Mother’s Day is coming up, and what better way than to show the moms in your life your love and appreciation than with a gift that blooms year after year? This year, skip the traditional cut flower bouquet and surprise her with unique perennial plants that will bring joy to her garden for seasons to come. We’ve curated a list of distinctive perennials that are perfect for Mom’s garden:
Coral Bells (Heuchera spp.)
Known for their stunning foliage in shades of bronze, purple, and lime green, coral bells add elegance to any garden bed. These hardy perennials thrive in partial shade and are low-maintenance, making them an excellent choice for busy moms.
In addition to their ornamental foliage, coral bells also produce delicate spikes of flowers in late spring to early summer. These blooms attract pollinators like hummingbirds and butterflies, adding life and movement to the garden. Some varieties of coral bells are even semi-evergreen, providing year-round interest with their foliage.
Bleeding Heart (Dicentra spp.)
With its heart-shaped flowers dangling delicately from arching stems, the bleeding heart is a charming addition to shady gardens. Choose from classic pink varieties or unique white and red cultivars for a touch of whimsy.
Bleeding hearts are relatively low-maintenance plants, requiring well-drained soil and regular moisture, especially during dry spells. They can be paired with other shade-loving perennials such as hostas, ferns, and astilbes to create a lush and captivating garden display.
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Japanese Painted Fern (Athyrium niponicum)
Treat Mom to the striking beauty of Japanese painted ferns. Their silver and burgundy fronds bring texture and color to shady spots, and they pair wonderfully with hostas and astilbes.
These ferns thrive in moist, well-drained soil and are perfect for planting under trees, along woodland paths, or in shady borders where they can showcase their beauty. Japanese painted ferns also make excellent companions to other shade perennials like coral bells, foamflowers (Tiarella), and lungworts (Pulmonaria).
Lavender (Lavandula spp.)
Delight Mom with the enchanting fragrance and beauty of lavender (Lavandula spp.) this Mother’s Day. This beloved perennial herb is renowned for its calming scent and versatile uses in the garden and home. Lavender thrives in sunny locations, making it ideal for creating a serene and aromatic corner in Mom’s garden retreat.
Lavender offers a delightful sensory experience with its fragrant, silvery-green foliage and abundant spikes of lavender, purple, or white flowers that appear in mid to late summer. The flowers not only add visual charm but also attract pollinators like bees and butterflies, contributing to a lively and biodiverse garden ecosystem.
Sedum ‘Autumn Joy’
For a plant that keeps on giving, consider sedum ‘Autumn Joy’. This drought-tolerant perennial bursts into bloom with clusters of pink flowers in late summer, attracting butterflies and bees to Mom’s garden.
This versatile plant also offers year-round interest, as its dried flower heads persist through winter, adding texture and visual appeal to the winter garden landscape. In addition, sedum ‘Autumn Joy’ can be easily propagated by division, allowing Mom to share its beauty with friends and family.
Russian Sage (Perovskia atriplicifolia)
Add a touch of elegance with Russian sage. Its aromatic, silver-gray foliage and spiky blue flowers create a lovely contrast in sunny borders, and it’s a favorite of pollinators including bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds, making Russian sage a favorite among wildlife enthusiasts.
Astilbe
Known for their exquisite feathery plumes of flowers in an array of captivating colors including shades of pink, red, white, and lavender, astilbes (Astilbe spp.) are a standout choice for adding elegance and grace to Mom’s garden. These charming perennials thrive in moist, shady conditions, making them perfect for woodland gardens, shade borders, or alongside water features where other plants may struggle.
Astilbes pair beautifully with other shade-loving plants such as hostas, ferns, heucheras, and Japanese painted ferns, creating lush and harmonious plant combinations. Their soft, airy blooms also provide a lovely contrast to bold foliage plants, adding interest and balance to Mom’s garden design.
Toad Lilies (Tricyrtis spp.)
Toad lilies are charming perennials that bloom in late summer to early fall, offering unique orchid-like flowers with speckled petals. These shade-loving plants thrive in moist, well-drained soil and bring a touch of exotic beauty to woodland gardens.
In addition to their ornamental value, toad lilies are relatively low-maintenance once established. They require regular watering to keep the soil consistently moist, especially during hot periods, but they can tolerate slightly drier conditions once mature.
Foamflower (Tiarella spp.)
Foamflowers are low-growing perennials that produce delicate spikes of white or pink flowers above attractive, deeply lobed foliage. They thrive in partial to full shade and are excellent ground covers for shady areas.
Their compact growth habit and attractive foliage make them perfect for edging pathways, filling in gaps between larger plants, or creating a soft border along garden beds.
Bergenia
Bergenias, commonly known as elephant’s ears, are robust and versatile perennials that make a bold statement in garden beds throughout the year. These hardy plants are prized for their large, leathery leaves and clusters of charming pink or white flowers that emerge in early spring, heralding the arrival of the growing season with vibrant color.
Globeflower (Trollius spp.)
Globeflowers (Trollius spp.) are striking perennials that command attention with their unique globe-shaped flowers in vibrant shades of bright yellow or orange. These eye-catching blooms sit atop sturdy stems, creating a cheerful and captivating display in the garden.
Visit Applewood Nursery & Landscape Supply this week to explore these unique perennials and find the perfect gift for Mom. Our gardening experts are here to assist you in selecting the ideal plants and offering care tips to ensure they thrive in her garden. Make this Mother’s Day memorable with a gift that keeps on blooming!
Visit Applewood Nursery & Landscape Supply, Your One-Stop Landscape Stop!