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We will be open 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Memorial Day.
Afterward, our summer hours will be:
Monday-Friday: 9 a.m. - 6 p.m.
Saturday: 8 a.m. - 5 p.m.
Sunday: 10 a.m. - 5 p.m.

The term perennial can be a tad misleading given that the lifespan of most perennials is three to fifteen years. Nevertheless, that’s three to fifteen years longer than annuals, right? And some perennials can live 50 years or more, which makes them a bargain.

Here’s an alphabetical list of the longest-living perennials for area gardens, nearly all of which are best grown in full sun and aren’t the least bit finicky. Get ‘em in the ground now.

Okay, so I’m starting with one of two plants that requires shade (or dappled light), but it also starts with A, so it makes sense. Astilbe, with its colorful, feathery plumes that rise above its fernlike foliage, is as tough as it is beautiful. Plants do best in a rich soil with plenty of organic matter and consistent moisture. I love Astilbe. So do butterflies, bees, and hummingbirds.

Such a great native plant. Baptisia thrives in heat and humidity, tolerates drought, requires little if any maintenance, and it attracts numerous butterfly species. And as a legume, it captures nitrogen from the air so it doesn’t need fertilizer. One thing to keep in mind, however, is that it doesn’t transplant well, so pick a permanent spot at planting time.

Speaking of butterflies, Butterfly Weed is one of the hottest perennials on the market today because it provides food, shelter, and nectar to Monarchs at every stage of life. That’s especially true of the native species, tuberosa, whose flowers are most often bright orange, but there are several other great varieties.

This low-growing beauty thrives in dry soil and is very drought tolerant. Its lilac to deep-purple flowers -- which butterflies love -- bloom from May to September, and can be sheared to promote continued blooming. And its leaves, when crushed, are highly aromatic to both people and cats! It’s a sun lover, but a bit of afternoon shade is ideal.

If I was told I could only plant one perennial, it would be a daylily, because it’s one of those “set it and forget it” plants. Nothing bothers them, and they don’t ask for much beyond plenty of sunshine. Best of all, many of the varieties available these days are rebloomers, which means they flower from June to September.

Here’s the other shade entry, one that I think is a must have. Hellebores are insanely tough, and have no problem showing off their blooms while covered with snow. And they’re remarkably easy to grow. Hellebores are especially great under deciduous trees, where they get the sun in winter and shade in summer.

Among irises, the bearded varieties are perhaps the most long-lived, followed close behind by their Siberian comrades, which I prefer. In both cases, however, that assumes that you take the time to dig and divide them every few years (a task best completed in September). Otherwise you’ll likely notice a steady decline in the number of flowers they produce.

Although they’re a tad pricey, I would argue that Peonies are one of the best values among perennials because they can easily bloom for 50 years or longer. And let’s face it, the blooms are simply stunning, and their scent is intoxicating. Think carefully about where you plant them because they don’t take well to transplanting.

Better known as Black-Eyed Susan, this classic perennial is deer resistant, drought tolerant, grows well in less-than-ideal soils, and blooms from early summer to fall. Bees and butterflies love it, as do birds, who gobble up the seeds that form late in the season. Plants grow to about three feet, and while they can be somewhat aggressive in good soil, that’s not always a bad thing.

With its open habit and drifts of lavender-blue, tubular flowers, this woody perennial is a standout, and it flowers from summer to fall. Hummingbirds love it, as do bees and butterflies. It actually grows best in not-so-great soils, and will tend to flop in rich soils. Prune to about six inches in early spring just as new growth begins to appear.

Yes, there’s an annual Salvia, but I’m talking perennial varieties here, which are among the toughest survivors of the summer garden. They do great in lean, dry soils and they welcome hot and humid conditions. Hummingbirds and honeybees love their flowers regardless of color -- red, white, blue, purple, and fuschia -- and you will too.

This hardy group of succulents comes in a variety of sizes, from low-growing groundcovers to upright forms. They’re about as easy to grow as a rock (hence the common name, stonecrop) thanks to their fleshy leaves, which retain moisture even during extended droughts. Flowers attract bees and butterflies, and persist into fall.

This baby is like the gift that keeps on giving. Low-growing and mat-forming, it blooms in early spring for about six weeks, and grows so densely that weeds rarely manage to pop up through it. Needs well-drained soil, but will thrive in just about any soil type, even sandy or rocky soils. And unlike other phlox species, it isn’t bothered by powdery mildew.

I love shade gardening, and next week I’ll share with you my favorite plants for shade. My guess is you’ll be pleasantly surprised by the many choices available, including those that flower.