Perennials are the true backbone of any garden—returning each year with renewed color, texture, and life. These dependable plants create a sense of continuity in the landscape, offering lasting structure while reducing the need for replanting season after season. With the right combination, you can enjoy waves of blooms from early spring to late fall, turning your garden into a dynamic, ever-changing tapestry.
But what exactly are perennials? Simply put, they’re plants that come back year after year, reappearing season after season without needing to be replanted. Unlike annuals, which complete their life cycle in just one year, perennials go dormant during the colder months and come back in spring—often stronger, fuller, and more beautiful than the year before. The word perennial comes from the Latin perennis, meaning “lasting through the years,” which perfectly reflects their enduring nature.
Beyond their ornamental appeal, perennials play a vital role in supporting pollinators like bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds. Many varieties are also drought-tolerant, deer-resistant, and low-maintenance—making them an excellent choice for both new and seasoned gardeners.
Whether you’re designing a vibrant cottage garden, creating a pollinator haven, or simply seeking a fuss-free landscape that shines throughout the seasons, these standout perennials are ready to take root in your garden!
Salvia
Known for its tall spikes of red, blue, or purple blooms, Salvia is a magnet for hummingbirds and butterflies. It thrives in full sun and well-drained soil, offering long-lasting color throughout the summer. Heat-tolerant and drought-resistant, Salvia is a perfect choice for Texas gardens, where tough plants are a must. Its aromatic foliage also helps deter deer, making it both beautiful and practical in a variety of Texas landscapes.
Daylilies
Tough, reliable, and bursting with vibrant color, daylilies are nearly carefree. With a wide range of colors and bloom times, they bring continuous interest from spring to late summer. Daylilies are well-suited for our landscapes, tolerating heat, drought, and a variety of soil types with ease. Their low maintenance nature makes them ideal for busy gardeners, and once established, they multiply year after year, filling your garden with even more blooms. Whether planted in mass or used as accents, daylilies deliver lasting beauty with minimal effort.
Phlox
Phlox offers a sweet fragrance and clusters of brightly colored flowers that are perfect for borders or groundcover. It’s also a favorite among pollinators and blooms generously in spring and summer. With its vibrant hues ranging from soft pastels to bold magentas, Phlox adds a lively splash of color to any garden. Its long blooming season ensures months of visual interest, while its low-maintenance nature makes it a reliable choice for gardeners of all skill levels. Whether cascading along a rock wall or filling in empty garden beds, Phlox creates a lush, inviting landscape that draws butterflies, bees, and even hummingbirds throughout the warmer months.
Hosta
Ideal for shady spots, Hostas are grown for their lush, textured foliage. Available in a variety of sizes, shapes, and colors—from deep green to variegated patterns—they create a cool, calming effect in the garden. Their broad leaves add contrast and interest to shady beds, borders, and woodland gardens. Though primarily prized for their foliage, Hostas also produce delicate, lavender or white blooms in the summer that attract pollinators like bees and hummingbirds. While they prefer moist, well-drained soil, many varieties are surprisingly resilient, making them a dependable choice in Texas shade gardens.
Dianthus
Dianthus brings a classic cottage-garden feel with its vibrant, fringed blooms and soft, clove-like scent. Blooming in cheerful shades of pink, red, and white, it adds charm to borders, containers, and walkways. With its tidy, compact growth and long blooming season, Dianthus is a great choice for adding color and fragrance without much fuss. It’s also a favorite among pollinators, making it as functional as it is beautiful.
Canna
Tropical and bold, Cannas are known for their striking, large flowers and lush foliage. Their vibrant blooms—ranging from red and orange to yellow and pink—are a showstopper in any garden. With broad, dramatic leaves that range from deep green to burgundy, Cannas create an exotic look that’s perfect for adding a touch of the tropics to your landscape. These plants thrive in full sun and love moisture, making them a great fit for sunny garden beds, pool sides, or containers. Cannas are well-suited for Texas gardens, where they can handle both the heat and humidity, and their eye-catching flowers draw pollinators like bees and hummingbirds. Whether planted in a border or as a stand-alone statement plant, Cannas bring lasting impact with minimal upkeep.
Coneflowers
They’re hardy, long-blooming, and come back year after year—often with even more blooms as they mature. Coneflowers are especially loved for their daisy-like shape, vibrant colors (most commonly purple, but also orange, white, yellow, and pink), and their ability to attract bees, butterflies, and birds—particularly goldfinches, who love the seed heads in late summer and fall.
They’re also drought-tolerant, deer-resistant, and thrive in full sun, making them a low-maintenance favorite in pollinator gardens, prairie plantings, and perennial borders.
Mix and match these perennials to create a dynamic, colorful, and wildlife-friendly garden that evolves through the seasons. Whether you’re filling a sunny border or brightening up the shade, these plants will reward you with beauty and ease for years to come.
Shop with Ease
At Calloway’s and Cornelius, we are here to help with all your spring gardening activities! Visit us today and explore our stunning collection of vibrant blooms, pretty perennials, impressive trees and shrubs, stylish pottery, lush indoor plants, and so much more! Shop any of our 29 neighborhood stores, where we have served our loyal customers for over 38 years.
Have questions? Ask our Texas Certified Nursery Professionals; they are here to help!