The Northeast’s ever-changing seasons demand resilient, beautiful perennials that can withstand cold winters, humid summers, and unpredictable weather. Whether you’re looking for vibrant blooms, lush foliage, or pollinator-friendly plants, the right perennials can transform your garden into a thriving, low-maintenance oasis. But not all plants are created equal—while some will flourish effortlessly, others can quickly become high-maintenance headaches or even invasive nightmares. In this guide, we’ll explore 23 of the best perennials to elevate your Northeast landscape and five plants you’ll want to avoid at all costs!
1. Black-eyed Susan (Rudbeckia hirta)
The garden feels alive with bursts of gold, thanks to this perennial. Black-eyed Susan dazzles with its golden-yellow blooms, attracting butterflies and brightening any space.
With a robust, sun-loving nature, it stands resilient through midsummer to frost, making it a gardener’s favorite. The showy flowers create a lively scene, captivating onlookers and winged visitors alike.
Providing both beauty and vibrancy, its presence is unmistakable. Whether you’re designing a new landscape or enhancing an existing one, this native wonder offers the perfect pop of sunshine and charm.
2. Purple Coneflower (Echinacea purpurea)
In the world of blossoms, few can boast the charisma of this daisy-like flower. The Purple Coneflower stands boldly with its pink-purple petals and distinctive spiky center.
It’s not just a visual delight but a haven for pollinators, drawing bees, butterflies, and even hummingbirds. Hardy and low-maintenance, it’s a perfect choice for gardens in the Northeast.
With each bloom, the garden feels more alive, buzzing with energy and color. Its resilience ensures it remains a favorite, offering beauty with minimal fuss throughout the growing season.
3. Hosta (Hosta spp.)
Imagine a leafy wonderland, and this perennial is at its heart. Hosta thrives in shade, bringing elegance with its lush, variegated leaves.
The foliage varies from deep green to striking variegations, offering texture and grace to any garden corner. It’s a staple in woodland gardens, transforming dull spaces into verdant escapes.
With minimal care, it flourishes, making it a go-to for gardeners seeking beauty below the canopy. Its presence is like a soothing whisper, creating serene corners where tranquility and beauty coexist.
4. Astilbe (Astilbe spp.)
Soft feathers seem to float in the garden air, a testament to this perennial’s charm. Astilbe boasts feathery blooms in pinks, reds, and whites.
Its preference for moist, shady spots means it thrives where others might sulk. The ethereal beauty it offers is unrivaled, adding softness to any landscape.
Astilbe’s presence transforms gardens, making even the gloomiest corners feel magical. For those looking to add gentle elegance, it’s the perfect choice, requiring little beyond appreciation for its flourishing beauty.
5. Daylily (Hemerocallis spp.)
In a garden, resilience is golden, and this perennial embodies that spirit. The Daylily offers trumpet-shaped blooms in a rainbow of colors, thriving effortlessly.
Even in neglected corners, it finds a way to shine, making it perfect for both novice and seasoned gardeners. Each bloom lasts a day, but new ones keep the show going.
With its vibrant colors and carefree nature, Daylily is a garden staple. It brings joy and color, ensuring your landscape remains a lively spectacle from summer to fall.
6. Peony (Paeonia spp.)
Imagine a garden scene filled with romantic allure, and this perennial takes center stage. The Peony captivates with its lush, fragrant blooms.
Each flower is a masterpiece, with ruffled petals that unfold in late spring, offering a feast for the senses. Its presence is both stately and charming, anchoring garden designs.
While it demands patience, the payoff is worth it—a spectacle of beauty that returns year after year. Peonies promise grandeur and fragrance, transforming any garden into a dreamy retreat.
7. Sedum (Sedum spp.)
In the realm of garden ease, this perennial reigns supreme. Sedum is a succulent wonder, offering clusters of blooms in pinks, reds, and yellows.
Drought-tolerant and unfussy, it’s a favorite among those seeking beauty without the hassle. Bees and butterflies can’t resist its charm, making it a pollinator haven.
Even in the toughest conditions, Sedum stands resilient, adding color and texture to landscapes. For those who love low-maintenance gardening, it’s a gem that shines in every season.
8. Bee Balm (Monarda didyma)
Gardens need a touch of drama, and this perennial delivers in style. Bee Balm, with its shaggy, vibrant blooms, is a showstopper.
The red or purple flowers have a minty scent, attracting hummingbirds and beneficial insects. It’s a perfect fit for cottage gardens, adding a whimsical flair.
Easy to grow, it thrives in sunny spots, bringing a burst of energy to any landscape. Bee Balm’s presence is magnetic, drawing both creatures and admiration from garden visitors alike.
9. Coral Bells (Heuchera spp.)
Foliage doesn’t have to be boring, as this perennial proves. Coral Bells offer intricate, ruffled leaves in a spectrum from deep burgundy to lime green.
The foliage itself is a show, providing year-round interest with its stunning colors and textures. It’s a versatile addition to borders and containers.
Beyond leaves, it surprises with delicate flowers that dance above the foliage. Easy to care for, Coral Bells bring elegance and color, making gardens feel alive and sophisticated all year round.
10. Bleeding Heart (Dicentra spectabilis)
In shady retreats, this perennial weaves an enchanting tale. Bleeding Heart graces gardens with its heart-shaped flowers, cascading from arching stems.
The blooms, in shades of pink and white, create a delicate spectacle in spring, enchanting all who see it. It’s a shade-loving wonder, thriving under trees.
Its presence adds romance and nostalgia, transforming garden corners into magical alcoves. For those who appreciate elegance and charm, Bleeding Heart offers a touch of whimsy and beauty in equal measure.
11. Russian Sage (Perovskia atriplicifolia)
A dreamy garden calls for whimsical touches, and this perennial fits the bill. Russian Sage enchants with lavender-blue flowers and silvery foliage.
It evokes an airy elegance, thriving in sunny, well-drained spots where few others dare. Its drought-tolerance makes it perfect for low-maintenance gardens.
With every breeze, the sage dances, adding movement and texture to landscapes. For those seeking a garden escape that feels poetic, Russian Sage offers a captivating, ethereal presence.
12. Joe Pye Weed (Eutrochium purpureum)
Garden drama doesn’t always mean chaos; sometimes, it’s just tall beauty. Joe Pye Weed stands out with clusters of pinkish-purple flowers.
This late-summer bloomer is a magnet for butterflies, adding both height and interest to gardens. It fits perfectly in naturalistic landscapes, standing tall and proud.
Its presence is striking, offering a sense of grandeur without overwhelming. For those wishing to add drama and elegance, Joe Pye Weed provides a stately addition that captivates both pollinators and onlookers.
13. Butterfly Weed (Asclepias tuberosa)
In the vibrant tapestry of gardens, this perennial is a blazing star. Butterfly Weed dazzles with its bright orange blooms, vital for monarch butterflies.
As a nectar source, it attracts not just monarchs but many pollinators, making it an ecological treasure. Hardy and sun-loving, it’s an easy addition to most gardens.
Its presence is a splash of sunshine, offering both beauty and purpose. For those looking to support wildlife with vibrant color, Butterfly Weed is a must-have in any Northeast landscape.
14. Foxglove (Digitalis purpurea)
Vertical drama transforms gardens, and this perennial stands tall in that role. Foxglove offers bell-shaped flower spikes, adding whimsy to landscapes.
With blooms in shades of pink, purple, and white, it’s a beacon of beauty in cottage and formal gardens alike. Its towering presence captivates and draws the eye upward.
While it requires some care, the reward is a garden showstopper that commands attention. For those wanting to add height and charm, Foxglove brings a magical touch to any garden design.
15. Lupine (Lupinus spp.)
A garden scene feels complete with this spiky beauty. Lupine offers tall flower spikes with pea-like blooms in blues, purples, and pinks.
Thriving in meadows and cottage gardens, it’s a burst of color that attracts bees and butterflies. Its bold presence makes it a favorite for naturalistic planting.
Though it prefers cooler climates, it rewards with a vibrant display that’s hard to ignore. For those wanting a touch of wild beauty, Lupine delivers a colorful spectacle with ease.
16. Japanese Anemone (Anemone hupehensis)
Late-season elegance is embodied in this perennial, perfect for autumn gardens. Japanese Anemone sways gracefully with its delicate pink or white blooms.
Its tall stems catch the breeze, creating an atmosphere of serenity and motion in the landscape. It thrives in part shade, making it versatile for many garden spots.
With each bloom, it offers a touch of sophistication, prolonging garden interest well into fall. For those seeking beauty in late seasons, Japanese Anemone provides a graceful, enduring presence.
17. Hellebore (Helleborus spp.)
Early blooms bring hope, and this perennial is a harbinger of spring. Hellebore delights with nodding, rose-like flowers in hues of burgundy, white, and green.
Preferring the dappled shade, it flourishes where others shy away, adding color to early garden scenes. Its blooms are a breath of fresh air after a long winter.
The evergreen foliage adds year-round interest, making it a staple in shade gardens. For those eager for a spring awakening, Hellebore offers beauty and resilience, time and again.
18. Aster (Symphyotrichum spp.)
When other plants begin to fade, this perennial takes the spotlight. Aster blooms in fall with star-shaped flowers in purples, blues, and pinks.
Its colorful display extends the garden season, offering vibrancy when least expected. Ideal for borders and naturalistic settings, it’s a must-have for fall interest.
Aster’s presence is a cheerful reminder of the changing seasons. For those wishing to extend garden beauty into cooler months, it provides a splash of color that endures to the end.
19. Goatsbeard (Aruncus dioicus)
Feathery beauty is a garden’s delight, and this perennial creates an enchanting scene. Goatsbeard flourishes with creamy-white flowers, resembling a giant Astilbe.
Thriving in moist woodland settings, it adds height and texture where others might falter. Its presence is both bold and graceful, turning heads with its elegance.
With minimal care, it offers a lush backdrop to shade gardens, creating a fairy-tale atmosphere. For those seeking to add height and ethereal beauty, Goatsbeard is a perfect choice for woodland landscapes.
20. Turtlehead (Chelone lyonii)
When gardens need late-season interest, this perennial steps in. Turtlehead boasts hooded pink flowers that intriguingly resemble a turtle’s head.
Thriving in damp soils and woodland edges, it’s a unique addition to garden borders. Its blooms offer a quirky charm, adding curiosity to landscapes.
Easy to grow, it’s a favorite among those seeking something different. Turtlehead’s presence is playful and captivating, making it a standout plant for adding personality to any garden.
21. Blazing Star (Liatris spicata)
Vertical interest meets pollinator delight with this perennial. Blazing Star stands tall with spiky purple flowers adored by bees and butterflies.
Its upright spikes add structure to sunny gardens, making it a favorite for creating visual interest. It’s hardy and low-maintenance, thriving in well-drained soils.
For those looking to add both height and color, Blazing Star is an excellent choice. Its presence is both dynamic and charming, offering a lively spectacle throughout the growing season.
22. Jacob’s Ladder (Polemonium caeruleum)
Whimsical beauty captivates the imagination, and this perennial embodies that trait. Jacob’s Ladder offers sky-blue flowers with ferny foliage.
Its delicate appearance belies its hardiness, thriving in part shade and adding ethereal beauty to garden borders. The flowers seem to reach for the sky, creating a heavenly tableau.
Easy to care for and visually striking, it’s a favorite for those wanting to add a touch of magic. Jacob’s Ladder brings both grace and charm, elevating any garden scene.
23. Coreopsis (Coreopsis spp.)
Sunshine in flower form, this perennial brings joy to gardens. Coreopsis dazzles with daisy-like, golden-yellow blooms that dance in the breeze.
It’s a cheerful addition to any landscape, offering color that endures even on the cloudiest days. Hardy and easy to care for, it’s a staple in sunny garden spots.
With a long blooming season, it keeps gardens lively and bright. For those wanting a touch of sunshine and cheer, Coreopsis is a delightful choice that never fails to please.
24. English Lavender Isn’t A Good Choice
A beloved herb in Mediterranean gardens, English lavender struggles in the unpredictable climate of the Northeast. Its roots often rot in the region’s heavy, wet soils, and the combination of harsh winters and humid summers weakens the plant, leading to poor growth and dieback.
Gardeners hoping for fragrant, thriving lavender beds may find themselves repeatedly replacing plants that simply can’t adapt.
25. Canna Lily Will Struggle To Survive
With its striking tropical foliage and fiery blooms, the canna lily brings a bold statement to any garden—but not without extra effort. In the Northeast, where winters are unforgiving, these perennials must be dug up and stored indoors every fall, adding an inconvenient step to seasonal maintenance.
Without proper overwintering, cannas won’t survive, making them more of a high-maintenance annual than a true perennial in this region.
26. Japanese Knotweed Brings Danger
At first glance, Japanese knotweed seems like an attractive, fast-growing plant, but beneath its lush green leaves lies a relentless invader.
Once established, its deep, spreading rhizomes can crack sidewalks, infiltrate foundations, and choke out native species, making it nearly impossible to remove. Even the smallest root fragment can regenerate into a new plant, ensuring that once you plant it, you may never truly get rid of it.
27. Ajuga Spreads Too Fast
Ajuga’s glossy leaves and blue spring flowers make it a tempting groundcover, but its aggressive nature quickly turns from a feature to a flaw. Spreading through fast-creeping runners, it smothers nearby plants, outcompeting more delicate perennials and becoming difficult to control.
While it thrives in shady gardens, gardeners often regret planting it when it begins to invade lawns, paths, and flower beds.
28. Bishop’s Weed Becomes Impossible To Contain
Bishop’s weed starts as an easy, low-maintenance groundcover, but once it takes hold, it becomes nearly impossible to contain. Spreading rapidly by underground rhizomes, it invades every corner of the garden, crowding out flowers and even creeping into neighboring yards.
Even if you attempt to remove it, the smallest remaining root fragments will sprout new growth, making it a frustrating, never-ending battle.