Types of Perennial Flowers

A perennial flower is one that blooms beautifully during its flowering season, but then lies dormant in the ground until the following season. It is important to choose a type of perennial that addresses your garden's needs. The vast amount of perennials to choose from means you will ultimately have a flower bed growing with all different shapes, sizes, colors and textures.

Lady's Mantle

Lady's mantle is a perennial flower that grows gray-green leaves with scalloped edges. They grow best in a well-drained, moist soil and sun. The plant reaches about 18 inches tall.

Yarrow

The Yarrow flower ranges from creamy pastels to yellow. The flattish clusters grow best with lots of sun and water, although they will thrive in drought conditions. The yarrow can grow to only 4 inches, or as tall as 5 feet.

Artemisia

Artemisia plants are a perennial that grows best with moderate to little water. The drought tolerant plant is woody and herbaceous with aromatic feathery gray-green leaves. Flower spikes appear late in the season.

Aster

Aster is a daisy-flowered perennial which bloom summer to fall. The colors range from lavender-blue, white, pink, rose, red, blue, violet or purple flowers. They grow best in full sun and damp soil.

Bergenia

Bergenia grows in ground covering clumps of large glossy leaves adorned with lilac, rose, purple and white flowers. Bergenias grow in sunshine near the coast, and partial shade inland.

Bellflower

The Bellflower perennial has many variations growing from 3 inches to 6 feet. Flower colors range from blue to violet-blue. Plant the flowers in partial shade if the air is warm. Plant the flowers in sun if the air is cool.

Chrysanthemum

The Chrysanthemum flowers come in a large group of garden perennials. They include painted and shasta daisies, and marguerites. The plants grow best in full sun and well-drained soil. The blooms are pink, white and yellow.