7 Pretty Perennials for Your Garden

Why spend lots of cash on annuals year after year? Plant perennials that bloom all summer instead! Not only do they last longer than one season, garden perennials provide pollen, nectar and seeds for the birds and butterflies (awww!). Plus, there's something really wonderful about seeing flowers shoot out of the soil with the changing seasons.

Veronica Speedwell

 

Looking Outside of Philadelphia?

Although located in New Jersey, Burlington County is considered a suburb of bustling Philadelphia. This historical spot, which was founded in 1681, offers lots of restaurants, public tennis courts, and for flower lovers, the Burlington County Park. Check out our new homes in Burlington County.

Featuring a bushy clump of crinkled dark-green leaves with purple, spiky flowers, Veronica, also called “Sunny Border Blue,” looks super pretty all the way through the summer months. When the spikes fade, just remove them so the plant's flowers last longer.

Phlox

Like the thought of a blanket of teeny-tiny colorful flowers? Then you'll love Phlox, which comes in spring- and summer-blooming varieties. The spring phlox is one of the best perennial garden plants, as it's a creeper, which works as a ground cover. Summer phlox, on the other hand, grows tall. Not only super pretty, phlox is fragrant and attracts hummingbirds.

Coralbells

Who can resist a flower called coralbells? The National Gardening Association describes these blooms as “airy flower spikes on wiry stems above low-growing, often dramatic foliage.” Sounds pretty, right? Enjoy these perennials that bloom all summer in the garden, or when they get really full, cut them and use in your indoor flower arrangements.

Switchgrass

Big, beautiful grasses are really helpful at filling out larger spaces in your garden, so stock up. According to the experts at Better Homes and Gardens, switchgrass, which grows from two to five feet tall, is a total stunner, rain or shine—it just has a way of catching the sun's light. In the summer, switchgrass is airy and in the fall, it can take on a dramatic red.

Yarrow

Even if you've never planted anything before, you can grow yarrow. It's hardy and can withstand heat, drought and cold. Its leaves are fern-like (and have a spicy fragrance), and its flat-topped flowers are available in pink, white or yellow. These garden perennials bloom from late spring to early fall.

Pin Cushion Flower

This smaller perennial shows off gray-green leaves and a long bloom period with pretty lavender-blue flowers (the middle part looks like a pin cushion). According to the green thumbs at Fine Gardening, they look most lovely used as edging or in large groups in borders or rock gardens.

Black-Eyed Susan

We love these yellow-petal wildflowers with the black eye. A sassy cousin of the sweet daisy, the Black-Eyed Susan (also called yellow coneflower) bloom as early as late June and continue into September. They're very easy to grow, and if you want to fill your garden with a solid border, just wait a few years—they self-propagate easily.

Ryan Homes Tip: Check out our garden pin board on Pinterest for springtime inspiration.