1. Arborvitae
If you want something fast-growing to provide privacy that won’t need any maintenance, say “hello” to your new arborvitae (Thuja spp.). Depending on the species, they can grow up to 70 feet tall, though there are dwarf cultivars available.
Hardy in Zones 4 to 8, these plants have been keeping neighbors on good terms, protecting houses from road noise, and shading patios for decades.
Don’t worry, if you live in Zones 2 and 3, there are options for you, too. ‘Art Boe’ aka North Pole®, for example, has a tight, columnar growth habit, topping out at 10 to 15 feet tall and about five feet wide.
It won’t suffer from winter damage in Zone 3, and will be fine in Zone 2, but you’ll need to give it some protection.
North Pole Arborvitae
Pick up Proven Winners North Pole® in quart, #1, and #3 containers at Nature Hills Nursery.
Learn how to grow arborvitae in our guide.
2. Asiatic Lily
Asiatic lilies (Lilium spp.) reliably bring color to the garden in early spring and summer in Zones 3 to 9.
The dramatic blooms are held on two- to five-feet tall stalks above strappy green leaves and make beautiful cut flower options for displays.
While there are beautiful pink, red, yellow, orange, and purple options, I’m partial to ‘Black Eye.’
‘Black Eye’ Asiatic Lily
This cultivar produces flowers with dramatic deep purple centers with snow white ends lined in purple. They’re striking.
Purchase a pack of seven bulbs from Nature Hills Nursery.
You can learn more about growing lilies in our guide.
3. Astilbe
It’s hard enough to find a perennial that will flower in the shade, but one that thrives in frigid climates as well? That’s a rare treasure, indeed.
Astilbe (Astilbe spp.) tolerates soggy soils, adds color with towers of fuzzy flowers, and amps up shady locations with their lacy leaves in Zones 3 to 9.
There are options for pretty much any color preference. You can choose from petite cultivars that top out at six inches tall to those that reach heights of five feet.
‘Fanal’ Astilbe
If you prefer shades of burgundy, you’ll love ‘Fanal.’ This cultivar grows up to two feet tall and is available in #1 containers at Nature Hills Nursery.
Check out our guide to growing astilbe to learn more.
4. Bergenia
Bergenia (Bergenia spp.) is a hardy perennial that grows up to a foot tall with a two-foot spread, that features large, glossy leaves that take on a bronze hue in the fall.
The pink, red, or white blossoms add color to the spring garden.
Pigsqueak, as it is also known, grows in Zones 3 to 8 where it provides bright, cheerful flowers even in the shade.
B. cordifolia ‘Miss Piggy’ features purply-pink flowers and reaches a mature height of 16 to 18 inches.
‘Miss Piggy’ Bergenia
You can find ‘Miss Piggy’ plants available at Burpee.
Another B. cordifolia cultivar, ‘Winter Glow’ has reddish-pink flowers and reaches heights of 10 to 15 inches at maturity.
‘Winter Glow’
Snag ‘Winter Glow’ in #1 containers from Nature Hills Nursery.
And when you have your plants, check out our guide to growing bergenia to learn more.
5. Blazing Star
Blazing star (Liatris spicata) is a beautiful North American native with one- to five-foot-tall spikes of blossoms that look like little stars in colors like pink, purple, and white.
These wildflowers are as maintenance-free as it gets, so you can basically ignore them in Zones 3 to 9 and they’ll still be back year after year to sparkle in your garden.
They’re perfect for cut flower displays and to fill areas that would challenge most other species, like dry or poor soil.
Blazing Star
I love the rose hue of this option from True Leaf Market. Choose from 500-milligram or one-ounce packets of seeds.
Learn more about how to grow blazing star in our guide.
6. Bleeding Heart
When bleeding hearts (Lamprocapnos spectabilis, syn. Dicentra spectabilis) start popping up, you know spring is in full force.
These little charmers are a cottage garden must-have with their delicate little hearts almost appearing to drip off herbaceous branches.
Though the plant looks like something that would grow in a tropical forest, it’s anything but tender. Bleeding hearts are hardy in Zones 3 to 9. Plants grow one to three feet tall, with a two-foot spread.
Bleeding Hearts
For the species with its classic shape and color, visit Nature Hills Nursery and choose from bare roots, or live plants in a #1 or #3 containers.
Learn how to grow bleeding hearts in our guide.
7. Brunnera
False forget-me-not, Siberian bugloss, or heartleaf brunnera (Brunnera macrophylla) is a hardy perennial that grows in Zones 3 to 8, filling shady areas with color.
Depending on the cultivar, the leaves might be variegated or have a shimmering appearance. Some will have showy purple-blue blossoms. Most grow about a foot to a foot-and-a-half tall.
‘Jack Frost’ is an award-winning cultivar, chosen by the Perennial Plant Association as the Plant of the Year in 2012. It features frosted leaves and blue flowers in the early spring.
‘Jack Frost’ Brunnera
You can find ‘Jack Frost’ available in #1 containers at Nature Hills Nursery.
8. Candytuft
Evergreen candytuft (Iberis sempervirens) is an adaptable option with cheerful clusters of white blossoms on short woody stems.
Don’t confuse this perennial with the annual candytuft (I. umbellata), which is also lovely but won’t return year after year.
This petite shrub stays under a foot tall and spreads as a ground cover, cascading over rocks and walls.
It’s hardy in Zones 3 to 9, and in late spring and early summer, the plant is decorated with clusters of white flowers.
‘Alexanders White’ Candytuft
‘Alexanders White’ reaches a mature height of six to eight inches with a spread of eight to 12 inches.
You can find ‘Alexanders White’ available at Nature Hills Nursery.
9. Columbine
Columbines (Aquilegia spp.) come in all kinds of colors and feature characteristic spurred petals.
These perennial flowers grow to mature heights of six to 12 inches and are extremely floriferous, spreading politely in sunny areas, returning year after year in Zones 3 to 9.
Since you find them growing wild in mountainous regions that are positively buried in snow during the winter, you know they can handle harsh weather.
Rocky Mountain Blue Columbine
Pick up seeds for the state flower of Colorado, the Rocky Mountain blue columbine (A. saximontana) at Botanical Interests.
Learn more about how to grow columbine in our guide.
10. Coneflower
Coneflowers (Echinacea spp.), in my opinion, are extra special plants.
They made the leap from sweet little prairie flowers to become some of the most popular ornamentals across North America. There aren’t many native species that can make a similar claim.
These hardy perennials are available in the original purple, pink, and white, depending on the species, but many cultivars have expanded the color range to include reds, oranges, and yellows. Some even have frilly double blossoms.
PowWow ‘Wild Berry’ Coneflower
Depending on the species and cultivar, they are hardy in Zones 3 to 9 and grow 12 to 36 inches tall.
PowWow® ‘Wild Berry,’ is an E. purpurea cultivar with long-lasting bubblegum pink flowers. Bring one home from Nature Hills Nursery in quart-sized containers.
Learn more about how to grow coneflowers in our guide.
11. Crabapple
Crabapples (Malus spp.) can be trained as shrubs or trees and they put on a brilliant floral show in the spring.
Standard size specimens grow up to 20 feet tall but numerous dwarf and semi-dwarf varieties are available for compact gardens.
The late summer pommes are edible or you can leave them for the birds and other wildlife to enjoy. They’ll even persist on the tree through winter, adding interest when everything else is bare.
A few hardy perennial cultivars like ‘Spring Snow’ will reliably bloom in Zone 3 and up, while most others are good to go in Zones 4 to 8.
‘Spring Snow’ Crabapple
For an incredible early spring display even in frigid climates, visit Fast Growing Trees to pick up ‘Spring Snow’ in a variety of different sizes.
After you pick up your tree, learn how to care for it in our guide to growing crabapples.
12. Daylily
I love a good edible ornamental, and daylilies (Hemerocallis spp.) are some of my favorites because they’re every bit as beautiful as they are tasty.
Plus, they return year after year to give you a colorful and reliable performance.
While they grow in Zones 3 to 9, you should check the specific cultivar you choose because their hardiness does vary.
You can find single and double blossomed types in pinks, reds, purples, yellows, oranges, and white. They generally top out at one to four feet tall, depending on the variety.
‘Happy Returns’ Daylily
For a classic yellow option, visit Nature Hills Nursery for ‘Happy Returns’ in a #1 container.
Check out our guide to learn more about how to grow daylilies.
13. Delphinium
Delphiniums (Delphinium spp.) make a dramatic impact with their three- to four-feet-tall tall racemes of colorful flowers in purple, blue, red, pink, yellow, and white, with single or double flowers. They’re adaptable, too, growing in Zones 3 to 7.
Don’t confuse these hardy perennials with annual larkspurs (Consolida spp.) which look similar. They’re beautiful, but they won’t come back year after year.
Delphiniums start well from seed but they might not bloom the first year if you use this propagation method. Once they start blooming, they’ll reseed themselves and return annually.
Pacific Giants Delphiniums
The heirloom series Pacific Giants (D. elatum) has been a favorite for years, sporting pink, purple, and blue flowers.
Pick up a packet of mixed color seeds at Botanical Interests.
Our guide to growing delphiniums has more information.
14. Dianthus
Dianthus (Dianthus spp.) species can be annuals or perennials, so be sure to pick the right one when out shopping.
Maiden pinks (D. deltoides), garden pinks (D. plumarius), and large pinks (D. superbus) are perennials that grow in Zones 3 to 9.
The narrow, blue-green leaves make a beautiful addition to the garden, but it’s the cheerful ruffled flowers that pop with color. They come in – surprise! – various shades of pink as well as red and white.
Depending on the species and cultivar, they can grow up to 24 inches tall.
‘Spring Beauty’ Dianthus
D. plumarius ‘Spring Beauty’ is a classic option with varying shades of red, pink, and green on a 12-inch tall plant.
Pick up a packet of seeds at Eden Brothers and start your cottage garden.
While you wait for your seeds to arrive, read up on how to grow dianthus in our guide.
15. Elderberry
Depending on the species, elderberries (Sambucus spp.) can grow in Zones 3 to 9.
These shrubs are charming even when they aren’t in bloom, and some sport dark purple leaves. Then, the flowers come out.
The big clusters of blossoms can be white, pink, or purple and are followed by edible berries on shrubs that grow six to 13 feet tall.
It’s hard to find a shrub that’s so easy to grow and will also give you berries for food and medicine, as well as material for floral arrangements.
There are a wide variety of options, including those that are native across North America, such as S. canadensis.
‘Adams’ Elderberry
‘Adams’ tops out at eight to 10 feet tall and wide, and the white flowers and purple berries are always sure to please.
You can find ‘Adams’ available at Nature Hills Nursery in #3 containers.
If you are new to growing elderberries, be sure to read our guide.
16. Globe Flower
Globe flowers (Trollius europaeus) have cheerful, round yellow flowers that look a lot like species in the Ranunculus genus, and they are members of the same family, Ranunculaceae.
These hardy perennials grow in Zones 3 to 8 and stretch up to three feet tall. They’ll even grow in boggy, heavy clay soil.
Just don’t let them dry out too much because they’re moisture lovers. Otherwise, these hardy perennials are pretty easygoing.
17. Hellebore
Hellebores are generally recommended for Zone 4 and up, but with extra care or by choosing the right cultivars, you can grow them in Zone 3.
Hybrids in the Frostkiss series, the species Helleborus niger, or hybrids with H. niger parentage are suitable for cultivation in Zone 3.
For those that are hardy to Zone 4, heap two inches of leaf, bark, or straw mulch over the soil in the late fall before the snowpack begins to form.
Remove it when the plants start to push out of the soil in late winter or early spring.
The double flowered display of Wedding Party™ Confetti Cake®, with their huge, burgundy speckled white blossoms are always a hit.
Wedding Party Confetti Cake Hellebores
Plants grow 18 to 24 inches tall and are hardy to Zone 4.
You can find plants available at Burpee.
Learn more about growing hellebores in our guide.
18. Hens and Chicks
Hens and chicks (Sempervivum spp. and hybrids) look like heat-loving succulents, and while they certainly are succulents, they actually hail from frigid climates in mountainous southern Europe. As such, they grow best in Zones 3 to 8.
There are hundreds of cultivars, each with a slightly different shape, size, and color combination. They generally grow anywhere from two to 12 inches tall, depending on the variety.
‘Sunvivor’ Hens and Chicks
‘Sunvivor,’ for example, has green rosettes with dark burgundy tips. Fast Growing Trees carries this unique beauty if it strikes your fancy.
Learn more about how to grow hens and chicks in our guide.
19. Heuchera
Coral bells, alumroot, or whatever you call Heuchera species, these are some seriously tough plants.
Most of them are perfectly happy in Zones 3 to 8 and thrive anywhere in the garden from shade to partial sun.
There are few plants available that offer up more reliable color and texture for challenging spots in the yard as well as containers.
Plants grow no more than 12 inches tall and spread up to 18 inches wide.
Though they do produce flowers, it’s really all about the foliage, which comes in purples, pinks, greens, yellows, and oranges.
Or, some plants combine all of the above colors, like ‘Copper King.’
‘Copper King’ Heuchera
The maple-shaped leaves come in a riot of pink, red, green, purple, silver, and yellow.
You can find ‘Copper King’ available at Burpee.
‘Palace Purple’
Or if you prefer solid purple foliage, ‘Palace Purple’ is a striking cultivar, available at Fast Growing Trees.
Read our guide to growing heuchera for more information.
20. Hosta
Hostas (Hosta spp.) are some of the most popular plants out there and it’s not hard to see why.
Few other plants can provide as much color and interest year after year in shady areas. It’s hard to imagine what our north-facing gardens and shady, damp corners would look like without a hosta or two. Sad indeed.
These reliable shade plants grow in Zones 3 to 8 and there are so many cultivars to choose from that you are absolutely spoiled for choice. Learn about 19 of our favorites in our guide.
‘Blue Angel’ tops out at three to four feet tall and wide, and features heart-shaped, blue-gray foliage.
‘Blue Angel’ Hosta
In midsummer, the lavender flowers attract hummingbirds and butterflies.
You can find ‘Blue Angel’ available at Nature Hills Nursery in #1 and #3 containers.
Learn how to grow hostas in our comprehensive guide.
21. Hydrangea
Panicle hydrangeas (Hydrangea paniculata) are more cold-tolerant than their cousins bigleaf (H. macrophylla), smooth (H. arborescens), and oakleaf (H. quercifolia).
Many can grow in Zones 4 to 8, and some even thrive in Zone 3, such as ‘Fire Light,’ ‘Limelight,’ Little Quick Fire®, and Quick Fire®.
Now, I don’t want to play favorites, but I totally have a preference among panicle hydrangeas. I think Quick Fire® is an absolute stunner.
The elongated, cone-shaped blossoms open up as white in the early summer before gradually shifting to pink, starting at the base. Then, they change again, taking on an entirely red hue by the late summer.
Quick Fire Panicle Hydrangea
Oh, and don’t forget the foliage. It turns from green to gold to burgundy in the fall. The shrub reaches a mature height of six to 10 feet tall and about four to five feet wide.
If you’re as enamored as I am, visit Fast Growing Trees to find Quick Fire® plants in a variety of sizes.
Learn more about growing hydrangeas in our guide.
22. Iris
Irises (Iris spp.) always sneak up on me. The leaves look kind of grassy, so I don’t think much of the plants when they aren’t in bloom and then, seemingly overnight in the spring, the flowers emerge and they are outstanding.
Nothing compares to the brightly colored blooms that herald the arrival of spring.
There are numerous species, and if you want to be sure they will grow in your region, look for those that are native to your locale. Just about every area has their own native options.
Or you can go with one of the many beautiful cultivars that have been bred over the years.
Siberian irises (I. sibirica), for example, are hardy in Zones 3 to 8 and come in such a range of sizes, shapes, and colors that it’s hard to describe them all.
‘Silver Edge’ Siberian Iris
A culitvar like ‘Silver Edge’ produces flowers that have a classic blue hue with yellow and white centers and silver margins.
You can find two, four, or ten bare roots at Eden Brothers.
‘Caeser’s Brother’ is a particularly attractive Siberian iris option with deep violet petals.
‘Caeser’s Brother’
Fast Growing Trees carries this cultivar if you’d like to invite him to your garden.
Read our guide to growing iris flowers to learn more.
23. Juniper
Junipers (Juniperus spp.) are the very definition of low-maintenance. Depending on the species and cultivar they are hardy in Zones 2 to 9.
Pruning, feeding, and irrigation and pretty rare maintenance tasks in the case of established plants. No wonder common juniper (J. communis) is one of the most popular plants in the world.
They come in a massive range of shapes and sizes, from tall, pencil-thin trees to low-growing, spreading shrubs.
‘Taylor’ Juniper
Look at J. virginiana ‘Taylor,’ for example. It can grow 20 feet tall but is a mere three feet wide.
You can grab one at Fast Growing Trees in a variety of sizes.
On the opposite end, check out J. virginiana ‘Grey Owl.’
‘Grey Owl’
This little cultivar spreads up to six feet but only grows two feet tall.
You can find ‘Grey Owl’ available in #1, #2, #3, and #5 containers at Nature Hills Nursery.
Check out our guide to growing junipers for more information.
24. Lady’s Mantle
With its chartreuse scalloped leaves, yellow flowers, and fast-growing habit, lady’s mantle (Alchemilla mollis) grows in Zones 3 to 8, reaching heights of eight to 12 inches tall and width of 12 to 18 inches.
This low-growing herbaceous perennial spreads quickly, to the point where it has been classified as invasive in Oregon and Alaska.
Lady’s Mantle
Lady’s mantle is virtually maintenance-free, tolerates shade, and isn’t troubled by drought. Check your local regulations before you plant, and take steps to prevent unwanted spread.
You can find lady’s mantle in #1 containers available at Nature Hills Nursery.
Learn how to grow lady’s mantle in our guide.
25. Lily of the Valley
With its sweetly-scented, white, bell-like flowers, and low-maintenance requirements, lily of the valley (Convallaria majalis) is ideal for adding color and interest to shady spots in the garden.
The 10-inch-tall plants can be a little over-exuberant, spreading to areas where they are not wanted, so be sure to plant them in a spot where you’ll be able to keep them under control.
Lily of the Valley
Lily of the valley thrives in Zones 3 to 9 so pretty much anyone in the lower 48 can grow these plants. Only gardeners in the most southern parts of California and Florida in Zone 10 miss out.
You can find packets of 10 bulbs available at Nature Hills Nursery.
Check out our guide to growing lily of the valley to learn more.
26. Lungwort
Lungwort (Pulmonaria spp.) is such a fun plant, cheering up shady areas with its charming polka-dot leaves and pink and blue flowers.
I’d like to have a chat with whoever came up with its common name, because this plant deserves something much more captivating.
In Zones 3 to 8, it grows to about 18 inches tall, though it will stay shorter if grown in heavy shade.
‘Raspberry Splash’ Lungwort
‘Raspberry Splash’ is a particularly pretty option. Its fuchsia and purple blossoms fade to coral and lavender as they age, accented against silver spotted leaves.
You can find ‘Raspberry Splash’ available at Nature Hills Nursery.
Learn more about growing lungwort in our guide.
27. Lupine
Spotting a lupine (Lupinus spp.) in the wild thrills me. I love seeing their spires of colorful flowers.
These plants are native to temperate regions around the globe, with many extra showy cultivated varieties available for home gardens.
Depending on the species and cultivar, they can grow up to four or five feet tall, though there are some shrubby species that grow up to ten feet tall.
The gray-green leaves are hairy and sport a palmate shape, topped with spikes of purple, pink, red, or white flowers. They are hardy in Zones 3 to 9.
Russell Lupine Series
Plants in the Russell series (L. polyphyllus) feature dense spikes of raspberry, rose, salmon, purple, plum, and white flowers.
You can find Russel seeds available from Eden Brothers in a variety of packet sizes and in bulk.
Learn how to grow lupines in our guide.
28. Milkweed
It seems like all the trendy gardens these days are growing milkweed (Asclepias spp.). If you want to attract and help provide food for endangered monarchs, choose a species that is native to your area.
If you just want to grow them for the pretty perennial display, pick whatever species strikes your fancy.
Milkweeds will return each year in Zones 3 to 9, but they will also self-seed.
Butterfly Flower Milkweed
Butterfly flower (A. tuberosa) has classic orange blossoms and grows 24 to 36 inches tall. Grab a packet of seeds from Botanical Interests.
Showy Milkweed
Or go with the big clusters of blossoms of showy milkweed (A. speciosa) that grows up to four feet tall, also available at Botanical Interests.
You can learn more about how to grow milkweed in our guide.
29. Monkshood
Monkshood (Aconitum spp.), also known as wolfsbane, doesn’t just sound cool, it looks cool, too, with its stand-out spires of deep, purple blossoms.
Aconitum napellus is the most common species in home gardens, but there are other striking options like azure monkshood (A. carmichaelii) as well.
These plants are highly toxic so should be grown with caution and avoided if you have children or curious pets.
Most cultivated types grow in Zones 3 to 8 and reach up to five feet tall.
Learn more about how to grow azure monkshood in our guide.
30. Mugo Pine
Mugo pines (Pinus mugo) must have internal heaters or something because they live in some of the most frigid climates on the planet.
You’ll find them happily growing in Zones 2 to 8. We’re talking about winters that dip as low as -50°F.
While they don’t produce true flowers, the upright cones provide color and texture, contrasting attractively with the foliage.
If you don’t have a lot of room in your garden, grab yourself a dwarf mugo (P. mugo var. pumilio) that top out at three to five feet tall.
Dwarf Mugo Pine
You can find plants available at Fast Growing Trees in one-, two-, or seven-gallon options.
Learn how to grow mugo pines in our guide.
31. Peony
Most peonies (Paeonia spp.) are reliable in Zones 4 to 8, but there are a few cultivars that can handle colder temperatures than that.
‘Coral Charm,’ ‘Felix Crousse,’ ‘Mr. Ed,’ and ‘Sarah Bernhardt’ all thrive as far north as Zones 3.
Depending on the cultivar, peonies can grow up to seven feet tall, but most are around three to four feet tall and wide at maturity.
I have a sweet spot for ‘Sarah Bernhardt,’ both the peony and the actress.
‘Sarah Bernhardt’ Peony
This cultivar was one of the first peonies I ever grew and it was such a reliable bloomer with such an impressive display that it made me fall in love with the species.
Give her center stage by nabbing a live plant in #3 containers at Nature Hills Nursery.
‘Purple Sensation’ has sensational purple petals and is another Zone 3 superstar.
‘Purple Sensation’
It’s available at Nature Hills Nursery as bare roots.
Read our guide to growing peonies for more information.
32. Phlox
Whether you choose creeping phlox (Phlox stolonifera and P. subulata) or garden phlox (P. paniculata), you’ll have a hardy perennial providing an abundance of color.
Phlox produces blankets of blossoms in the summer that are so dense you can scarcely see the foliage underneath.
Phlox is hardy in Zones 3 to 9 and has five-petaled flowers in lavender, pink, rose, red, orange, salmon, purple, or white.
They provide ongoing charm in the heat of summer when so many other plants are hiding out waiting for cooler temps to arrive.
‘Drummond’s Pink’ Phlox
Plants can range from just a few inches tall to two feet or so in height.
For example, ‘Drummond’s Pink’ has cheerful Barbie pink blossoms on a plant that is just six inches tall. Pick up a few plants in a #1 container at Nature Hills Nursery.
For something taller, ‘Cherry Cream’ is about 26 inches tall, topped with heads of pink and white blossoms.
It’s only hardy to Zone 5, but it’s a beautiful option to provide some height and color in the right climate.
It’s also available at Nature Hills in #1 containers.
33. Poppy
Poppies (Papaver spp.) make me so happy. Some of them don’t appear natural, resembling something out of a dream, with their petals that look like hand-dyed tissue.
I grow ‘Amazing Gray’ poppies in my garden and every year they draw comments.
Though they look delicate, these three-foot-tall plants are unfazed by something as minor as a long, frigid winter, thriving in Zones 3 to 9.
‘Royal Wedding’ Poppy
‘Royal Wedding’ is a pretty cool option. It has a black-purple center encased by white petals. Say “I do” by purchasing yours at Nature Hills Nursery.
Learn more about how to grow poppies in our guide.
34. Russian Sage
Russian sage (Salvia yangii) is a small, woody shrub that grows up to four feet tall with grayish-green fragrant leaves and purple flowers.
It’ll thrive in Zones 3 to 9 with little input from the gardener.
This plant can be found all over the place because gardeners value its tough nature and maintenance-free habit.
Russian Sage
It blooms for a long time in the summer and dazzles with the silvery green leaves the rest of the year.
You can find Russian sage in #1 and #5 containers available at Nature Hills Nursery.
Find out how to grow Russian sage in our guide.
35. Salvia
Let’s hear it for salvia (Salvia spp.). Every spring and summer, depending on the type, the spires of purple, pink, yellow, red, orange, or white flowers call the bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds to visit.
Heights range from one to four feet tall, depending on the type.
They’re some of the most reliable garden options because the plants are tough as nails, need little maintenance, and perform for years and years in Zones 3 to 10.
I’m partial to the deep purple types like the hybrid ‘May Night’ (S. x sylvestris ‘Mainacht’).
‘May Night’ Salvia
This cultivar blooms in the summer with purple so dark it almost looks black.
If you’d like to try it out, grab yours at Nature Hills in a #1 container.
Learn more about saliva in our growing guide.
36. Sea Holly
Sea holly (Eryngium planum) thrives in Zones 4 to 9 or Zone 3 with a little protection.
While this species is not wildly popular yet, I think it’s only a matter of time until more gardeners begin to appreciate the low-maintenance splendor of this three-foot-tall plant.
The purple-blue, thistle-like flowers are a unique addition to the garden and you can find cultivars with variegated foliage or flowers in different hues.
‘Blue Glitter’ Sea Holly
‘Blue Glitter’ has true blue, star-shaped flowers that last all summer. Nab yours in a quart container at Nature Hills Nursery.
37. Sedum
Sedum or stonecrop (Sedum spp. and Hylotelephium spp.) are low-maintenance perennials available in such a fun range of shapes and sizes, with some being valued primarily for the foliage and others for the flowers. Some species give you both!
Most are drought-tolerant and extremely hardy, thriving in Zones 3 to 11. The succulent leaves are often evergreen depending on the climate.
‘Autumn Joy’ Sedum
‘Autumn Joy’ (H. ‘Herbstfreude’) is always a favorite, with its bright green leaves and striking pink flowers that persist for weeks, gradually transitioning to deep red seed heads.
Nature Hills Nursery carries this sedum in #1 containers if you’d like to add some autumn joy to your garden.
Learn how to grow ‘Autumn Joy’ in our complete guide.
38. Snow-in-Summer
If you long for winter’s pristine blanket of snow during the summer months, bring snow-in-summer (Cerastium tomentosum and C. biebersteinii) to your garden.
The evergreen leaves provide color and texture all year round and then, from late spring through midsummer, the plants are blanketed in snow-white blossoms with yellow stamens.
Snow-in-Summer
Most only grow about a foot tall, though this can vary depending on the light and soil conditions. Both species are hardy in Zones 3 to 8 and grow about a foot tall in wide mats.
You can find C. biebersteinii seeds at True Leaf Market in a variety of package sizes.
39. Snowball Bush
Snowball bushes (Viburnum opulus) are so charming when they’re covered in those perfectly round balls of white flowers.
They are also extremely tolerant of chilly weather and will grow in Zones 3 to 8.
If you’re aiming for the cottage or farmhouse garden vibe, this plant is ideal. Even when not in bloom, the vibrant green foliage is beautiful on its own.
Most shrubs grow between 10 to 15 feet tall, though there are outliers that may be taller or shorter.
Eastern Snowball
Fast Growing Trees has Eastern snowballs in three-gallon pots to give you a head-start on filling your garden into a joyful display.
The huge balls of blossoms can reach up to eight inches across and last for weeks.
40. Snowdrop
Just when most of us are sick and tired of winter, snowdrops (Galanthus spp.) herald the arrival of spring with their drooping white blossoms.
After blooming, the strappy green leaves hang out for a few more weeks and then die back to the ground, emerging again the following spring. Plants grow four to 10 inches tall.
They grow everywhere from Zones 2 to 9 depending on the cultivar and need no maintenance to perform year after year.
Learn more about growing snowdrops in our guide.
41. Solomon’s Seal
Soloon’s seal (Polygonatum spp.) is a distinctive species with large, zigzagging leaves and small, whitish, bell-shaped flowers followed by blue-black fruits.
Some types have variegated leaves with cream accents on the medium green foliage.
This hardy perennial grows in Zones 3 to 9 and can reach up to four feet tall depending on the species and conditions.
These woodland natives can be started from seed, thriving in shady spots in the landscape.
You can find seeds for giant solomon’s seal (P. biflorum var. commutatum) from Everwilde Farms via Amazon.
42. Spruce
Spruce trees (Picea spp.) inhabit some incredibly harsh and frigid climates. They can even be found spreading into the Arctic tundra, though that’s not a good thing.
Most will grow with no trouble in Zones 3 to 8, but some, like P. pungens ‘Fat Albert,’ Colorado blue (P. pungens), and white spruce (P. glauca) all grow in Zones 2 to 7.
‘Fat Albert’ Spruce
‘Fat Albert’ features a squat, pyramidal shape. I think he’s perfect for filling a garden corner, but I would plant him near my home and dress him up in Christmas finery around the holidays each year.
You can pick up live plants in #5 containers at Nature Hills Nursery.
‘Montrose Spire’ is a marvelous cultivar with a slender, narrow growth habit and pyramidal shape.
‘Montrose Spire’
It’s available at Fast Growing Trees in a variety of sizes.
43. Tulip
Tulips (Tulipa spp.) are everyone’s favorite spring flower.
I love them because after the foliage dies back in late spring, I can place a few annuals in the area and I’m treated to color all season long.
Tulips come in such a dazzling range of colors and flower shapes.
From Greigii tulips to Rembrandts and peony tulips, they can be your simple, classic single blossom or big, frilly, double flowers.
I lean towards the latter since my tastes include to roses and peonies.
If you can relate, you’ll love ‘Vovos.’ This parrot type has beautiful semi-double blossoms in a lavender-peach hue.
‘Vovos’ Parrot Tulips
Pick up packets of five or 10 bulbs at Eden Brothers.
Learn how to cultivate tulips in your landscape in our guide.
44. Yarrow
I think yarrow (Achillea millefolium) is underappreciated. It’s one of those plants that does double duty as a beautiful ornamental that’s also edible and medicinal.
The species is typically white, but there are many cultivars available in hues of yellow, pink, purple, and orange.
Yarrow will grow in Zones 3 to 9, with some cultivars extending outside of that range.
Colorado Series Yarrow
The Colorado series includes all those aforementioned colors in pastel shades and you can grab a packet or ounce of seeds at Eden Brothers.
Read our guide to growing yarrow to learn more.
45. Yew
Yews (Taxus spp.) are mostly hard to Zones 4 to 7, though there are some outliers, like Anglo-Japanese yews (T. x media), which grow as far north as Zone 3.
Their sizes vary from huge, towering trees of 60 feet tall to petite three-foot shrubs.
These evergreens are ideal for growing as hedges or specimen plantings. Want to create a topiary? There’s a yew for that.
‘Densiformis’ Yew
‘Densiformis’ spreads about six feet wide and four feet tall with, you guessed it, extremely dense growth. It’s available in two- or three-gallon containers at Fast Growing Trees.
Everything you need to know about growing yews is in our guide.
A Bit of Cold Doesn’t Faze Us
We all face our environmental challenges.
Some growing regions are plagued by constant fungal issues caused by humidity or excessive rain, some areas struggle with lack of rainfall, and some regions have winters so cold that many plants will simply turn up their toes.
Not these plants, though. They can hunker down and survive the most bitter cold. Which species will you choose? What growing Zone are you gardening in? Let us know in the comments section below!
And for more information about growing perennials in your garden, read these guides next:
