In need of some inspiration of what perennial flowers to grow in your garden? Here are my “Favorite Eight” perennial flowers by relative sun requirements:
FULL SUN
Milkweed
Milkweed attracts pollinators including the mighty Monarch Butterfly. Planting milkweed in your garden is a sure fire way bring monarch butterflies to your yard. Monarch butterflies lay their eggs on milkweed plant. It always gives me a whimsical, joyous feeling to see monarch butterflies prancing around the garden, frequently stopping on the milkweed.
Waxflower
Waxflower is sometimes overlooked in gardens – it is a hardy perennial shrub with delicate pink flowers that grow on pine-needle like branches. I find that waxflower makes an elegant addition to any landscape. I have it planted behind short, low lying scented geranium. Waxflower is also a great addition to most cut flower arrangements.
Lavender
Where to start with lavender? First and foremost, the scent of lavender is deliciously calming. Lavender is also a major attractant for garden pollinators. Without fail, I can find bees buzzing around the lavender bushes. What also makes lavender very useful in the garden is that it can be manicured and cut to fit your gardening space. I use it as a beautiful border to our front yard garden.
Dianthus
When choosing dianthus, a perennial variety is a very useful addition to any garden. Dianthus can also be found as an annual variety. No matter the size or purpose of your garden, dianthus provides beautifully blooming color typically in the spring and early fall. Dianthus is well-loved by pollinators – primarily butterflies and the occasional hummingbird.
PARTIAL SHADE
Hydrangea
Hydrangeas are a reliable addition to any garden. It does well in partial shade which makes it the perfect floral solution for areas of the garden that don’t get as much direct sunlight. Hydrangeas also make an elegant bouquet on their own.
Fuschia
Fuchsia’s intriguing beauty make for an exciting bloom in the garden. Fuschia’s are an elaborately decorative addition in the garden. Grown as a shrub, fuschias are reliable and require little maintenance. Fuschia’s also attract hummingbirds.
Camellia
Camellia’s are grown as shrubs or small trees with dark green leaves. When in bloom, the camellia flowers are an elegant kaleidoscope. I prefer white camellia’s as a staple in any shady parts of the garden. They can also be trained as an espalier – making it a good fit to be grown against a wall.
Night-Blooming Jasmine
Night-blooming jasmine has a wonderfully surprising scent when in bloom. Aptly named, night-blooming jasmine blooms in the night time and those blooms close up during the day. I equate the scent of night-blooming jasmine to something sweet and tart. It’s fun addition for a night time stroll in your garden.