Popular perennials for the garden

Perennials are one of the most popular types of flowering plants, both for the beginning and experienced gardeners.  Gardeners of all types and abilities enjoy the beauty, hardiness and ease of planting of these find plants.

In addition, perennials come in every color of the rainbow, and in all shapes and sizes, making them a great choice for any garden.  What makes perennials special, however, is their ability to come back year after year.  While the actual life span of a perennial will vary from species to species and planting to planting, some types of perennials have been known to last for decades.

Perennials can be used anywhere in the garden, and anywhere around the home as well.  Many varieties of perennials are great as landscape plantings, and their ability to regenerate makes them perfect for areas of the garden that are hard to reach.  Using perennials to line a driveway, surround a flagpole or accent a front porch is a great idea for any gardener.

In fact, the hardest part of perennials for many gardeners is choosing the right ones.  There are so many different perennials at your local garden center that it can be difficult to choose the right ones.  This article attempts to help with that problem, by providing a brief overview of some of the most popular perennials for the home garden, as well as some brief care tips.

Name: Achillea

Common name: Yarrow

Needs: Full sun, moderate water (less watering once fully established)

Name: Anemone

Common name: Japanese Anemone

Needs: Partial shade, regular watering

Name: Aster

Common name: New England Aster

Needs: Full sun, partial shade in hot climates, regular watering

Name: Astilbe

Needs: Partial to full shade (some sun OK in cool climates, regular watering

Name: Chrysanthemum

Common name: Shasta Daisy

Needs: Full sun, partial shade in hot climates, regular watering

Name: Coreopsis

Common name: Threadleaf Coreopsis

Needs: Full sun, moderate to little watering

Name: Delphinium

Needs: Full sun, regular watering

Name: Echinacea

Common name: Purple Coneflower

Needs: Full sun, moderate watering

Name: Geranium

Common name: Geranium

Needs: Full sun or partial shade.  Must have afternoon shade in hot climates.  Regular watering

Name: Helleborus

Common name: Lenten Rose

Needs: Full sun in winter; partial to full shade in spring, summer and fall.  Regular watering

Name: Nepeta

Common name: Catmint

Needs: Full sun, moderate watering

Name: Paeonia

Common name: Peony

Needs: Full sun, partial shade in hot climates, regular watering

Name: Papaver

Common name: Oriental Poppy

Needs: Full sun, regular to moderate watering

Name: Penstemon

Common name: Beard Tongue

Needs: Full sun; light shade in hot climates.  Regular watering.

Name: Phlox

Common name: Summer Phlox

Needs: Full sun.  Flowers may fade in hot climates.  Needs regular watering.

Name: Redbeckia

Common name: Black-Eyed Susan

Needs: Full sun.  Regular to moderate watering.

Name: Salvia

Needs: Full sun.  Regular watering.

Name: Sedum

Common name: Autumn Joy

Needs: Full sun or partial shade.  Moderate to little watering.

Name: Veronica

Needs: Full sun.  Regular watering.