Whether your a lifelong gardening enthusiast or you’re just honing your green thumb, the numbers of flower and plant options out there can seem overwhelming. Perennial flowers are popular among all types of gardeners because they keep coming back every year, often larger and more vibrant than before.
While it’s tough to find an ugly flower, it’s possible to choose flowers that don’t fit your climate, soil conditions, or space limitations. It’s also possible to select flower combinations that don’t mix well together, whether because one attempts to take over the territory of the other or because their soil and watering needs are not the same.
To cultivate a flourishing garden you’ll need to do plenty of research and understand the types of conditions you’re working with, including the amount of sun and water to expect, the pH levels of your soil, and your own tolerance for regular tending and care of your plants.
Once you understand your garden you can choose flowers that fit those conditions. Rest assured that no matter the conditions, there will be plenty of beautiful choices to bring you joy and make visitors envious. We broke down thirty of the prettiest perennial flowers to help you get a list going.
Related: Types of Perennials | Sun-Loving Flowers | Water-Loving Flowers | Shade-Loving Flowers | Types of Flowers | Types of Flowers by Color | Types of Flowers by Alphabet | Flowers Similar to Dahlias | Flowers Similar to Carnations | Types of Flower Colors
1. Hosta (Hosta lancifolia)
Hostas are hearty plants that provide both greenery and floral decoration. The bushes grow up in early spring and the flowers bloom up through the center later on. The flowers only last through mid-summer but the bushes will provide greenery through the fall.
The color of both the flowers and the leaves vary. The bushes will grow larger each year and make the perfect decoration alongside a path, driveway, or planter.
- Sun needs: Minimal
- Water: Little once established
- Soil pH: Neutral
- Hardiness Zone: 3-9
2. Lavender (Lavandula)
Lavender offers a beautiful bloom from early spring through late summer. These flowers are great if you live in an arid climate or if you commonly forget to water—they thrive with little water and offer beautiful purple blooms in return. These long-stemmed purple flowers with intricate petals will also attract butterflies to your garden.
- Sun Needs: Lots
- Water: Little
- Soil pH: Neutral
- Hardiness Zone: 5-9
3. Daylily (Hemerocallis)
Daylilies are sometimes called the “perfect perennials” because they are so easy to grow and maintain. The large flowers offer brilliant colors that last all summer long.
If left untended these flowers can often take over a garden do you might find yourself gifting some to your neighbors within a few years. With large, multi-colored flowers you’re sure to find plenty of takers.
- Sun Needs: Moderate
- Water: Little
- Soil pH: Neutral
- Hardiness Zone: 2-9
4. Delphinium (Delphinium)
Delphiniums, also known as larkspurs, are commonly found in a uniquely brilliant purple-blue shade that’s hard to match. The long stem of brilliant color is breathtaking and a true standout in the garden. They can be a little more challenging to grow than other options since they require a precise amount of water and just the right soil type, but many experienced gardeners find them worth the work.
- Sun Needs: Lots
- Water: Moderate
- Soil pH: Slightly Alkaline
- Hardiness Zone: 3-7
5. Hydrangea (Hydrangea macrophylla)
Hydrangeas grow in bushes that will grow back larger every year. They come in a myriad of different colors depending on the acidity of the soil. Their size and bright colors will make your house stand out from the road.
The large bulbous groups of buds also look great in bouquets and flower arrangements.
- Sun Needs: Minimal
- Water: Moderate
- Soil pH: Any
- Hardiness Zone: 5-9
6. Peony (Paeonia)
Peonies are known for their delicate, fluffy flowers in pink (the most popular), white, lavender, or coral. You can find peonies in early, mid, and late-season varieties to keep blooms popping up in your garden throughout the entire growing season. They have a beautiful sweet scent that is commonly replicated in perfumes, candles, and other scented items.
- Sun needs: Lots
- Water: Plenty
- Soil pH: Neutral
- Hardiness zone: 3-8
7. Shasta Daisy (Leucanthemum superbum)
These small, cheery flowers will brighten up any yard. They’re typically found with white petals and bright yellow centers. They bloom in early spring to welcome in a new season of gardening.
With the right care, they can continue to bloom into the fall, giving you months to enjoy their lovely blooms.
- Sun Needs: Lots
- Water: Little
- Soil pH: Neutral
- Hardiness Zone: 5-8
8. Hibiscus (Hibiscus rosa-Senensis)
A symbol of tropical climates, the hibiscus is a beautiful yet elusive flower. If you have a small hibiscus plant you may watch the buds for days waiting for the day they bloom, knowing the flower will only last for a day.
The large bushes that thrive in only certain climates, though, can offer dozens of flowers a day and stay in near-constant bloom. You can also find these flowers on many tropical shirts sported in tropical climates throughout the tourist season.
- Sun needs: Lots
- Water: Moderate
- Soil pH: Slightly Acidic to Neutral
- Hardiness zone: 4-9
9. Catnip (Nepeta cataria)
Catnip, also called catmint, provides full color for your garden with minimal effort. In fact some varieties can take over your garden if you’re not careful.
But the small delicate flowers on long stems provide a beautifully colorful background that lasts all summer long. These white or purple flowers attract lots of bees to your garden, so look out before leaning in for a sniff.
- Sun needs: Lots
- Water: Minimal
- Soil pH: Neutral
- Hardiness zone: 3-9
10. Dianthus (Dianthus gratianopolitanus)
Dianthus produces a pink flower that grows low to the ground providing dimension and layers to your garden. More simply called pinks, these tiny flowers have a lovely sweet scent sure to add beauty to your garden on multiple levels. Try planting a few different varieties to capture a variety of shades of pink.
- Sun Needs: Moderate to Lots
- Water: Moderate
- Soil pH: Alkaline
- Hardiness Zone: 3-9
11. Tickseed (Coreopsis verticillata)
These small, feathery flowers stand up to two feet tall, standing tall over many of the other similarly sized buds. They bloom mid to late summer and are a good option to make sure your garden maintains color and personality throughout the growing season. They’re most commonly found in yellow, sometimes with dark red toward the center of the petals.
- Sun Needs: Lots
- Water: Moderate
- Soil pH: Acidic
- Hardiness Zone: 5-9
12. Bleeding Heart (Dicentra spectabilis)
Bleeding hearts are a truly unique flower that is shaped as its name suggests: like a string of tiny hearts with drops of soft pink blood flowing from the bottom. Rather than gruesome though, these flowers are truly fascinating to look at. They’re hearty and will grow back larger each year.
- Sun Needs: Minimal
- Water: Moderate
- Soil pH: Slightly Acidic to Neutral
- Hardiness Zone: 2-9
13. Allium (Allium giganteum)
Alliums come in a unique purple bulb shape that rises above many other plants. Close relatives to onion and garlic plants, alliums have a pleasant scent in your garden but give off a slight onion scent when crushed. Their long stems with bulbous buds on top makes them a great backdrop to the rest of your landscape.
- Sun Needs: Lots
- Water: Moderate
- Soil pH: Slightly Acidic
- Hardiness Zone: 5-8
14. Black-Eyed Susan (Rudbeckira hirta)
Though they carry a strange name black-eyed Susans are beautiful, traditional flowers that grow at medium height. The name comes from the dark black center that stands out from the colorful petals. Depending on where you live you may see these wildflowers frowning naturally while on a nature hike.
- Sun needs: Little to Moderate
- Water: Moderate
- Soil pH: Neutral
- Hardiness zone: 3-8
15. Blazing Star (Liatris)
The blazing star grows up in bright purple stems with small, delicate petals that will bring brilliant color to any landscape. It also attracts bees and other pollinators that will help keep your garden in full bloom.
- Sun Needs: Lots
- Water: Little to Moderate
- Soil pH: Slightly Acidic to Neutral
- Hardiness Zone: 3-8
16. Clematis (Ranunculaceae)
There are many varieties of clematis and all of them are vines producing large, splashy flowers. It takes some careful pruning to get the plants to take hold, but once they do they’ll reward you with beautiful flowers that reach higher and higher each year.
- Sun Needs: Lots
- Water: Minimal
- Soil pH: Slightly Alkaline to Neutral
- Hardiness Zone: 4-9
17. Coneflower (Coneflower echinacea purpurea)
The coneflower is a native prairie flower that thrives in arid climates and comes in a variety of colors. They are easily recognizable by their unique shape, with drooping petals and a large, thick center, and the way they fill out a garden with minimal care.
- Sun Needs: Lots
- Water: Minimal
- Soil pH: Neutral
- Hardiness Zone: 5-8
18. Siberian Iris (Iris sibirica)
Not to be confused with its famous cousin the bearded iris, the Siberian iris comes in many varieties that differ in color, shape, and size. What they have in common, though, is the ability to serve as a focal point of your garden with their height and large complex shape. Irises have been a gardening favorite for many years and this slightly less popular variety should not be left out.
- Sun Needs: Moderate to Lots
- Water: Plenty
- Soil pH: Acidic
- Hardiness Zone: 2-9
19. New England Aster (Symphyotrichum novae-angliae)
The New England Aster is a beautiful wildflower that can hold its own in your yard or garden. It’ll grow into a shrub over the years reaching up to six feet high. This is another flower that attracts important pollinators to your garden, especially when it reaches full bloom in August and September.
- Sun Needs: Lots
- Water: Moderate
- Soil pH: Acidic
- Hardiness Zone: 4-8
20. Yarrow (Achillea millefolium)
The yarrow is an herb that produces beautiful flowers even in arid climates and in places where most other plants won’t thrive. For best results they do require some pruning and attention; but if you’re contending with difficult soil and a dry climate this is a wonderful option. The yarrow comes in shades of white, red, and yellow and rewards you with blooms from early summer all the way through early fall.
- Sun Needs: Lots
- Water: Minimal
- Soil pH: Acidic, Neutral, or Alkaline
- Hardiness Zone: 3-9
21. Sea Holly (Eryngium amethystinum)
Sea holly is not one of the better-known perennials but their unique, prickly look can add personality to any garden. The thin blue petals and thistle-like center stand out among the more delicate flowers while providing bright blue hues from summer into fall.
- Sun Needs: Lots
- Water: Minimal
- Soil pH: Neutral
- Hardiness Zone: 4-11
22. Daffodils (Narcissus)
The classic harbinger of spring, you can’t beat the feeling of seeing the first daffodils pop up in the previously bare garden. Whether in yellow or white, these cheery flowers will never go out of style. In some climates, they can even pop up through the snow to bring hope that spring will finally come.
- Sun Needs: Lots
- Water: Moderate
- Soil pH: Acidic to Neutral
- Hardiness Zone: 3-9
23. Forget-Me-Nots (Myosotis sylvatica)
These tiny, delicate flowers grow low to the ground and may not look like much from a distance. But on closer inspection, the perfectly formed petals are truly unforgettable. They’re most commonly found in a light baby blue but also bloom in light pink and white.
These small but hardy flowers are known for growing at high altitudes, even above tree-line, where few other plants can flourish.
- Sun Needs: Moderate to Lots
- Water: Minimal
- Soil pH: Neutral
- Hardiness Zone: 4-9
24. Bugleweed (Ajuga)
Bugleweed is a low to the ground plant with dark green leaves that provide great ground cover for your landscape. In mid to late spring blue-violet flowers bloom above the foliage to add additional color and dimension.
- Sun Needs: Minimal
- Water: Minimal
- Soil pH: Acidic
- Hardiness Zone: 3-9
25. Mum (Chrysanthemum)
One of the last flowers to bloom each season, mums are often considered one of the harbingers of fall. They bloom in many different colors but in muted tones perfect to symbolize the bright days of summer fading into a quieter, calmer fall.
- Sun Needs: Moderate to Lots
- Water: Minimal
- Soil pH: Slightly Acidic to Neutral
- Hardiness Zone: 3-9
26. Cranesbill (Geranium)
Cranesbills, also referred to as hardy geraniums, are a great choice for nearly any Environment. They grow in nearly any type of soil, have low watering needs, and are overall very hardy (as the name suggests). Beyond that, they offer bright bursts of color that last through the majority of the growing season.
- Sun Needs: Moderate to Lots
- Water: Minimal to Moderate
- Soil pH: Acidic, Neutral, or Alkaline
- Hardiness Zone: 4-9
27. Columbine (Aquilegia)
Columbines are a surprisingly hardy flower with a unique bell shape and a variety of color options. The center petals that create the bell shape are typically a shade of white while the outer petals come in blues, pinks, yellows, and oranges. They’re a truly unique option sure to add character to any garden.
- Sun Needs: Lots
- Water: Minimal to Moderate
- Soil pH: Neutral
- Hardiness Zone: 3-9
28. Salvia (Salvia officinalis)
The towering salvia flowers rise above many other flowers in the garden, attracting butterflies while repelling deer, slugs, and other pests. The colorful flowers bloom high above the thin green leaves, with color possibilities that include blue, purple, yellow, white, and green.
- Sun Needs: Lots
- Water: Moderate
- Soil pH: Slightly Acidic to Neutral
- Hardiness Zone: 5-9
29. Hellebores (Helleborus)
Hellebores, also referred to as the Lenten rose, will kick start your growing season with a bang. They bloom in very early spring, often around the holiday of Lent in February or March.
The blooms tend to tilt downward making these a great choice for higher ground or a raised flowerbed. Before enjoying these beautiful early bloomers make sure they’re out of reach of pets or young children since they can be poisonous.
- Sun Needs: Moderate
- Water: Moderate
- Soil pH: Neutral
- Hardiness Zone: 6-9
30. Lungwort (Pulmonaria officinalis)
These plants stand out not only for their flowers but also for leaves that sport unique light green spots against a darker green background. If you don’t like the name lungwort you could refer to these flowers as white wings instead—much more flattering.
These delicate flowers grow in clumps and may change color as they mature and their pH levels change. You may even see flowers of different colors on the same plant.
- Sun Needs: Minimal to Moderate
- Water: Moderate
- Soil pH: Neutral to Alkaline
- Hardiness Zone: 4-8