A stunning garden doesn’t have to drain your wallet. Some of the most breathtaking, bloom-filled spaces are built on a budget—and with the right perennials, yours can be too!
The secret? Picking the plants that keep coming back, year after year, without demanding much in return.
No fussy maintenance, no expensive replacements—just bold color and lush growth that lasts. From vibrant wildflowers to classic cottage garden favorites, there’s a perennial for every style.
And the best part? They cost less than a fancy cup of coffee.
If you’re ready for a garden that’s bursting with color but easy on the budget, these 24 perennials are exactly what you need!
Coneflower (Echinacea)
Coneflowers are not only beautiful but also hardy, thriving in various conditions. Their daisy-like blooms in purple, pink, or white can last all summer.
They are drought-resistant and attract pollinators such as butterflies and bees. Coneflowers are excellent for cutting gardens, adding vibrant colors to both outdoor and indoor spaces.
For best results, plant them in full sun and well-drained soil. They require little maintenance, making them perfect for busy gardeners.
With their long blooming period and resilience, coneflowers are a favorite for creating a lively garden atmosphere.
Black-eyed Susan (Rudbeckia)
Black-eyed Susans light up gardens with their cheerful yellow petals surrounding a dark center. These flowers are easy to grow and maintain, flourishing in sunny locations.
Perfect for mass planting or as a border, they provide a bright splash of color from summer to fall. Black-eyed Susans draw in pollinators, supporting the local ecosystem.
Deadheading can encourage more blooms and prolong their flowering period. Their resilience to pests and diseases makes them ideal for novice gardeners.
Plant them in well-drained soil and enjoy a burst of sunshine in your garden space.
Daylily (Hemerocallis)
Daylilies are a gardener’s dream with their diverse colors and ease of care. Each bloom lasts a single day, but their rapid succession keeps gardens lively throughout summer.
These perennials adapt well to different soil types and climates. Whether in full sun or partial shade, they bring vibrant hues to any garden setting.
Their ability to resist drought and pests adds to their appeal. Plant daylilies in groups for a stunning visual impact.
Regular watering and occasional fertilizing ensure a robust display. Their classic beauty remains a staple in ornamental gardening.
Shasta Daisy (Leucanthemum x superbum)
Shasta daisies bring a touch of elegance with their crisp white petals and yellow centers. These perennials are simple to grow and require minimal upkeep.
Blooming from early summer to fall, they add a continuous charm to any garden. Shasta daisies thrive in full sun and well-drained soil, making them a versatile choice for various garden designs.
Their resistance to pests and preference for sunny spots make them ideal for beginners. Cutting them back after blooming can extend their life and encourage reblooming.
Enjoy these timeless blooms indoors as well, for a fresh floral arrangement.
Hosta
Hostas are known for their lush foliage rather than flowers, offering a range of leaf textures and colors. Ideal for shady areas, they add depth and interest to any garden.
Hostas are low-maintenance, requiring little more than regular watering. Their ability to withstand varying conditions makes them a reliable choice.
These perennials are excellent for borders or as ground cover. Pair them with flowering plants to create a contrasting display.
While slugs can be a concern, using natural deterrents can help protect your hostas. Their elegant presence makes them a garden staple.
Sedum
Sedums are succulent perennials known for their resilience and striking appearance. They thrive in poor soils and sunny spots, making them perfect for rock gardens or borders.
Sedums come in various shapes, sizes, and colors, providing endless design possibilities. Their star-shaped flowers attract pollinators, supporting garden biodiversity.
Minimal watering and care are required, making them ideal for gardeners seeking low-maintenance options. Plant different varieties together for a dynamic display.
Their ability to store water aids survival in drought conditions. Sedums offer year-round interest, with foliage that turns vibrant colors in fall.
Lavender (Lavandula)
Lavender is cherished for its soothing scent and beautiful purple spikes. This perennial prefers sunny locations and well-drained soil.
Lavender attracts bees and butterflies, fostering a vibrant garden ecosystem. Its fragrant blooms can be harvested for use in sachets and oils.
Regular pruning encourages bushier growth and prolongs its lifespan. While drought-tolerant, lavender benefits from occasional deep watering.
Plant it along pathways for an aromatic garden experience. Its silver-green foliage offers a striking contrast to its blooms, adding visual appeal even when not in flower.
Lavender’s versatility makes it a beloved garden favorite.
Coreopsis
Coreopsis is a sun-loving perennial that brings cheerful colors to the garden. Its daisy-like flowers come in bright yellows and reds, creating a lively scene.
Coreopsis is drought-resistant and thrives in well-drained soil, making it a hardy choice for various climates. Deadheading spent blooms encourages a longer flowering season.
These plants are ideal for borders, containers, or naturalized areas. Their ability to attract butterflies adds a dynamic element to the garden.
Easy to care for and prolific in blooming, coreopsis provides a joyful burst of color with minimal effort.
Peony (Paeonia)
Peonies are renowned for their large, fragrant blooms and lush foliage. They thrive in sunny spots with well-drained soil.
Peonies can take a few years to establish but reward patience with spectacular displays. Ideal for cutting, their flowers bring elegance indoors.
Peonies require minimal maintenance once established, needing only yearly fertilization and occasional watering. Their resilience to cold makes them suitable for various climates.
Plant peonies in a spot where they can remain undisturbed for years, as they do not like being moved. Their timeless beauty makes them a cherished garden addition.
Salvia
Salvia, with its tall spikes of vibrant flowers, is a standout in any sunny garden. This perennial is easy to grow and is drought-resistant once established.
Salvia attracts hummingbirds and bees, enhancing the garden’s biodiversity. Its long blooming season provides consistent color, making it ideal for borders or mixed plantings.
Regular deadheading encourages more blooms and extends the flowering period. Plant salvia in well-drained soil and enjoy its dynamic presence all season.
With a variety of colors and sizes available, it offers versatility in garden design. Salvia’s robust nature ensures it thrives with minimal care.
Yarrow (Achillea)
Yarrow is celebrated for its flat-topped clusters of flowers and feathery foliage. This tough perennial thrives in full sun and poor soils, making it ideal for less fertile areas.
Yarrow’s blooms range from yellow to pink, providing diverse color options. It attracts pollinators, supporting ecological health.
Yarrow is drought-tolerant and requires minimal maintenance once established. Use it in borders or naturalized settings for a wild, meadow-like effect.
Deadheading spent blooms can encourage reblooming. Yarrow’s medicinal properties have been valued historically, adding an element of intrigue to its garden presence.
Russian Sage (Perovskia atriplicifolia)
Russian Sage offers a cloud of lavender-blue flowers on tall, airy stems. This perennial thrives in sunny, well-drained spots and is highly drought-resistant.
Its aromatic foliage adds another layer of sensory delight to the garden. Russian Sage needs little maintenance, making it suitable for novice gardeners.
Regular pruning helps maintain its form and encourages vigorous growth. Plant it en masse for a stunning visual impact or as a backdrop to other perennials.
Its long blooming season ensures consistent color throughout summer. The wispy texture of its foliage adds movement and elegance.
Bee Balm (Monarda)
Bee Balm is a vibrant addition to any garden, known for its showy flowers and enticing scent. It thrives in sunny or partial shade areas with moist, well-drained soil.
Bee Balm attracts hummingbirds and butterflies, adding lively activity. Its flowers, ranging from red to pink, offer a striking visual.
Regular deadheading can prolong its blooming period. Bee Balm is also known for its medicinal properties, adding herbal interest.
It’s a wonderful choice for borders or wildlife gardens. With moderate maintenance, including division every few years, it remains a garden favorite.
Phlox
Phlox offers a burst of color with its clusters of fragrant flowers. This perennial thrives in full sun and well-drained soil.
With blossoms in shades of pink, purple, and white, phlox adds a romantic touch. It’s ideal for borders, cottage gardens, or as ground cover.
To prolong blooming, regular deadheading is recommended. Phlox attracts butterflies and hummingbirds, enhancing garden biodiversity.
Its sweet scent can fill the garden on warm days, creating an inviting atmosphere. While generally low-maintenance, monitoring for mildew can keep phlox healthy.
This versatile plant fits any garden style.
Catmint (Nepeta)
Catmint is known for its aromatic foliage and long-lasting lavender-blue flowers. This perennial thrives in sunny locations with well-drained soil.
It’s drought-tolerant and requires minimal care, making it perfect for busy gardeners. Catmint attracts bees and butterflies, promoting ecological balance.
It’s excellent for borders or as ground cover, offering a soft, flowing appearance. Regular shearing after the first bloom encourages re-flowering.
Its soothing scent and delicate flowers create a calming garden space. Catmint can also be used in herbal remedies, bringing added value to your garden.
Globe Thistle (Echinops)
Globe Thistle provides unique, spherical blue flowers that add architectural interest. This drought-tolerant perennial thrives in sunny, well-drained areas.
Its spiky blooms attract bees and butterflies, supporting pollinator health. Globe Thistle is low-maintenance, needing little more than occasional watering.
It’s ideal for borders or as a focal point in mixed plantings. The plant’s bold texture contrasts beautifully with softer foliage.
Deadheading spent blooms can extend its flowering period. Globe Thistle’s striking presence and resilience make it a valuable addition to any garden seeking something different.
Japanese Anemone
Japanese Anemones bring elegance to late-season gardens with their graceful flowers. Thriving in partial shade and moist, well-drained soil, they are perfect for woodland gardens.
These perennials bloom from late summer to fall, offering extended interest. Their flowers, usually white or pink, create a serene atmosphere.
Japanese Anemones spread gently, filling areas with ease. Regular deadheading can enhance appearance and prolong flowering.
Their airy, delicate blooms sway gently, adding movement. Despite their refined look, they are remarkably hardy, making them a dependable choice for enhancing garden tranquility.
Astilbe
Astilbe is a shade-loving perennial known for its feathery plumes of flowers. Ideal for moist, well-drained soil, it provides soft, colorful blooms in shades of pink, red, and white.
Astilbe adds texture and interest to shaded areas, brightening them with its vibrant hues. It’s low-maintenance, requiring only regular watering during dry spells.
Use astilbe in borders, containers, or woodland settings for a pop of color. Its fern-like foliage remains attractive even when not in bloom.
Regular division every few years maintains vigor. Astilbe’s elegant beauty enhances any garden corner.
Creeping Jenny (Lysimachia nummularia)
Creeping Jenny offers a vivid splash of green with its trailing vines and small yellow flowers. This perennial thrives in sun or partial shade and moist, well-drained soil.
Its spreading habit makes it ideal for ground cover or hanging baskets. Creeping Jenny’s vibrant foliage can brighten shady areas or complement water features.
It’s low-maintenance, requiring little more than occasional trimming. During warmer months, its foliage turns a striking golden hue.
Creeping Jenny is also useful for preventing soil erosion on slopes. Its versatility and hardiness make it a garden staple.
Lamb’s Ear (Stachys byzantina)
Lamb’s Ear is cherished for its soft, velvety leaves and subtle beauty. Ideal for sunny, well-drained locations, it adds texture and a silver sheen.
This drought-tolerant perennial is low-maintenance, needing minimal watering. Lamb’s Ear is perfect for borders, rock gardens, or as ground cover.
Its foliage remains attractive year-round, providing continuous interest. In summer, small purple flowers appear, adding a delicate touch.
Lamb’s Ear’s tactile appeal makes it a favorite among children. The plant’s resilience and aesthetic charm make it a delightful garden addition.
Hellebore
Hellebores, also known as Lenten roses, bring a splash of color to winter gardens. These perennials thrive in partial shade and well-drained soil.
Their nodding flowers come in various colors, from white to deep purple. Hellebores are low-maintenance, requiring little more than occasional watering.
They are ideal for woodland gardens or shaded borders. Blooming in late winter to early spring, hellebores offer early-season interest.
Their evergreen foliage adds year-round appeal. With their tough nature and beautiful blooms, hellebores are a valuable addition for winter landscapes.
Heuchera (Coral Bells)
Heuchera, or Coral Bells, are prized for their colorful foliage and delicate flowers. These perennials thrive in partial shade and well-drained soil.
With leaves ranging from deep purple to bright green, they offer striking color contrast. Heuchera is low-maintenance, requiring only occasional watering.
It’s ideal for borders, containers, or as ground cover. In late spring, delicate flower spikes rise above the foliage, adding height and interest.
Regular division helps maintain their vigor. Heuchera’s vibrant leaves provide year-round color, making it a versatile and attractive garden choice.
Jacob’s Ladder (Polemonium)
Jacob’s Ladder offers unique, ladder-like foliage and charming blue or white flowers. This perennial thrives in partial shade and moist, well-drained soil.
It’s perfect for woodland gardens or shaded borders. Jacob’s Ladder is low-maintenance, needing minimal care once established.
Its delicate flowers add a soft touch to garden designs. Regular deadheading can prolong its blooming season.
The plant’s historical use in herbal medicine adds an intriguing aspect. Its graceful presence and ease of care make Jacob’s Ladder an appealing choice for enhancing garden beauty.
Balloon Flower (Platycodon)
Balloon Flowers are known for their unique, balloon-like buds that burst into star-shaped blooms. They thrive in sunny locations with well-drained soil.
Balloon Flowers are easy to care for, requiring minimal maintenance. Their blue, pink, or white blooms add a whimsical touch to gardens.
These perennials are ideal for borders or containers, providing consistent color throughout summer. Deadheading spent blooms encourages further flowering.
Balloon Flowers’ intriguing buds offer an element of surprise in garden settings. Their resilience and charming appearance make them a delightful addition.