Perennials are the foundation of a beautiful, long lasting garden, returning year after year with reliable color and texture. At Grimm’s Gardens, our varieties are carefully selected from early spring bloomers to late season favorites, each chosen for hardiness, performance, and lasting beauty in Midwest landscapes and beyond. With the right perennials in place, your garden can thrive with minimal effort while adding beauty, supporting wildlife, and increasing the overall value of your home.
What to Consider When Choosing Perennials
There are many factors you will want to consider when picking perennials to add to your landscape. This will determine the overall survivability and success of the plant. Here's what to keep in mind:
Different perennials thrive in different light conditions, and matching plants to the right spot is key for healthy growth. Full sun plants like coneflower, salvia, and black-eyed Susan need at least 6 hours of direct sunlight for vibrant blooms. Part shade and shade perennials such as hostas, astilbes, ferns, and heucheras bring texture and color to areas with less light.
Knowing a plant's mature height and spread helps you plan your garden without overcrowding. Taller perennials are a great backdrop to your landscape beds, while shorter perennials work for borders or containers. Mature height and spread can be found on individual plant pages.
Perennials bloom at different times, so mixing early, mid, and late-season bloomers will ensure continuous color throughout all the seasons. This layered approach will keep your garden looking full and vibrant from the first bloom to the last. Plus, planning bloom times also helps attract pollinators all season long!
Perennials that are drought-tolerant, like sedum and Russian sage, are ideal for gardens that see hot summers or limited rainfall. Once established, these plants require less frequent watering while still delivering strong blooms and foliage. They're a great choice for low-water landscapes and busy gardeners alike.
Choosing hardy, disease-resistant perennials reduces garden upkeep while providing long-lasting beauty. When planted in their preferred conditions, these perennials will thrive with minimal care, making them perfect for beginners or busy gardeners.
Frequently Asked Questions
Find answers to common perennial questions to help you choose, plant, and care for your garden with confidence.
Use your USDA Hardiness Zone to select plants suited to your climate. Our perennials are selected to perform well in Midwest zones but can thrive across multiple regions with proper planting and care.
If you’re not sure where to start, some of our most popular perennials include catmint, Russian sage, salvia, dianthus, lavender, and daylilies, all favorites for their vibrant blooms and reliable performance. We also carry a wide selection of Proven Winners perennials, known for their exceptional quality, hardiness, and long lasting beauty in gardens across the Midwest and beyond.
Bloom times vary depending on the plant, your climate, and growing conditions. Early-season perennials like lungwort, bleeding hearts, and hellebores will brighten the garden in spring, while summer bloomers such as coneflowers, salvia, and daylilies provide vibrant color during the heat of summer. Late-season perennials like asters, sedum, and Russian sage extend interest into fall. Adding a mixture of bloom times will keep interest and color in your garden from spring to frost.
Deadheading (removing spent flowers) encourages repeat blooming and keeps plants looking fresh all season.
Most perennials benefit from a late-fall or early-spring trim to remove old growth. This mostly depends on a gardener's personal preference, as uncut perennials can serve as winter interest or a habitat for wildlife.
Adding perennials that attract and support wildlife brings your garden to life while helping pollinators and beneficial insects thrive. Some top picks include:
• Catmint (Nepeta) - Attracts bees and butterflies while adding long-lasting color and fragrant foliage. • Coneflowers (Echinacea) - Attracts bees, butterflies, and birds, and their seeds feed birds in late fall. • Black-eyed Susans (Rudbeckia) - Loved by pollinators and provide seed for birds. • Sedum (Stonecrop) - Offers nectar for late-season pollinators. • Lavender (Lavandula) - Draws pollinators with fragrant blooms and adds aromatics to your garden. • Bee Balm (Mondara) - A magnet for bees, butterflies and hummingbirds.
Planting a mix of early, mid, and late-season bloomers ensures that bees, butterflies, hummingbirds, and other wildlife have a steady food source throughout the growing season. Choosing native and pollinator-friendly perennials not only enhances your garden’s beauty but also supports the local ecosystem.
Learn More About Perennials
Dive deeper into perennial gardening with our helpful blog posts: