11 Herbaceous perennials to add to your garden - TN Nursery

11 Herbaceous Perennials for your Garden

February 15, 2023

Why plant herbaceous perennials?

Herbaceous perennials are valued and praised by gardeners for their resilience. Few gardens are without at least one perennial plant. Many are easy to grow and can reward you for years (or decades) to come.

There are many benefits to planting herbaceous perennials; here are a few:

They attract pollinators and beneficial insects
Herbaceous perennials will return yearly
Many of them can self-seed or be divided, giving you more plants
They are a cost-effective way to make a gorgeous space with less maintenance

What is a perennial?

A perennial is a plant that lives for three or more years and continues to grow after reproduction. Simply put, perennials will return yearly; some can even live hundreds of years.

There are two types of perennials: woody and herbaceous.

Woody perennials are just how they sound– woody! Their stems have more texture than herbaceous perennials and do not die back in winter.

Herbaceous perennials have frost-tender stems that die in winter and then regrow in spring and summer. This cycle repeats yearly for as long as the plant lives.

What is an annual?

An annual is a plant that grows vegetation, flowers, and seeds and dies off in a single year. Annuals may spread enough seed to return the following year, but it’s not always guaranteed.

What is a biennial?

A biennial is a plant that grows vegetation the first year, and in the second year, it flowers and seeds, then dies off. Some common biennials are carrots, foxgloves, and hollyhocks.

How are herbaceous perennials different from woody perennials?

Herbaceous perennials have vegetation that dies while the roots remain alive. Herbaceous perennial plants will regrow their vegetation the following year.

Woody perennials have stems that do not die in winter. Instead, their stems grow a little more each year. Technically, shrubs fall into this category (even though we don’t categorize them as perennials).

Why do I need to know what zone I live in?

It's important to know what zone you live in so you can make the best decision when buying plants. If you end up buying perennial plants in other zones but not yours, it can be unpleasant to discover that they didn't regrow the following year.

Knowing your zone helps you make the right plant purchasing choices. This saves you from having to re-purchase or replace plants. Knowing your zone means that your time and money will be well spent!

Where can I find herbaceous perennials?

Most nurseries have herbaceous perennial plants for sale, but they can be tricky to track down. Because most nurseries profit from selling annuals, few offer many options.

Here at Tennessee Nursery, we specialize in growing and selling native perennials. In fact, 94% of our stock is native plants!

Growing native plants increases food supplies for butterflies and other pollinators. Additionally, it encourages the presence of beneficial insects, resulting in a more balanced ecosystem.

List of herbaceous perennials:

Ajuga Reptans

Ajuga reptans is an herbaceous perennial that tolerates a wide range of soils. It makes an excellent ground cover and looks great in containers.

Zones: 3 to 9
Sun exposure: Full sun
Mature height: up to 8 inches
Water: Average
Best for front of borders, containers, and as a groundcover

Check out the Ajuga Reptans product here

Bellflower plant

The bellflower plant is an uncommon herbaceous perennial that is not often found in typical gardens. However, its tiny ribbon-like petals make it look phenomenal in woodland and alpine gardens.

Zones: 4 to 9
Sun exposure: Part sun to part shade
Mature height: up to 2 feet
Water: Average
Best for alpine gardens, woodland gardens, front of borders, and containers

Check out the Bellflower Plant product page here

Blazing Star

Blazing star is one of those show-stopping plants that neighbors and friends can't help but ask, "Where did you get that?" It is a tall grower and does best in large gardens or in the back of a border where it can stand out.

Zones: 3 to 9
Sun exposure: Full sun
Mature height: 3 to 6 feet
Water: Average
Best for the back of borders, pollinator gardens, and cottage gardens

Check out the Blazing Star product page here

Blue Vervain

Blue vervain is a herbaceous perennial that pollinators are immediately drawn to. Its spires of purple flowers look good in meadows and cottage gardens alike.

Zones: 3 to 9
Sun exposure: Part sun to part shade
Mature height: 2 to 6 feet
Water: Average
Best for the back of borders, backgrounds, and pollinator gardens

Check out the Blue Vervain product page here

Foam Flower

This plant can grow in many soil types with plenty of shade. Foam flowers have fuzzy-looking flowers that stand in spikes above their foliage.

Zones: 3 to 8
Sun exposure: Full shade
Mature height: up to 2 feet
Water: Average
Best for the middle of borders, woodland gardens, and shaded gardens

Check out the Foam Flower product page here

Geranium

The herbaceous perennial geraniums are native to North America and grow easily in most zones. Their delicate flowers bloom in a bright purple color. Additionally, they have eye-catching foliage. What could be better?

Zones: 3 to 8
Sun exposure: Full sun
Mature height: up to 2 feet
Water: Average, tolerates poor soils
Best for woodland gardens, borders, and containers

Check out the Geranium product page here

Goat’s Beard

Goat's beard is an herbaceous perennial with fronds of creamy white flowers. When in bloom, it has an almost unearthly appearance. Beneficial insects love this plant.

Zones: 3 to 7
Sun exposure: Part sun to part shade
Mature height: up to 3 feet
Water: Average to moist
Best for the middle of borders, backgrounds, and pollinator gardens

Check out the Goat's Beard product page here

Goldenseal

Goldenseal is named for its appearance like a wax seal. It is a low grower and makes an excellent addition to any woodland garden.

Zones: 3 to 7
Sun exposure: Part sun to part shade
Mature height: up to 12 inches
Water: Average to moist
Best for borders and woodland gardens

Check out the Goldenseal product page here

Jacob’s ladder

Jacob's ladder is an easy-to-grow, low-maintenance plant. The flowers of this herbaceous perennial sway in the breeze, perched atop their tall stems. Jacobs ladder has a spreading habit and will fill in its area nicely.

Zones: 3 to 8
Sun exposure: Full shade
Mature height: up to 3 feet
Water: Average to moist
Best for woodland gardens and alpine gardens

Check out the Jacob's Ladder product page here

Jewelweed

The iconic jewelweed is a staple of many people's childhoods. The seed pods explode when gently squeezed. Having an entertaining and beautiful plant could make any gardener happy!

Zones: 3 to 11
Sun exposure: Full sun
Mature height: 3 to 5 feet
Water: Average to moist
Best for pollinator gardens, woodland edges, and natural borders

Check out the Jewelweed product page here

Yellow Trillium

Yellow trillium is a herbaceous perennial that belongs in a Vincent Van Gough painting. Its patterned leaves and mellow hues add serenity to any garden. aside from its good looks, it is easy to grow and take care of.

Zones: 4 to 9
Sun exposure: Part sun to part shade
Mature height: 8 to 14 inches
Water: Average
Best for use as a groundcover, front of borders, woodland gardens, and alpine gardens

Check out the Yellow Trillium product page here

Cost-effective Herbaceous Perennials and Herbaceous Perennial Groundcovers make gardening easy and enjoyable. There are many options, and it's easy to find plants that suit your needs.