These 16 Long-Living Perennials Will Thrive in Your Garden for Decades (2024)

FAQs

What is a long lived perennial? ›

Some perennials are extremely long-lived. For example, it's not uncommon to see 50- to 60-year-old peonies in older neighborhoods in Iowa. In contrast, some perennials tend to be short-lived. These short-lived perennials persist for several years and then decline and fade away.

Its name is Anthurium and is often called the world's longest blooming plant. Each heart-shaped flower spike can last up to eight weeks. The largest genus of the Arum family, Anthurium andraeanum is commonly known as Tail Flower (the Greek word for tail flower), Flamingo Flower, Painter's Palette or Laceleaf.

The word perennial is applied to a plant that lives for multiple growing seasons—at least more than two years. Perennials typically flower and bloom in the spring. Around autumn, the top part of the plant withers, but the root remains.

Yarrow is one of the longest flowering perennials that grows best in full sun with well-drained soil of average fertility; over-fertilizing can cause the stems to flop over. Flower colours can range from soft pastels to rich jewel shades. Deadhead spent flowers by clipping the flower stem back to the main foliage.

Tulips. Not only are tulips possibly one of the easiest perennial flowers to grow, they're one of the most colorful. The elegant flower grows in a variety of shapes, sizes and colors, including shades of red, pink, purple, yellow and orange. Plant bulbs in the fall and you should see blooms by early spring.

Butterfly Blue pincushion flower is a nonstop perennial that blooms all summer. The cushion-like blue flowers are on slender stalks reaching 12 to 15 inches tall and are a surefire way to attract butterflies.

Yes, the mighty lavender—a favorite of humans and pollinators alike—can bloom all year, and its amazing purple flowers will naturally scent your home 365 days a year. However, if you plant lavender directly in your garden, you'll want to be careful as it can grow quickly and push out other plants.

About 470 million years ago, when life was rapidly evolving, during the Ordovician epoch, the first terrestrial plants first arose. Liverworts and mosses were shallow-rooted non-vascular plants.

Once planted, perennials come back each year. Depending on the type of plant you've planted, they can live anywhere from 3 to 15 years! While you can always dig them up and re-plant, it's usually best to pick a plant type that you can see yourself living with for a few seasons in your garden.

What are the disadvantages of perennial plants? ›

While perennials offer many benefits to gardeners, there are also some disadvantages to keep in mind. One of the main drawbacks is their higher initial cost compared to annuals. Perennials are also slower to establish, meaning they may take a few years to reach their full potential.

Perennials and shrubs that are in your zone or one colder can be overwintered in an unheated garage, buried in the ground, or transplanted. 3. Perennials and shrubs in containers will need water through the winter but should not be kept wet.

The longest summer blooming perennials will bloom from spring through summer and into fall. Choose from shasta daisies or lungwort for the earliest show that will last the whole season.