Flowers and sunshine are natural friends, and the majority of common perennials love to bask in the sun. This section shows you some easy-to-find, easy-to-grow perennials that you may choose to adorn your garden.

Perennials that are considered to need “full sun” exposure don’t necessarily require sunshine all day long. An average of five to six hours of sun a day keeps the perennials in the following list fit and healthy, although most will settle for less sunlight without making too much of a fuss. Look for the term partial shade to find perennials that may need a bit more protection from intense afternoon sun.

• Common yarrow (Achillea millefolium): This perennial is absolutely easy-care, except for its wandering tendencies. The flowerheads are large, flat clusters of tiny daisies on long, straight stems — excellent for cutting or drying. Cut the stems down to within a few inches of the ground after blooming is finished. No winter protection is necessary. It enjoys hot daytime temperatures but prefers cool nights.
• Blue star flower (Amsonia tabernaemontana): This bushy plant has upright, arching stems and long, narrow, willowlike leaves. In the spring, each stem bears a cluster of steely blue, star-shaped flowers, and blue star turns a glowing yellow around the same time the pumpkins are ripening.
• Japanese windflower (Anemone hybrida): Japanese windflowers prefer partial shade, except in cool climates, where they can withstand full sun. In autumn, sprays of delicate pink, deep rose, or sparkling white flowers dance above light- to dark-green grapelike foliage.
• Common thrift (Armeria maritima): This plant looks like a cluster of drumsticks. In the springtime, tubular blossoms are packed into tight balls and held upright on stiff, straight stems above a tussock of grassy foliage. Diverse varieties are available. This plant’s only requirement is fast drainage; common thrift is otherwise tough as nails. It tolerates salt, pure sand, and drought.
• Butterfly flower (Asclepias tuberosa): This flower adapts anywhere without complaint. Although unfashionably orange, butterfly flower (also called butterfly weed) is so pretty that the antiorange crowd overlooks this so-called flaw.
• Frikart’s aster (Aster frikartii): An international celebrity, this aster produces masses of blue daisies from midsummer until frost. Individual plants are long-lived and carefree.
• Peachleaf bellflower (Campanula persicifolia): The bellflower family is a huge one with at least a dozen good garden perennials readily available. Most are easy and charming.
• Tickseed (Coreopsis grandiflora): Tickseed is the perfect choice for anyone who can’t get enough daisies. This one blooms its head off if regularly deadheaded. The flowers have a casual air. Each petal is ragged-edged and arranged around a golden center.
• Summer daisies (Dendranthema): Summer daisies used to be called chrysanthemums until the botanists decided to change their names.  ....read more