Plant These Perennials Once and Enjoy Them for Years to Come

By Ashley Hosmer, Content Manager at Heirloom

To achieve a well-rounded garden, one with something in bloom each season, year after year, you need reliable perennials. A little thought now as you build your garden will result in a space that feels full, layered, and cohesive. These are six perennials I’m excited to add to my garden this year and enjoy for years to come.

Build a Garden That Blooms Each Season

Imagine stepping outside to something in bloom each season with these favorite perennials.

Early Wonder® (Camellia)

Camellias burst into bloom in late winter, at a time when color is especially welcome. Early Wonder® Camellia pops with vibrant pink, semi-double, rose-like flowers appearing while temperatures are still cold. The rest of the year, expect a shrub with glossy, evergreen foliage that reaches heights of 6-8'.

Dianthus Vivacia™ Orange

Blooming from early spring all the way through to autumn, Dianthus Vivacia™ Orange delivers a vibrant pop of color with its vivid orange blooms. Not to be confused with carnations of years past, this modern dianthus offers a softer, more natural habit along with a light, clove-like fragrance. Perfect for borders, containers, or small garden spaces, this one delivers a cheerful flourish of blooms while welcoming pollinators. This plant is making a well-deserved comeback!

Provence (Lavender)

Provence Lavender arrives in summer and lingers through fall with tall, airy spikes of soft purple flowers set above silvery-green foliage. Known for a soothing fragrance and exceptional adaptability, this variety thrives in heat, humidity, and well-drained soil, making it an easy choice across most climates. Plant it along a walkway or weave it through your roses, to soften edges and invite pollinators in with every bloom.

Lion Cub (Rudbeckia)

Blooming from early summer through fall, Lion Cub Rudbeckia brings a playful burst of golden yellow with its unique, pom-pom style blooms and deep chocolate centers. Its compact growing habit makes it easy to tuck into containers, borders, or along pathways. Tough, drought-tolerant, and pollinator-friendly, it’s a cheerful, hardworking addition that keeps the garden glowing through the warmest months.

Dakota™ Burgundy (Penstemon)

Dakota™ Burgundy adds rich contrast to gardens with deep burgundy foliage that contrasts against slender stems of soft lavender blooms. With its compact, upright habit and excellent drought tolerance, it’s a good fit for borders, containers, and smaller garden spaces. Dakota’s fluted blooms are also a favorite of hummingbirds and pollinators.

Fried Egg (Echinacea)

This one looks exactly like her name! Arriving in midsummer and continuing through fall, Fried Egg Echinacea offers a fresh take on a classic coneflower, with warm white petals surrounding a bright yellow center. Its compact habit makes it perfect for containers and sunny borders, while its strong stems, long-lasting blooms, and sweet fragrance make it a standout in cut arrangements. It’s also drought-tolerant, deer-resistant, and loved by pollinators, which is a win for every garden!

A Garden That Grows More Beautiful Each Year

Our gardens are never truly finished. Feel the freedom to pull plants and plant new ones or move them around the yard to a better growing space. Keep building and reinventing that dream garden with new perennials and bulbs each year.

Whether you are just starting out or looking to update an established space, these perennial varieties make it easy to build a garden that feels full, vibrant, and uniquely your own.

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