14 of the Easiest Perennials to Grow and Care For This Spring
If you love the look of a lush, colourful garden but aren’t quite so keen on all that back-wrenching gardening, then these hardy, easy-to-grow perennials will make additions to any garden. Not only will they bloom each year, they don’t require a lot of work when they do.
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Black-Eyed Susan
1/14Black-Eyed Susan
1/14Photo Credit: Karen and Brad Emerson/Flickr Creative CommonsSource: www.flickr.com
Known for its vibrant daisy-like blooms, the Black-Eyed Susan (a.k.a. rudbeckia) will typically grow from seed and then return year after year like all good <a href="https://www.hgtv.ca/outdoors/photos/14-of-the-easiest-perennials-to-grow-and-care-for-1914236/">perennials</a>. Because these plants are native to the central and eastern parts of North America, they’re naturally insect- and drought-resistant, and don’t require a lot of fussing in order to prosper.Outdoors14 of the Easiest Perennials to Grow and Care For This SpringBlack-Eyed Susan
PHOTO 1 of 14READ LESS -Known for its vibrant daisy-like blooms, the Black-Eyed Susan (a.k.a. rudbeckia) will typically grow from seed and then return year after year like all good <a href="https://www.hgtv.ca/outdoors/photos/14-of-the-easiest-perennials-to-grow-and-care-for-1914236/">perennials</a>. Because these plants are native to the central and eastern parts of North America, they’re naturally insect- and drought-resistant, and don’t require a lot of fussing in order to prosper.Photo Credit: Karen and Brad Emerson/Flickr Creative CommonsSource: www.flickr.com
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Daylily
2/14Daylily
2/14Photo Credit: Gary Lerude/Flickr Creative CommonsSource: www.flickr.com
Once planted, a daylily is likely to become the easiest-to-care-for plant in your garden, requiring a minimum of attention while rewarding you with colourful blooms. A daylily will begin blooming in early spring, and while these plants prefer full sun they’ll do just fine in a partially shaded spot.Outdoors14 of the Easiest Perennials to Grow and Care For This SpringDaylily
PHOTO 2 of 14READ LESS -Once planted, a daylily is likely to become the easiest-to-care-for plant in your garden, requiring a minimum of attention while rewarding you with colourful blooms. A daylily will begin blooming in early spring, and while these plants prefer full sun they’ll do just fine in a partially shaded spot.Photo Credit: Gary Lerude/Flickr Creative CommonsSource: www.flickr.com
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Hosta
3/14Hosta
3/14Photo Credit: Pexels.comSource: www.pexels.com
Speaking of shade, hostas are ideal for areas that don’t get a lot of sun, since they tend to thrive in the shade. Just watch out for deer and slugs, both of which find hosta to be particularly tasty.Outdoors14 of the Easiest Perennials to Grow and Care For This SpringHosta
PHOTO 3 of 14READ LESS -Speaking of shade, hostas are ideal for areas that don’t get a lot of sun, since they tend to thrive in the shade. Just watch out for deer and slugs, both of which find hosta to be particularly tasty.Photo Credit: Pexels.comSource: www.pexels.com
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Salvia
4/14Salvia
4/14Photo Credit: Serres Fortier/Flickr Creative CommonsSource: www.flickr.com
Salvia — also known as perennial sage — boasts numerous varieties, each as hardy as the next. Salvia grows best in direct sunlight and tends to grow rapidly, easily resisting summertime heat. For best results, as soon as salvia stops blooming, shear back the plants to about one-third their height; this should result in a second bloom later in the summer.Outdoors14 of the Easiest Perennials to Grow and Care For This SpringSalvia
PHOTO 4 of 14READ LESS -Salvia — also known as perennial sage — boasts numerous varieties, each as hardy as the next. Salvia grows best in direct sunlight and tends to grow rapidly, easily resisting summertime heat. For best results, as soon as salvia stops blooming, shear back the plants to about one-third their height; this should result in a second bloom later in the summer.Photo Credit: Serres Fortier/Flickr Creative CommonsSource: www.flickr.com
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Blazing Star
5/14Blazing Star
5/14Photo Credit: Friends of the Prairie Learning Center/Flickr Creative CommonsSource: www.flickr.com
Also known as liatris spicata, this plant may be native to marshy terrain but has proven to be surprisingly drought-resistant, and will thrive in all types of soil. As a bonus, the plant's high nectar content and tube-shaped flowers make it highly attractive to monarch butterflies.Outdoors14 of the Easiest Perennials to Grow and Care For This SpringBlazing Star
PHOTO 5 of 14READ LESS -Also known as liatris spicata, this plant may be native to marshy terrain but has proven to be surprisingly drought-resistant, and will thrive in all types of soil. As a bonus, the plant's high nectar content and tube-shaped flowers make it highly attractive to monarch butterflies.Photo Credit: Friends of the Prairie Learning Center/Flickr Creative CommonsSource: www.flickr.com
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Peony
6/14Peony
6/14Photo Credit: Eirien/Flickr Creative CommonsSource: www.flickr.com
Peonies are a one of the most reliable perennials you can plant in your garden, and will last for years and years without any ongoing care. Peonies are ideal for most parts of Canada, as they require some months of cold in order to bloom well in May and June.Outdoors14 of the Easiest Perennials to Grow and Care For This SpringPeony
PHOTO 6 of 14READ LESS -Peonies are a one of the most reliable perennials you can plant in your garden, and will last for years and years without any ongoing care. Peonies are ideal for most parts of Canada, as they require some months of cold in order to bloom well in May and June.Photo Credit: Eirien/Flickr Creative CommonsSource: www.flickr.com
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Bearded Iris
7/14Bearded Iris
7/14Photo Credit: RD Pixelshop/Flickr Creative CommonsSource: www.flickr.com
As sumptuous as they are durable, bearded iris plants are prized for their crown-like flowers atop tall, elegant stems, and have been known to attract butterflies and hummingbirds. Not unlike peonies, bearded iris tends to thrive better after a period of cold weather. They should be planted in a sunny spot in late summer, and require at least six hours of sun per day.Outdoors14 of the Easiest Perennials to Grow and Care For This SpringBearded Iris
PHOTO 7 of 14READ LESS -As sumptuous as they are durable, bearded iris plants are prized for their crown-like flowers atop tall, elegant stems, and have been known to attract butterflies and hummingbirds. Not unlike peonies, bearded iris tends to thrive better after a period of cold weather. They should be planted in a sunny spot in late summer, and require at least six hours of sun per day.Photo Credit: RD Pixelshop/Flickr Creative CommonsSource: www.flickr.com
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Buddleia
8/14Buddleia
8/14Photo Credit: westsubindy/Flickr Creative CommonsSource: Buddleia
A perfect perennial for Canadian gardens, Buddleia (also known by the nickmane “butterfly bush”) will thrive if planted in a sunny spot. While buddleia will die back to the ground in the fall, this “power perennial” will grow back bigger and stronger the following spring.Outdoors14 of the Easiest Perennials to Grow and Care For This SpringBuddleia
PHOTO 8 of 14READ LESS -A perfect perennial for Canadian gardens, Buddleia (also known by the nickmane “butterfly bush”) will thrive if planted in a sunny spot. While buddleia will die back to the ground in the fall, this “power perennial” will grow back bigger and stronger the following spring.Photo Credit: westsubindy/Flickr Creative CommonsSource: Buddleia
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Coreopsis
9/14Coreopsis
9/14Photo Credit: Chris M Morris/Flickr Creative CommonsSource: www.flickr.com
These bright-yellow flowers will add a beautiful splash of colour. Similar to rudbeckia, these native prairie plants won’t suffer much if they’re neglected when it comes to fertilizer and water.Outdoors14 of the Easiest Perennials to Grow and Care For This SpringCoreopsis
PHOTO 9 of 14READ LESS -These bright-yellow flowers will add a beautiful splash of colour. Similar to rudbeckia, these native prairie plants won’t suffer much if they’re neglected when it comes to fertilizer and water.Photo Credit: Chris M Morris/Flickr Creative CommonsSource: www.flickr.com
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Russian Sage
10/14Russian Sage
10/14Photo Credit: Kaarina Dillabough/Flickr Creative CommonsSource: www.flickr.com
Not only will Russian sage create a stunning blue haze-like effect in your garden, all it needs to do it is full sun and good drainage. It’s also extremely pest-resistant — even deer won’t eat it.Outdoors14 of the Easiest Perennials to Grow and Care For This SpringRussian Sage
PHOTO 10 of 14READ LESS -Not only will Russian sage create a stunning blue haze-like effect in your garden, all it needs to do it is full sun and good drainage. It’s also extremely pest-resistant — even deer won’t eat it.Photo Credit: Kaarina Dillabough/Flickr Creative CommonsSource: www.flickr.com
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Purple Coneflower
11/14Purple Coneflower
11/14Photo Credit: Sarah/Flickr Creative CommonsSource: www.flickr.com
Coneflower, also known as echinacea, is a wild plant native to North America, and will self-seed regularly while easily adapting to a variety of climactic conditions. This is not a plant that demands a lot of attention, and is an ideal choice for beginner gardeners who can enjoy watching these plants magically resurrect themselves each spring.Outdoors14 of the Easiest Perennials to Grow and Care For This SpringPurple Coneflower
PHOTO 11 of 14READ LESS -Coneflower, also known as echinacea, is a wild plant native to North America, and will self-seed regularly while easily adapting to a variety of climactic conditions. This is not a plant that demands a lot of attention, and is an ideal choice for beginner gardeners who can enjoy watching these plants magically resurrect themselves each spring.Photo Credit: Sarah/Flickr Creative CommonsSource: www.flickr.com
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Sedum
12/14Sedum
12/14Photo Credit: Isabel Eyre/Flickr Creative CommonsSource: www.flickr.com
Sedum has a well-earned reputation as for hardiness, practically impervious to heat, drought and disease, one of the first perennials to bloom in the spring and one of the last to retreat in the fall when the weather turns cold.Outdoors14 of the Easiest Perennials to Grow and Care For This SpringSedum
PHOTO 12 of 14READ LESS -Sedum has a well-earned reputation as for hardiness, practically impervious to heat, drought and disease, one of the first perennials to bloom in the spring and one of the last to retreat in the fall when the weather turns cold.Photo Credit: Isabel Eyre/Flickr Creative CommonsSource: www.flickr.com
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Steel Blue Globe Thistle
13/14Steel Blue Globe Thistle
13/14Photo Credit: F.D. Richards/Flickr Creative Commons Source: www.flickr.com
Globe Thistle (or Echinops ritro) is a favourite perennial in many gardens, a beautifully coloured thistle that’s as hardy as it looks. Not only does the globe thistle thrive in dry soil, there’s also no need to deadhead the globe thistle in the winter — a lazy gardener’s delight!Outdoors14 of the Easiest Perennials to Grow and Care For This SpringSteel Blue Globe Thistle
PHOTO 13 of 14READ LESS -Globe Thistle (or Echinops ritro) is a favourite perennial in many gardens, a beautifully coloured thistle that’s as hardy as it looks. Not only does the globe thistle thrive in dry soil, there’s also no need to deadhead the globe thistle in the winter — a lazy gardener’s delight!Photo Credit: F.D. Richards/Flickr Creative Commons Source: www.flickr.com
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Epimedium
14/14Outdoors14 of the Easiest Perennials to Grow and Care For This SpringEpimedium
PHOTO 14 of 14READ LESS -Photo Credit: Lenora (Ellie) EnkingSource: www.flickr.com
