There’s nothing just as peaceful as lushy greenery in your backyard. But plants come at a cost: to make them look truly nice, you’ve got to put your time into care. And sometimes, with more exotic plants, we’re talking about a lot of time.
The good news is, there’s a lot of low-maintenance perennials you can grow in Ontario naturally. Just pick the ones you like the most!
Why pick perennials?
Planting perennials on your property is half the problem. That’s what you have landscaping experts for. It’s pruning, watering, fertilizers, pest control that create the majority of all the hassle.
You’re already on the right track. Annuals are way — way more time-consuming. Perennials are the right way to go, not just because they live for years and years.
The 5 best perennials to plant in 2024 and enjoy for years to come
Now, which plants allow you to save time (and money!) on maintenance and don’t turn a gardening hobby into a full-time job?
Echinacea, aka Coneflower
Echinacea is a no-brainer starting point on this list. Want a hardy but colorful carpet of any color you can imagine on your property? Echinacea is the way to go.
On a scale from 1 to 10, the maintenance level for Echinacea is around 3/10.
It requires a relatively little effort to maintain once planted, but still has a few things to keep in mind:
Echinacea Care Requirements
- Echinacea thrives in full sun, with at least 6 to 8 hours of direct sunlight daily needed. Too much shade can lead to weaker growth, so pick planting location carefully;
- You need a moderately fertile soil with a pH of 6.0 to 7.0 and some sand. The good news is, it’s just about as basic as it gets. And Echinacea can as well adapt to a different soil type if you need it.
Don’t plant Echinacea anywhere near any leaks: you don’t want to deal with root rot, and constant excessive moisture is the only possible cause for it.
- In the first growing season, Echinacea needs consistent moisture, but should not be waterlogged. Once it matures, you can basically write it off your list: it’s drought-tolerant and requires minimal regular watering.
- It’s always a good idea to look for pests like aphids and Japanese beetles, but they’re not really great fans of Echinacea and would rather accumulate on other plants in your garden.
Fun Fact: The name “Echinacea” derives from the Greek word “echinos,” meaning hedgehog. You’ll see it next time you look at Echinacea: the center of it is rather spiky!
Rudbeckia, aka Black-eyed Susan
Rudbeckia is another great resilient perennial that is popular among gardeners all over Ontario. Simply put, among low-maintenance perennials, it’s just as low-maintenance as it gets.
Maintenance level for Black-eyed Susan is about 3/10 as well.
The secret is Black-eyed Susan being native to this land. While “wild” Rudbeckia is stunning by itself, there’s a ton of cultivars to choose from as well: for example, Rudbeckia fulgida ‘Goldsturm’.
Rudbeckia Care Tips
- Sunlight — the flower feels equally good in full sun and partial shade;
- Soil — pretty much anything, including clay, loam, and sandy soils. A pH range of acidic to neutral allows you to not really put a lot of thought into it;
- Watering — average and intuitive, just water it a little more during droughts.
Deadheading spent flowers can encourage more blooms, and they can self-seed, which basically means natural propagation.
Gaillardia, aka Blanket Flower
Another vibrant and drought-tolerant perennial that thrives in sunny gardens of Toronto. ALl you have to do is just picking the right cultivar:
- Baby Cole — a dwarf variety that typically grows to about 12-18 inches tall;
- Burgundy — reaches up to 36 inches and features deep burgundy flowers;
- ‘Dazzler — Another tall variety with bright, showy blooms;
- ‘Golden Goblin — yellow flowers, dwarf size, perfect for low-but-wide growing areas where you need a literal blanket of flowers;
- Arizona Sun — bright red and yellow flowers, and extra heat tolerance as a nice extra bonus.
Gaillardia Garden Care Tips
- Sunlight — at least 6 hours of direct sunlight per day for optimal growth;
- Soil — anything goes, as long as it’s well-draining;
- Watering — requires minimal watering once it reaches adult size for the cultivar of your choice.
Hemerocallis, aka Daylily
Daylilies are stunning in both their low maintenance requirements and their looks. Soft and pastel-colored flowers that resemble trumpets typically last just one day, but the plant covers your property with a thick carpet of green leaves for pretty much the whole season.
Fun Fact: try picking just one kind of Daylilies: there are over 80,000 registered cultivars!
Daylilies are propagated not just for their looks: it’s an adaptable and hardy plant, thriving in diverse environment, from swamps to mountain edges. It will feel just as good in your garden.
Garden Daylily Care Requirements
- Sunlight — again, full sun to partial shade (at least 6 hours of direct sunlight). Low-maintenance means you don’t want to bother with additional lighting systems, UV lamps and so on, and these plants deliver just that;
- Soil — well-drained soil rich in organic matter (plant it near a tree or a lushy bush on your property);
- Watering — moderate but benefit daylilies benefit from regular watering during dry spells.
On a scale from 1 to 10, the maintenance level for Daylilies would be rated a solid 2/10.
They are extremely easy to grow, require minimal care, and won’t be a hassle. You pay for it with just one day of flowering in a year, but we believe that rarity makes it even more special.
Hosta, aka Plantain Lily
Hostas are shade-loving perennials that are perfect for those tricky spots where other plants struggle to thrive.
With a stunning variety of leaf shapes, sizes, and colors, hostas can transform any shady area into a little piece of urban jungle (and yes, we know that the famous book is about house plants, it’s still a great source of information on plants!).
On a scale from 1 to 10, the maintenance level for hostas is around 4/10.
Garden Hostas Care Requirements
- Sunlight — they thrive best in partial to full shade. While some varieties can handle a bit of sun, too much direct sunlight can scorch their leaves;
- Soil — this is where you need to be a little picky. Hostas need rich, well-draining soil that retains moisture: the price of giant leaves. A mix of organic matter can improve soil fertility and ensure healthy growth;
- Watering — hostas love moisture, so aim to keep the soil consistently moist, but not soggy;
- Maintenance — it’s a good idea to remove any dead or damaged leaves in early spring to encourage new growth. That, and monitoring for pests, is all the maintenance you need.
Fun Fact: the name “plantain lilies” comes from their lily-like flowers that bloom every summer. So it’s not just about ornamental leaves!
Final Tips on Perennials in Toronto Gardens
Keep in mind: low-maintenance perennials are not no-maintenance! Any plant, be it a sturdy succulent or a palm tree, requires your attention from time to time.
Just try to find that balance between your comfort and your greenery’s comfort: it’s the right way to enjoy a perfect garden on your property.
