Perennials

Perennials

Perennials are those reliable plants that return to our gardens year after year. We have a vast collection of perennials for every garden situation; wildlife habitat, boggy meadows, dry rocky areas, shady or sunny exposures, cottage gardens, and native gardens. We strive to carry beautiful, unusual, and hard-to-find plants including a large variety of native plants.

Our knowledgeable staff is ready to help you make choices for different garden situations and exposures as well as plants you’ve had on your wish list for months (maybe even years).

The Pacific Northwest (PNW) is home to diverse climates, ranging from coastal areas to inland valleys and mountainous regions. When selecting perennials for the PNW, it’s important to consider the region’s cool, wet winters, mild summers, and sometimes unpredictable rainfall patterns. Here’s a list of some of the best perennials for the PNW, selected for their ability to thrive in the region’s varied environments:

1. Japanese Anemone (Anemone hupehensis)

• Height: 18–36 inches
• Bloom Time: Late summer to fall
• Features: Large, airy flowers in shades of pink and white, with a delicate, almost whimsical appearance.
• Why it’s great: It thrives in part sun and is tolerant of the PNW’s moist, cool conditions. It blooms late in the season when many other plants are finishing up.

2. Pacific Northwest Bleeding Heart (Dicentra formosa)

• Height: 12–18 inches
• Bloom Time: Late spring to early summer
• Features: Heart-shaped flowers in shades of pink or white, with attractive, fern-like foliage.
• Why it’s great: Native to the region, this perennial does well in shady areas with rich, moist soil. It’s also a low-maintenance option.

3. Lupine (Lupinus spp.)

• Height: 12–36 inches
• Bloom Time: Spring to early summer
• Features: Spikes of brightly colored flowers (purple, blue, pink, white) on tall stems.
• Why it’s great: Lupines are native to the PNW and attract pollinators like bees and butterflies. They thrive in sunny, well-drained soils and are drought-tolerant once established.

4. Salvia (Salvia nemorosa)

• Height: 18–24 inches
• Bloom Time: Early to mid-summer
• Features: Spikes of purple, pink, or white tubular flowers.
• Why it’s great: This perennial is perfect for attracting pollinators and thrives in full sun. It’s drought-tolerant once established and grows well in a range of soil types.

5. Hostas (Hosta spp.)

• Height: 12–30 inches
• Bloom Time: Late spring to summer
• Features: Large, lush foliage in shades of green, blue, and gold; bell-shaped flowers appear in summer.
• Why it’s great: Perfect for shady or woodland gardens, hostas are a go-to for their easy care and versatility. The PNW’s moist climate is ideal for them, and they pair well with ferns and astilbes.

6. Astilbe (Astilbe spp.)

• Height: 12–36 inches
• Bloom Time: Late spring to early summer
• Features: Feathery plumes of pink, red, or white flowers atop fern-like foliage.
• Why it’s great: Astilbes thrive in shady, moist areas, making them perfect for the PNW. They provide a pop of color in areas with lower light, and their attractive foliage lasts all season.

7. Columbine (Aquilegia spp.)

• Height: 12–24 inches
• Bloom Time: Late spring to early summer
• Features: Unique, nodding flowers in a variety of colors, including red, blue, yellow, and white.
• Why it’s great: Columbines are native to the PNW and do well in both sun and partial shade. Their long bloom period and ability to self-seed make them a great addition to a naturalized garden.

8. Coreopsis (Coreopsis verticillata)

• Height: 18–24 inches
• Bloom Time: Late spring to early summer
• Features: Bright yellow flowers with a daisy-like shape.
• Why it’s great: Coreopsis is tolerant of both dry conditions and poorer soils, making it a low-maintenance addition to the PNW garden. It attracts pollinators and adds cheerful color.

9. Sedum (Sedum spp.)

• Height: 6–24 inches
• Bloom Time: Late summer to fall
• Features: Succulent leaves and star-like flowers in colors ranging from pink to yellow to red.
• Why it’s great: Sedum, particularly ‘Autumn Joy,’ thrives in the dry summers of the PNW, and its drought tolerance and low-maintenance nature make it a popular choice for rock gardens and borders.

10. Bergenia (Bergenia cordifolia)

• Height: 12–18 inches
• Bloom Time: Early spring
• Features: Large, glossy leaves and clusters of pink or white flowers in spring.
• Why it’s great: Known as “Elephant’s Ear” for its large, rounded leaves, bergenia is a great choice for shady, moist areas, and it provides early spring interest with its flowers.

11. Panicled Hydrangea (Hydrangea paniculata)

• Height: 6–12 feet (but can be pruned to a smaller size)
• Bloom Time: Summer to fall
• Features: Cone-shaped flower clusters that change color as they age, ranging from white to pink to red.
• Why it’s great: This hydrangea is one of the hardiest and most versatile varieties, thriving in full sun to part shade. It adapts well to the PNW’s varying climates and soil types.

12. Creeping Jenny (Lysimachia nummularia)

• Height: 4–6 inches (ground cover)
• Bloom Time: Late spring to early summer
• Features: Small, yellow flowers and vibrant green or golden foliage.
• Why it’s great: Creeping Jenny is a hardy ground cover, perfect for adding texture to garden beds or as an underplanting in shady spots. It’s especially useful for controlling erosion on slopes.

13. Penstemon (Penstemon spp.)

• Height: 18–36 inches
• Bloom Time: Late spring to early summer
• Features: Tubular flowers in shades of purple, red, or pink, often with contrasting white throats.
• Why it’s great: A native plant of the PNW, penstemons are drought-tolerant once established, thrive in full sun, and attract hummingbirds and bees.

14. Lavender (Lavandula angustifolia)

• Height: 12–24 inches
• Bloom Time: Late spring to summer
• Features: Spiky clusters of fragrant purple or blue flowers.
• Why it’s great: Lavender does well in the PNW’s coastal areas where the climate is cooler and drier. It provides fragrance, attracts pollinators, and offers a long bloom period.

15. Wild Ginger (Asarum caudatum)

• Height: 6–12 inches
• Bloom Time: Early spring
• Features: Glossy, heart-shaped leaves and hidden maroon flowers near the base of the plant.
• Why it’s great: A great ground cover for shady, moist conditions, wild ginger is a native plant that thrives in the PNW’s woodland gardens, providing both texture and understated beauty.

These perennials are well-suited to the PNW’s temperate climate and offer a wide range of colors, textures, and seasonal interest. Whether you’re planting in sun or shade, wet or dry soil, there’s a perennial for every garden in the Pacific Northwest!

*Please contact us to find out more about our current availability

We are a retail garden center servicing our local community & currently not able to ship products