3 color nail art

21 POWER PERENNIALS: HARDY GARDENING FLOWERS THAT BRING UNSTOPPABLE COLOR EVERY YEAR

When you’re looking for reliable, low-maintenance plants that deliver impressive flower power, these tough-as-nails hardy perennials are your best bet. Each of these resilient plants thrives in challenging conditions, such as drought, poor soil, and harsh winters, returning each year with stunning blooms that brighten your garden.

Baptisia

Once established, Baptisia, commonly known as false indigo, can thrive for decades. In fact, several specimens in the Better Homes & Gardens Test Garden® have reliably bloomed every spring since their planting in the 1950s. This robust, shrub-like perennial produces elegant stalks adorned with blue, white, purple, or yellow flowers, which are followed by distinctive seedpods filled with seeds. Baptisia also boasts attractive blue-green, pea-like foliage that remains visually appealing even when the plants are not in bloom, making it a fantastic addition to any garden.

Daylily

Practically indestructible, daylilies (Hemerocallis) thrive in nearly any sunny spot and are known for their prolific flowering. They are drought-tolerant, insect-resistant, and come in a vast array of colors and bicolors. Daylilies are available as early, mid, and late-season bloomers, so consider planting a mix in your garden for a continuous display of color throughout the season. Alternatively, you can choose repeat-blooming varieties that flower from spring until fall, ensuring your garden remains vibrant and lively.

Hosta

If you appreciate variety, hostas are an excellent choice for your garden. These shade-loving perennials come in hundreds of shapes, sizes, and colors, from giants that can reach up to 4 feet tall to diminutive varieties that only grow about 4 inches high. Known for their stunning foliage, hostas also produce beautiful flower spikes in shades of blue, white, or lavender during the summer, with flowering times varying by variety. These hardy plants are easy to care for and can be dug up and divided whenever you want to expand your collection or share with friends.

Garden Phlox

Every flower border should feature a generous helping of garden phlox. These timeless perennials produce large, fragrant flower heads that bloom from midsummer to fall, providing vibrant color and delightful scents to your garden. Available in a range of hues including pink, red, purple, white, and bicolor options, some varieties also boast variegated foliage for added visual interest. If you live in a humid climate, consider selecting mildew-resistant types to ensure your garden remains healthy. Garden phlox pairs beautifully with roses, coneflowers, and lilies, making it an excellent companion plant that enhances the overall beauty of your floral arrangements.

Hellebore

Just when it feels like winter will never end, hellebores bring a much-needed burst of color to the landscape. Often referred to as Lenten or Christmas roses due to their early blooming season, these hardy perennials thrive in shady areas, where their nodding flowers in shades of pink, white, rose, green, purple, yellow, spotted, or bicolored varieties brighten up dark corners of your garden. Hellebores make excellent companions for spring-flowering bulbs like Narcissus and Squill, enhancing the beauty of your early garden. Additionally, they are resistant to deer and rabbits, making them a reliable choice for a thriving garden.

Barrenwort

One of the best shade perennials, barrenwort (Epimedium spp.) is a true garden workhorse. This hardy groundcover provides not only colorful foliage but also lovely flowers. Its high drought resistance makes it an excellent choice for shady areas with dry soil. Depending on the variety and your region, Epimedium may even remain evergreen through the winter. This perennial spreads slowly, gradually carpeting your garden with vibrant color and texture, making it a fantastic addition to any shaded landscape.

Oriental Lily

Enhance your flower borders with the vibrant color and delightful fragrance of Oriental lilies (Lilium spp.). These stunning plants produce clusters of richly scented flowers from mid to late summer, showcasing a beautiful palette that includes pink, rose, white, pale orange, and cream. Many varieties are also adorned with speckles and stripes, adding further visual interest to your garden.

Oriental lilies are easy to grow from bulbs planted in either spring or fall. Keep in mind that some taller varieties may need support in windy locations, so it’s a good idea to set stakes in the ground while the plants are still young. Their exquisite blooms make excellent cut flowers, but be sure to remove the stamens before bringing them indoors to prevent any staining on your clothes. To maintain the health and vigor of your plants, remember to dig and divide the bulbs every few years in the fall.

Sedum

If you’re in search of a low-maintenance perennial, make sure to add sedums to your shopping list! These resilient plants come in a wide range of shapes, sizes, and colors, thriving in tough conditions without succumbing to heat, drought, winter cold, or pests. One popular variety is Dragon’s Blood sedum, known for its attractive red-and-green foliage and fast-growing creeping habit, making it an ideal groundcover for slopes. While sedums thrive in sunny spots, they can also tolerate part-sun conditions, making them versatile additions to any garden.

Russian Sage

Brighten up your late summer and fall garden with the stunning Russian sage (Perovskia atriplicifolia). This resilient perennial, native to central Asia, thrives in hot, dry conditions, making it a great choice for low-maintenance gardens. Its striking bluish-purple flowers bloom from mid to late summer, maintaining their vibrant color for weeks. Complemented by its aromatic, silvery foliage, Russian sage adds both beauty and texture to your landscape. While the plant can grow as tall as 8 feet, dwarf varieties are available, reaching a more compact height of about 3 feet, perfect for smaller spaces.

Peony

Make a lasting investment in your garden with peonies (Paeonia). These stunning sun-loving perennials bloom reliably for decades, becoming larger and more vibrant with each passing year. Available in a wide range of colors and flower forms—including singles, doubles, and semi-doubles—peonies are sure to add beauty to any landscape. Their delightful fragrance makes them an excellent choice for fresh-cut bouquets, filling your home with their lovely scent. While blooming times can vary slightly by variety, most peonies flower in May and June. Even after their blossoms fade, their finely cut foliage continues to provide visual interest in the flower border throughout the growing season.

Bee Balm

Looking to add some floral fireworks to your garden? Consider planting bee balm (Monarda spp.). This native perennial offers stunning bursts of flowers in both cool and warm tones during the summer and fall, creating a vibrant display that delights pollinators. Additionally, bee balm is often overlooked by rabbits and deer, making it a resilient choice for your landscape. It can also withstand some drought conditions, ensuring that it remains a striking feature in your garden even during drier spells.

Blazing Star

Thriving in the wilds of the American prairies, blazing star (Liatris spp.) is a fantastic choice for hot, sunny gardens. These resilient plants are well-suited to withstand heat and drought, and they come in beautiful pink, purple, or white flowering varieties. Blazing star produces a clump of narrow leaves, which are topped in mid to late summer by tall, 2-foot spikes of vibrant blooms. This eye-catching perennial is not only a stunning addition to your garden but also a favorite among butterflies, bees, and other pollinators, making it a great choice for attracting wildlife to your outdoor space.

Asiatic Lily

Asiatics are the hardiest of all lilies and are nearly foolproof for gardeners. These resilient plants grow quickly from bulbs planted in the fall or early spring, producing stunning, upward-facing flowers in a wide array of colors and bicolors. While bloom times can vary by variety, most display their most impressive flower show in early to midsummer. Asiatic lilies multiply rapidly, allowing you to dig and divide them every few years to spread their beauty to other sunny areas in your garden. Some varieties even have a light fragrance, adding to their charm.

Coreopsis

Coreopsis thrives in hot, dry weather, making it a fantastic perennial for summer gardens. As a native American plant, it’s known for its reliability and prolific blooms. These cheerful flowers come in various colors, including yellow, orange, pink, white, red, and bicolored varieties, and they sway gracefully on slender stems with each breeze. Coreopsis is also resistant to most insects and diseases, making it low-maintenance. The foliage can differ between species, featuring either fine, threadlike leaves or broader ones. To encourage even more flowering, be sure to remove faded blooms promptly.

Catmint

When catmint (Nepeta spp.) is in bloom during spring and summer, it truly shines as the star of the garden. The entire plant becomes adorned with tall wands of vibrant blue flowers that are resilient to heat and drought. After the initial bloom, you can simply shear the plant back by a third of its height, and it will reward you with another wave of flowers in late summer and early fall. Taller varieties, reaching up to 3 feet high, make fantastic companions for roses, peonies, or ornamental grasses, creating a beautiful layered effect in your garden. For shorter catmints that grow around 12 inches tall, position them at the front edge of your garden beds for a charming border.

Culver’s Root

Infuse your fall garden with a burst of color by planting Japanese anemones (Anemone spp.). These delightful flowers bloom from mid to late summer and maintain their vibrant display into early autumn. Featuring single, pure pink blossoms that rise gracefully on wiry, 2-foot-tall stems, they stand out beautifully against the backdrop of dark green foliage. While Japanese anemones may be slow to establish initially, they will eventually form dense clumps over time and can naturalize in an area, adding a lovely, cheerful presence to your garden landscape.

Coneflower

Native to the American prairie, coneflowers (Echinacea) are among the most popular and widely hybridized perennials in the country. In addition to single-flowering varieties, you can also find double and even triple-petal-packed options (though it’s important to note that flowers with heavy petal counts are not as beneficial for pollinators). The color palette for coneflowers ranges from the classic purplish-pink to vibrant shades of white, orange, yellow, and red. They bloom from early summer through fall, attracting a variety of birds and butterflies, making them a delightful addition to any garden.

Moss Phlox

The jewel-like flowers of moss phlox (Phlox subulata) burst into bloom early in spring, often gracing your garden alongside daffodils and tulips. This hardy perennial groundcover is a perfect choice for rock gardens or sloped areas, providing a vibrant carpet of color. Available in shades of violet, pink, white, blue, and delightful bicolor options, moss phlox adds charm and beauty to any landscape. Additionally, these resilient plants are deer resistant, making them a great option for gardens where wildlife may be a concern.

Japanese Anemone

Infuse your fall garden with a burst of color by planting Japanese anemones (Anemone spp.). These delightful flowers bloom from mid to late summer and maintain their vibrant display into early autumn. Featuring single, pure pink blossoms that rise gracefully on wiry, 2-foot-tall stems, they stand out beautifully against the backdrop of dark green foliage. While Japanese anemones may be slow to establish initially, they will eventually form dense clumps over time and can naturalize in an area, adding a lovely, cheerful presence to your garden landscape.

Cranesbill

Known for the shape of its seeds, cranesbill, or perennial geranium, is a delightful addition to any garden. This hardy perennial produces an abundance of white, pink, blue, or light purple flowers on slender, arching stems from late spring through fall. Most varieties feature beautifully mottled or veined leaves that contribute to the visual interest even when the plants aren’t in bloom, especially in the fall when the foliage takes on stunning red hues. These low-growing plants spread to create a lush carpet of color, making them ideal for filling in garden beds or ground cover.

Coral Bells

Thanks to the creativity of plant breeders, coral bells (Heuchera spp.) now showcase a stunning array of varieties. These hardy perennials feature mounding foliage that comes in vibrant colors such as purple, orange, chartreuse, and silver, often adorned with unique patterns. In addition to their eye-catching leaves, some varieties also produce attractive flowers that draw in pollinators, enhancing the ecological value of your garden. Coral bells are quite versatile, as they can tolerate some drought conditions and many types thrive in shady spots, making them a fantastic choice for various garden settings.

CONCLUSION

In conclusion, selecting the right perennials can transform your garden into a colorful and thriving ecosystem. From the cheerful blooms of Japanese anemones and the dazzling hues of coral bells to the pollinator-friendly displays of bee balm, these hardy plants offer both beauty and resilience. By incorporating a variety of species that thrive in your specific conditions—whether it’s sun, shade, or drought—you can create a dynamic landscape that not only enhances your outdoor space but also supports local wildlife. With thoughtful planning and care, your garden can provide vibrant floral displays throughout the seasons, ensuring enjoyment for years to come.

PUMPKIN STRING ART

This pumpkin string art is absolutely gorgeous! It’s a fun, relaxing craft that’s perfect for fall, Halloween, Thanksgiving, or any autumn decor. Just use our free printable template to create these stunning string art pieces! They’re easy to make and look fantastic displayed on the mantel.

DIY PUMPKIN STRING ART

Create your own pumpkin string art using our FREE printable template! It’s a fun and easy fall craft that looks fantastic on display.

Materials:

  • Free Printable Pumpkin String Art Template
  • 3/4-inch thick stained wood (approx. 10 x 10 inches)
  • Common nails (3/4 to 1 inch long)
  • 3 skeins of pumpkin orange embroidery thread
  • 1 skein of brown embroidery thread
  • 2 skeins of dark orange embroidery thread

Equipment:

  • Scissors
  • Tape
  • Hammer

Instructions

Step 1: Gather Your SuppliesCollect all the materials and tools you’ll need for your pumpkin string art project.

Step 2: Attach the Template to the Wood
Print the free pumpkin string art template, then cut around the shape, leaving a small border outside the outline.

Secure the pumpkin template to the center of your wood board with tape to hold it in place. You can use plain wood or, for added effect, stain the wood beforehand as we did.

Step 3: Add Nails and Remove the Template
Hammer nails along the outline of the pumpkin, leaving each nail sticking out about 1/2 inch above the wood. If using the template, place nails at the marked spots; otherwise, space them about 1/2 to 3/4 inch apart for an even look. Once done, carefully remove the paper template.

Continue placing nails around the outer edge of the pumpkin shape and along the inner lines to define the details. Once finished, check that the nails are straight and evenly spaced, making any final adjustments as needed.

Tear away the pumpkin template from the board, removing as much of the paper as you can. For any small bits left behind, use tweezers to carefully pull them out.

Step 4: Attach the String to the Nails
Begin by tying the pumpkin orange embroidery floss to one of the nails with a double knot, leaving a 1 to 2-inch tail of string at the end.

Begin weaving the string up one section of the pumpkin, going from nail to nail in a zig zag pattern.

As you reach the top of the pumpkin, retrace your steps by coming back down the same section in the opposite direction.

Repeat the process by overlapping the same section with the thread 2 to 3 more times, weaving back and forth at different angles. Once you’ve filled that section, move on to the next one and continue the same technique.

When you run out of thread, tie off the last thread and start a new one.

Continue working section by section until the entire pumpkin is filled. Adjust the string as needed, pushing it down onto the nails to ensure a neat and even appearance.

Tie the brown embroidery thread onto the stem.

Weave the string back and forth across the stem, wrapping it around the nails several times. Once you’re satisfied with the appearance of the stem, cut the string and tie it off securely.

Step 5: Create an Outside Border
Use the darker orange thread to form a border around the pumpkin. Begin by tying the string onto one of the outside nails securely.

As you work along the outside of the pumpkin, wrap the string around each nail to create a straight line along the inside of the nails. We recommend going counterclockwise around the pumpkin. Bring the thread from nail to nail, making a clockwise loop around each one to secure the string in place.

After completing the first round, reverse direction and create a border around the outside of the same nails. Move back around the pumpkin in a clockwise direction, continuing to wrap the thread clockwise around each nail.

Next, add a third layer to the border by filling in the center. Go between the same nails in the opposite direction each time, creating a zigzag pattern that connects the nails and adds depth to the border.

Finally, go back in the opposite direction one last time, zigzagging in the opposite direction.

Once you’ve finished the outside border, cut and tie off the string.

Step 6: Add Borders and Trim Excess String

Create a similar border on the pumpkin stem using the brown thread. Repeat the process of wrapping around each side of the nails and zigzagging between them in both directions. Once you’re satisfied with the look, cut the string and tie it off securely.

Tie on a new piece of darker orange thread at the bottom left and create a border around each inside section of nails. Move on to the next row by wrapping the thread across the bottom nails, continuing the border pattern.

Finish creating borders around the next two ribs of the pumpkin. Tie and cut off the thread when complete.

Trim the excess string, close to the knots you’ve tied.

Your string art pumpkin is complete!

Helpful Tips:

  • Stain or paint the wood before adding the nails for a polished finish.
  • If you’re concerned about hitting your fingers, or if you need to place a nail in a tight spot, use pliers to hold the nail in place while hammering.
  • Hammer the nails on the ground or another stable surface, as your table may shake and move while you work.
  • Choose wood that’s at least 1/2 inch thick, or ideally the same thickness as the nails’ length, to prevent the nails from protruding through the back of the board.