There is such a thing as a low maintenance, easy care perennial plant. It may vary from climate to climate and season to season, but there are many wonderful perennial plants that can be labeled low maintenance. The two basic tricks are: 1) Pick plants suited to your site and 2) allow them time to become established. If you do this, you will have at least a few low maintenance, undemanding plants providing interest and bloom in the perennial border. This is not to say your garden will be no maintenance. Where’s the fun in that? But these 10 plants will allow you time to enjoy gardening.

1. Blazing Star (Liatris spicata)

Blooms: Mid-summer through fall
Colors: Purples or white

There is such a thing as a low maintenance, easy care perennial plant. It may vary from climate to climate and season to season, but there are many wonderful perennial plants that can be labeled low maintenance. The two basic tricks are: 1) Pick plants suited to your site and 2) allow them time to become established. If you do this, you will have at least a few low maintenance, undemanding plants providing interest and bloom in the perennial border. This is not to say your garden will be no maintenance. Where’s the fun in that? But these 10 plants will allow you time to enjoy gardening.

Although native to marshy areas, Liatris is surprisingly drought tolerant and accepting of all types of soil. It is a tireless bloomer and the spiky flowers and grassy foliage add definite textural interest to the garden. To avoid staking, select a compact or low growing variety.

2. Coneflowers (Echinacea purpurea)USDA Zones: 2 – 10

Blooms: Summer
Colors: Purple, white, orange, yellow, pink & red

There was a time not so long ago when coneflowers were Purple Coneflowers. Now this extremely rugged prairie plant can be had in almost any color of the rainbow, including some bold, electric colors. The originals are still the hardiest, but as they keep refining the breeding of the newer varieties, they get better and better. Coneflowers will bloom all summer, with deadheading. Other than deadheading though, coneflowers pretty much take care of themselves.

3. Coral Bells (Heuchera)USDA Zones: 3 – 8

Blooms: Late spring / Early summer, but grown for its foliage.
Colors: White, pink or red

Heuchera got its common name of Coral Bells because the original garden plant had dainty coral bell-shaped flowers. The foliage was nice, but it was the froth of flowers that was the main attraction. These days Coral Bells are more often grown for the colorful and variegated leaves. Heuchera come in shades of purple, butterscotch, mottled green and strips. Most varieties favor partial shade, where their season-long color is always welcome.

4. Foam flower (Tiarella cordifolia)USDA Zones: 3 – 9

Blooms: Late spring / Early summer
Colors: White or pink

Tiarella cordifolia spreads rapidly, but accommodates other plants by going around them. It makes an ideal ground cover, giving four seasons of interest where the leaves are still visible above snow cover. Fuzzy spikes of flowers shoot out above the maple shaped leaves. The velvety leaves remain attractive all season. Foam Flower will take care of itself if planted in a shady or woodland setting.