions
- Thrives in sandy or rocky soil
- Dry to medium soil moisture
- Full sun
- USDA Hardiness Zones: 2-7
Bearberry has been a lifesaver for my tricky rocky areas. Plus, the butterfly visitors it attracts are a delightful bonus!
4. Blanket Flower (Gaillardia)
Characteristics
- Wildflower appearance
- Colors: vibrant reds and yellows
- Height: 1-3 feet
Growing Conditions
- Native to central United States and Mexico
- Thrives in dry, cold climates
- Full sun required for vibrant colors
- USDA Hardiness Zones: 3-10
Care and Maintenance
- May need occasional trimming
The blanket flower brings a burst of cheerful color to my garden borders. Its wild, carefree look never fails to put a smile on my face.
5. Bleeding Heart (Dicentra)
Characteristics
- Shade-loving perennial
- Flowers: pink or red hearts tipped with white
- Height: 6 inches to 1 foot
Growing Conditions
- Full or partial shade
- Well-watered, organic soil
- USDA Hardiness Zones: 2-9
Flowering Period
- Spring bloomer
I’m head over heels for bleeding hearts! Their romantic blooms add a touch of whimsy to my spring garden.
6. Blue-Eyed Grass (Sisyrinchium)
Characteristics
- Purple flowers despite the name
- Grass-like appearance when not in bloom
- Sword-like, upward-growing leaves
- Height: 8-20 inches (plus a few extra cm when flowering)
Growing Conditions
- Full sunlight
- Rich, well-drained soil
- USDA Hardiness Zones: 4-9
Blue-eyed grass has been a delightful surprise in my garden. Its dainty purple blooms peeking out from grass-like foliage always catch my eye.
7. Calla Lily (Zantedeschia)
Characteristics
- Large, glossy green leaves
- Trumpet-shaped flowers
- Variety of flower colors, including deep red and black
- Height: 18 inches when full-grown
Growing Conditions
- Bright sunlight or dappled shade
- Damp ground
- USDA Hardiness Zones: 8-10
Calla lilies bring a touch of elegance to my garden borders. Their sculptural blooms never fail to impress my visitors.
8. Catmint (Nepeta)
Characteristics
- Member of the mint family
- Grayish-green leaves with mint scent
- Flower colors: pink, purplish-blue, or white
- Spreading habit
Growing Conditions
- Full or partial shade
- Dry, well-drained soil
- USDA Hardiness Zones: 4-8
Additional Benefits
- Deer repellent properties
I love how catmint softens the edges of my garden paths. Its minty fragrance is an added bonus when I’m working nearby.
9. Dwarf Lobelia (Lobelia erinus)
Characteristics
- Short perennial with numerous tiny flowers
- Flower colors: white, blue, or lilac
- Maximum height: around 6 inches
Growing Conditions
- Partial shade
- Moist, slightly acidic, well-drained soil
- USDA Hardiness Zones: 2-10
Dwarf lobelia creates the most enchanting carpet of tiny blooms along my garden edges. It’s like having a little piece of the sky right at ground level!
10. Goldenrod (Solidago)
Characteristics
- Golden flowers in late summer and fall
- Long, dark green leaves
- Spreads rapidly via rhizomes
Growing Conditions
- Full sun
- Average, well-draining soil
- USDA Hardiness Zones: 3-9
Additional Benefits
- Attracts butterflies
Goldenrod brings a golden glow to my late summer garden. Watching butterflies flit around its blooms is pure joy!
There you have it – my top 10 low-growing perennials for garden edges and borders. Each of these beauties has found a special place in my heart and garden.