Low-maintenance, drought-tolerant, clump-forming perennial; 2018 Perennial Plant of the Year; produces 2-inch rosy-purple globe-shaped flowers July–Aug

Flowering shrub; white flowers; attractive fall foliage and small berries; tolerates wet soils; attractive to birds; requires yearly pruning

Best planted in groups; 18 in. to 5 ft high; many colors (pink, white, purple, peach); dwarf variety grows to 6 in.; good as borders

Evergreen dwarf shrub; hardy; densely packed leaves and round shape; 3 ft high; protect from heat; often grouped; water well before fall freeze to prevent winter bronzing

Perennial; hardy if right variety selected; all colors; usually ~2 ft high; 'Decorative' best for small gardens; multiply by root growth; needs winter protection; can be divided; best south-facing; don't prune back

Vine; needs trellis; various colors; showy flowers and fruit

Very early bulb; small flower; best clumped (30–40); easy to grow; mostly purple or white; don't overwater

Bulb plant; yellow flowers; best in large clusters; cut foliage after yellowing; multiply by bulb dividing

Bulb plant; hardy; multiplies rapidly; easy care

Perennial bush; easy to grow; fragrant; attracts butterflies and hummingbirds; tough rich green foliage; prune after flowering; tolerant to wind; approx. 4 ft

Evergreen shrub with scale-like leaves; variety of shapes and sizes; hardy; little care needed except occasional pruning

Vine; needs trellis or can be used as ground cover; vigorous; attracts hummingbirds, butterflies, and birds; flowers all summer; can be multiplied

Perennial; reliable and hardy; countless combinations of leaf color, shape, and texture

Flowering perennial; many varieties; snowball or lace-cap blooms; purple, pink, white flowers; shorter varieties have larger leaves and need less pruning; can change flower color

Bulb plant; best at back of garden due to height; plant in groups; dwarf varieties ~8 in.; hardy; mostly insect- and disease-resistant

Evergreen tree/shrub; needs pruning; dark needle-like leaves; red fruit in fall; foundation plant; ⚠️ plant parts poisonous — limit access by pets and children

Evergreen; various kinds; low to the ground; green to silver-blue color; relatively pest free; needs some pruning; hardy

Attracts bees and ants; nice dark foliage after flowering; very long-lived; should not flower in first year; cut back to ground in late fall

Small star-shaped flowers; creeping phlox good for foundation planting; masses of flowers; easy care; fragrant; attracts hummingbirds; good for cut flowers

Flowering shrub; easy to grow; good foundation plant; variety of colors; prune once flowers are gone; fairly hardy

Bulb flower; various colors; easy to grow; hardy; prune back only after leaves have yellowed and died

Flowering perennial shrub; lots of blooms