Perennials—those flowering plants that seem to die every winter but come back the following spring—are reminders that Nature works in cycles. The seasonal rhythms of perennial flowers keep us mindful that the “flow” never stops. In spring, snowdrops, daffodils, irises, and peonies emerge from the ground to serenade us. They are followed by a procession of perennial flowers that feed our pollinators—and our spirits—through the summer into the late fall. It is a never-ending dance of floral color, fragrance, and form that Nature uses to attract insects and birds. For example, when coneflowers open each summer, it doesn’t take long for the bees to find them. Soon after, the goldfinches appear to feast upon the mature seeds. And then, in winter, the coneflower plant dies down only to reappear and start again in the spring.

The reason perennials are so popular is that, for the most part, these returning flowers, especially those native to a region, do not require much care, watering, or feeding, once they are established. Their blooms appear at the same time each year, like clockwork, and continue flowering for weeks. To enjoy the show, you need to know a little about the perennial you are planting—which soil it likes, how much water it requires, and which sun and shade conditions it needs. A perennial flower that likes full sun needs at least seven to eight hours of direct light daily in order to thrive. If it does not get adequate sun, you’ll get a lackluster plant and minimal blooms.

So how to know which perennial flowers to grow? This chapter, “A Few Choice Perennial Flowers to Try,” discusses some of my personal flower favorites. It is not a comprehensive list by any means, but just a few that I have found to be especially reliable. I have selected sturdy bloomers that are relatively easy to care for and primarily suited for cooler hardiness zones. I note any that have been selected as a Perennial Plant of the Year by the Perennial Plant Association (PPA). These are outstanding perennials suitable for a wide range of growing climates, require low maintenance, have multiple-season interest, and are relatively pest- and disease-free.

Many new cultivars of our favorite perennial flowers are arriving on the market every year. I cannot include all of their names, but I urge you to look at the new flower introductions and get detailed planting instructions in catalogs, magazines, and on the Internet. Also ask your local garden center for their recommendations on the best varieties to grow in your area. Once you enjoy seeing these beauties return each year in your garden, I hope you will expand beyond this introductory list.

‘Fatal Attraction’ coneflower (Echinacea purpurea ‘Fatal Attraction’) are in full bloom, with summer-blooming ornamental onion (Allium) in the background. Photo by Laura Hendrix McKillop.

‘Millenium’ ornamental onion (Allium ‘Millenium’), named 2018 Perennial Plant of the Year by the Perennial Plant Association (PPA). Deer resistant.

Butterfly weed (Asclepias tuberosa), named 2017 Perennial Plant of the Year by the PPA. Generally deer resistant.

The native daisy-like flower Coreopsis, commonly known as tickseed, is a low-maintenance, drought-tolerant, long-blooming perennial that is easy to grow. Their profuse blooms are delightful in early summer. Goldfinches love to snack on the seeds during fall and winter. There are many cultivars of coreopsis in colors from yellow and orange to pink and red. Sun and well-drained soil. Zones 4–9.

Lenten rose (Helleborus × hybridus), named 2005 Perennial Plant of the Year by the PPA. Deer resistant.

Bluestar (Amsonia hubrichtii), named 2011 Perennial Plant of the Year by the PPA. Deer resistant.