11 Best Perennial Flowers and Tips on How to Plant Them

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A perennial flower garden is a preference of many gardeners because the plants return year after year, which means less work and savings on the finances. Still, it is okay to mix annuals and perennials in the same garden. In this guide, we’ll discuss 11 of the best perennial flowers and provide tips on how to plant them best.

To keep your perennial garden blooming all season, plant a mixture of the following flowers:

1. Daffodils

Daffodil Flowers are one of the Best Perennial Flowers to Plant — Daffodil Flowers

Daffodils are very popular flowers that grow in hues of white, yellow, and pink. Depending on the variety, the blooms will vary in size and include both single and double blooms. Daffodils are both lovely and extremely easy to care for. This makes them popular with both experienced and novice gardeners.

Once planted, they will come back faithfully year after year – sometimes even if they are ignored completely. Of course, for best results, ignoring your daffodils is not the best method, so below, you will find some tips for planting daffodils and ensuring that they add beauty to your home and garden for many years.

Location

The first thing that you will need to do is pick the perfect spot for your daffodils. It would help if you had a spot either in full sun or only has light shade. Too much shade will hinder growth.

Soil and Planting Tips for Daffodils

The soil for planting daffodils should be well-draining. If necessary, use a tiller to aerate the soil before planting. As is the case with many bulbs, they will not do well if they remain too wet. Make sure you have a trusty soil thermometer to be sure.

The best time to plant is in the fall. A general rule is to plant when the soil is no more than 60° F. Of course; this will vary by region. Once you have the perfect spot and the time of year is right, you are ready for planting.

Consider the height of the bulbs and then create a hole that is approximately three times as deep.
Place the bulb into the hole with the pointed end of the bulb facing upwards.
Space each bulb about 4 to 6 inches apart.
After covering the bulb with soil, add a few inches of compost.
Immediately after planting, water the daffodils well.

Daffodil Care

As mentioned above, Daffodils are very easy to care for, and many people report that they reappear year after year even though no care or attention is given to them. While little care is needed, there are some steps that you can take to get the best results.

Provide water during dry periods.
After the daffodils have flowered, trim the stalks. Do not, however, trim the leaves. Instead, allow those to die naturally.
Add compost once a year. This will provide sufficient nutrients for your daffodils.

Other Daffodil Tips

Mice, voles, and other pests are not usually an issue when planting daffodils.
Daffodils do best in parts of the country where the winters are cold and the summers on the mild side.
Daffodils look great in your garden, but they look just as great in a vase, so consider using some of your daffodils as cut flowers.
Grow more than one variety of daffodils. This will allow for a variation in bloom times, which with lengthen the amount of time that you can enjoy the flowers.

Whether in your yard or used in arrangements, this flower is one of the easiest to care for beauties that you’ll find. Use them abundantly to add color and interest to your garden and landscaping projects.

2. Gladiolus

Gladiolus Flowers are one of the Best Perennial Flowers to Plant — Gladiolus Flowers

Long ago, when the world was waging wars over fair maidens, and heroes of legends were fighting dragons, someone must have noticed an unusual plant emerging from the ground and thought that its leaves resembled a small sword. So the gladiolus, Latin for small sword, got its name.

Nowadays, growing gladiolus ensures a garden or a bouquet that will impress all visitors, whether they’re viewing or pollinating. Some people believe that the gladiolus is a symbol of infatuation, “a piercing of the heart.” It also stands for remembrance, honor, and faithfulness.

Gladioli (that’s the plural form) are semi-hardy perennials that do well in moderate climates and can grow to a height of 30 to 36 inches. They bear delicate, funnel-shaped flowers arranged in totem-pole fashion on a long stem called a spike. The flower buds open in turn starting from the base and moving upward until the stem is covered on one entire side with a colorful spray of blooms.

The Corm

Gladiolus plants grow from a bulb-like structure called a corm, which is actually a swelling in the underground stem that produces new foliage in the spring. After planting the corm, it takes about two months for the plant to reach blooming stage, which occurs only once per season.

Maximize Color in Your Garden

To keep that “glad” color and elegance going in your garden from July through August, you can stagger plantings about two weeks apart from mid-May to mid-June. When selecting for planting, choose corms that are ¾ of an inch or larger; otherwise, you may find that you have a garden full of tall, sword-shaped foliage but no flowers.

Choose Well-Drained Soil

Be sure to choose a well-drained area for planting that doesn’t hold water for a long time after watering. The area for growing gladiolus should receive plenty of full sun exposure, and, ideally, the soil should measure a neutral pH level.

Place the corms with the pointed side up about 4 inches below the surface, at least 6 inches apart. For larger corms, planting them 6 inches deep is desirable. Feed with a high phosphorus fertilizer when you plant, then add a high nitrogen fertilizer in about 7 to 8 weeks.

Make sure that your gladioli get at least an inch of water a week, and be diligent in controlling weeds so that they don’t have to compete for water and nutrients. A 2 to 4-inch layer of mulch will help in retaining moisture and controlling weeds.

Once the corms have sent up shoots, they shrivel up; but new corms grow in their place. These corms should be lifted up at the end of the season for replanting in May. This is especially important in climates where the ground stays frozen for most of the winter. Brush off any surface soil (don’t use water), and store them in paper bags or boxes of peat moss. Keep them dry and cool until it’s time to put them back to work in the ground.

If you enjoy growing gladiolus, you’ll undoubtedly also enjoy their artistic potential as cut flowers. Be careful about cutting too many of the leaves, though, since the leaves are a primary factor in producing food for the corms to store for next season’s growth. Wait until leaves and stalks have turned yellow to remove them from your garden.

3. Dahlias

Dahlias Flowers are one of the Best Perennial Flowers to Plant — Dahlia Flowers

Dahlias are among my favorite of all flowers. They come from tuberous perennial plants and the flowers are so original that they actually look like artificial flowers. It is hard to believe that a plant could produce such beautiful yields.

There is quite a variety of this flowering plant including hybrids and cultivars on top of over 30 species of the plant. The diameter of the flower ranges from two inches to twelve inches, depending on the choice of plant and they range from twelve inches high to six feet high.

When selecting the plants for your flower garden, you need to take this into consideration.

When and Where to Plant Them

These flowers grow best in the USDA hardiness zones of 7 through 11. They should be planted in the early spring, after the threat of frost has passed. They bloom during the summer.

In some areas the tubers can survive in the ground over the winter if six to twelve inches of mulch are applied to bed to protect them from the frost; however, the best bet is to dig up the tubers in the fall before the first frost. The tubers can be stored in a dry place that stays rather cool until it is time for spring planting.

Planting Dahlias

This type of perennial plant is usually planted from tubers; however, there are some flower seeds available that are usually treated as annuals. If planting from seed, it is best to start them in an indoor garden about six weeks before planting time.

To plant the tubers you will need to select a place that gets full sunlight. Take into consideration the size of the mature plant in order to decide how deep to plant the tuber and the space needed to reach full maturity. These plants will do their best if they are planted with eyes facing up and in well-draining soil.

Varieties that grow tall will need to be staked. It is a good idea to place the stake when you plant the tubers in order to avoid damaging the tuber when placing them later. After they are planted, water them lightly while avoiding leaving them in puddles of water.

4. Daylilies

Daylily Flowers are one of the Best Perennial Flowers to Plant — Daylily Flowers

Daylily blooms come in a wide variety of colors, sizes, and shapes. There are several hundred varieties, but most fall into one of two broad categories: tetraploid or diploid. Below is a description of each.

Tetraploid

Tetraploid means that there are four sets of chromosomes in each of the flower’s cells. Some find that this type of daylily has a few advantages over diploid daylilies.

The flowers in diploid daylilies are typically bigger than on diploid daylilies.
In addition to producing a larger flower, this type of daylily boasts colors that are more vibrant than in other daylily varieties.
The sturdiness of the plant is greater
This type of daylily is easier to propagate.

Diploid

When a flower is diploid that means that there are two sets of chromosomes in each cell of the flower or plant. While some hail the charm of tetraploid daylilies, diploids also have much to offer.

If you want a pink daylily, you will find many more options in diploid varieties.
For purposes of crossbreeding, diploids are much easier to work with.

There is a much greater variety of this type of daylily. So now that you understand the two very broad categories for daylily varieties, let’s take a look at some of the different features that you may see when searching for just the right variety of daylily for you.

Type of Daylily Flowers

Various daylily varieties produce flowers of various colors, shapes and sizes. For many people, this is how they choose the type of daylily that will look best in their garden or landscaping. Happily, most daylilies are hardy enough to grow in a variety of climates, so you will likely have a good selection from which you can choose.

Dormancy

There are basically three options for how a daylily will go into dormancy. The first is that it will completely die down during the winter. Another option is that the daylily will stop blooming, but will remain green during the winter (evergreen). Finally, some daylilies will remain green in a warm climate, but not where it gets very cold (semi-evergreen).

Bloom Times

Some daylilies bloom early in spring, others not until summer. Another difference between daylily varieties is how long they retain their blooms.

Choosing the Best Daylily Variety for You

With hundreds of varieties from which to choose, it can seem daunting to pick the best daylilies for your project. If you are not a very experienced gardener, the best place to start is at your local nursery. The experts can help you narrow down your choices based on which types of daylilies will do best in your region.

From there, the choice will be all about preference. You can choose your daylily based on the color and size of blooms, ease of care, whether or not they are evergreen, and when they will bloom.

Hardy daylilies are a great choice for use in landscaping. They are easy to manage and will come back year after year, providing a pop of color to your landscaping.

5. African Iris

African Iris Flowers are one of the Best Perennial Flowers to Plant — African Iris Flower

The African Iris is a perennial plant that is evergreen and therefore looks great even between flowerings. Even when the African Iris, properly called Dietes Iridioides, is not in bloom, it is a lovely addition to your landscaping or still looks nice in its container.

This plant, sometimes called the Butterfly Iris, comes in several varieties. It tends to do best in zones 8 through 11, but some varieties will do fine in certain other zones. If you would like to try your hand at adding African Iris to your garden or even growing them in containers, some tips are below.

Water

This is a drought-tolerant plant. In general, it will do well just with the rainwater it receives in most regions. If you are going through a particularly hot or dry season, you may need to provide water to keep the plant healthy and flowering to its fullest potential.

Shade

The ideal spot for this plant is in an area with full sun. This will provide the best flowering. In very hot regions, you can also get excellent results in light shade, but you do not want any more than that or your plant may not bloom.

Soil

Choose a nutrient-rich soil that is also very well-draining. This plant can suffer from root rot, but you can prevent this by ensuring the soil drains properly.

Fertilizer

While you will need to provide some fertilizer to your plant, it is certainly not as needy as some other plants. Instead of weekly or monthly feedings, you will only need to add fertilizer a few times a year. The best times of year to do this is in March, June, and again in August.

Pests

Some pests, such as grasshoppers, will enjoy munching on your plants, so you will need to take steps to prevent that. Also, certain diseases, such as the root rot mentioned previously, are also a danger.

Grooming

You will need to groom the plant by deadheading as needed. Examine the plant regularly because the more quickly you remove dead or dying leaves, the better your overall results will be.

Most varieties bloom between March and May. Still, as mentioned above, the plant – when properly cared for – looks nice even when not in bloom.
This plant is also a good choice for growing in containers. They look lovely on a porch or hanging inside the home in a room that receives a lot of sunlight.
For landscaping, consider using them as borders, along walkways, or in ornamental flower beds. While African Iris is not an ideal choice in all climates, if it is a plant that you are particularly fond of, you may be able to replicate suitable conditions in a greenhouse.
You can order African Iris plants from many online sources or buy them from a local nursery.
Whether for use indoors or out, this plant is a lovely choice.

6. Spiderworts

Spiderwort Flowers are one of the Best Perennial Flowers to Plant — Spiderwort Flowers

Spiderwort, properly called Tradesantia, includes 71 species. These perennial plants grow naturally in wooded areas as well as in fields. While this plant is often considered a weed, many who have this plant growing wild on their property allow it to continue because it is quite pretty.

Colors

With more than 70 varieties, it is not surprising that spiderwort comes in several colors. You may see it in shades of white, purple or pink, but the most common variety produces vibrant blue petals.

Planting

This is a plant that is popular for use in borders or just to add a pop of color to landscaping or a garden. It can be grown from seed or by propagating the plant, which is best done in the spring. It is quite easy to grow, but there are some things that you need to keep in mind.

Provide well-draining soil as the plant will not do as well if it is sitting in water.
It should be planted in a spot that receives either full sun or partial shade.
If you live in a climate with particularly dry summers, you will need to take care to provide extra water.

You must be careful that the soil is not too rich in nutrients. If it is, the plants will grow too quickly. This will cause them to droop before they even reach their full height. If you provide the right conditions, then your spiderworts will flower for a number of years. Just be sure to cut them back once they start to droop and you will be able to enjoy them again next year.

Containers

In addition to being a popular choice for certain landscaping projects, it is also popular for use in containers. It works well in both pots and in hanging baskets. Keep in mind the same tips as above such as placing the plant in full sun for several hours a day, not using soil that is very rich in nutrients and providing adequate water. As a general rule of thumb, if the soil feels moist then you will not need to add water at that time.

Other Facts

You can get seeds for some varieties of this plant at your local nursery or from online seed catalogs. If you can’t find the one that you want locally, check online. There is a good chance that you will find what you want.
Certain varieties may cause allergies in dogs and cats, so keep this in mind when choosing this plant for your home or garden. If you notice your pet has red, itchy skin, that may be a sign of an allergy to spiderwort.
One type, called Western Spiderwort, is considered in Canada to be an endangered species.

Whether you use this plant to enhance the beauty of your garden or for use in containers, it is a lovely choice that adds color and charm. The best news is that it is relatively easy to grow and, in many cases, will return year after year.

7. Daisies

Daisy Flowers are Incredibly Easy to Grow — Daisy Flowers

You’ve probably heard that old saw, “Daisies don’t tell,” but if they did, they’d tell you that growing daisies is a fun and rewarding pastime. Daisies are said to be the symbol of innocence, purity, and new beginnings.

The popularity of daisies spans centuries of love-struck young maidens weaving chains and garlands of daisies or plucking petals to discover if the object of their affection loves them or loves them not. A gift of daisies signifies fidelity.

Daisies Have a Well-Deserved Cheerful Reputation

Daisies are cheerful, light-hearted flowers that come in a wide variety of colors. They have an interesting growth pattern; the leaves grow in a rosette form close to the ground, eventually sending up leafless flower stems topped by a single bloom.

The flower itself consists of a central disc, with petals surrounding it in a ray formation. The most familiar daisy is the Shasta Daisy, with white petals around a bright yellow center, but there are also colored daisies in pinks, purples, yellows, oranges, and reds. Gerbera or Gerber Daisies have grown in popularity over the last few decades, with a wide array of large, colorful blooms.

Most Varieties Are Perennial

Most daisy varieties are perennial, meaning they will last from season to season. Unfortunately, the perennial varieties are unlikely to bloom in the first year, so if you don’t already have daisies in your garden, you might want to plant an annual variety to bring blooms to your yard without having to wait.

Annual varieties such as African Daisies will fill your garden with blooms, but they will only last for one season. You always have the option of planting new ones next season, or you can have perennials standing by in the garden, ready to bloom from next season and on to the next.

Planting Daisies Is Simple

Growing daisies from seeds is quite simple. You can get a head start by planting them indoors in early spring and transplanting the seedlings outdoors, or you can sprinkle the seeds in your garden. The important thing to remember is to wait until any danger of frost is past before you expose your new plants to the elements. By spacing your plants between 9 and 12 inches apart, you will achieve an eye-catching visual effect when your daisies begin to bloom.

Daisies should be planted in rich, well-drained soil, with full sun exposure. Add fertilizer to give them a good start, then fertilize about once a month during the growing season. A high phosphorus fertilizer right before blooming will result in bigger, brighter blooms. Be diligent in your watering; daisies don’t want to grow when they’re thirsty, and you don’t want to have lazy daisies.

They Can Be Multiplied Though Dividing

Once established, daisies can be divided to create new plants. The best time for this is in the fall when growth has slowed, or the center of the crown has become woody.

After carefully digging up the entire plant, keeping the root system intact, gently shake the soil from around the roots so that they’re visible.

Using your hands, carefully pull the plant into separate sections. Each section should have strong roots and at least three healthy young shoots. If the center of the plant seems past its prime, it can be discarded. Replace the new plants in prepared soil, firming the soil around the base of the plant, and water lightly.

Daisies are mostly tolerant of disease and insects, but sometimes aphids can be a problem. If you find tiny brown spots on the leaves, there is likely to be a number of these leaf-sucking pests hiding on the underside. An insecticidal soap application will take care of this problem.

Once you’ve mastered the finer points of growing daisies, you will enjoy their cheerful appearance in your garden from late spring to mid-summer. And there’s no need to limit the spectacle to when you’re outdoors—as cut flowers, daisies are fabulous on their own or in arrangements with other flowers.

Cut them in the early morning, making sure to cut the stems all the way down to the ground. This is also how you can help your plants to stay revitalized—dead-heading just isn’t enough for the daisy.

8. Geraniums

Geranium Flowers Come in Many Different Varieties — Geranium Flowers

Geraniums include more than 400 species of flowers. Varieties include annuals, biennial, and perennial plants. The lovely flowers may be white, pink, blue, or purple.

Sometimes called cranesbill, this flower does require some care, but many – even novice gardeners – are able to grow them successfully. Growing geraniums in containers are the most popular way to handle this type of flower, but many enjoy planting them in gardens.

The most common way of growing geraniums is from cuttings from another plant. However, growing them from seeds is another option, and seeds are available both online and from some local nurseries.

Light

Most types of geraniums require full light. There are some that will do well in partial shade, but they all need a good amount of sunlight in order to do their best. If you live in a particularly hot region, you can opt for a more shaded location. In most regions, geraniums will need at least six hours of sunlight per day.

Soil

The ideal soil for growing geraniums is going to be rich in nutrients and loose to allow for proper draining. Failing to use a well-draining soil could cause problems for your geraniums as they will not do well with “wet feet”.