7 Resilient Perennials that Thrive with Minimal Care - Create a "Set-and-Forget" Flowering Garden
Chillin' with your dream garden
Sick of high-maintenance flowers taking all your time? You don't have to be! These low-effort perennials take the summer heat, poor soil, and rain-free spells in their stride and come back stronger the next year. No more endless deadheading, feeding, and watering - these hardy heroes are the ultimate lazy gardener's dream!
But remember, no plant is completely free of maintenance. These flowering perennials will need watering for a few weeks after planting until they settle in, and at least a light annual trim. But trust us, you really won't have to do much; they'll reward you for your negligence!
Here's our top picks for fuss-free floral flair, offering a variety of colors, textures, and multi-season interest. Not only will these garden stalwarts delight you, but they'll nurture wildlife, giving sustenance to pollinators and other beneficial creatures who call your garden home.
1. Russian Sage
Silvery, aromatic foliage topped with graceful spires of soft lavender-like blooms makes Russian Sage (Salvia yangii) a standout in low-maintenance borders. It thrives in sunny spots with poor, well-drained soil and needs no attention apart from a trim in early spring. Give it a little water until it establishes, but from that point on, it'll be content waiting for rain.
The Denim 'n Lace variety from Woodies Garden Goods is a fan favorite – it has an upright habit and fits perfectly in any garden nook!
2. Peruvian Lily
Peruvian lily (or alstroemeria) is a heat-loving perennial that produces trumpet-shaped blooms in colors spanning peach to violet. Plant them in fertile, well-drained soil in USDA zones 6 to 10. They'll bloom for years with minimal effort and even flourish without constant watering and feeding. Just add a support for taller varieties in case some flowers flop over.
Why not try the widely appreciated Indian Summer alstroemeria from Burpee for your garden? Deadheading spent flowers will extend their bloom time, but it's optional if you don't mind a slower bloom.
3. Hardy Geranium
Don't confuse hardy geraniums (cranesbill) with pelargoniums – those showy annuals are often mistaken for geraniums. Cranesbill forms neat, spreading mounds of foliage adorned with charming cup-shaped flowers available in pink, purple, blue, or white. They bloom from late spring to summer with fewer waterings and occasional trims if needed.
Geranium 'Rozanne' is a robust option readily available in garden stores. It's a stunning shade of violet-blue and will burst with flowers from late spring until mid-fall.
4. Coreopsis
With joyful daisy-like flowers and tidy foliage, coreopsis (tickseed) will provide a gold blanket of delight from summer until fall with minimal effort. Thriving in full sun and well-drained soil in USDA zones 4 to 9, coreopsis is drought-tolerant and care-free. Deadheading spent blooms will encourage more flowering, but it's not essential.
Add the gorgeous UpTick gold and bronze flowers from Walmart to your garden and watch them bring a splash of color.
5. Stonecrop
Succulent stonecrop has green foliage that looks good year-round and thrives in full sun and well-drained soil. It surprises crowds every summer with pink or red flowers adored by pollinators. Once established, it needs no watering or feeding - just ignore it and let it shine. Give it a trim every now and then, and you'll find new plants popping up in other parts of your garden.
The Autumn Joy stonecrop from Nature Hills is planted in many gardens, but for a unique look, test out the Proven Winners Rock 'N Grow Back in Black sedum, boasting nearly black foliage.
6. Daylily
Tough as nails and endlessly varied, daylilies offer massed flowers on arching leaves from early summer onward. They tolerate almost any soil, shrug off drought once settled, and require only occasional feedings to get the most out of them (though they'll still bloom with minimal care). Settle in daylilies in USDA zones 3 to 9, and watch them carry on for years.
Check out the beautiful Masterpiece collection from Lowe's, featuring eight attention-grabbing varieties.
7. Yarrow
With delicate fern-like foliage supporting flat-topped clusters of tiny blooms, yarrow's pretty appearance belies its hardy nature. Yarrow is a butterfly and bee magnet, yet it's stubbornly drought-tolerant and unfussy about fertilizer. The only maintenance necessary is an occasional trim after flowering to encourage tidy foliage.
This stunning Saucy Seduction yarrow from Walmart features delightful pink florets and is a compact choice at 18 to 24 inches (45 to 60cm) high.
When it comes to low-maintenance gardening, we've got you covered. With these perennials, you'll have stunning floral flair with the minimum of effort, making your life easier while supporting urban biodiversity. So let's get planting, and watch your garden grow with little more than neglect!
These fuss-free floral choices are perfect for your home-and-garden lifestyle, as they can add a touch of lifestyle flair with minimal maintenance. Consider incorporating the Russian Sage for its silvery, aromatic foliage and graceful lavender-like blooms, or explore the Peruvian Lily for trumpet-shaped blooms that thrive in poor, well-drained soil. Both plants are ideal for lazy gardeners who desire low-effort yet beautiful additions to their garden.
