Gardenias These delicate beauties typically bloom from May to September, says Ghitelman. They prefer well-drained soil (meaning the water should flow through, rather than pool on top of the soil) and needs "a regularly scheduled drink of water" about once a week. Since gardenias like damp soil, Ghitelman says you might also consider scattering mulch around the plant. That way, it can help retain the soil's moisture. Pro tip: Be careful about over-fertilizing these plants. Too much can stunt its growth. Shop Now lucentius - Getty Images
Hydrangeas "If the garden or the house needs some color, hydrangeas are a perfect choice, as its varieties grow in shades of blues, pinks, purples and whites," says Ghitelman. She does warn, though, that achieving these pops of color, "requires daily watering, trimming expired petals, and indirect sunlight to thrive," so it's not a plant just anyone can expect to thrive in their yard. However, if the conditions where you live are right, and you'll remember to hydrate these flowers on the daily, they can get up to a whopping 15 feet tall. Shop Now Luca Goemans / EyeEm - Getty Images
Calla Lilies For the most part, calla lilies won't ask much of you, well, not until a chill sets in. They don't like to be cold, says Ghitelman. During the winter months, pot and bring your calla lilies indoors. Place them nearnot in front ofa window so they can soak up all the bright, but indirect sunlight. This way, they'll be able to grow to their expected three feet tall. While the weather's warmwhether they're potted or planted in your backyardkeep your lilies away from direct sunlight so their leaves and blooms won't burn. Make sure to water them every few days, so the soil will stay moist, but never soggy, at all times. Shop Now Richard Nieto / 500px - Getty Images
Azaleas These plants do best in climates that are cool and moist, says Ghitelman, since bright sunlight can burn its leaves and blooms. Their white, pink, red, and sometimes yellow flowers will bloom in "late spring and early summer and can often be seen attracting hummingbirds." Since they have shallow roots, they thrive in well-drained soil. Compost and mulch will work wonders to provide that moist-but-not-wet soil azaleas love. Grounds where you live don't drain well? No biggie. Just pop these beauties into containers and let them grow in their pots instead. Shop Now shene - Getty Images
Lilacs "Known for its fragrant flowers, this beautiful perennial can be seen in many different shades of purple, lavender, blue, pink, red, and white," says Ghitelman. But to actually get these bold blooms to flower every spring, you'll need to grow your plant in full, direct sunlight and in well-drained and moist soil. Water it when the weather's dry or whenever you notice the soil looking a little dehydrated. Shop Now Valeriu Bucos / 500px - Getty Images
Peonies Shout out to all the forgetful plant ownersthis one's for you. Turns out, getting a perennial this beautiful to bloom every spring doesn't require too much maintenance. To see these white, red, coral, purple, pink, and sometimes yellow blooms reach their expected five feet, keep the soil they're planted in moist with mulch and water its roots every week, "especially during periods of no rain," says Ghitelman. Shop Now Jasenka Arbanas - Getty Images
Daffodils You'll have some wiggle room with daffodils. They prefer to grow in direct sunlight, but they'll take partially shaded areas, too, if that's what you can offer. The best part? They're also low maintenance, says Ghitelman. All you have to do is water them once a week for about a month after they've been planted. After that period, you can stop watering them altogether and throw a little fertilizer down in the spring as the flowers start to bloom. Shop Now nicolette wells - Getty Images
Chrysanthemums "Mums" are typically cut to be the stars of bouquets, but they'll last a whole lot longer growing in your garden or in a pot on your porch, plus they're "very easy to tend to," says Ghitelman. Best planted in spring, their care calls for well-drained soil, regular watering (whenever the soil looks and feels dry), and a sunny area where they can thrive. Once they bloom, "be mindful to pluck any wilting petals in order to promote growth," she adds. "Mums" are hardy plants; they barely need any water at all during rainy season, and since they can handle frosty temps, you can expect them to still bloom again next year. Shop Now Nora Carol Photography - Getty Images
Lavender "This fragrant plant is native to the Mediterranean region, but it can be found in temperate climates throughout the United States," Ghitelman says. To grow this perennial on your own, plant it in view of full, direct sunlight and in well-drained soil that won't retain too much water. Then, water it thoroughly whenever you notice the soil's dried out. Shop Now Phatthaya Awisu / EyeEm - Getty Images
Asters No green thumb? No problem. This star-shaped plant can handle pretty much anything. "Asters flourish under a wide range of conditions," says Ghitelman, and they're easy to care for. "They grow from eight inches to eight feet tall and are often planted in the spring," she adds. Asters are fans of sunny days and moist, well-drained soil all year long. During the summer months, though, "be sure to water at the base of the plant but, try not to wet the foliage," Ghitelman adds. Wet leaves will lead to mildew or fungi on your plant. Shop Now Teddi Yaeger Photography - Getty Images
Hostas The hosta is a lush one. It flourishes in partial shade, and in mid-summer will sprout super-fragrant white and lavender flowers to brighten up your home. As long as you give it well-drained soil that stays moist but not too wet, says Ghitelman, it should grow to it's expected six inches to three feet tall. Hostas are pretty drought tolerant when they're mature. But, at first, they'll need about an inch of water every week and mulch to help the soil retain water. After a season or two, you can just water them as often as you remember to. Pro tip: Remove the flowers once they've bloomed and matured to promote new growth. Shop Now Martysjahlushyk - Getty Images
Black-Eyed Susans "This perennial thrives best during the summer and needs almost no maintenance," says Ghitelman. Black-eyed Susans' happy place is in full sun, and they must be fertilized during their growing season (a.k.a. summer). That means planting them in the spring or early fall, she adds. To keep your flowers looking their best, water them once a week throughout their first season. Once they're established, water them whenever the leaves start to wilt. And be sure to cut off any expired flower heads to stimulate new blooms to grow. Shop Now Nikki O'Keefe Images - Getty Images
Dalmatian Bellflowers You can expect these flowers every summerwell, as long as your plant is growing in view of full, direct sunlight and in "moist, aerated, well-drained soil," says Ghitelman. Water your bellflowers once per week (unless it rains) until they're established and become more drought tolerant. After that, just water the plant whenever you remember to and fertilize it twice a yearonce during the spring and again in mid-summer to help it thrive. Shop Now icarmen13 - Getty Images
Russian Sage These blue and purple beauties love soaking up the summer heat which makes themwait for itdrought resistant, a.k.a. you can forget to water them and they'll still be standing tall. Truly, the Russian Sage can handle anything. "It can grow two to four feet in height even in poor soil," Ghitelman adds. When you first plant it (in direct sunlight, FYI), water it thoroughly for its first season and then decrease gradually until you're only watering whenever you remember to. And if you do forget, just wait for the rain. Shop Now Akintevs - Getty Images
Dahlias Now, dahlias call for a little more maintenance, but just look at them. Aren't they worth it? Unlike most perennials, which don't need to be replanted, these do. They have to be replanted every spring because of their enlarged and fleshy tuberous roots, says Ghitelman. And because they can't handle cold temperatures, they have to be dug up and stored somewhere indoors that's cool and dark during the winter months. "Once spring arrives again, dahlias can be replanted in [a shady area of your] garden," she adds. Once they start to sprout, water them two to three times per week. Shop Now Mint Images - Getty Images
Butterfly Weeds This perennial is perfect for beginners or anyone who wants to maintain a garden that isn't too demanding. "Living up to its name, this vibrant flower grows as quickly as a weed and comes in colorful shades of orange and yellow," Ghitelman explains. It's easy to care for since it doesn't need fertilizer and actually likes dry soil, so consistent watering isn't necessary. Just be sure to trim expired blooms every spring to keep them looking neat and feeling healthy, she advises. Shop Now AlpamayoPhoto - Getty Images
Bleeding Hearts "Part of the poppy family, this fuchsia-colored plant was once native to Asia, but now grows throughout many areas of the world," says Ghitelman. Be sure to plant yours in shaded areas. When they're exposed to too much sunlight, they'll retreat and won't come back out until the next spring when it's a little cooler. Other than that, caring for a bleeding heart is pretty simple: They typically don't need any fertilizer and only call for about an inch of water per week (sometimes a little more during the summer months when it's especially hot). Shop Now Jacky Parker Photography - Getty Images
Primroses Primroses are typically found in wooded areas, but they're pretty adaptable and will make do if planted elsewhere. "They grow in a wide variety of vibrant colors and will last from spring through the fall," says Ghitelman. They need moist soil and humidity to thrive and will continue to do so as long as they can be shaded from harsh sunlight during the summertime. When it is especially hot, just "be sure to water [your primroses] often to keep the soil from drying off," Ghitelman adds. "And to promote new blooms, pluck away any flowers as they begin to wilt." Shop Now kumacore - Getty Images
Virginia Bluebells Don't let their delicate look fool you, with well-drained soil and partial shade, Virginia bluebells will grow up to two feet tall, says Ghitelman. They call for regular watering every week, rich and well-drained soil, and will typically begin to bloom their beautiful blue, purple, and pink flowers in March. Shop Now DianeSchuler - Getty Images
Poppies Poppies go dormant when the weather gets too hot, but when the conditions are juuuust right, they'll always make another appearance in late spring and early summer, says Ghitelman. When they do, these beauties will grow between a few inches and approximately four feet tall, she adds. To get them to thrive, water your poppies once per week when they're in bloom (hold off when they go dormant), and give them a boost of fertilizer in the spring. Shop Now David Clapp - Getty Images