16 Flowering perennials for your outdoor space

Why buy flowering perennials?

Flowering perennials will bloom yearly and most on this list are very low-maintenance. Perennials are more cost-effective than single-year annuals or biennials. Also, many of these plants can be divided in the future- which means more plants for you for free!

Perennials are excellent plants because they return year after year. But what about perennials with beautiful flowers? This list is full of flowering perennials that show off beautiful blooms. From sunny spots to shaded gardens-- this list has a little something for everyone!

Here is a list of 16 flowering perennials:

Ajuga Reptans

Ajuga is one of the best flowering perennials because it has many blooms. It will bloom for several months and really fills in the space it's planted in. Ajuga makes an excellent groundcover in many home gardens.

• Zones: 3 to 9
• Sun exposure: Full sun
• Mature height: up to 8 inches
• Water: Average
• Best for front of borders, containers, and as a groundcover

To view the Ajuga Reptans product page, click here

Bearded Iris

Bearded iris is one of the most striking flowering perennials. It's dramatic blooms don't even seem real-- but fortunately, they are! This plant does well in somewhat most soils and can be planted near water features.

• Zones: 3 to 9
• Sun exposure: Full sun
• Mature height: up to 3½ feet tall
• Water: Average to moist
• Best for Japanese gardens and middle/back of borders

Bellflower plant

This flowering perennial has delicate, ribbon-like petals on its flowers. This North American native is a gem and a unique addition to any garden.

• Zones: 4 to 9
• Sun exposure: Part sun to part shade
• Mature height: up to 2 feet
• Water: Average
• Best for shade gardens, alpine gardens, woodland gardens, front of borders, and containers

To view the Bellflower product page, click here

Bird's Foot Violet

The bird's foot violet is a flowering perennial that blooms every spring. Its two-toned flowers stand out amongst its foliage. It looks great in containers, too.

• Zones: 4 to 8
• Sun exposure: Full sun or part shade
• Mature height: up to 6 inches
• Water: average
• Best for shade gardens, woodland edges, in front of borders and containers

To view the Bird's Foot Violet product page, click here

Blackberry Lily

Blackberry lily is not really a lily, but an iris. This flowering perennial got its name from its seeds that look like blackberries. It is grown for its exotic-looking flowers that will bring vibrancy to a garden border.

• Zones: 3 to 9
• Sun exposure: Full sun
• Mature height: 2 to 4 feet
• Water: Average
• Best for middle/back of borders and woodland edges

Black Cohosh

Black cohosh is a long-flowering perennial that blooms from spring until fall. It is a tall grower that looks great in large and small spaces alike. Not to mention, pollinators love it!

• Zones: 4 to 9
• Sun exposure: Full shade
• Mature height: up to 2 feet
• Water: Average
• Best for shade gardens and woodland gardens

To view the Black Cohosh product page, click here

Bluets

These tiny bluets bloom from spring all the way to fall. It is a flowering perennial that has many flowers that never seem to quit. It looks great in containers and in the front of borders.

• Zones: 3 to 8
• Sun exposure: Part sun to part shade
• Mature height: up to 6 inches
• Water: Dry to average
• Best for front of borders, woodland gardens, edges, and containers

Butterfly Weed

The butterfly weed is another flowering perennial that is favored by pollinators and even hummingbirds. It is easy to grow and is low maintenance. The butterflies and bees will thank you.

• Zones: 4 to 9
• Sun exposure: Full sun
• Mature height: up to 3 feet
• Water: Moderately dry to average
• Best for pollinator gardens, borders, and woodland edges

To view the Butterfly Weed product page, click here

Dutchman's breeches

Dutchman's breeches is a spring blooming perennial. It is closely related to the bleeding heart and has a unique look- like the trousers of a colonial Dutchman!

• Zones: 3 to 7
• Sun exposure: Full sun or part shade
• Mature height: up to 12 inches
• Water: Average to moist
• Best for shade gardens, woodland gardens, borders, and containers

Great White Trillium

This classically beautiful plant has stunning white flowers. It can tolerate a range of soils and looks great in many garden styles. This elegant flower is easy to grow and is low maintenance.

• Zones: 3 to 9
• Sun exposure: Full sun or part shade
• Mature height: in ideal conditions, up to 2 feet
• Water: average
• Best for woodland gardens, shade gardens, containers, and borders

To view the Great White Trillium product page, click here

Hepatica

Hepatica is another spring flowering perennial. It has delicate 6-petaled flowers that bloom just above shiny, green foliage. It is a simple, but lovely plant.

• Zones: 4 to 8
• Sun exposure: Part sun to part shade
• Mature height: up to 6 inches
• Water: Average
• Best for shade gardens, woodlands, edges, front of borders, and containers

To view the Hepatica product page, click here

Oxeye Daisy

The oxeye daisy is a reliable flowering perennial that blooms from spring to fall. Children aren't the only ones who love this flower, oxeye daisy is amazing at attracting beneficial insects. No flower says 'summer' quite like a daisy.

• Zones: 3 to 9
• Sun exposure: Part sun to part shade
• Mature height: up to 8 inches
• Water: Average to somewhat dry
• Best for woodland gardens, alpine gardens, containers, and borders

To view the Oxeye Daisy product page, click here

Painted Trillium

The painted trillium is one of the most unique flowering perennials on this list. Its flowers have petals that look like they have been painted on! It can grow in many soil types, as long as it has full shade.

• Zones: 3 to 9
• Sun exposure: Full shade
• Mature height: up to 8 inches
• Water: Average
• Best for woodland gardens, alpine gardens, containers, and shaded borders

To view the Painted Trillium product page, click here

Shooting Star Plant

The shooting star plant is another spring bloomer. This flowering perennial looks like a shooting star or shuttlecock. It brings much needed liveliness to late winter and looks great in alpine and woodland gardens.

• Zones: 4 to 8
• Sun exposure: Part sun to part shade
• Mature height: up to 12 inches
• Water: Average to somewhat moist
• Best for shade gardens, woodland gardens, alpine gardens, and containers

To view the Shooting Star Plant product page, click here

Tiger Lily

The tiger lily is the most exotic looking flowering perennial on this list. It has gorgeous spotted flowers with many petals. It is easy to grow and is low maintenance.

• Zones: 3 to 8
• Sun exposure: Full sun
• Mature height: 3 to 5 feet
• Water: Average
• Best for tropical-style gardens, borders, water's edge, and woodland's edge

To view the Tiger Lily product page, click here

Yarrow

Yarrow may be the last flowering perennial on this list, but it's certainly not the least! It is loved by pollinators and beneficial insects. Plus, the leaves can be used to make tea!

• Zones: 3 to 9
• Sun exposure: Full sun
• Mature height: up to 3 feet
• Water: average to moist
• Best for pollinator gardens, borders, and cottage gardens

To view the Yarrow product page, click here

Here at TN Nursery, we pride ourselves on providing healthy native plants to our customers. We also know the importance of creating a healthy ecosystem, that's why 94% of our plants are native to North America. If you have any questions about our products or gardening, please reach out!