Best Perennials for Full Sun Gardens in New England

Perennial flowers are fabulous additions to New England gardens. As opposed to Annuals, which live only 1 season, perennials come back year after year, some for more than 10 or 15 years – and even a hundred years like peonies! When carefully selected, wave after wave of colorful blooms will be enjoyed in your Northeast garden from spring to fall. Reliable plants, they come back stronger and bigger when winter turns to spring, ready to start another spectacular show.

New England gardens exposed to full sun have a wide range of perennials to choose from, all suited to withstand this region’s diverse climatic conditions. Here are some of the best full sun perennials for New England gardens.

• Echinacea (Coneflower): Known for their large, daisy-like flowers, these hardy perennials thrive in full sun and well-drained soil. They come in various colors and attract butterflies, adding vibrancy to any garden.
• Rudbeckia (Black-eyed Susan): These reliable and bright perennials bloom through summer and into the fall. They tolerate poor soil and drought once established and offer a fantastic nectar source for pollinators.
• Daylilies (Hemerocallis): Highly adaptable and easy to grow, daylilies offer a variety of colors and bloom times. They’re remarkably resistant to pests and diseases, too.
• Sedum (Stonecrop): The succulent leaves of Sedum store water, making these plants highly drought-tolerant. They produce attractive blooms late in the season, providing pollinators with a late nectar source.
• Yarrow (Achillea): These robust plants are known for their flat-topped flower clusters and fern-like foliage. They’re drought-tolerant and thrive in well-drained soils.
• Peonies: These classic garden plants produce large, fragrant flowers in late spring. They’re hardy and long-lived, often outliving the gardener!
• Nepeta (Catmint): Offering a long blooming period from spring to fall, these perennials are drought-tolerant and resistant to deer and rabbits.

Remember to consider soil conditions, as most sun-loving plants also prefer well-drained soil. Regular watering and mulching will help these sun-loving perennials to establish and continue to put on a show year after year.