Hosta-filled perennial shade garden

Enjoy beautiful variegation and a touch of color in this perennial planting layout for part to full shade. A variegated weigela adds standout foliage, while a mix of hosta varieties brings layers of texture, color, and contrast. Featuring unique cultivars of shade garden favorites that pollinators will love, too.

Tips for designing a shade garden bed full of texture

Large, broad-leaved hostas form a solid background that makes a statement in this shady bed. For contrast, finer-textured ‘My Monet’ weigela’s pink spring blooms and blushing variegated foliage highlight the front of the bed. Native spigelia lends a pop of bright red that appeals to hummingbirds.

Showcase small hostas by planting them in containers. Tiny ‘Winsome’ is tucked into this bed in a tall, slender container, which raises it up so it is easier to see, while ‘Frosted Mouse Ears’ dwarf hosta catches attention in a low hypertufa container in front.

Care tips

To prevent scorching on the leaves in this combination, choose a spot with afternoon shade and keep the soil evenly moist. Cut back dead perennial foliage in early spring as new growth begins to appear. Remove any damaged weigela branches before the plant leafs out, but hold off on pruning until after it blooms. Pruning too early can remove flower buds, as weigela forms next spring’s blooms on the current season’s growth.

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Perennial shade garden bed plant list

A) HostaHosta ‘Lakeside Cupid’s Cup’ 
Perennial; trumpet-shaped lavender flowers in midsummer on blue-green corrugated leaves with a cream edge; part to full shade; 12 to 14 in. tall, 30 to 42 in. wide; cold hardy in USDA zones 3 to 9

B) HostaHosta ‘Winsome’ 
Perennial; trumpet-shaped lavender flowers in summer above dark green leaves with white edges; part to full shade; 3 to 8 in. tall, 16 to 18 in. tall in bloom, 15 in. wide; cold hardy in USDA zones 3 to 9

C) SpigeliaSpigelia marilandica
Perennial; tubular red flowers open yellow on the inside in early summer atop glossy green leaves; part to full shade; 12 to 24 in. tall, 6 to 18 in. wide; cold hardy in USDA zones 5 to 9

D) HostaHosta ‘Sum and Substance’ 
Perennial; trumpet-shaped lavender flowers in late summer above large corrugated chartreuse leaves; part to full shade; 2 to 3 ft. tall, 4 ft. tall in bloom, 3 to 5 ft. wide; cold hardy in USDA zones 3 to 8

E) WeigelaWeigela florida My Monet^®
Shrub; pink flowers in early to late spring on variegated pink-tinged leaves; full sun to part shade; 12 to 18 in. tall, 18 to 24 in. wide; cold hardy in USDA zones 4 to 6

F) FoamflowerTiarella ‘Starfish’ 
Perennial; pale pink flowers in late spring rise from clumps of green leaves with dark veining; part to full shade; 8 in. tall, 13 in. tall in flower, 13 in. wide; cold hardy in USDA zones 4 to 9

G) HostaHosta ‘Frosted Mouse Ears’ 
Perennial; trumpet-shaped lavender flowers in early summer on petite clumps of rounded leaves with blue-green centers and white edges; part to full shade; 4 to 7 in. tall, 6 to 12 in. tall in bloom, 14 to 18 in. wide; cold hardy in USDA zones 3 to 8

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When designing a perennial border, keep in mind each plant's growth habit, branching pattern, and leaf shape. Large, solid leaves command attention and visually make a space seem smaller. In contrast, fine, delicate foliage seems to recede, creating a more open, spacious feeling. Grassy or swordlike blades add striking vertical lines.

When combined, this patchwork of varied plant shapes gives a garden depth as light and shadow play across the greenery. A garden with great texture is eye-catching, even when no flowers are in bloom. Explore the plants and design details behind this sunny perennial border created by Kansas gardener Joyce Householder.

Love this garden? Read the full feature!

Create a terraced landscape to showcase perennials

Terracing on this slope helps to slow rainwater runoff and control erosion in Joyce's garden. The added benefit is a better view of the gorgeous assortment of perennials that grow here in full sun, shown above in late spring. Although flowers come and go through spring and summer, the constant is the contrast between the strappy bearded iris foliage, velvety Russian sage leaves and solid mounds of false indigo.

Plant care tips

• To encourage a light rebloom, cut back salvia, spike speedwell, bearded penstemon and catmint after the first flush of flowers fade.
• Snip faded iris blossoms to keep the plant tidy, but let spent false indigo flowers form black seed pods that look intriguing through fall and winter.

Fall cleanup

• Most of these perennials die back to the ground in winter, so cut off dead foliage in late fall after a frost or in early spring as new growth begins.
• Russian sage stems can stay standing all winter to provide structure. It’s semi-evergreen in warmer hardiness zones. In colder zones where it dies back, trim to 8 to 12 inches tall in spring as new leaves emerge near the base.

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Sunny perennial border plant list

A) Salvia (Salvia nemorosa ‘Caradonna’)
Perennial; deep blue-violet flower spikes from early summer through fall above mounds of rough leaves; full sun; 18 to 20 in. tall, 12 to 18 in. wide; cold hardy in USDA zones 4 to 9

B) Speedwell (Veronica ‘Lavender Lightsaber’)
Perennial; lavender flower spikes in early to midsummer rise above clumps of medium green foliage; full sun; 28 to 30 in. tall, 18 to 20 in. wide; cold hardy in USDA zones 4 to 8

C) False indigo (Baptisia ‘Sparkling Sapphires’)
Perennial; violet-blue flowers in late spring to early summer on upright, blue-green foliage; full sun to part shade; 30 to 36 in. tall and wide; cold hardy in USDA zones 4 to 9

D) Bearded penstemon (Penstemon barbatus ‘Jingle Bells’)
Perennial; red-orange tubular flowers on long stems from late spring to early summer above clumps of basal foliage; full sun; 18 to 36 in. tall, 12 to 24 in. wide; cold hardy in USDA zones 4 to 9

E) Russian sage (Perovskia atriplicifolia)
Perennial; tiny lavender-blue flowers line tall stems of silver, fernlike foliage from mid- to late summer; full sun; 2 to 5 ft. tall, 2 to 4 ft. wide; cold hardy in USDA zones 5 to 9

F) Lanceleaf coreopsis (Coreopsis lanceolata)
Perennial; yellow daisies on long, thin stems from late spring to early summer stretch above a rosette of narrow, lobed leaves; full sun; 12 to 18 in. tall, 15 to 18 in. wide; cold hardy in USDA zones 4 to 9

G) Bearded iris (Iris ‘Obsidian’)
Perennial; deep purple to black flowers in mid- to late spring above swordlike leaves; full sun to part shade; 30 to 33 in. tall, 18 to 24 in. wide; cold hardy in USDA zones 4 to 9

H) Catmint (Nepeta faassenii ‘Cat’s Meow’)
Perennial; blue-purple flowers in late spring to early summer on mounds of dusky green foliage; full sun to part shade; 17 to 20 in. tall, 24 to 36 in. wide; cold hardy in USDA zones 4 to 9

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Plant this perennial front-yard flower border for bold color every year

If you’re like me, you’re always thinking ahead, no matter what season it is right now. That’s one great thing about gardening: There’s always something new to look forward to!

All the plants in this sunny combo are perennials, so once you get them planted, they’ll show off for years. Maybe you already have some of these varieties and are looking for companion inspiration. Or maybe you’re starting from scratch. No matter how you arrange them, they’ll give you plenty of color and texture while you’re planning for the next season! 

Add energy to an entry garden with these colorful sun-perennials

To make pink and purple blooms pop in a planting, combine them with splashes of white and chartreuse like you see here. Yellow and purple are across from each other on the color wheel, so this combination creates a high-contrast, energetic look for a front entry or sunny pathway.

Plant care tips

The salvia, veronica, betony and geranium will often rebloom if you cut them back by one-third to one-half when the first flush of bloom is over. Even if they don’t rebloom, cutting them back will encourage the foliage to grow in a tidy mound instead of sprawling open at the center.

Lady’s mantle plants also benefit from deadheading after blooming to keep plants tidy and the foliage looking healthy. Lightly shearing back the spirea’s spent blooms will clean it up for summer; it may send out a few new blooms later in the season too.

Another plus to these plants is that all of them attract bees and butterflies. And most are deer resistant, so you shouldn’t find that your plants have been “pruned” by anyone but you!

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Front-yard flower border plant list

A) Spike speedwellVeronica ‘White Wands’
Perennial; white spikes of flowers from late spring through summer; full sun to part shade; 14 to 16 in. tall, 16 to 20 in. wide; cold hardy in USDA zones 4 to 8

B) Meadow cranesbillGeranium pratense ‘Boom Chocolatta’
Perennial; blue-purple flowers in early to midsummer; full sun to part shade; 24 to 26 in. tall, 28 to 30 in. wide; cold hardy in USDA zones 4 to 8

C) SpireaSpiraea japonica Double Play^® Pink
Shrub; pink flowers from late spring to midsummer; part to full sun; 2 to 3 ft. tall and wide; cold hardy in USDA zones 3 to 9

D) SalviaSalvia nemorosa ‘Violet Profusion’
Perennial; bright purple flowers in late spring and early summer; full sun; 14 to 16 in. tall, 16 to 20 in. wide; cold hardy in USDA zones 3 to 8

E) Lady’s mantleAlchemilla mollis
Perennial; chartreuse flowers in late spring to early summer; full sun to part shade; 10 to 18 in. tall, 18 to 30 in. wide; cold hardy in USDA zones 4 to 8

F) BetonyBetonica officinalis ‘Hummelo’ 
Perennial; rose-purple flowers in late spring to early summer; full sun to part shade; 18 to 24 in. tall and wide; cold hardy in USDA zones 4 to 8

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Pro tips to create unique plant combinations

Lisa Graff, owner of Lux Perennials Nursery in Oregon, added borders to her front yard several years ago so she could experiment with different plant combinations. She’s come up with a formula to ensure each border has plenty of variety and interest but is still harmonious. Here’s a look at her design technique.

1. Choose big round flowers

Starting with flower shape, Lisa looks for a few plants with big round blooms, such as peony (Paeonia spp. and hybrids), allium (Allium hybrid) or bigleaf hydrangea (Hydrangea macrophylla), to create a pool of color in the border.

2. Contrast with spires

Combine the round flowers with spire-shaped blooms like the anise hyssop (Agastache foeniculum) and salvia (Salvia guaranitica) above, to create a visual tension that’s always interesting.

3. Plant in sweeps

Groups of the same plant boost the impact in a border and ensure it’s cohesive. Plus it can make some flowers, such as this slender persicaria (Persicaria spp. and hybrids), easier to see than if there were just one or two.

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Colorful late-season plant combinations from Lisa’s garden

Warm up a cool season with shades of pink

Lisa loves the changing blooms of ‘Pinky Winky’ panicle hydrangea that start out white and end the season this dusky shade of pink. ‘Dragonberry’ dahlia picks up the pink tones of the hydrangea blooms for a warm contrast that’s cooled off by the purple geranium below.

A) Dahlia (Dahlia ‘Hollyhill Black Beauty’)
Tuber; 6-in. double burgundy blooms from midsummer to frost; full sun to part shade; 48 to 54 in. tall, 18 to 24 in. wide; cold hardy in USDA zones 8 to 11

B) Panicle hydrangea (Hydrangea paniculata ‘Pinky Winky’)
Shrub; white to pink pyramidal blooms from summer to fall; full sun to part shade; 6 to 8 ft. tall, 7 to 9 ft. wide; cold hardy in USDA zones 3 to 8

C) Dahlia (Dahlia ‘Dragonberry’) 
Tuber; 5-in. fuchsia blooms from midsummer to frost; full sun to part shade; 48 to 54 in. tall, 18 to 24 in. wide; cold hardy in USDA zones 8 to 11

D) Perennial geranium (Geranium Rozanne)
Perennial; blue-purple flowers from late spring to fall; full sun to part shade; 12 to 20 in. tall, 12 to 24 in. wide; cold hardy in USDA zones 4 to 8

Show off dahlia blooms with contrasting foliage

Combining strong colors and bold textures is a sure way Lisa has found to get head-turning combos. Castor bean’s large burgundy palm-shaped leaves stand out among the surrounding green foliage and make the beautiful coral blooms of ‘Intrigue’ dahlia really pop. For dahlias, her husband, Brad, welds circular plant supports — sold at their nursery and used in their own garden — to keep the heavy blooms upright.

A) Joe-Pye weed (Eutrochium purpureum)
Perennial; dusty mauve flowers in midsummer to fall; full sun to part shade; 4 to 7 ft. tall, 2 to 4 ft. wide; cold hardy in USDA zones 3 to 9

B) Castor bean (Ricinus communis ‘New Zealand Purple’)
Tender perennial; small cup-shaped yellow-green flowers produce red-brown seed pods, all parts are poisonous; full sun; 6 to 10 ft. tall, 2 to 3 ft. wide; cold hardy in USDA zones 9 to 12

C) Dahlia (Dahlia ‘Intrigue’)
Tuber; 4-in. double coral blooms in summer to frost; full sun to part shade; 36 to 48 in. tall, 18 to 24 in. wide; cold hardy in USDA zones 8 to 11

Boost fall color with long-blooming plant combinations

To help the pink in ‘Firetail’ persicaria really come through, Lisa added burgundy ‘Garnet Red’ amaranth, then softened the dramatic pair with the dome-shaped blooms of ‘Bowles Mauve’ wallflower. It’s one of the longest-flowering varieties, with clusters of lightly scented 1-inch blooms from spring until late fall. Cut back spent stems to encourage more blooms and keep plants tidy.

The amaranth is an annual but reseeds freely, and Lisa often has small drifts develop in some parts of the border. You can cut this grain’s young stems to add to salads or harvest the seeds to toast and eat them. ‘Firetail’ has pencil-thin 4- to 6-inch-long spikes covered in tiny individual flowers that butterflies often visit. Later birds will feed on the seeds. Plants may reseed where they’re happy but won’t come true.

A) Persicaria (Persicaria amplexicaulis ‘Firetail’)
Perennial; raspberry-pink blooms from summer to frost; full sun to part shade; 3 to 4 ft. tall and wide; cold hardy in USDA zones 4 to 7

B) Wallflower (Erysimum ‘Bowles Mauve’)
Perennial; fragrant lavender-mauve flowers from spring to frost; full sun to part shade; 2 to 4 ft. tall and wide; cold hardy in USDA zones 7 to 10

C) Amaranth (Amaranthus ‘Garnet Red’)
Annual; deep burgundy spikes from summer to frost; part to full shade; 6 to 8 ft. tall, 12 to 14 in. wide

The right plant pairings can transform your outdoor space into a living masterpiece. But figuring out what works well together and which plants to choose can be a challenge. Not to worry! Here are four fantastic combos that will keep your garden full of blooms from summer to fall. Whether you’re crafting a serene setting or a lively floral display, these plant pairs promise to look beautiful and bring in plenty of pollinators to keep your garden thriving. 

Easy-care zinnias and gloriosa daisy are perfect pair of summer flowers

Looking to add an easy-care combo to bring more color to the garden? Don’t pass up this pairing! Gloriosa daisy’s sunny yellow petals and dark brown central cones provide a classic feel, while Lilliput Mix zinnia’s pink pompon blooms add contrast.

This summer flower duo thrives in full sun and puts on its best show in summer. Requiring little maintenance, these plants are deer-resistant too. Apply a granular, slow-release fertilizer in spring, or add a 2-inch layer of compost in spring to keep plants lush and flowering. Deadheading spent blooms will keep plants looking tidy, encourage more flowers and discourage the gloriosa daisy from reseeding.

Plant list

• A) Gloriosa daisy (Rudbeckia hirta)
  Perennial; yellow flowers with dark centers from summer to fall; full sun; 1 to 3 ft. tall and wide; cold hardy in USDA zones 3 to 9
• B) Zinnia (Zinnia elegans Lilliput Mix)
  Annual; pink, red, purple, orange, white or yellow double flowers with yellow centers from summer to fall; full sun; 18 to 24 in. tall, 24 to 36 in. wide

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Cottage garden combo

The fragrant white-and-yellow flowers of feverfew brighten full-sun gardens and really shine here with bold blue statice. This pair draws the eye and adds a layer of complexity to a garden border, and both of these flowers are great for cut-flower bouquets, fresh or dried.

Growing tips

Feverfew is a hardy perennial that is eager to spread by underground rhizomes and self-seeding. To keep plants in check, deadhead spent blooms and divide it every few years in spring or fall, before or after it flowers. After the first hard frost, cut feverfew back to the ground to encourage fresh, new growth the following spring.

Statice, while often grown as an annual, can perform as a perennial in zones 8 and warmer. It’s a fantastic cut flower with a vase life of two weeks and holds its color when dried. If harvesting for arrangements, cut at the base of the stem once the blooms are fully open.

Did you know?

Feverfew’s citrus-scented foliage naturally repels pests while also attracting many predatory beneficial insects, such as hoverflies.

Plant list

• A) Feverfew (Tanacetum parthenium)
  Perennial; white flowers with yellow centers from summer to fall; full sun to part shade; 1 to 3 ft. tall, 1 to 2 ft. wide; cold hardy in USDA zones 5 to 8
• B) Statice (Limonium sinuatum ‘Seeker Blue’)
  Tender perennial (usually grown as an annual); funnel-shaped, papery blue flowers in summer; full sun; 24 to 40 in. tall, 12 in. wide; cold hardy in USDA zones 8 to 11

Verbena and globe amaranth are a pollinator-friendly pairing

‘Fireworks’ globe amaranth pops with mounded, hot-pink flower heads tipped with bright yellow, resembling tiny bursts of fireworks. These vibrant blooms play beautifully against the airy, more subdued flower clusters of ‘Buenos Aires’ verbena, which float atop tall, slender stems. Together they create a layered effect. Plus, pollinators love these masses of flowers!

Plant this summer flower duo in full sun and well-drained soil. In the South, provide some afternoon shade to keep foliage and flowers from burning. Verbena freely reseeds where it’s cold hardy; deadhead to prevent unwanted seedlings from germinating in the garden.

Plant list

• A) Verbena (Verbena bonariensis ‘Buenos Aires’)
  Perennial; clusters of lavender-purple flowers from summer to frost; full sun; 36 to 48 in. tall, 18 to 24 in. wide; cold hardy in USDA zones 7 to 9
• B) Globe amaranth (Gomphrena globosa ‘Fireworks’)
  Annual; hot-pink flower heads tipped with bright yellow from early summer to fall; full sun; 3 to 4 ft. tall, 1 to 2 ft. wide

Grow sunflowers and cosmos for a classic cut flower combo

In this summer flower pairing, ProCut White Nite sunflower’s large, creamy white blooms with dark centers tower gracefully above the delicate white flowers of ‘Cupcakes White’ cosmos. The bold sunflowers make a strong statement, and the cosmos foliage adds a soft, feathery texture that seems to dance around the sturdy sunflower stems.

Growing tips

Both plants thrive in full sun in average, well-drained soil. During the growing season, sunflowers prefer deep, infrequent waterings so their roots can grow long and strong to keep them anchored in the ground. On the other hand, cosmos are quite drought tolerant once established and only need more frequent watering when the weather is hot and dry.

Fertilize sunflowers after planting and again every four to six weeks during the growing season. Cosmos aren’t heavy feeders like sunflowers are. In fact, too much food can lead to fewer flowers and leggier plants, so it doesn’t hurt to skip over them if you feed the sunflowers. Deadhead spent cosmos blooms to encourage more flowers and keep the show going from summer into fall.

Plant list

• A) Sunflower (Helianthus annuus ProCut^® White Nite)
  Annual; 4- to 6-in. pale yellow flowers with dark centers from summer to fall; full sun; 5 to 6 ft. tall, 1 to 2 ft. wide
• B) Cosmos (Cosmos bipinnatus ‘Cupcakes White’)
  Annual; cup-shaped white flowers with yellow centers from summer to fall; full sun; 3 to 4 ft. tall, 1 to 2 ft. wide

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With the arrival of spring, emerging perennials fill the garden with soft texture, restoring life to the harsh, often barren landscape of winter. It’s a thrill to see fresh green leaves and splashes of color from early bloomers and hear the buzz of spring pollinators.

Plants that return every year offer an easy start to the season—just a bit of cleanup and the garden is ready to go. Add a cool-loving annual to the mix in a pastel palette to boost the relaxing vibe before the arrival of bolder summer flowers.

Delicate, airy flowers in soft shades of blue, pink and purple woo you with a feeling that is comfortable, even romantic. Imagine being surrounded by the sweet colors and light textures of the plants in these combinations. You may fall in love!

Serene palette for shade gardens

Subtle pastels offer color in this shady spot, and even when spring is past and the blooms are done, variegated foliage provides sparkle. As the season progresses, trim back spent flowers to allow the speckled leaves of the pulmonaria to shine. The fronds of Korean rock fern unfurl gracefully in midspring to bring an added layer of texture.

Care tip

While these plants can handle dry conditions, they’ll stay fresh with consistent moisture throughout the summer.

Meet the plants

• A) Variegated Solomon’s seal (Polygonatum odoratum var. pluriflorum ‘Variegatum’)
  Perennial; pendulous white flowers on long stems in spring; variegated leaves; part to full shade; 2 to 3 ft. tall, spreading; cold hardy in USDA zones 3 to 8
  

• B) Korean rock fern (Polystichum tsus-simense)
  Perennial; dark green, shiny fronds unfurl from fiddleheads in midspring; part to full shade; 12 to 15 in. tall, 6 to 18 in. wide; cold hardy in USDA zones 6 to 9
  

• C) Pulmonaria (Pulmonaria hybrid)
  Perennial; pink buds open into blue flowers from mid- to late spring; fuzzy, often spotted leaves; part to full shade; 6 to 18 in. tall, 12 to 18 in. wide; cold hardy in USDA zones 3 to 9
  

Add whispers of blue with windflower & bugleweed

The soft blue hues of bugleweed and windflower create a dreamy display of cool, calming flowers through chilly spring days. Windflower, a perennial rhizomatous tuber, is cold hardy in zones 7 to 10. Plant in fall for spring blooms.

When summer’s heat arrives, windflower retreats into dormancy. As plants die down, tuck shade-loving summer annuals, such as impatiens or wax begonias, in the space between the bugleweed for some extra color. Or try browallia to continue the blue color scheme.

Maintenance tips

If your windflower becomes overcrowded with fewer blooms, divide in fall where it’s hardy. As windflower fades, bugleweed will fill any gaps with lush, ground-hugging foliage. It spreads easily by runners, rooting into the ground to form a thick mat. Cut runners back to keep it in check. For a cleaner look after blooms fade, deadhead bugleweed by hand or use a string trimmer or hedge shears to quickly remove the spent blossoms.

Good to Know:

In zones 6 and colder, where windflower is not hardy, start the rhizomatous tubers indoors in late winter. Transplant them outside once the risk of frost has passed, and they will bloom in spring. Lift the tubers in fall to overwinter, or treat them as annuals.

Meet the plants

• A) Windflower(Anemone coronaria ‘Mr. Fokker’)
  Perennial; violet-blue flowers above ferny foliage form in spring; full sun to part shade; 8 to 12 in. tall and wide; cold hardy in USDA zones 7 to 10
  

• B) Windflower(Anemone coronaria ‘Sylphide’)
  Perennial; pink poppylike flowers above ferny foliage in spring; full sun to part shade; 8 to 12 in. tall and wide; cold hardy in USDA zones 7 to 10
  

• C) Bugleweed(Ajuga reptans ‘Chocolate Chip’)
  Perennial; short spikes of blue flowers rise above bronze to green foliage in mid- to late spring; full sun to full shade; 2 to 6 in. tall, 6 to 12 in. wide; cold hardy in USDA zones 3 to 9
  

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Add dreamy pastels to spring garden beds

These delicate beauties fill your garden with color for weeks, with only a bit of deadheading to keep the blooms going strong. Cool-loving pansies may falter with summer’s heat, so swap them for a sun-loving annual to match the vibrant geraniums and fragrant alyssum. Cut back salvia stems to the ground if the plant splays open, and new growth will fill the space with a light rebloom.

Meet the plants

• A) Salvia (Salvia x sylvestris Blue Hill)
  Perennial; periwinkle blue flower spikes above mounded foliage in late spring to midsummer; full sun; 18 to 24 in. tall, 12 to 18 in. wide; cold hardy in USDA zones 4 to 9
  

• B) Zonal geranium (Pelargonium Rocky Mountain^™ Lavender)
  Tender perennial (usually grown as an annual); lavender-pink flower clusters from midspring to fall; part to full shade; 14 to 18 in. tall, 16 to 20 in. wide; cold hardy in USDA zones 10 to 11
  

• C) Pansies (Viola x wittrockiana Spring Matrix^™ Blue Wing, Spring Matrix^™ White Blotch, Mammoth Pink Berry)
  Tender perennial (usually grown as an annual); bicolor flowers with facelike markings in early to late spring; full sun to part shade; 6 to 8 in. tall, 8 to 10 in. wide; cold hardy in USDA zones 6 to 10
  

• D) Sweet alyssum (Lobularia maritima)
  Tender perennial (usually grown as an annual); fragrant white, purple, pink or peach flower clusters from midspring to frost; full sun to part shade; 3 to 9 in. tall, 6 to 14 in. wide; cold hardy in USDA zones 9 to 11
  

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Whether it’s the watering you hate or the bill that comes later, drought-tolerant plants are a great idea for your garden. But if you’re afraid you’ll be stuck growing only cactus and yucca (Yucca species and hybrids), you’re in for a pleasant surprise. There really is quite a variety of drought-tolerant plants. That said, no plant can survive without any water. Most grow best and develop deeper, stronger root systems with an occasional deep watering. And always keep new plants watered until they’re established.

What makes a plant "drought-tolerant"?

Plants have a lot of ways to conserve water. Some have ingenious storage facilities, such as tubers or rhizomes, that keep them well supplied. Bearded iris (Iris spp. and hybrids) is one example. But if you’re shopping and wonder if a plant will be drought-tolerant or not, look at the plant's foliage for the following characteristics:

• Succulent leaves, such as those of ground cover sedums (Sedum spp. and hybrids), store water.
  

• Silver leaves on plants like Russian sage (Perovskia atriplicifolia) reflect light, which keeps them cool. This means they won’t dry out as quickly.
  

• The hairs on fuzzy foliage, such as pulmonaria (Pulmonaria spp. and hybrids), shade leaf surfaces, keeping them cooler.
  

• Leathery leaves of plants like gazanias (Gazania rigens) have a waxy exterior that prevents transpiration, the movement of moisture in and out of the leaf.
  

Site plants with water sources in mind

A little garden planning can make any watering chore a lot easier. Annuals, especially those in containers, are water hogs, so keep them within easy reach of the spigot. You can put the most drought-tolerant perennials and shrubs farther away from the water source. Let’s take a look at just a few of the possibilities.

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Drought-tolerant perennial planting

Low-maintenance, drought-tolerant and beautiful — what a great combination in this sunny spot! Once you plant the Russian sage, leave it there. It has a taproot so it doesn’t adapt well to being moved. This blue oat grass has beautiful blue foliage that won’t flop on the ground. Sedum, on the other hand, may need to be pulled if it strays too far.

A) Russian sage (Perovskia atriplicifolia)
Perennial; lavender flowers in mid- to late summer; full sun; 3 to 5 ft. tall, 2 to 4 ft. wide; cold zones 5 to 9

B) Sedum (Sedum rupestre)
Perennial; yellow flowers in summer; full sun; spreads easily; 6 to 10 in. tall, 8 to 12 in. wide; cold zones 3 to 11

C) Blue oat grass (Helictotrichon sempervirens)
Perennial; light brown flowers in summer; full sun; 18 to 36 in. tall, 24 to 30 in. wide; cold zones 4 to 9

Drought-tolerant variegated plants

Who says you can’t mix stripes and spots? There’s no better way to jazz up a shady place in your garden than with the variegated foliage of plants like the ones above. Pulmonaria sends up a cluster of flower stems with small leaves in spring. When the blooms are done, cut the stems back to make way for the new mound of bigger foliage.

A) Pulmonaria (Pulmonaria ‘Trevi Fountain’)
Perennial; pink and purple flowers in spring; part shade to full shade; 6 to 12 in. tall, 18 to 24 in. wide; cold zones 4 to 9

B) Lilyturf (Liriope muscari ‘Variegata’)
Perennial; purple flowers in late summer; full sun to part shade; 12 to 18 in. tall, 12 to 24 in. wide; cold zones 6 to 10

Colorful drought-tolerant planting

Between its size and the bright yellow-green flowers, the Mediterranean spurge in this sunny garden will certainly grab attention. After it flowers, cut any dead growth back to the crown to keep it looking tidy. Mediterranean spurge reseeds freely so pull any new plants you don’t want, or deadhead the flowers as they turn brown before they can drop seed.

Slow-growing Mexican bush sage takes a while to get going in spring. Be patient, though, and those beautiful purple flowers will soon show up. The color of California poppy can vary from red to yellow to orange. Since the plants don’t like being moved, it’s best to sow seed directly where you want them to grow. And although no plant is totally deer-proof, this grouping is less likely to be nibbled than other plants!

A) Mediterranean spurge (Euphorbia characias wulfenii)
Perennial; chartreuse flowers in late spring to early summer; full sun to part shade; 3 to 5 ft. tall, 3 to 4 ft. wide; cold zones 7 to 11

B) Mexican bush sage (Salvia leucantha)
Perennial; purple flowers from spring to fall; full sun; 24 to 40 in. tall, 20 to 36 in. wide; cold zones 9 to 11

C) California poppy (Eschscholzia californica)
Perennial; orange flowers in spring; full sun; 12 to 18 in. tall, 6 to 12 in. wide; cold zones 6 to 11

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Shade show-offs

When it comes to plants, there are degrees of drought tolerance. While this group isn’t as fond of dry conditions as lamb’s ear or succulents, it won’t need babying, either. You may notice the pulmonaria and hydrangea wilting in super dry weather, but a deep drink will revive them in no time. And keeping the corydalis on the dry side will prevent it from reseeding too much.

A) Hydrangea (Hydrangea ‘Preziosa’)
Shrub; white to pink flowers from summer to fall; part shade; 3 to 4 ft. tall and wide; cold zones 6 to 9

B) Pulmonaria (Pulmonaria ‘Spilled Milk’)
Perennial; pink to blue flowers in spring; part shade to full shade; 6 to 9 in. tall, 6 to 18 in. wide; cold zones 4 to 9

C) Corydalis (Corydalis lutea)
Perennial; yellow flowers from spring to frost; reseeds in ideal conditions; part sun to full shade; 4 to 18 in. tall, 6 to 12 in. wide; cold zones 5 to 8

D) Creeping Jenny (Lysimachia nummularia ‘Aurea’)
Perennial; spreading ground cover; full sun to full shade; 4 to 6 in. tall, 12 to 18 in. wide; cold zones 3 to 9

Garden bed edged in silver

Lamb’s ear is a great plant for growing along the edge of a sidewalk or driveway. It loves the heat and dry conditions there. ‘Big Ears’ is an especially good choice because it rarely blooms, so there’s no deadheading needed! The bloody cranesbill and phlox prefer more water than the lamb’s ear, so give them a drink if the weather has been exceptionally dry.

A) Bloody cranesbill (Geranium sanguineum striatum)
Perennial; pale pink flowers with dark pink veins late spring to early summer; full sun to part shade; 6 to 9 in. tall, 12 to 18 in. wide; cold zones 3 to 8

B) Smooth phlox (Phlox glaberrima ‘Morris Berd’)
Perennial; pink flowers in late spring; full sun; 18 to 24 in. tall, 12 to 18 in. wide; cold zones 3 to 8

C) Lamb’s ear (Stachys byzantina ‘Big Ears’)
Perennial; rarely blooms; silver-gray foliage; full sun; 8 to 12 in. tall, 12 to 18 in. wide; cold zones 4 to 8

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The garden season may be winding down, but that doesn’t mean your borders are done. When you grow long-lasting annuals along with late-blooming shrubs and perennials, color and interest keep going until first frost—even through winter if you leave foliage and seedheads in place.

Fall border palettes are often filled with warm jewel-toned hues — orange, red, purple and burgundy — deep shades that create a rich, moody atmosphere. But the combinations here have a softer feel. Pastel shades, such as peach, lavender, cream and silvery gray green, lighten up the shorter days and provide a mellow ambiance for your patio or seating area. Let’s take a closer look. 

Peaches & Cream

When you’re in the market for plants that can tolerate a hot, dry summer and still look good, this grouping is just what you need. The zinnia and St. John’s wort will benefit from a bit of extra water during the hottest part of summer but are drought tolerant once they get established.

Flowering starts to slow down at the end of the growing season, but if you’ve been deadheading the zinnia and salvia, they’ll still have plenty of fresh blooms to keep the garden colorful until frost. There’s no need to snip spent flowers on the St. John’s wort: It forms attractive berries that last through winter if the birds don’t eat them first.

A) Zinnia (Zinnia ‘Eldorado’)
Annual; double salmon to apricot blooms from summer to frost; full sun; 30 to 36 in. tall, 18 to 24 in. wide

B) Salvia (Salvia guaranitica ‘Purple & Bloom’)
Tender perennial; large deep purple blooms with black bracts from late spring to fall; full sun to part shade; 40 to 48 in. tall, 36 to 48 in. wide; cold hardy in USDA zones 8 to 11

C) St. John’s wort (Hypericum x inodorum)
Shrub; bright yellow flowers with prominent yellow stamens from summer to fall; red, pink, cream or coral berries; full sun to part shade; 3 to 4 ft. tall, 2 to 5 ft. wide; cold hardy in USDA zones 5 to 9

D) Artemisia (Artemisia ‘Powis Castle’)
Perennial; insignificant yellow flowers in late summer; silver-white foliage; full sun; 2 to 3 ft. tall, 1 to 2 ft. wide; cold hardy in USDA zones 5 to 9

E) Lamb’s ear (Stachys byzantina)
Perennial; long spikes with lavender blooms in early summer; fuzzy silver leaves; full sun; 4 to 18 in. tall, 12 to 18 in. wide; cold hardy in USDA zones 4 to 8

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Pair aromatic aster with easy-care companions

Aromatic aster keeps borders colorful from summer to frost with a multitude of blooms that are a feast for late-season butterflies. The flowers aren’t fragrant, but the foliage has a balsam scent when crushed. The narrow, pale green leaves of soapweed yucca are sharp, so watch out when you’re weeding nearby. No need to worry about pruning the juniper: This low-growing cultivar is just fine without it.

A) Aromatic aster (Symphyotrichum oblongifolium ‘Dream of Beauty’)
Perennial; light pink flowers with orange centers from late summer to fall; full sun to part shade; 12 to 15 in. tall, 22 to 24 in. wide; cold hardy in USDA zones 4 to 8

B) Juniper (Juniperus squamata ‘Blue Star’)
Shrub; prickly, evergreen, blue-gray foliage; full sun; 12 to 36 in. tall, 12 to 48 in. wide; cold hardy in USDA zones 4 to 8

C) Soapweed yucca (Yucca glauca)
Perennial; bell-shaped, green-white blooms in summer; full sun; 3 to 4 ft. tall, 2 to 3 ft. wide; cold hardy in USDA zones 4 to 8

Leave the seedheads

Even when ‘Millenium’ allium is done blooming, the show isn’t over — these distinctive seedheads provide interest from fall into winter. ‘Honorine Jobert’ Japanese anemone grows a low mound of foliage just 18 inches tall, but its flowering stems can reach 4 feet so you can grow it in the front or back of the border. And if you’ve struggled with floppy asters, ‘Carmine Red’ can help. Its sturdy stems keep flowers where you can see them.

A) Aster (Symphyotrichum Kickin^® ‘Carmine Red’)
Perennial; red-purple blooms from late summer to midfall; full sun; 2 to 3 ft. tall and wide; cold hardy in USDA zones 5 to 9

B) Japanese anemone (Anemone x hybrida ‘Honorine Jobert’)
Perennial; white flowers from late summer to fall; full sun to part shade; 36 to 48 in. tall, 18 to 24 in wide; cold hardy in USDA zones 4 to 9

C) Allium (Allium ‘Millenium’)
Perennial; globe-shaped, rosy purple blooms from early to late summer; dried seedheads last into winter; full sun to part shade; 12 to 18 in. tall and wide; cold hardy in USDA zones 4 to 8

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Unless you are lucky enough to live where it’s warm year round, when winter starts to drag on, it may feel as if the garden is awash in dreary, monochromatic browns and grays. Time to close your eyes and dream of summer—a colorful season when foliage is vibrant, flowers are blooming and pollinators are active.

If you need a bit of summer inspiration, here are three colorful low-maintenance combos that will also attract wildlife. Who wouldn’t dream of that?

Blue and orange flowers attract butterflies

Even if you aren’t a Denver Broncos fan, you’ll cheer for this eye-popping color combination. And butterflies will applaud it too. Heat-tolerant ‘Blue Butterfly’ Siberian larkspur will draw in many pollinators until late summer. Cut the bloom stalks to the ground when they are finished to keep plants neat.

Deadhead spent coneflower and bachelor’s button blossoms to extend flowering until fall, but leave a few to produce seeds that will grow the next year. ‘Karl Foerster’ feather reed grass is sterile and won’t reseed, but the dried seedheads provide winter interest and cover for birds. This drought-tolerant combo appreciates a midsummer boost of water-soluble general-purpose fertilizer.

Plant list

A) Siberian larkspur (Delphinium grandiflorum ‘Blue Butterfly’)
Perennial; royal blue flower spikes from early to late summer; full sun; 12 to 15 in. tall and wide; cold hardy in USDA zones 3 to 7

B) Coneflower (Echinacea ‘Cheyenne Spirit’)
Perennial; daisylike flowers in shades of orange, cream, yellow, red or purple from summer through fall; full sun to part shade; 22 to 30 in. tall, 12 to 24 in. wide; cold hardy in USDA zones 4 to 9

C) Feather reed grass (Calamagrostis x acutiflora ‘Karl Foerster’)
Perennial; wheat-colored flowers form in summer, seedheads persist into fall; full sun; 3 to 5 ft. tall, 2 to 3 ft. wide; cold hardy in USDA zones 5 to 9

D) Bachelor’s button (Centaurea cyanus ‘Blue Boy’)
Annual; blue flowers on long stems from early to late summer; full sun; 24 to 30 in. tall, 9 to 12 in. wide

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Bird and butterfly favorites

Butterfly weed, an essential host plant for monarch butterfly larvae, anchors this richly colored summer planting. Penstemon and yarrow offer nectar for the mature butterflies, so deadhead faded flowers throughout the summer to extend their bloom time. Complementary purple blooms of spike blazing star will open in midsummer and attract pollinators. Leave spent flowers for seeds to form — goldfinch and other seed-loving birds will thank you.

Plant list

A) Butterfly weed (Asclepias tuberosa)
Perennial; orange flower clusters from early to late summer; full sun; 12 to 36 in. tall, 12 to 18 in. wide; cold hardy in USDA zones 3 to 9

B) Penstemon (Penstemon digitalis ‘Husker Red’)
Perennial; white flowers with a pink blush on tall spikes above burgundy to dark green foliage from late spring to early summer; full sun; 24 to 36 in. tall, 12 to 24 in. wide; cold hardy in USDA zones 3 to 9

C) Yarrow (Achillea ‘Firefly Peach Sky’)
Perennial; peachy orange flower clusters age to yellow from early to late summer; full sun; 32 to 36 in. tall, 28 to 32 in. wide; cold hardy in USDA zones 3 to 8

D) Spike blazing star (Liatris spicata)
Perennial; purple, pink or white flower spikes early to midsummer; full sun to part shade; 18 to 48 in. tall, 12 to 24 in. wide; cold hardy in USDA zones 3 to 8

Shade-loving perennial border

Weeds can’t get a foothold in this tightly packed border of shade-loving perennials. But the stones exposed by these compact, mounded plants invite you to step into the garden. Deer-resistant lady’s mantle and coral bells need little care — just shear off or rake out dead foliage in early spring. Deadheading the coral bells, lady’s mantle and dalmation bellflower when blooms are spent will help plants look tidy through the summer. If the sedum starts to creep out over the path, use garden shears to keep it in line.

A) Coral bells (Heuchera hybrid)
Perennial; spires of tiny red, pink or white flowers over mounded foliage from late spring to summer; full sun to part shade; 6 to 24 in. tall, 10 to 36 in. wide; cold hardy in USDA zones 3 to 9

B) Lady’s mantle (Alchemilla mollis)
Perennial; airy lime-green flowers over mounded chartreuse foliage from late spring to early summer; full sun to part shade; 10 to 18 in. tall, 18 to 30 in. wide; cold hardy in USDA zones 4 to 8

C) Dalmatian bellflower (Campanula portenschlagiana)
Perennial; small blue or violet bell-shaped flowers in late spring; full sun to part shade; 8 to 12 in. tall, 12 to 24 in. wide; cold hardy in USDA zones 4 to 8

D) Sedum (Sedum rupestre ‘Angelina’)
Perennial; yellow flower clusters on a mat of chartreuse foliage from mid-to late summer; full sun to part shade; 4 to 6 in. tall, 12 to 24 in. wide; cold hardy in USDA zones 5 to 9

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Summer brings plenty of flowers to keep pollinators happy, but what about late fall and early spring? As the weather cools in autumn, pollinators, like bees and butterflies, need nectar sources to build their energy reserves to get through winter hibernation or make a long migration journey.

Support spring pollinators

In spring, hummingbirds begin to appear, and hoverflies, butterflies and hibernating bumblebees and solitary bees will come out at the first sign of warmer weather. Meanwhile, honeybees don’t hibernate, but they will become more active and start collecting nectar as soon as your spring flowers arrive.

How to feed local pollinators in your garden

Grow a variety of fall- and spring-blooming flowers to keep them fed at both ends of the growing season. Look for a mix of bulbs, perennials, shrubs and annuals in different shapes and sizes so you can offer something for everyone’s taste. Even a couple of container gardens can help! Here are a few beautiful combos for fall and spring that’ll support your local pollinators too.

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Fragrant spring plants for pollinators

Looking for an early spring combo packed with fragrance? One of the most powerful garden scents comes from the many varieties of hyacinth. You may not notice a hellebore’s subtle scent, but pollinators will be drawn to both of these beauties early in the year. Tubular flowers and strappy leaves of hyacinth pair well with thick, evergreen foliage of hellebores and its roselike blossoms. With many cultivars of these two plants to choose from, the combinations are endless. Cut off the flower stalks when hyacinth blooms are spent, and let the leaves remain so the plants can store energy in their bulbs for next season. Hellebores require little maintenance, but winter worn foliage can be cut back to the base of the plant in late winter to early spring.

A) HelleboreHelleborus spp. and hybrids
Perennial; white, pink, yellow, green, purple, rose red or burgundy blooms in late winter and early spring; part shade to full sun; 1 to 3 ft. tall and wide; cold hardy in USDA zones 4 to 9

B) HyacinthHyacinthus orientalis
Perennial bulb; fragrant blue, white, peach, red, yellow, purple, or striped flowers in mid-spring; full sun to part shade; 6 to 12 in. tall, 3 to 5 in. wide; cold hardy in USDA zones 4 to 8

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Spring pollinator plants for shade

Here’s a shade-loving pollinator combo: pair Solomon’s seal and old-fashioned bleeding heart. Their flowers bloom in the cool of spring and provide an early-season food source for waking pollinators, such as bees and butterflies, and returning hummingbirds. The soft foliage and heart-shaped flowers of bleeding heart contrast nicely with Solomon’s seal’s variegated foliage and lightly fragrant bell-shaped flowers. Both plants are resistant to deer and rabbits and spread through rhizomes, making propagation and division easy. This combo is relatively drought tolerant and low maintenance and requires no pruning or deadheading.

A) ‘Variegatum’ variegated Solomon’s sealPolygonatum odoratum var. pluriflorum
Perennial; fragrant white blooms in spring; full to part shade; 24 to 30 in. tall and wide; cold hardy in USDA zones 3 to 8

B) Old-fashioned bleeding heartLamprocapnos spectabilis
Perennial; red and white, pink and white, or solid white heart-shaped flowers from late spring to early summer; part to full shade; 24 to 36 in. tall, 15 to 24 in. wide; cold hardy in USDA zones 3 to 8

Feed pollinators with fall flowers

This low-maintenance sun-loving combination delivers vibrant blooms up until the first frost. It creates the perfect environment for lingering pollinators looking for a last-minute food source going into the winter months. Tucked between tall sedum’s rosy-pink blooms and garden mum’s red daisy-like flowers are golden yellow mounds of Zahara Yellow zinnias, all flowers that pollinators like bees and butterflies enjoy.

Tall sedum and mums also attract hoverflies, another important pollinator, providing a nectar source before they go into hibernation. Meanwhile, zinnias are very popular with hummingbirds needing a tasty treat before migration. Tidy up the tall sedum and garden mum in spring by cutting the dead foliage back to the ground. A bonus? Zahara zinnias don’t require deadheading: Just remove plants after frost kills the foliage.

A) ‘Autumn Fire’ tall sedumHylotelephium spectabile
Perennial; pink late-summer blooms age to copper-red in fall; full sun; 1 to 2 ft. tall and wide; cold hardy in USDA zones 3 to 9

B) Zahara^™ Yellow zinniaZinnia marylandica
Annual; golden yellow blooms from late spring to frost; full sun; 12 to 18 in. tall and wide

C) ‘Five Alarm Red’ garden mumChrysanthemum morifolium
Perennial; deep red blooms from summer through fall; full sun; 14 to 24 in. tall, 20 to 36 in. wide; cold hardy in USDA zones 5 to 9

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