Today on Green Thumb Diaries we’re talking all about full sun low maintenance perennials. Perennial plants are great additions to your garden. They come back year after year, which makes maintenance that must easier! Many of these wonderful blooms spring up between late spring to early summer and can last all the way until early fall.
The majority of the flowers mentioned below are quite common and can be found at your local garden center.
Tools we recommend using
First, before getting to our best full sun low maintenance perennials, we wanted to round up some of our favorite garden tools that make planting the below flowers a breeze! Having the right tools can make all the difference when trying to grow a garden or when taking care of indoor plants!
If you planning on growing a garden, you need a pair of great garden shears! We recommend the Fiskars. With its all-steel blade, they will stay sharp longer. It also has a rust-resistant, low-friction coating that helps glide through different types of wood. Works for pruning anything from bonsai trees to cutting flowers.
Garden sticks can come in handy when you have plants that grow quite tall. Take it from us, one strong wind storm and your beautiful delphiniums for example can be broken! That’s where bamboo sticks can come in handy. We like the natural look of them and they offer great support to keep your blooms upright!
Indoor grow lights are the secret to having beautiful healthy house plants, especially if you live up north and go through the winter season. A lot of houseplants don’t get enough light, grow lights can change that immediately! We personally have 3 sets of these grow lights and always get compliments and questions on how we keep our indoor plants looking healthy!
The Best Full Sun Low Maintenace Perennials
A NOTE ON IDEAL ZONES
Below you will find the “ideal” recommended USDA zones for these flowers. However, that doesn’t necessarily mean you cannot grow these plants in your personal zone. Typically, zones indicate where the flower will grow the best, however, for example, I can grow Hibiscus, a tropical flower, in my garden in Canada.
We recommend doing our own research on how well these plants do in your particular zone, specifically what sort of additional care they might need to thrive!
Spring Blooms
First up, spring blooms! All of these flowers will be the first to bloom at the start of the growing season and can add some much-needed color after a dull winter.
Paeonia (Peonies)
USDA Ideal Zones: 2 – 10
Bloom Length: 2 – 4 weeks
Frost Tolerance: Yes
This beautiful flower is both easy to care for and is deer resistant. With its wonderful perfumed flowers that can fill a room with a light spring aroma, it’s a real treat to have peonies in your garden!
Coming in various colors and varieties, Peonies are herbaceous perennials meaning they will die each year however their roots stay alive, shooting up new growth the following growing season.
If you’re trying to grow peonies in cooler climates make sure they are well protected from late frost, which can kill the flower buds.
Tip: Don’t cut back the leaves and growth until they brown in the fall – the leaves absorb nutrients and energy over the summer months, giving you fuller and healthier blooms next year!
Daffodils (Narcissus)
Zones: 4 – 10
Bloom Length: 2-6 weeks
Frost Tolerance: Yes
Narcissus (common name Daffodils) are hardy plants that bloom in the springtime. They are wonderfully rewarding bulbs that are perfect for sunny garden beds, pots, or borders. Generally, Daffodils can survive in any type of soil however prefer well-drained, moist conditions.
Daffodils come in a wide variety of shapes, color combinations, and sizes and are sure to add some much-needed brightness to your spring garden beds!
Tulips
USDA Ideal Zone: 3 – 7
Bloom length: 4 – 6 weeks
Frost Tolerance: Yes
Gaining mass popularity in the 1600s due to Tulipomania, Tulips are now a staple in our gardens in North America. These stunning blooms are one of the first things to pop up in the garden in early spring and bring some much-needed color. With more than 100 species available, there are many bulbs to choose from that will thrive in your garden beds.
Tip: Plant bulbs 8 inches deep, this helps that bloom for more years
False Indigo
USDA Idea Zones: 3 – 9
Bloom Length: Late spring – early summer
Frost Tolerance: Yes
False indigo is both drought-tolerant and frost-tolerant making it a great addition to your garden no matter what temperate you’re in. They require low maintenance to thrive without much care. The stocks might need extra support if they grow too tall.
Seed pods will form where the flowers were after their blooming season is over, therefore you can deadhead to make the plant look more attractive during summer months.
Summer Blooms
Garden Phlox
USDA Ideal Zone: 4 – 10
Bloom Length: 7 – 10 weeks
Frost Tolerance: Yes
Phlox comes in a wide variety of species. Garden Phlox, in particular, can thrive in full sun to part shade. It’s an extremely low-maintenance flower that can be kept in moist to wet soils. A great attractor of butterflies and other smaller pollinators, garden phlox can provide your garden with a wide range of colors!
Tip: Look for a mildew-resistant variety
Angelonia
USDA Ideal Zones: 9 – 11
Bloom Length: Summer Months to early fall
Frost Tolerance: No
Similar to the Snap Dragon Angelonia is a perennial (for zones 9 -11) that blooms all summer and typically into fall. Blooming on spikes, the flower can reach a height of 45cm. They love full sun and can tolerate some light shade. They will continue to bloom all season without any deadheading.
In cooler climates, Angelonia can still be grown but as an annual.
Day Lily
USDA Idea Zones: 2 – 11
Bloom Length: One day per flower
Frost Tolerance: Yes
The Daylily is an extremely low-maintenance plant that can grow in almost all conditions. They like direct sunlight and can also thrive in poor soil conditions like clay soil. They have a long growing season and can bloom well into late summer!
Daylillies only last for one day (hence the name). After blooming is done, you can cut the plant back to the ground.
Lupin
Zone: 3 – 11
Bloom length: 8 weeks
Frost Tolerance: Yes
Lupin is actually a biennial. Meaning, the plant comes up every second year. If you would like to have lupin blooming every year in your garden plant two years in a row, this will ensure that every year, one of your plants will bloom making it act more like a perennial!
Lupin or Lupinus produces a lot of seeds, which means it can spread if not controlled. It benefits from dead-heading once the flower is spent to help the plant continue to stay healthy.
Delphinium
Zone: 3 – 9
Bloom length:
Frost Tolerance: Yes
Native to the Northern Hemisphere, Delphiumiums are a wonderful whimsical plant with bright green leaves and flower stems covered in beautiful blooms. They come in a variety of bright colors, mostly in the blue and purple families.
Delphiniums need moist and fertile soil that has good drainage. Delphimuins can grow quite tall and do require support to avoid stem breakage.
Veronica (Speedwell)
Zone: 4 – 10
Bloom length: 14 weeks
Frost Tolerance: Yes
Veronica (also known as Spiked Speedwell) are great low-maintenance perennials that can handle full sun to part shade. Coming in a couple of different colors such as purple and pink they add some much-needed colors to a perennial garden. With a long growing season that can last until late fall.
Tip: They can easily be propagated from cuttings
Dianthus
Zone: 3 – 10
Bloom Length:
Frost Tolerance: Yes
This beautiful blooming flower belongs to the carnation family and consists mostly of perennial varieties. Varying in size and color, they make for the perfect addition to a garden bed or they make a great cut flower. Dianthus likes full sun with well-draining soil.
Tips: To get repeat blooms, deadhead consistently
Purple Coneflower (Echinacea)
Zone: 3 – 10
Bloom length:
Frost Tolerance: Yes
These unique purple flowers, also known as Echinacea purpurea are part of the daisy family. They love a good sunny location in your garden and require moist well-draining soil to thrive.
These easy-care perennials require little care and can offer excellent-cut flowers for a unique bouquet!
Black-Eyed Susan (Rudbeckia)
USDA Ideal Zone:
Bloom length:
Frost Tolerance:
Black Eyed Susans are beautiful yellow flowers that bloom throughout the summer season. They are one of the easiest perennials to grow that require little care and full sunlight. If you have a spot to fill in your garden they’re a great choice since they provide a pop of color!
Tip: They are not deer or rabbit resistant but if you plant near lavender it can help repel these animals
Yarrow (Achillea)
USDA Ideal Zones: 3 – 10
Bloom length: 8 – 10 weeks
Frost Tolerance: Yes
Yarrow also known as Achillea is a clumping perennial plant that comes in a wide variety of species some being invasive. Consisting of flat flower clumps, they can add a lot of color to your garden beds and are great for ground cover.
They are very low-maintenance perennials that can survive in extreme conditions. Yarrow will multiply and spread quite rapidly. They are drought-tolerant plants making them an excellent choice for southern states that may experience dry summers.
Tips: Can benefit from deadheading
Bee Balm (Monarda didyma)
Zone:
Bloom length:
Frost Tolerance:
As the name suggests, Bee balm is a favorite among bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds and provides them with much-needed nectar. They are very hardy flowering plants that can be grown in cooler climates like Canada. Flowering in mid to late summer, they come in a wide variety of colors.
Bee balm can be susceptible to mild dew therefore plant it in an area with good ventilation. There are some varieties that are mildew resistant.
Siberian Iris
Zone:
Bloom length:
Frost Tolerance:
The Siberian Iris likes rich, fertile soil. They benefit from organic matter added in to give them additional nutrients and moisture. They can survive in dryer conditions, which makes them quite low maintenance. With their stunning blue flowers, they are the right plant to add some color to your beds.
Sedum
USDA Ideal Zones: 3 – 11
Bloom length: Summer – Fall
Frost Tolerance: Yes
There are over 400 species of sedum that range from perennials to annuals to succulents. They are hardy plants that are a good choice for warmer climates given that they are drought-tolerant and require little attention. All sedum plants do not like we soil, therefore do not overwater. Sedums store water in their leaves therefore does not require regular watering.
Sedum also thrives in cooler climates like Canada, given they are frost tolerant.
Hardy Geraniums
Zone: 3 – 9
Bloom length: Spring – Fall
Frost Tolerance: Yes
There are two different types of geraniums: hardy geraniums which come back year after year and the pelargonium variety which dies once frost comes. Hardy Geraniums are dense plants with smaller flower buds. They do well in rich soil that is well-draining. You can cut them back to get repeat blooming into the fall season.
Rock Garden & Herbs
There are a lot of full sun low maintenance perennials that can work in rock gardens! I personally have most of these perennials in my gardens and can confirm that they need little attention to thrive all season long!
Hens & Chickens
USDA Ideal Zone: 3 – 8
Bloom length: All Year
Frost Tolerance: Yes
Hens & Chickens are part of the succulent family and thrive in both warm and cool climates. They are extremely hardy and work as excellent ground cover in a garden bed given they multiply and spread quite easily.
I have a garden bed full of hens & chicks and they survive all winter, even through really harsh winter conditions. They require little attention and are one of the easiest perennials to grow!
Russian Sage
Zone: 4 – 9
Bloom length: Spring – Autumn
Frost Tolerance: Yes
With its grey-green leaves and purple flowers, Russian sage is not only aromatic but a beautiful flowering addition to your garden. It has a strong resemblance to lavender and grows 3 – 4 feet in height. It loves full sun and well-draining soil. It’s very hardy and needs little care to thrive in your garden.
Lavender
Zone: 5 – 9
Bloom length: 2 – 3 months
Frost Tolerance: Yes
Lavender is a lovely addition to any garden including a rock garden! With its fragrant flowers that are amazing for cutting and cooking, it’s a must-have.
Lavender likes fertile well-draining soil that has room to grow and expand. They can also be grown in containers if you prefer to grow inside.
Salvia
Zone: 5 – 11
Bloom length: 12 weeks
Frost Tolerance: Depends on the variety
Salvia (part of the mint family) comes in a wide variety of species from perennials, to annuals, and shrubs. It loves a sunny location in your garden that has well-drained soil. Salvia is quite hardy and can tolerate dry conditions.
Tip: Salvia can benefit from deep watering from time to time during hot and dry conditions
Cat Mint
Zone: 3 – 10
Bloom length:
Frost Tolerance: Yes
A member of the mint family, Catmint or Catnip is a colorful addition to any garden. It thrives in full sun and can spread quite quickly due to its self-seeding abilities. Catmint likes well-draining soil, it also benefits from pinching back in the spring.
Ornamental Grasses
If your flower garden is full why not try some ornamental grasses! Coming in a variety of colors and textures, they add some nice coverage to any backyard. Be sure to plant them in an area with a lot of sun. They are a great choice to keep your garden looking unique!
We hope you loved all of these full sun low maintenance perennials. Every single one of these plants will add some color and uniqueness to your garden beds and, or borders. Having perennials in your gardens make it easier to have blooms all season long.
Perennials are a must in your garden given the cost savings and maintenance-free growing season you can enjoy! Depending on what zone you live in, the plants will act differently therefore we recommend doing your own research on each of these plants to determine how well they will grow in your region.
Feel free to bookmark this page to save it for later or share all of these full sun low maintenance perennials on Pinterest to share with friends!
Read these next!
Loved this article on full sun low-maintenance perennials. Check out these ones next!
30 Plants That Like Full Sun and Heat
Leave a Reply