10 plants you’ll only ever need to buy once—and they’ll flower for decades (Image: Getty)
If you’re looking for low-maintenance plants, long-lasting perennials and budget-friendly gardening ideas, choosing plants that return year after year is one of the smartest investments you can make. Unlike annual flowers that need replacing every season, perennial plants establish themselves, grow larger over time and often provide years of colour, texture and interest with very little effort.
Many can also be divided every few years, giving you free plants to fill borders, pots to share with friends and family. Whether creating a cottage garden, wildlife-friendly garden or a modern garden, there are 10 reliable favourites that offer exceptional value for money, according to experts. They will grow every season, so you only need to buy them once to enjoy them for many seasons to come.
1. Hardy geranium
According to the RHS (Royal Horticultural Society), hardy geraniums are easy, reliable plants for sunny borders. Not to be confused with bedding geraniums, hardy geraniums are among the most dependable you can grow.
They produce masses of flowers from late spring to summer, suppress weeds with their dense foliage and thrive in both sun and partial shade. Many varieties will flower again if trimmed after their first flush, making them an excellent value for money.
2. Hosta
The RHS said: “Among the best of all foliage plants, hostas vary from large plants to more diminutive types that are suitable for rock gardens.
“All thrive in shade and make good container plants. They have a reputation for being loved by slugs and snails, so to minimise holes, choose hostas that have some resistance.”
3. Lavender
Lavender is a classic choice for sunny gardens, loved by gardeners, bees and butterflies alike.
Its fragrant flowers attract pollinators throughout the summer while its evergreen foliage provides year-round structure. One healthy plant can thrive for many years in well-draining soil.
Lavender is a classic choice for sunny gardens (Image: Getty)4. Peony
Slow-growing but incredibly rewarding, peonies flower in late spring to early summer. When grown in suitable conditions, they will grow back every year.
Some peonies have been known to thrive in the same spot for more than 50 years.
5. Lily of the Valley
According to the RHS, this plant is a rare British native whose perfume and quiet beauty are quite captivating.
It dies in autumn and returns in spring. It requires very little upkeep, but it can be divided every few years to maintain vigour.
6. Echinacea
With their distinctive daisy-like flowers and prominent central cones, echinaceas provide colour from midsummer well into autumn.
They’re also great for pollinators during the flowering season, while birds often feed on the seed heads in winter.
7. Nepeta
Nepeta, often known as catmint, produce a profusion of lavender-blue flowers over a long season from late spring to late summer.
The tough plants are easy to grow and low-maintenance, so they are great for borders as an alternative to lavender. Trim after flowering to neaten and encourage year-after-year flowering.
Lily of the Valley requires little upkeep (Image: Getty)8. Japanese anemones
Stars of the autumn border, Japanese anemones provide welcome colour from late summer into autumn. Their elegant pink or white blooms sway gracefully above attractive foliage and can light up a shady area.
9. Hemerocallis
Hemerocallis, also known as daylily, has incredibly large blooms which are available in a wide choice of colours.
According to the RHS, they’re easy to grow and live for a long time. Although individual flowers only last a day, they’re produced in rapid succession to create a “bountiful display” that continues for many weeks.
10. Hylotelephium
The RHS said: “Previously called Sedum, these perennials form clumps of upright stems with colourful, succulent leaves in spring, blossoming into masses of long-lasting flowers in late summer and autumn.
“Combine these plants with other late-flowering perennials for a colourful display loved by bees and butterflies.”
With the right growing conditions and a little routine maintenance, many of these perennial plants can thrive and flower for decades, with some, such as peonies, lasting for generations.
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