Do perennials come back after winter every year?

Perennials only have to be planted once. Unlike annuals, which die in the winter and must be replanted, perennials will come back year after year if their growing requirements (light, water, soil) are adequately met.

Are there any downsides to planting perennials?

If you like a different look each year, annuals may be a better choice than perennials, which will look much the same from year to year. Some perennials may take a year or more to bloom after planting, as opposed to annuals that provide instant color.

When is the best time to plant perennials?

The best time to plant perennials is in spring or fall when temperatures are cooler. However, you can plant in summer but expect to water them extra well through the heat.

Should you water perennials every single day?

Newly planted perennials should be watered as often as necessary to prevent them from drying out at all. Established perennials that have been growing for more than two years don't need to be watered every day. Aim to give them about one inch of water per week except during hot spells when they may need to be watered more frequently.

Brighten Up Small Spaces with This Corner of Perennials Garden Plan

This corner of perennials garden plan will help you create a flower-filled nook in a small space.

By

Viveka Neveln

Updated on June 24, 2024

detail of shasta daisies leucanthemum x superbum — Photo: Peter Krumhardt

Sometimes less is more, and small gardens can still have a big, beautiful impact on a yard. This corner of perennials garden plan will help you create a corner of perennials wherever you'd like to add a little color in a tight spot. It features a small collection of low-maintenance, drought-tolerant plants that pack a big floral punch. Tuck this garden into a corner by your patio or plop it in the middle of the lawn; these plants will put on a show wherever they can get at least six hours of sunlight daily.

Plants for Creating a Corner of Perennials Garden Plan

Starting with catmint and Siberian iris in spring, and going right into fall with late-blooming stonecrop, you'll have plenty of flowers to enjoy all season long.

1 White boltonia (Boltonia asteroides 'Snowbank'): Zones 4-8
3 Jupiter's beard (Centranthus ruber var. coccineus): Zones 5-11
2 Tickseed (Coreopsis verticillata 'Zagreb'): Zones 3-9
2 Catmint (Nepeta x faassenii 'Blue Wonder'): Zones 3-9
1 Shasta daisy (Leucanthemum x superbum 'Alaska'): Zones 5-8
2 Stonecrop (Sedum spectabile 'Brilliant'): Zones 3-9
1 Siberian iris (Iris sibirica 'Caesar's Brother'): Zones 3-9

If you aren't able to find the exact cultivars listed above, substitute with others that have similar colors, shapes, and sizes.

If you want to add some extra color in early spring, plant a few varieties of your favorite spring-flowering bulbs among the perennials.

Get the Free Corner of Perennials Garden Plan

This garden design includes an illustrated version of the planted garden, a detailed layout diagram, a list of plants for the garden as shown, and complete instructions for planting the garden.

Download This Plan

Frequently Asked Questions

Do perennials come back after winter every year?

Perennials only have to be planted once. Unlike annuals, which die in the winter and must be replanted, perennials will come back year after year if their growing requirements (light, water, soil) are adequately met.
Are there any downsides to planting perennials?

If you like a different look each year, annuals may be a better choice than perennials, which will look much the same from year to year. Some perennials may take a year or more to bloom after planting, as opposed to annuals that provide instant color.
When is the best time to plant perennials?

The best time to plant perennials is in spring or fall when temperatures are cooler. However, you can plant in summer but expect to water them extra well through the heat.
Should you water perennials every single day?

Newly planted perennials should be watered as often as necessary to prevent them from drying out at all. Established perennials that have been growing for more than two years don't need to be watered every day. Aim to give them about one inch of water per week except during hot spells when they may need to be watered more frequently.