Perennials are plants that live year after year. Most garden flowers are perennials. This means the tops of the plants – the leaves, stems, and flowers – die back to the ground each fall with the first frost or freeze. The roots persist through the winter and every spring, new plant tops arise.

It is best to select plants with a purpose in mind, such as edging plants, accents for evergreens, masses of color, rock garden specimens, etc. With specific purposes in mind, you can choose perennials by considering their characteristics and deciding which plants best meet your requirements. With careful planning, a perennial flowerbed will change colors, as one type of plant finishes and another variety begins to bloom. By combining perennials with annuals, a continuous colorful show can be provided in your garden.

The University of Illinois Extension has created a Web site titled "Gardening with Perennials" that includes a comprehensive directory of perennials and guides for specific uses and planting locations. But the best way to make wise choices is to check with the garden professionals at Reds. We'll help you select the best perennials for your purpose and design, resulting in a garden that is both aesthetic and functional.

Achillea – Yarrow

Agastache – Hyssop

Alcea – Hollyhock

Alchemilla – Lady's Mantle

Allium – Ornamental Onion

Amsonia – Blue Star

Anemone – Anemone

Aquilegia – Columbine

Arisaema – Wormwood

Aruncus – Goats Beard

Asclepias – Butterfly Weed

Asparagus – Asparagus

Aster – Aster

Astilbe – Astilbe

Baptisia – Blue Wild Indigo

Bergenia – Pig Squeak

Brunnera – Siberian Bugloss

Campanula – Bellflower

Centaurea – Bachelor Button

Chelone – Turtlehead

Cimicifuga – Bugbane/Snakeroot

Clematis – Clematis

Convallaria – Lily of the Valley

Coreopsis – Tickseed

Delosperma – Ice Plant

Delphinium – Larkspur

Dianthus – Carnation

Dicentra – Bleeding Heart

Digitalis – Foxglove

Echinacea – Coneflower

Echinops – Globe Thistle

Echium – Bitterroot

Epimedium – Barren Wort

Eryngium – Sea Holly

Eupatorium – Pye Weed

Euphorbia – Cushion Spurge

Fallopia – Fleece Flower

Fern – Fern

Gaillardia – Blanketflower

Galium – Sweet Woodruff

Gaura – Gaura

Geranium – Cranesbill

Helenium – Sneezeweed

Heliopsis – Sunflower

Helleborus – Lenten Rose

Hemerocallis – Daylily

Heuchera – Coral Bells

Heucherella – Foamy Bells

Hibiscus – Mallow

Hosta – Hosta

Houttuynnia – Houttuynnia

Iberis – Candytuft

Iris – Iris

Itoh – Hybrid Tree Peony

Lamium – Dead Nettle

Lavendula – Lavender

Leucanthemum – Shasta Daisy

Liatris – Blazing Star

Ligularia – Leopard Plant

Lilium – Asiatic Lily

Liriope – Lilyturf

Lobelia – Cardinal Flower

Lupinus – Lupine

Lysmachia – Loosestrife

Malva – Rose Mallow

Mertensis – Virginia Bluebells

Monarda – Bee Balm

Myosotis – Forget-Me-Nots

Nepeta – Catmint

Oenothera – Sundrops

Paeonia – Peony

Papaver – Poppy

Penstemon – Beardtongue

Perovskia – Russian Sage

Persicaria – Snakeweed, Fleece Flower

Phlox – Phlox

Physotegia – Obedient Plant

Platycodon – Balloonflower

Polemonium – Jacob's Ladder

Polygonatum – Solomons Seal

Pulmonaria – Lungwort

Ratibida – Mexican Hat Plant

Rudbeckia – Blackeye Susan

Salvia – Meadow Sage

Scabiosa – Pin Cushion

Sedum – Sedum

Sempervivum – Hens and Chicks

Sisyrinchium – Blue Eye Grass

Solidago – Goldenrod

Stachys – Lambs Ear

Thymus – Thyme

Tiarella – Foam Flower

Tradescantia – Spiderwort

Veronica – Speedwell

Viola