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Flowering perennials are a large group of flowering plants that grow back year after year. Anyone can grow perennials, whether you have a single potted plant growing on a balcony, a small assortment of decorative plants in a corner of your yard, or a large yard full of flowering plants.
New York gardeners can grow all sorts of interesting plants. New York encompasses USDA plant hardiness zones 3 through 7. So, depending on where you live, you will need to select the plants that are best adapted to your local climate conditions. Take some time before selecting plants to learn about your regional hardiness zone, as well as what sun and soil conditions your yard has.
Many perennials can be easily started from seed, while others can be acquired as nursery plants. If you have gardening friends, ask around to see if anyone has plants to share, and when your perennials are ready to be divided, offer some of your surplus to your neighbors.
New York gardeners are certainly not limited to the plants on this list, but here we will introduce some of our favorite flowering perennials that you can cultivate in your own yard this season!
 | botanical name Astilbe x arendsii ‘Fanal’ |
|---|---|
 | plant type Herbaceous perennial |
 | sun requirements Part shade to full shade |
 | height 1 to 1.5 feet |
 | hardiness zones 3 to 8 |
Astilbe is a hardy perennial flower that does well in a partially shaded location. ‘Fanal’ is a cultivar with bright scarlet-red flowering plumes. The flowers bloom in mid-summer and attract an assortment of pollinators.
Grow astilbe in a shade garden or as an edging plant. Displayed in large masses, these plants are quite stunning. Their broadly fernlike leaves are attractive, especially in the spring and early summer. In warmer, sunny locations, the leaves may wither and turn brown after flowering and can then be cut back to the ground. Astilbe appreciates rich, well-drained soil.
| | botanical name Lamprocapnos spectabilis |
|---|---|
| | plant type Herbaceous perennial |
| | sun requirements Part shade to full shade |
| | height 2 to 3 feet |
| | hardiness zones 3 to 9 |
Bleeding heart blooms in the spring with uniquely beautiful flowers. The flowers are pink and heart-shaped, hanging downwards along gently curving flower stems.
The foliage is also very attractive in the springtime but goes dormant by mid-summer, so plant your bleeding heart among other shade-loving plants, such as ferns, that will fill in the gaps from late summer through fall.
Bleeding heart likes a shady location with rich, moist soils. Grow it in a shade garden or under some tall trees. Grow it in an open woodland area or along a shaded border where the flowers can be seen and appreciated.
| | botanical name Thymus serpyllum |
|---|---|
| | plant type Herbaceous perennial |
| | sun requirements Full sun |
| | height 0.25 to 0.5 feet |
| | hardiness zones 4 to 8 |
Creeping thyme is a sun-loving ground cover and is useful to help fill in empty garden spots. Plant it along borders and edges or anywhere you need a living green mat. Creeping thyme can be grown from seed, cuttings, or division of larger clusters.
The dark pink flower clusters bloom in the springtime and attract butterflies. Thyme leaves are tiny and very fragrant. This is a good plant for drier soils. It is easily grown in a rock garden, herb garden, butterfly garden, or in a container garden.
| | botanical name Clematis ‘Nelly Moser’ |
|---|---|
| | plant type Vine |
| | sun requirements Full sun to part shade |
| | height 6 to 10 feet |
| | hardiness zones 4 to 8 |
Clematis are popular vines and for several good reasons. They are vigorous and hardy and surprisingly low maintenance. ‘Nelly Moser’ is a pink flowered variety of clematis.
Vines look wonderful growing along a trellis or fence. In late spring into early summer, the vines will be covered with large, showy flowers.
Clematis does best in full sun or dappled afternoon shade. Keep the roots shaded by planting with a ground cover or use a layer of mulch to help keep the roots cool and moist. ‘Nelly Moser’ does not require pruning, but if vines become too unkempt, prune them as necessary.
| | botanical name Hosta ‘Krossa Regal’ |
|---|---|
| | plant type Herbaceous perennial |
| | sun requirements Part shade to full shade |
| | height 3 to 6 feet |
| | hardiness zones 3 to 8 |
Grow hostas in full shade or any partially shaded location with rich, moist soil. Plants grown in consistently moist and shaded locations can grow quite large and spread into substantial clusters.
Hostas are generally very low-maintenance plants, but unfortunately, hostas are a favorite food for browsing deer. Grow hostas in a location without deer access, if possible.
The ‘Krossa Regal’ is a large hosta cultivar with broad, attractive, heart-shaped leaves. Showy flower spikes bloom in mid-summer. The flowers are pale purple and trumpet-shaped and attract hummingbirds and insect pollinators.
| | botanical name Symphyotrichum novae-angliae |
|---|---|
| | plant type Herbaceous perennial |
| | sun requirements Full sun |
| | height 3 to 6 feet |
| | hardiness zones 4 to 8 |
New England aster is a quintessential flowering perennial. These classic daisy-like flowers are bright shades of pink and purple and bloom in great profusion throughout the autumn months until the first frost. The flowers attract numerous butterflies and other pollinators and make excellent cut flowers.
Grow New England aster in a sunny location. Provide rich, moist, well-drained soil and it will be a very easy-to-grow and rewarding plant. If clusters grow extremely dense, thin them a bit to improve airflow and encourage branching and bushiness. This type of Aster can be easily grown from seed or divided from larger clusters.
| | botanical name Paeonia lactiflora |
|---|---|
| | plant type Herbaceous perennial |
| | sun requirements Full sun to part shade |
| | height 2.5 to 3.5 feet |
| | hardiness zones 3 to 8 |
There are many peony cultivars, and many are suitable for New York gardens. In fact, you can see many different varieties in the Brooklyn Botanic Garden. Colors are highly varied and include many shades of white, yellow, pink, orange, red, and bicolor combinations.
Peonies typically bloom in the spring and summer months with giant, fragrant, and extremely showy flowers. Peonies make good cut flowers and are not bothered by rabbits or deer.
Grow peonies in full sun or light shade. These plants are long-lived and can thrive for years if given proper care. Give them a bit of extra mulch in the winter to protect them from the cold. During the growing season, many peonies become top-heavy and benefit from a round support cage to help keep them upright.
| | botanical name Phlox paniculata ‘David’ |
|---|---|
| | plant type Herbaceous perennial |
| | sun requirements Full sun to part shade |
| | height 2 to 4 feet |
| | hardiness zones 3 to 8 |
Phlox is a favorite garden plant because it is easy to grow and blooms reliably year after year. ‘David’ is a white-flowered cultivar that blooms from late summer into early fall. The dense clusters of white flowers are fragrant and showy, attracting butterflies and hummingbirds.
Plant this phlox in full sun or dappled shade. Grow it in moist, well-drained soil with plenty of organic matter. Add mulch to help keep the roots moist, and periodically thin dense clusters of vegetative growth to improve air circulation and help prevent powdery mildew. Other phlox cultivars are available in many shades of pink and purple.
| | botanical name Sedum ‘Rosy Glow’ |
|---|---|
| | plant type Herbaceous perennial |
| | sun requirements Full sun |
| | height 0.5 to 1 foot |
| | hardiness zones 3 to 9 |
Sedum, or stonecrop, is a hardy succulent that can be grown in almost any sunny location with well-drained soil. ‘Rosy Glow’ is a dark pink flowering cultivar that blooms from late summer into fall. The flowers are showy, blooming in densely packed clusters, and attract butterflies.
‘Rosy Glow’ sedum is a fairly compact plant. It can function as a ground cover, grow it along borders and edges, or add it to a mixed-species container garden. These plants will spread over time, and larger clusters can be divided or pruned as desired to maintain a more compact bushy appearance.
| | botanical name Leucanthemum x superbum ‘Snow Lady’ |
|---|---|
| | plant type Herbaceous perennial |
| | sun requirements Full sun |
| | height 0.75 to 1 foot |
| | hardiness zones 4 to 9 |
Shasta daisy is a variable type of chrysanthemum. This type of daisy is winter hardy to zones 4 or 5, depending on the specific cultivar. ‘Snow Lady’ is hardy to zone 4 and can be easily grown throughout most of New York. Give it full sun and dry to medium-moisture well drained soil.
Shasta daisies are tolerant of deer and rabbits and grow into dense clusters. At peak bloom, you will enjoy a profusion of dazzling white flowers with prominent yellow centers.
The flowers are long-lasting and make excellent cut flowers. These plants can be grown from seed and while individual plants are short-lived, they will multiply in the garden and keep the population strong.
| | botanical name Brunnera macrophylla |
|---|---|
| | plant type Herbaceous perennial |
| | sun requirements Part shade |
| | height 1 to 1.5 feet |
| | hardiness zones 3 to 8 |
An ideal plant for a partially shaded garden or along a shady walkway, Siberian bugloss makes a good ground cover. Plants spread by creeping underground rhizomes to eventually form dense clusters of attractive foliage. This clump-forming perennial is often grown for its large, attractive, heart-shaped leaves.
Small blue perennial flowers bloom in the springtime. Each flower has 5 petals surrounding a round white center. The leaves have ornamental value throughout the growing season, allowing you to enjoy this plant from spring through fall.
| | botanical name Tricyrtis hirta |
|---|---|
| | plant type Herbaceous perennial |
| | sun requirements Part shade to full shade |
| | height 2 to 3 feet |
| | hardiness zones 4 to 8 |
Toad lily, or Japanese toad lily, is a shade-loving lily plant. It grows tall, erect stems with broad, oblong leaves. It blooms in the late summer or early fall. Flowers are large and showy with red speckled white petals and prominent showy sepals.
Toad lily would be a great addition to a shade garden or any rich, moist soil in a shaded part of the yard. Toad lilies will not tolerate dry soil, so make sure the soil stays moist but not saturated. Plants will spread slowly over time, and a mass of toad lilies at peak bloom is a beautiful sight.
| | botanical name Allium senescens glaucum |
|---|---|
| | plant type Bulb |
| | sun requirements Full sun to part shade |
| | height 0.5 to 1 foot |
| | hardiness zones 4 to 8 |
Twisted onion, sometimes called German garlic, is an easy-to-grow bulb. It is resistant to deer and rabbits and makes an interesting fragrant variety of ornamental onion plant. Twisted onion spreads over time by rhizomes and occasionally by self-seeding and will fill in an area and form an effective ground cover.
Leaves grow in dense clusters, forming grasslike mounds. Flowers bloom in mid-summer and attract pollinators. The flowers are pale purple orbs of tiny star-shaped flowers with prominent anthers. Twisted onion prefers full sun but tolerates partial shade. Give this plant rich, well-drained soil.
| | botanical name Achillea ‘Coronation Gold’ |
|---|---|
| | plant type Herbaceous perennial |
| | sun requirements Full sun |
| | height 2.5 to 3 feet |
| | hardiness zones 3 to 8 |
This golden yellow yarrow is sure to please. ‘Coronation Gold’ is a yarrow cultivar that can be grown throughout New York state. This hardy plant prefers a location with full sun but will tolerate some light shade. Soil should be rich and well-drained, dry to medium moisture.
Yarrow spreads over time by vigorously growing rhizomes. It makes an effective ground cover, filling in odd corners. Grow yarrow along walkways, in naturalized areas, or simply plant it among other perennial flowers. Yarrow flowers attract an assortment of pollinators and are not bothered by deer or rabbits.
| | botanical name Digitalis grandiflora |
|---|---|
| | plant type Herbaceous perennial |
| | sun requirements Part shade |
| | height 2 to 3 feet |
| | hardiness zones 3 to 8 |
The yellow foxglove is a very attractive spring-blooming perennial. Tall flower spikes are lined with large, tubular flowers. The flowers are pale yellow with darker rusty-orange speckles lining the insides of the tubes. The leaves are simple, oblong, and lance-shaped and remain dark green throughout the growing season.
Yellow foxglove is a plant that appreciates some shade, so add it to a shade garden or another protected area of your yard. Soil should be rich and well-drained, as plants will not tolerate growing in standing water. Deer do not bother these plants.
New York gardeners will find plenty of beautiful flowering perennials to grow. Once you know which plant hardiness zone you live in and what your sun and soil conditions are, you can choose the best plants for your available space.
You can grow a single plant in a large pot, design an entire landscape, or anything in between. You can enjoy a multitude of different flowers from spring through fall. And don’t forget to plant a few flowers to attract pollinators to your yard for even more enjoyment!
