Perennials That Truly Earn Their Keep
As a self-proclaimed “lazy gardener,” I don’t have much patience for high-maintenance plants that need constant pampering and attention. My idea of a perfect perennial is one that offers long-lasting blooms, minimal care requirements, and the ability to stand up to the whims of Mother Nature – including the persistent deer that call my garden home. After years of trial and error, I’ve curated a collection of long-blooming beauties that have truly earned their keep, and I’m thrilled to share my top picks with you.
Rozanne Geranium: The Energizer Bunny of the Perennial Patch
When it comes to reliable, long-blooming perennials, the Rozanne geranium (Geranium ‘Rozanne’) is the undisputed champion in my garden. This hardy little gem begins flowering in late May and continues to put on a dazzling display through Thanksgiving, often unfurling delicate periwinkle-blue blooms with a captivating white eye. What I love most about Rozanne is her low-maintenance nature – she requires no deadheading, doesn’t need dividing, and doesn’t self-seed, which means I can simply sit back and enjoy her carefree beauty without constant fussing.
As the gardening experts at Le Jardinet Designs note, Rozanne’s resilience extends beyond her impressive bloom time. She’s also deer-resistant, which is a critical factor in my garden, where these persistent grazers roam freely. While they may occasionally sample the stems closest to them, the deer quickly lose interest and move on, leaving Rozanne to continue her captivating display.
Walkers Low Catmint: A Fragrant Frolicking Frenzy
Another perennial that’s earned a permanent spot in my garden is Walkers Low catmint (Nepeta ‘Walker’s Low’). This fragrant, moderately-sized catmint provides a delightful “froth of foliage and flowers” from spring through fall, delighting both my senses and the local pollinators. As The Garden Diaries blog suggests, Walkers Low is the perfect choice for those seeking a reliable, deer-resistant perennial that won’t become overly aggressive or unruly.
I love underplanting my Walkers Low catmint with spring bulbs to create a layered, colorful display. And if I’m running a little behind on deadheading, the catmint seems to bloom again anyway, proving its resilience and adaptability. Whether you tuck it along a pathway or use it as a mid-border filler, this fragrant perennial is sure to delight.
Erigeron: The Dainty Daisy That Packs a Punch
While some perennials dazzle with bold, oversized blooms, others captivate with their delicate, diminutive charms – and the Erigeron (or fleabane) falls firmly into the latter category. This petite daisy-like flower may look fragile, but don’t let its delicate appearance fool you. As the experts at Le Jardinet Designs attest, Erigeron ‘Profusion’ is a true workhorse, blooming prolifically from spring through fall and standing up to the whims of both deer and rabbits.
In my garden, I’ve found that a quick spray of repellent in the early season is often all it takes to give the Erigeron a chance to get established and outgrow any nibbling tendencies. Once it’s up and running, this dainty daisy provides a lovely, long-lasting carpet of delicate blooms, making it the perfect choice for softening pathways, cascading over stone walls, or filling in gaps between other perennials.
Penstemon: Putting the “Pep” in Perennial
I’ll admit, I haven’t always been the biggest fan of penstemon – in the past, I’ve found that many varieties in my garden only bloomed for a few short weeks. But after discovering the stunning displays of penstemon during a book research trip and receiving a sample of Proven Winners’ Midnight Masquerade penstemon, I’ve been completely won over by this versatile genus.
The rich burgundy foliage of Midnight Masquerade is eye-catching on its own, but the real showstopper is the plant’s long-lasting lavender blooms, which grace my garden for several months. As Le Jardinet Designs notes, this penstemon is also blissfully deer-resistant, making it a low-maintenance addition to my landscape. And for those who prefer a softer floral palette, the Dark Towers penstemon offers a similar long-blooming habit with delicate white flowers.
Gaillardia: Bold, Bright, and Beautifully Behaved
If you’re like me and crave a little more vibrancy in your perennial beds, look no further than the striking Gaillardia, or blanket flower. While the classic red and gold daisies are certainly eye-catching, I’m particularly smitten with the softer, more subtle Apricot Arizona variety. As the gardening experts at Le Jardinet Designs explain, these blanket flowers bloom for weeks on end, starting around mid-summer in my garden, and their bold colors are sure to wake up any landscape.
What I love most about Gaillardia is its low-maintenance nature – these plants practically grow themselves, blooming prolifically without any need for deadheading. And the rosy seed heads that develop add an extra layer of interest as the season winds down. Whether you tuck them into a border or use them as a standalone specimen, Gaillardia is sure to deliver a vibrant, carefree display.
Achillea: Blooming Beauty, No Pruners Required
As a self-proclaimed “lazy gardener,” I’m always on the lookout for perennials that offer maximum impact with minimal effort. Enter the trusty Achillea, or yarrow, and its striking Paprika variety. While many yarrow varieties tend to quickly fade to an uninteresting grey, Paprika delivers a mesmerizing color show, opening in a rich scarlet-red before transitioning through shades of pink and cream.
The gardening gurus at Le Jardinet Designs note that Paprika’s extended bloom time and dynamic color palette make it a standout choice, and I couldn’t agree more. Best of all, I can enjoy this perennial’s beauty without ever having to reach for the pruners, as the fading flowers maintain their visual interest until I’m ready to tidy things up.
A Perennial Parade of Perfection
As you can probably tell, I’m quite smitten with these long-blooming, low-maintenance perennials that have become the backbone of my Temecula, California landscape. Whether you’re looking to create a vibrant, pollinator-friendly border, a deer-resistant oasis, or a carefree, cottage-style garden, these picture-perfect perennials are sure to deliver seasons of eye-catching beauty with minimal fuss. So why not add a few of these long-blooming beauties to your own landscape and experience the joy of a truly effortless garden?
