Perennial Flowers
Find Something You’ll Love Growing
Adding color to a sunny garden? Looking for something that will grow in the shade? Come explore the perennial selection at Thomas Greenhouse & Gardens.
Perennials can return year after year, and there’s plenty to consider beyond flower color. We’ll help you choose plants for your sunlight, soil and available space—and explain what they’ll need once you get them home.
Bring your questions, a photo of your garden or an idea you’d like to try. You don’t need to have it all figured out before you visit.
Why Gardeners Love Perennials
Start with a few favorites and add to them over time. Perennials give you plants to build your garden around, with different flowers to look forward to as the seasons change.
- Returning plants for beds and borders
- Different bloom times for spring, summer and fall
- Sun and shade options for different parts of your yard
- Flowers and foliage to mix together
- Pollinator-friendly choices for bees and butterflies
Perennials for Sun and Shade
Flowers for a Sunny Spot
Coneflowers and daylilies are familiar favorites for sunny gardens. They come in a range of colors and sizes, giving you plenty of ways to work them into a bed or border.
Check the plant tag for flowering time and mature size. Combining varieties that bloom at different times gives you more to enjoy throughout the season.
Something for the Shade
Astilbe brings feathery flowers to partially shaded gardens and does best with consistent soil moisture.
The amount of shade matters, too. Morning sun, filtered light and deep shade suit different plants. Tell us about your spot, including whether it stays damp or dries out.
Flowers for Bees and Butterflies
Want to welcome more visitors to your garden? Ask about native plants and other pollinator-friendly perennials.
Choose plants suited to your growing conditions, with a mix of bloom times to provide flowers across the season.
Where Will You Plant Yours?
You can start a new bed or work a few perennials into the garden you already have.
A photo, approximate measurements and an idea of how much sun the area receives can help us point you toward plants that fit.
- Beds and borders: Combine plants with different heights and flowering times.
- Along walkways: Leave room for mature plants so they won’t crowd the path.
- Around shrubs: Add flowers while allowing space for both plants to grow.
- Shady corners: Choose flowers and foliage that suit the available light.
Caring for Your Perennials
Give new plants attention to watering while their roots establish. Check the soil regularly, especially during hot or dry weather.
Follow the growing requirements on the tag and leave enough room between plants. We can explain any care specific to your selections, including whether they benefit from dividing or removing spent flowers.
Questions About Perennials
Do perennials come back every year?
They can, yes! Perennials live for multiple years, but choosing plants suited to your garden matters. The right sunlight, soil and care help them return successfully. Some naturally live longer than others.
Will they bloom all summer?
Most perennials have their own flowering season. Choose a mix of spring, summer and fall bloomers so you have different flowers to enjoy as the season changes.
How much care do they need?
It depends on the plant. If you’d prefer less dividing, deadheading or other upkeep, tell us when you visit. We can help you compare choices and explain what each will need.
How far apart should I plant perennials?
Use the spacing on the plant tag as your starting point, even if the plants look small now. They need room to reach their mature size without crowding each other. Giving them space now can save you some moving later.
Can I mix perennials with annual flowers?
Absolutely. Perennials give you plants to build around each year, while annuals add seasonal color. They’re also useful for filling gaps while new perennials grow—just leave enough room for those perennials to reach their mature size.