40 Perennials for the Best Summer Garden

CR Staff - March 7, 2023

38. Creeping Thyme

Another excellent ground cover, it’s hard to beat Creeping Thyme’s versatility and delicate beauty. A very hardy perennial, Creeping Thyme spreads similarly to a mint through a trailing, horizontally vining habit. It can cover large areas relatively quickly and is also easy to start from seed over large areas.

It most commonly has abundant purple flowers, which make a beautiful backdrop for any other flowers it surrounds. It can’t tolerate full shade but can fill many other hard to cover areas. If you love the magenta shade, this is the flower for you!

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39. Giant Allium

If you’re looking for a showstopper with surprisingly long-lasting flowers, look no further than the Giant Allium. As the Allium part of its name suggests, it is indeed related to garlic, onion, and other members of the Allium family and its flowers show that relationship.

It emerges early in spring and quickly fills in its growing area with vibrant green leaves reminiscent of tulip greens. The flowers last up to several weeks, depending on weather, and are incredibly eye-catching. In the beginning of summer it rewards gardeners with huge globes covered in small purple flowers at the top of long, thick stems.

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40. Hellebore

Despite numerous common names that reference roses like Lenten Rose, Winter Rose, and Christmas Rose, the Hellebore is not a rose at all and is, in fact, a member of the Ranunculaceae family which does not include roses. Lenten Roses are a truly stunning flower, with incredibly unusual flower shades that include greens, beiges, browns, and other rare hues.

They bloom early in the spring, and some varieties have evergreen foliage. Northern gardeners will have to shelter these plants to overwinter, as they are only hardy to USDA Zone 5. Toxicity note: all parts of Hellebores are toxic, and some gardeners may experience skin reactions.

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