Top Low Maintenance Perennials That Bloom All Summer

Do you want a beautifully perennials colored yard but don’t have the time to work at it daily? Me too. Even though I work from home, I tend to get busier as the years go on with the kids in sports, and I mostly drive them here and there.

Having all the beautiful colors is key when you live in an area with a short growing season. I want to enjoy our three months of growth with abundance.

But, and this is the tricky part, maintaining that slice of heaven throughout the summer demands an unfathomable amount of tender love and care, a luxury that most of us garden enthusiasts don’t have.

The Perennial All-Stars List

What’s a list without some fanfare? Alright, folks, fasten your seatbelts because we’re about to drop 13 names that will transform your summer garden dreams into reality.

Daisy – A Classic Amongst Flowers

Name a more iconic summer flower; I’ll wait. With its cheery countenance and simplicity, the daisy thrives with minimal intervention. It’s one of my favorite flowers and where our yellow lab’s name came from!

• Loves a good sunbathing session
• Damp soil? Absolutely not, this one’s got a sturdy constitution that handles drought like a champ.
• For an English countryside vibe, plant as if you’re making a mini-flower forest about a foot apart.

Blanket Flower – Nature’s Fireworks

The blanket flower is your ticket if your garden plans need a little spontaneous combustion of colors.

• Full sun worshipper
• Like a culinary prodigy who can cook a five-star meal with three ingredients, the blanket flower needs only good drainage, sunshine, and a median degree of water.
• Pop ’em in your perennial bed or meadow garden – they’ll mingle well with other natives.

Lavender – A Scent Above the Rest

Lavender is poetry incarnate in your garden, and the good news is, it’s not as finicky as its fragility might suggest.

• The sun is its soulmate
• Tip your watering can towards it in its nascent stage; once mature, it’s a “one sip of water every now and then” kind of friend.
• Bees and butterflies can’t resist its aromatic charms, so expect a pollinator paradise.

Salvia – Elegance Redefined

With its regal appearance, the salvia is the perennial equivalent of a garden party with Taylor Swift on the playlist.

• A salute to the sun
• It’s on the fence about moisture – just enough to keep the soil moist, please.
• It’s a real winner in a butterfly or perennial border, especially with its tall, stately presence.

Yarrow – The Neverending Bloomer

Like the energizer bunny, the yarrow just keeps on blooming – make place in your garden for a plant that joins the marathon.

• Sun? Absolutely.
• Soil? Relatively dry is the advanced directive here.
• Its lacy foliage complements cacti and succulents beautifully, while its long-lasting blooms make for splendid cut flowers.

Catmint – Mint for Cat Lovers

Purple flower spikes and gray-green foliage, the catmint known as Walker’s Low is a true showstopper in any garden. And it’s not just a pretty face – this plant is low-maintenance and thrives in hot and dry conditions. After its initial burst of flowers in late spring, give it a trim to keep it compact and watch as it blooms again.

• Sun? Of course, it loves to bask in the sun just like our feline friends.
• Soil? Well-drained and drier soil is ideal, but don’t worry if it gets a bit wet. It’s a tough plant and can handle it.
• Bonus: Its fragrance is irresistible to cats, so be prepared for some furry visitors in your garden. Just make sure they don’t nibble on the leaves too much!

Coreopsis – Midsummer Goldrush

If a plant exuding sunshine were a thing, it’d be the coreopsis — the flower is literally called ‘sunburst.’

• The sun is shining, and so is the coreopsis’s disposition.
• Soil? Dry to medium makes it happy.
• It’s the Beyoncé of the garden world — plant confidently solo or alongside others; it always steals the spotlight.

The list goes on, and the best part? They all follow a similar set of rules. But we’re not done yet. There’s more where that came from.

Black Eyed Susan – The Wild Child

The black eyed Susan is as lively and carefree as its name suggests.

• Sun worshipping is a must for this plant.
• Soil? Well-drained, but it’s not opposed to some moisture every now and then.
• Perfect for adding a pop of color to your garden or container – let it roam free, or corral it. Either way, it’s sure to impress.

Coneflower – The All-Star

The coneflower is a staple in any garden, and for good reason.

• Sun? You betcha.
• Soil? Moist but well-drained, but it’s not a deal breaker if it gets a little dry.
• Its striking blooms will attract pollinators like bees and butterflies, making your garden the place to be.

Peonies  – The Drama Queen

Once peonies have made themselves at home in your garden, they are practically indestructible. From well-drained to fertile soil, these divas can handle it all. And don’t even get us started on their drought tolerance – these beauties require less watering than other flowers.

Plus, with their strong resistance to pests and diseases, peonies are the drama queens we all need in our gardens. With minimal pruning needs, you’ll have stunning flowers year after year without all the extra work. Who says gardening can’t be dramatic?

So go ahead and add some showy flowers to your garden with these showstopping peonies!  

• Sun? They prefer full sun but can tolerate a bit of shade.
• Soil? Rich and well-drained soil is a must for these beauties.
• Bonus: With their large, fragrant blooms in various colors, peonies are sure to steal the spotlight in any garden. And with their long lifespan, they’ll keep coming back to wow you yearly. Just don’t forget to water them during dry periods!

Phlox – The Social Butterfly

With their vibrant flower clusters, phlox will surely attract attention in your garden. However, they also have a special talent for bringing pollinators and other beneficial insects together.

This plant is like that low-maintenance friend who’s comfortable basking in the spotlight and chilling in the background. It’s pretty chill, thriving in full sun or sliding into a cool partial shade without a fuss. And the flowers!

They come in this delightful array of colors – imagine purples, pinks, and whites that would make a rainbow jealous. Each cluster of fragrant flowers is like a party; honestly, my garden’s never been livelier. It’s like the garden phlox knows it’s the star of the show without even trying.

 

Bee Balm – The Life of the Party

You know that one friend who’s always the life of the party and can make anyone feel welcome? That’s bee balm in a nutshell. With its vibrant, nectar-filled flowers, this plant is a magnet for bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds. Plus, its leaves can be brewed into a tasty tea with medicinal properties. Talk about multi-talented!

But let’s not forget the real reason we all invite bee balm to our garden parties – those show-stopping flowers. From dark purples to bright reds, there’s a color for every taste. And they’ll bloom all summer, keeping the party going until the end.