Spring is here, and it’s always nice when you don’t have to plant anything new to make your garden pop, right? If you’re looking for a low-maintenance gardening choice, then look no further than perennials. While annuals die each season, perennials bloom year after year, and many of them spread through the garden, too.
Perennials also tend to be hardier than annual varieties. Read on for seven beautiful perennials that will bloom year in and year out in Michigan and throughout the Midwest.
1. Lily of the Nile
Lily of the Nile has such a pretty name, and the flowers themselves live up to that beauty. These blue perennials prefer partial sun and warm climates, but Michiganders can grow them in a container and move them inside during the brutal winter months.
2. Butterfly Weed
If your soil is dry, you can still grow some fragrant perennials. Butterfly Weed thrive in dry soil, offering a bright, orange flower that attracts, well, butterflies. These flowers prefer full sun.
3. Peony
Peonies are pretty much foolproof when it comes to growing. They’ll grow large, colorful blooms as long as they’re planted in full sunlight and well-drained soil. Peonies are also known to come back for decades, so they’re a long-lasting choice.
4. Oriental Poppy
If you live in a cooler area of the U.S., such as Michigan, you’re going to want to pick flowers that can withstand the cold winters. Oriental poppies thrive in cooler climates, so they’re a great choice. These bright perennials need full sun, but if you have pets, stay away from them, because they’re toxic to both pets and people.
5. Daylilies (Hemerocallis)
I have clay soil, because I live near a creek. If you do, as well, then Daylilies (Hemerocallis) are your perennial of choice. They’re adaptable to many soil and water levels and can take the poor drainage of clay.
6. Hosta
Keeping with that clay theme, Hostas are another plant that love moist soil, and they also thrive in shade. These perennials can live up to 30 years with the proper love and care. They come in plenty of different colors and sizes. Note that even they they can handle clay, they shouldn’t be planted in areas with standing water.
7. Bluestar (Amsonia tabernaemontana)
One more moist soil perennial option is the Bluestar (Amsonia tabernaemontana), offering light blue flowers. What’s great about this perennial is that they are pretty much deer and rabbit resistant, which is something I need where I live. However, plant them in an area with sunlight, as if they get too much shade, their stems will flop.
