Perennials are wonderful additions to any garden and for many they become an anticipated burst of beauty year after year. The advantage of perennials is that unlike annuals, they do not have to be replanted each new growing season.
That being said, some perennials peter out after several years in the garden and need to be either replaced or revitalized through the task of division.
Other perennial plants boast a very long lifespan with no intervention from the gardener—the tradeoff being that they may take several years to hit their stride in growth and bloom. Oftentimes it's a taproot that makes the plant so long-lived; in those first years while you're waiting for a burst of top growth and blooms, the plant is busy building a strong root system below ground. This is why long-lived perennials also tend to cope with drought and dry spells fairly well.
Here are a handful of long-lived perennials to try in your garden. Have patience while they settle in, and you should be able to enjoy them for many years—even decades—to come:
Peonies (photo above) come in a variety of stunning colors, from pure white to ruby red, and often fill the air with an enticing aroma. They thrive in full sun and fertile, well-drained soil. USDA Zones 2–8.
Hostas are shade-loving perennials grown for their striking, lush foliage. But they also bloom in charming hues white, lavender and blue. These lovely perennials are most successful with regular watering and well-drained soil rich with organic matter. USDA Zones 3–9.
Daylilies (Hemerocallis) offer gardens wonderful displays of vibrant, exquisite flowers in a wide range of radiant colors—typically fiery reds, purples, oranges and yellows. They prosper in full sun with slightly acidic, well-drained soil high in organic matter. USDA Zones 3–10.
False indigos (Baptisia) bloom with beautiful spikes of typically purplish-blue flowers in late spring to early summer, though many cultivars have been developed to expand the color palette. Baptisias also provide a lovely backdrop to companions, thanks to their bulky size and fluttery foliage. They are most successful in full sun to part shade with average to dry well-drained soil. USDA Zones 3–9.
Hardy hibiscus (Hibiscus moscheutos x H. coccineus cvs.) provide large, bright flowers on a mound of bold, maple-like foliage. Though they look quite tropical, these hibiscus are bone-hardy in USDA Zones 4–9.
Image credits: Baptisia 'Blueberry Sunday' and Hibiscus 'Edge of Night' courtesy of Walters Gardens.
