Growing profiles for the perennials worth planting, each covering hardiness zones, sun and soil, planting, care, the best varieties and the problems to watch for. Filter by zone, sun or deer resistance, or browse from A to Z.
Astilbe brings feathery plumes of color to part shade in zones 3 to 8, as long as the soil stays moist. Here is how to plant and care for it, which types handle more sun, and the best varieties to grow.
Bee balm is a native perennial that draws hummingbirds and bees all summer in zones 4 to 9. Here is how to plant and care for it, how to prevent powdery mildew and control spreading, and the best varieties to grow.
Black-eyed Susans bloom from midsummer to frost in full sun and almost any well-drained soil in zones 3 to 9. Here is how to plant and care for them, which types are true perennials, and the best varieties to grow.
Catmint blooms from late spring into fall in full sun and dry soil in zones 3 to 8, and shrugs off deer and drought. Here is how to plant it, when to shear it for rebloom, how it differs from catnip and the best varieties.
Coneflowers thrive in full sun and lean, well-drained soil in zones 3 to 9, bloom from early summer into fall, and feed pollinators and birds. Here is how to plant, grow and keep them coming back, plus the best varieties to choose.
Coral bells bring year-round leaf color to part shade in zones 4 to 9. Here is how to plant and care for them, why the crowns need resetting every few years, and the best varieties for sun, shade and heat.
Creeping phlox covers slopes, walls and path edges with sheets of spring color in zones 3 to 9. Here is how to plant and care for it, when to shear it and the best varieties to grow.
Garden phlox fills the summer border with fragrant flowers and butterflies in zones 3 to 8. Here is how to plant and care for it, how to prevent powdery mildew and the best mildew-resistant varieties to grow.
Hostas are the easiest way to fill a shady yard with color, and a well-placed clump can thrive for decades. Learn which zones and light they need, how to plant and divide them, the best varieties for beginners, and how to stop slugs and deer.
Lavender thrives in full sun and lean, fast-draining soil in zones 5 to 9, and dies in wet ground. Here is how to choose the right type, plant it, prune it without killing it, harvest the flowers and keep it alive through winter.
Peonies can bloom in the same spot for 50 years or more if you get two things right at planting: full sun and shallow roots. Here is how to plant, feed, support, divide and troubleshoot herbaceous, tree and Itoh peonies.
Russian sage thrives in heat, drought and poor soil in zones 4 to 9, with lavender-blue flowers from summer to fall. Here is how to plant it, when to prune it, how to keep it from flopping and the best varieties to grow.
Perennial salvia blooms from late spring into fall in full sun and well-drained soil in zones 4 to 8, as long as you cut it back after each flush. Here is how to plant, prune and divide it, and the best varieties to grow.
Sedum thrives in full sun and lean, well-drained soil in zones 3 to 9, with late-season flowers for pollinators. Here is how to plant and care for it, the difference between upright and creeping types, and the best varieties to grow.