Perennials are the workhorses of your flower garden, blooming reliably every year and delivering big visual impact with very little maintenance and upkeep. Many perennials also make excellent cut flowers for arrangements. Here are a few of our favorite perennials that are cold-hardy enough for Bismarck’s USDA zone 4 winters.
Black-Eyed Susan (Rudbeckia)
Black-eyed Susan is a classic summer-blooming perennial and a staple in many gardens. They are a relatively large family of flowers, and are a reliable workhorse in the garden, blooming from early summer right until fall. The flowers feature a dark center surrounded by daisy-like petals in a range of oranges, reds, and yellows. There are single, semi-double, and full double bloom varieties available. Black-eyed Susans are native to North America and grow happily in most states. Size ranges across the family of plants go from dwarf 12-inch cultivars up to giant types reaching up to 9′ tall.
Varieties We Recommend: Goldrush, Little Goldstar
Bee Balm (Monarda)
Bee Balm is an eye-catching perennial that blooms for about six weeks, from mid-summer through to early fall. The spiky globes of flowers attract many pollinators and are available from the deepest scarlet red through to the palest pinks, lavenders, and whites. It is especially showy when planted in large groups. Bee Balm makes excellent cut flowers, and their seed heads are also a gorgeous addition to dried flower arrangements. With many different varieties available, Bee Balm ranges from heights of 12″ to 4′ tall.
Varieties We Recommend: Jacob Cline, Fireball, Grand Marshal
Bleeding Heart (Dicentra)
Bleeding heart is a beautiful and elegant spring-blooming perennial perfect for a shadier spot in your yard. They bloom for 4-6 weeks in late spring and will go back into a bit of a dormant state for the hottest period of summer. Available in a range of pinks, whites, and reds, their uniquely heart-shaped blossoms hang in rows on gracefully arching stems. Bleeding hearts tend to bush out a bit, but once their blooms fade for the summer, they blend well with other shade plants, like hostas or astilbe. Most bleeding hearts range from 30-36″ tall and wide.
Varieties We Recommend: Gold Heart, Valentine
Yarrow (Achillea)
Yarrow is an easy-to-grow perennial that naturalizes exceptionally well. It blooms from late spring right through to the fall. With many different cultivars available, there are plenty of colors to choose from, including yellow, white, pink, orange, fuchsia, crimson red, apricot, and gold. Yarrow features soft and pretty fern-like leaves with tall umbels of tiny exquisite flowers. Yarrow is a sun-lover and looks excellent in the back of borders and cut flower arrangements. Yarrow tends to grow in tall, sturdy clumps, with flowerheads reaching up to 2′ tall.
Varieties We Recommend: Red Velvet, Vintage Violet
Aster (Asteraceae)
Asters are a relative of yarrow, but you wouldn’t know it by looking at their flowers! There are approximately 90 different species in the aster family. Asters usually bloom in the fall, in colors ranging from purple to pink to white. Their tiny delicate petals are packed densely around yellow centers, daisy style. Asters are available in dwarf sizes as small as 3-4″ tall, all the way up to 3′ tall.
Varieties We Recommend: Woods Pink, Blue, Purple, Alert
Peony (Paeonia)
Peonies are an elegant and profuse spring bloomer. Peony starts the summer off with dramatic flair with their massive, beautiful blooms. Available in a wide array of colors, from yellow to white to crimson red and fuchsia pink, there’s bound to be one you’ll love. Peonies have glossy green foliage, and so many dramatic flower varieties are available. Some varieties feature densely packed petals in a double bloom, and others feature delicate but large petals in striking single-blossoms. Peony is extremely popular for cut flower arrangements. These summer favorites usually grow to about 3-4′ tall and 2-3 feet wide. They do need staking, as rain will knock over and damage the large, heavy flowers.
Varieties We Recommend: Sarah Bernhardt, Kansas, Karl Rosenfield
Daylily (Hemerocallis)
Daylilies are an exotic-looking, but easy-to-grow perennial. Most varieties bloom for several weeks in mid-summer. These low-maintenance flowers are available in almost any color or color combination you can imagine, and their sculptural, dramatic flowers command attention in the garden. Daylilies can be split and replanted each spring to increase their numbers. Each bloom only lasts for a day, but there are bound to be more ready to open shortly after one fades. Daylilies are generally 2-3′ tall.
Varieties We Recommend: Stella de Oro, Grapette, Little Business
Adding flowering perennials to your yard is a great way to ensure gorgeous blooms throughout the summer with very little maintenance required. Stop by our garden center to pick out a few for your garden, or give us a call to find out what we have available.