Plant peonies (Paeonia spp.) for a lasting floral legacy. They thrive for decades, with some still blooming since the 1950s at Better Homes and Gardens Test Garden®.
Also known as lilyturf (Liriope spp.), this groundcover thrives with narrow, grasslike foliage. It's excellent for erosion control and can be found in old Southern gardens.
Rugged daylilies (Hemerocallis spp.) bloom reliably in various colors and forms, even in tough conditions like highways and hillsides. Divide them every few years for continued flowering.
Hostas (Hosta spp.) brighten shady areas with diverse leaf shapes and textures. They're deer-resistant but attract snails and slugs.
Bearded, Siberian, and African irises persist with minimal care and occasional division. They bloom reliably in a range of colors and environments.
Despite delicate blooms, Oriental poppies (Papaver orientale) are hardy perennials thriving in tough conditions. They go dormant in summer and reappear in fall.
Also called false indigo (Baptisia australis), this drought-resistant native plant offers spikes of pea-like flowers and blue-green foliage. Slow-growing but long-lasting.
Drought-tolerant sedums (Sedum spp.) are foolproof groundcovers that return each year, adding color to rock gardens and tough environments.