9 Perennial Herbs (Number 5 May Surprise You)

Chicory

Chicory's vibrant blue flowers attract bees, butterflies, and other beneficial insects. This fosters biodiversity and supports the local ecosystem. As pollinators visit, it blooms; they also pollinate nearby plants, enhancing the overall fertility and productivity of the landscape. This plant is known as the "blue daisy" for its attractive round blue flowers with a petal and sepal pattern similar to daisies. The plant is also known to have white or pink blooms, but these examples are rare. Chicory Is A Tall Perennial Chicory grows to 5 feet tall but is most commonly about 2 feet tall. When grown close together, the light blue flowers form a canopy, creating a pleasing focal point in any garden. Being blue, these flowers mesh well with other blue varieties, such as California bluebells or Northern Blue Flags. Because blue daisies are lighter, you can ring them around any flowers of darker blue to create a visual transition to flowers of other colors. These flowers have different leaves based on how old they are. In their first season, leaves form at the base of the stems. These attractive, curly leaves can grow about a foot long and create a separate focal point for the blue flowers. During their second or any following season, the leaves are smaller and grow further up the stems. Unlike many other plants, blue daisies lack petioles, so the leaves seem to clasp the stem lovingly, which creates a sweet effect. The Blooms Of The Chicory The flowers of this plant only last one day, but the plant grows new flowers every day throughout the spring and summer. The flower buds generally open at or shortly after dawn, and by sunset, the flowers are closing again as new ones prepare to open the next day. It's possible to take time-lapse photos or videos of these flowers and see them "wink" throughout the day. This charming phenomenon is not unique to blue daisies but is particularly noteworthy among these flowers. Pollinators Love Chicory  Even though Chicory blooms only last a day or so each, they are still an essential nectar source for pollinators like the bumblebee and certain butterfly species. Generally, these insects will flock to a cluster of blue daisies in the early afternoon. These plants are pretty hardy, too, so in addition to being good-looking, they prevent soil leaching and erosion and contribute to the health of any garden.

Dandelion Plant

Dandelion perennials have bright yellow, disk-like flowers atop slender, green stems with jagged-edged leaves that form a rosette at the base. While it is often considered a weed due to its rapid growth and ability to spread, it possesses several characteristics that can benefit landscaping. Dandelion Plant Can Reach 1 Feet Tall Dandelion plants can reach a height of eight to 12 inches and have a rosette of leaves around a deep taproot. The leaves are sleek and feature acute indentations without any visible hairs. They have lance-, rectangular-, or spatula-shaped foliage and flower heads covered with ray petals. Their blooms, which can grow up to two inches long, are a single shade of yellow and sit on a sturdy, hollow stem. Although they bloom from April through September, they're most noticeable in May and June. Well-established dandelion plants sometimes bloom twice, once in the spring and once in the fall.  Improve Soil Quality With The Dandelion Plant They have roots that spread wide. This loosens hard-packed soil and increases aeration, making it healthier. Their roots extract calcium and potassium from the earth, making these vital nutrients available to nearby flowers. Because their roots also hold the soil together, these flowers help prevent erosion. The dead foliage adds organic matter to the soil and provides essential nutrients for grass to grow strong and green. Their wind-aided seed distribution and cross-pollination capabilities also make them useful for fertilizing grass. About nine to 15 days after the yellow flowers appear, they reveal a white puffball, a fuzzy pappus. The wind carries bits of the fuzzy pappus containing seeds as part of the flowers' reproduction process. Hummingbirds, mainly, like these fuzzy seeds and use them to build nests. Pollinators Rely On The Dandelion Plant In early spring, many pollinators rely on them for their nectar. While some can yield as many as 400 seeds, the typical yield is 180. Pollinators like ladybugs, honeybees, and moths play a crucial role in pest control by eating, weakening, and killing garden pests.

Yarrow

Yarrow is a hardy perennial herb with feathery, fern-like leaves and flat-topped clusters of colorful flowers. It is commonly found in meadows and gardens and is known for its medicinal and ornamental properties. Common Yarrow botanical name is Achillea Millefolium, a perennial known for its crown of small, white flowers. Its other names include milfoil, older man's pepper, nosebleed plant, devil's nettle, and soldier's woundwort. The latter name is a reference to its medicinal uses in ancient cultures. Achillea Millefolium is native throughout North America. If you've ever been on a hike, you've seen these flowers while traversing the trail. Yarrow Has Stunning Blooms The Achillea Millefolium or milfoil can grow to heights of up to three feet. The flowers can be white or rose, depending on the soil type of the plant. Gardeners can expect the plant to bloom from April through September. The blooms typically have five petals, and the flowers form in clusters. The plant's scent is pleasant, and the foliage is captivating. This is because the leaves form leaflets that resemble the leaves of ferns. They can reach lengths of five inches. There are branches on this plant, except at the top. Gardeners can enjoy planting the Achillea Millefolium along walls and around foundations. If the chosen side of the hedge receives little wind, it can also be planted along the hedge walls. It also works well in pollinator and butterfly gardens. Draw Pollinators to Your Yard With Yarrow The Achillea Millefolium's flowers attract pollinators, including butterflies and bees, who forage for its pollen. The most common butterflies around Achillea Millefolium are the West Coast Lady and the Lorquin Admiral. It's also been known to attract beetles and moths. Great Plants to Plant Around Yarrow Yarrow does well when planted around the black-eyed susan, coneflower, and catmint. Gardeners who love herb gardens may also want to grow it around their dill, thyme, oregano, and basil plants because milfoil has been known to repel some pests. Gardeners will love the Achillea Millefolium for its beautiful flowers and fern-like appearance. It does well around other wildflowers and herbs, especially when planted in areas with little wind.