Perennial flowers (those that come back year after year) are popular with nearly all gardeners. Not only do you not have to replant them each year, but they increase in size and beauty each year as well, which means you can divide them every few years and add them to other spots in your yard, or share them with neighbors and friends.

The only difficult thing with perennials is choosing which ones to use. If you are new to perennial gardening, start with these five for guaranteed success. These five perennials are popular for a reason- they are easy to grow… and beautiful.

1. Daylily Stella ‘d Oro

Daylilies (Hemerocallis) are hardy, spirited perennials that will grace your garden for many years with little or no care. Established daylily clumps often produce more than 200 flowers in a season. Some varieties, such as Stella ‘d Oro, re-bloom more than once, giving a very long season of color. There are more than 35,000 varieties of daylilies, but not all perform well in cold climates like ours. Town & Country Gardens only carries those varieties that thrive in our climate. Daylilies grow best in full sun. They are vigorous growers and can be divided every three to four years.

 

2. Coreopsis Moonbeam
Coreopsis verticillata ‘Moonbeam’ is one of the great perennials. Its abundant pale yellow flowers float above delicate, needlelike foliage and work well with nearly any color combination in the garden. Coreopsis flower from mid through late summer, with repeat bloom till frost. ‘Moonbeam’ is one of those rare plants that is nearly impossible to misuse in the garden. It is equally at home in the border, along a foundation, or in the rock garden. Very hardy and well adapted to our east Idaho soils and climate.

 

3. Bleeding Heart
This old fashioned flower from grandma’s garden is the delight of young and old alike. Blooms of the bleeding heart plant (Dicentra spectabilis) appear in early spring adorning the garden with attention getting, heart shaped flowers borne on arching stems. Attractive bluish green foliage emerges first as the plant wakes from dormancy, followed in May by dainty, nodding pink and white flowers that are sure to brighten up that shady, dark corner of your yard. In late summer the foliage will begin to turn yellow, at which point you can cut the plant down to the ground and await its reemergence the following spring.

4. Salvia ‘May Night’
May Night salvia was the 1997 Perennial Plant of the Year, and with good reason. Reaching 18″-24″ in height, its spikes of deep indigo violet-blue flowers in early summer are spectacular to behold. Remove faded blooms to encourage repeat flowering. Can be clipped back hard after blooming, to rejuvenate the foliage. Salvia often attract both butterflies and hummingbirds to the garden. Plants may be easily divided in early spring or fall.

 

5. Peony
Possibly the best-loved perennial of all time, peonies belong in almost every garden. Their huge flowers in glorious shades of pinks, reds, whites, and yellows reign supreme in early summer. And the dark green foliage remains attractive all season long. With just two caveats- don’t plant too deep, and provide a cage to keep the blossoms upright- peonies will provide spectacular color for years with almost no care. Divide every few years in late fall or very early spring.

 

Want to expand your perennial palate a little further. Check out our list of 30 tried and true perennials.