June is National Perennial Gardening Month—a time to celebrate the beauty, resilience, and long-term benefits of perennials in our gardens. For Midwest gardeners, perennials aren’t just a smart choice—they’re the backbone of a thriving, low-maintenance landscape.
If you’re looking to create a garden that comes back stronger year after year, attracts pollinators, and weathers Midwest seasons with grace, perennials are your go-to.
What Are Perennials?
Perennials are plants that live for more than two years, returning each growing season from their root systems. Unlike annuals, which complete their lifecycle in one season, or biennials, which bloom in the second year, perennials keep showing up—often bigger and better each time.
Popular Midwest perennials include:
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Coneflower (Echinacea)
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Black-eyed Susan (Rudbeckia)
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Daylilies
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Hostas
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Peonies
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Russian Sage
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Bee Balm
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Coral Bells (Heuchera)
Why Perennials Are Perfect for the Midwest
Midwestern gardens face hot summers, cold winters, and everything in between. Luckily, perennials are well-suited to these conditions—and offer benefits far beyond their good looks.
1. Low Maintenance, High Reward
Once established, perennials require less water, less fertilizer, and less effort than annuals. You can plant them once and enjoy them for years with only seasonal cleanup and occasional dividing.
2. Cost-Effective
Perennials are an investment that pays off over time. While they may cost more upfront than annuals, they save money by returning year after year.
3. Resilient to Midwest Weather
Many perennials are hardy to USDA Zones 4–6, meaning they can survive harsh winters and bounce back beautifully each spring.
4. Support Pollinators
Native perennials in particular are essential for bees, butterflies, and other beneficial insects. They provide food and shelter that local wildlife depends on.
5. Add Structure and Seasonal Interest
With a wide range of textures, colors, and bloom times, perennials provide year-round appeal—from spring’s early risers to fall’s late bloomers and striking seed heads in winter.
Designing Your Perennial Garden
A few tips to make the most of your perennial space:
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Mix Bloom Times: Combine early, mid-, and late-season bloomers for a garden that’s always in color.
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Know Your Soil and Sun: Match plants to your site conditions—some love full sun, others thrive in shady spots.
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Leave Room to Grow: Perennials often spread over time. Give them space to mature, or plan to divide them every few years.
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Add Mulch: Mulching helps retain moisture, suppress weeds, and protect roots through winter.
Celebrate with Us!
This National Perennial Gardening Month, take a walk through your garden—or ours—and imagine the beauty you could build for seasons to come. Whether you’re just starting or looking to expand an established bed, perennials are a sustainable, beautiful way to garden smarter in the Midwest.
Visit Goers Greenhouse to explore top-performing perennials for our region, get advice on native planting, and create a space that will grow and glow for years.
Plant once, enjoy forever.