These stunning flowers bloom in mid to late winter, often around the time of Lent when snow still is on the ground. Lenten roses, also called hellebores, may seem fragile, but their toughness is legendary.
Peonies can live for decades, so they’re a worthwhile investment for your perennial garden. These lush flowers bloom in late spring. Many have intense fragrances, and they’re available in many colors and forms.
Penstemon, also called beardtongue, is a sturdy, sun-loving summer bloomer. This drought-tolerant and deer-resistant plant is ideal for all types of gardens.
Coral bells, also called heuchera, have skyrocketed in popularity in recent years with many new cultivars, or cultivated varieties, introduced. Grown mostly for its striking, ruffled foliage, which comes in every color from lime green to bright plum, coral bells send up delicate flower spikes,
These charming perennials provide late season color that lasts well into fall. Also called windflower, they have a delicate beauty, with a profuse number of pink or white blooms nodding on long stems atop its mounded foliage.
Cranesbill, or perennial geraniums, are tough plants that tolerate poor soil and extreme cold. Their attractive foliage has a spicy scent, which repels hungry rabbits.
Papaver, or Oriental poppies, have papery blooms that appear in spring through early summer. Plant the roots in fall for blooms the next year; there also are annual types which often reseed themselves freely.
It might not be the loveliest name, but lungwort is a pretty perennial for shade gardens. It has silvery spots and charming purple-pink flowers in early spring.
Salvia is a hardy perennial that has spikes of purple, pink or white flowers atop mounded foliage. These summer bloomers, which attract pollinators, are sturdy and trouble-free, so they’re a must-have in any sunny garden.