13 Low-Maintenance Perennials

Siberian iris blooms in late spring and early summer in many hues including purple, pink, yellow and white. Foliage forms a mound with a grassy texture. Siberian iris doesn’t typically need dividing for five to 10 years after planting. Divide clumps that show diminished growth or smaller blooms. You can also divide to multiply plants. Divide plants in early spring as growth begins or before your region’s rainy season. Plants are hardy in Zones 3 to 8.

A traditional shade garden favorite, old-fashioned bleeding heart features beautiful pink blossoms in mid- to late spring. Blue-green leaves tend to disappear by midsummer as plants go dormant, especially in warmer regions. Bleeding heart is hardy in Zones 3 to 9. Plant it in part to full shade in moist, humusy soil. Plants can form spectacular shrubby mounds up to 10 feet across. Bleeding hearts rarely need dividing, except to curtail spread or multiply plants.

The large leaves of this perennial form a good-looking ground cover through the seasons. Bright green spring and summer color fades to reddish-purple in winter. The winter hues display best in warmer regions. Grow in a part- to full-shade site in moist soil enriched with organic matter. Bergenia is hardy in Zones 4 to 8. Divide plants every 4 to 5 years, or when clumps become open and bare in the center.

Silver heart-shaped leaves with green veins add sparkle to the garden all season long. Light blue blooms appear above leaves in spring. Choose Jack Frost brunnera for a low-maintenance ground cover that’s slug-, deer- and rabbit-resistant. Plants thrive in consistently moist soil in part shade and are hardy in Zones 3 to 8. Divide plants as clumps enlarge and outgrow their spaces.