Gardening in Massachusetts brings unique challenges with our cold winters and variable summers. Wouldn’t it be wonderful to have beautiful flowers that thrive with minimal attention?
Many gardeners dream of plants that flourish even when neglected, creating stunning displays year after year without constant fussing.
1. Blazing Star (Liatris spicata)
Purple spikes reach skyward in mid-summer, attracting butterflies like magnets to honey. Native to eastern North America, these drought-tolerant beauties stand tall through Massachusetts summers without complaint.
Once established, Blazing Stars need almost zero maintenance. Their deep roots help them survive dry spells that would wilt needier plants. Plant them in full sun with well-draining soil, then simply step back and enjoy the show!
2. Black-Eyed Susan (Rudbeckia fulgida)
Sunny yellow petals surround chocolate centers, creating living sunshine even on cloudy days. Black-Eyed Susans spread gradually to form impressive colonies without becoming invasive pests. Massachusetts gardeners appreciate their deer resistance and drought tolerance once established.
They’ll bloom for weeks in mid to late summer, asking for nothing more than occasional deadheading if you’re feeling generous. Leave the seed heads for winter interest and to feed hungry birds!
3. Coneflower (Echinacea purpurea)
Tough as nails yet undeniably charming, coneflowers blend prairie ruggedness with cottage garden appeal. Their distinctive raised centers provide landing pads for bees and later, seed-eating goldfinches.
Massachusetts winters don’t faze these hardy natives. Plant them in average soil with good drainage and full sun. Beyond an occasional deep watering during severe drought, they practically raise themselves. For maximum wildlife benefit, resist cutting back the stems until spring.
4. Daylily (Hemerocallis)
Roadside survivors for good reason, daylilies might just be the toughest flowering plants for Massachusetts gardens. Each bloom lasts just one day (hence the name), but plants produce buds for weeks of continuous color.
Virtually indestructible, they thrive in poor soil where other perennials surrender. Division every few years keeps them blooming enthusiastically, but even that’s optional. Choose reblooming varieties like ‘Stella de Oro’ or ‘Happy Returns’ for months of flowers with zero pampering.
5. Bee Balm (Monarda didyma)
Shaggy-headed flowers in crimson, purple, or pink create firework displays in July gardens. Hummingbirds zoom in from miles away, unable to resist bee balm’s nectar-rich blooms and aromatic foliage. Happiest in moderately moist soil, established plants handle brief dry spells with surprising resilience.
Look for mildew-resistant varieties like ‘Jacob Cline’ or ‘Raspberry Wine’ for best performance in Massachusetts’ humid summers. A Massachusetts native plant, bee balm spreads slowly to form impressive stands.
6. Catmint (Nepeta × faassenii)
Lavender-blue flower spikes hover above aromatic gray-green foliage from late spring through summer. Catmint creates soft, billowing mounds that spill over walkways and soften garden edges without becoming thuggish.
Exceptionally drought-tolerant once established, these Mediterranean-inspired perennials laugh at New England’s summer heat. Deer and rabbits typically avoid their minty scent, making them perfect for problem areas. A quick shearing after the first bloom often triggers a second flush of flowers.
7. Hosta (Hosta spp.)
Masters of shade, hostas transform dark corners into textural wonderlands with minimal intervention. Their magnificent leaves range from tiny to elephant-ear size in shades from blue-green to gold-edged chartreuse.
Perfectly suited to Massachusetts’ climate, established hostas only need watering during severe drought. Their summer flower spikes attract hummingbirds, adding wildlife interest. While deer find them delicious, urban and suburban gardeners with fewer four-legged visitors will find hostas virtually maintenance-free.
8. Yarrow (Achillea millefolium)
Flat-topped flower clusters in white, yellow, pink, or red dance above ferny foliage all summer long. Ancient Greeks used yarrow medicinally, but today we value it for unbeatable drought tolerance and extended bloom time.
Sandy Massachusetts soils pose no challenge for these adaptable plants. Plant them in the hottest, driest part of your yard and watch them flourish while thirstier plants wilt. Butterflies adore the landing-pad blooms, and dried flower heads provide winter interest and bird food.
9. Sedum ‘Autumn Joy’
Succulent stems topped with broccoli-like flower heads transform from pale green to deep russet as summer transitions to fall. Few plants offer such dramatic seasonal changes with so little maintenance required. Massachusetts winters don’t intimidate these sturdy plants.
Their water-storing leaves make them incredibly drought-resistant, perfect for sunny spots where you forget to water. Bees and butterflies swarm the late-season blooms when other flowers have faded. Even in winter, the dried flower heads add structural interest.
10. Baptisia (False Indigo)
Resembling small shrubs more than typical perennials, baptisias create architectural presence with their lupine-like flower spikes and blue-green foliage. Spring brings masses of blue, yellow, or white blossoms that give way to attractive seed pods.
Deep taproots make established plants virtually indestructible in Massachusetts gardens. They laugh at drought, ignore pests, and stand strong through winter storms. Patience pays off with baptisia—plants may take 3-4 years to reach full glory, but then remain magnificent for decades without division.
11. Russian Sage (Perovskia atriplicifolia)
Clouds of lavender-blue flowers float above silvery stems and aromatic gray foliage from midsummer until frost. Russian sage creates the illusion of cool mist even during Massachusetts’ hottest days. Originally from Central Asia’s harsh steppes, these plants scoff at drought, poor soil, and winter cold.
Their only requirements are full sun and well-drained soil. Deer and rabbits avoid their strongly scented leaves, making them perfect for problem areas. Cut back hard in early spring for the best shape.
12. Coral Bells (Heuchera)
Jewel-toned foliage in purple, caramel, lime, or silver brightens gardens year-round. Modern breeding has created varieties with incredible leaf colors that look good from spring through winter, with delicate flower stems as a bonus.
Massachusetts gardeners appreciate their evergreen nature and shade tolerance. Planted in groups, they create stunning tapestries that need virtually no care beyond removing tattered leaves in spring. Their shallow roots appreciate mulch during establishment, but mature plants handle normal rainfall without supplemental watering.