13 Full-Sun Spring Perennials to Plant for a Gorgeous Flower Garden

Arabis

This alpine perennial is at home in rock gardens and nooks and crannies where its spreading carpet of foliage trails and softens edges. It's perfect for the novice gardener. "Arabis would be a great addition to the garden as it is a low-maintenance, drought-tolerant plant that produces beautiful, delicate flowers," says Jim Putnam, founder and host of HortTube and Southern Living Plant Collection expert.

Zones: 4 to 8
Mature size: 8 to 10 inches tall x 20 inches wide
Soil requirements: Well-draining soil

Delphinium

Delphinium grows best in full sun with shelter from strong winds. While they bloom in the spring, these flowers do not thrive in hot, dry areas. If these blooms can tolerate your zone, their gorgeous electric blue color will add an unexpected pop to your garden. Just be careful if you have pets or small children, as these plants are toxic when ingested to both humans and animals.

Zones: 3 to 7
Mature size: 5 to 6 feet tall x 2 feet wide
Soil requirements: Well-draining soil rich in organic matter

Rudbeckia

Also known as black-eyed Susans, these yellow flowers have a black center. The perennial thrives in the sun and adds a splash of color to your spring garden. "Apart from us humans, it is also attractive to pollinators and can help support a healthy ecosystem in your garden," says Putnam.

Zones: 3 to 9
Mature size: 1 to 3 feet tall x 2 feet wide
Soil requirements: Well-draining soils

Peonies

This classic and showy plant instantly adds charm and nostalgia to a garden. Its fast growth, lush foliage, and fragrant blooms make peonies a must-add to cutting gardens, as specimens or even planted en masse. Stake as needed to prevent the variety from toppling over. Be sure to appreciate them while you can—their display is enchanting, but fleeting.

Zones: 3 to 8
Mature size: 3 to 4 feet tall x 3 to 5 feet wide
Soil requirements: Well-draining soil

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Scabiosa

Blooming in colors from light lilac to indigo, these delicate and elegant flowers are a must for any cut flower or cottage garden."Scabiosa plants are a great addition to any style garden due to their beautiful and unique flowers that attract essential pollinators such as bees and butterflies," says Putnam.

Zones: 3 to 7
Mature size: 12 to 18 inches tall x 15 inches wide
Soil Requirements: Well-draining, nutrient-rich soil

Candytuft

With showy white or pink blooms, this drought-tolerant, ground-hugging perennial definitely brightens the garden with masses of flowers. On top of being a smart addition to moon gardens (which spotlight white flowers and silver foliage) and low-water rock gardens, it's also the ideal add to encourage pollinating visitors: The small blooms attract multitudes of bees and butterflies.

Zones: 3 to 9
Mature size: 6 to 8 inches tall x 12 to 35 inches wide
Soil requirements: Well-draining soil

Erigeron

Part of the daisy family, these plants are easy to grow and will keep blooming throughout the season. In fact, if you cut back your plants back after the first flush, your erigeron will reward you with more blooms. "These are popular plants in everything from cottage gardens to native plant and wildflower gardens," says Putnam. They're also deer resistant and drought tolerant.

Zones: 6 to 9
Mature size: 1 to 2 feet tall x 3 to 5 feet wide
Soil requirements: Well-draining soil

Speedwell

Also known as Veronica, this vertically inclined flower brings container or garden bed interest with its colorful, carefree blooms coming in colors such as blues, reds, pinks and violets. "Speedwell plants are lovely in the garden, with beautiful, vibrant flowers that attract pollinators," says Putnam. "These small but mighty beauties add a pop of color to the ground plane of any garden."

Zones: 3 to 8
Mature size: 1 to 2 inches tall x 18 inches wide
Soil requirements: Well-draining soil

Armeria

This low water perennial boasts compact green mounds that shoot up stems adorned with charming pink pompons. "Armeria is a low-maintenance, drought-tolerant plant that produces long-lasting, stunning blooms throughout the season," says Putnam. They're perfect for a seaside garden, as a border or edging plant, or tucked in between rocks. This tidy plant requires good drainage and blooming is prolonged with deadheading.

Zones: 4 to 8
Mature size: 8 inches tall x 12 inches wide
Soil requirements: Dry, rocky, well-drained soil

Geranium

Incredibly easy to grow, bursting with flowers, and giving more than it takes, hardy perennial geraniums only require well-drained, fertile soil (and to be appreciated). With over 300 species, there is a geranium for every occasion and they are well-suited to most garden situations. "They provide many gardens with colorful ground cover, borders, or edging," says Putnam. "Also, think out of bed and into the box with geraniums in containers or window boxes to add color to patios and balconies."

Zones: 3 to 9
Mature size: 4 to 48 inches tall x 6 to 36 inches wide
Soil requirements: Well-draining soil

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Daylily

These bright-hued flowers bloom daily in late spring and early summer. They look lovely placed near outdoor pathways and come in a variety of colors. "Daylilies are a great addition to the garden, as they are low-maintenance, hardy, and produce beautiful, colorful, full-season blooms," says Putnam.

Zones: 4 to 9
Mature size: 1 to 5 feet tall x 1 to 2 feet wide
Soil requirements: Well-draining soil

Thrift

This pink flower tolerates drought-zapped soil and blooms in late spring; it grows best in a sunny area with well-drained soil. Deer resistant and non-aggressive, these perennials will add splashes of pink and white to your garden.

Zones: 4 to 9
Mature size: 6 to 16 inches tall x 4 to 12 inches wide
Soil requirements: Well-draining soil

Tall Bearded Iris

This perennial blooms in late spring and comes in a number of colors. As an added bonus, it fares well against deer and other wildlife. "They are also an excellent pollinator food source, including the beloved bumblebee," Putnam says.

Zones: 3 to 9
Mature size: 12 to 40 inches tall x 1 to 2 feet wide
Soil requirements: Well-draining, fertile, neutral to slightly acidic soils