Do you ever find yourself recommending the same handful of plants to friends and neighbors? We do. These might not be the splashiest of plants or even the ones that you’d base an entire design around. But they are fantastic herbaceous perennials—the meat and potatoes of the garden. To make things even more interesting, we limited ourselves to choosing just four of these go-to plants. Our choices have multiple seasons of interest, thrive under less-than-ideal conditions, and in our minds, are essential in any great garden.

Expert testimony: Susan Morrison is a garden designer in Concord, California.

Danielle’s List

‘Festiva Maxima’ peony (Paeonia lactiflora ‘Festiva Maxima’, Zones 3–8)

Painted fern (Athyrium niponicum and cvs., Zones 3–8)

• • ‘Crested Surf’, ‘Pearly White’, Japanese painted

Epimedium (Epimedium spp. and cvs., Zones 5–8)

• • ‘Spine Tingler’

Eastern blue star (Amsonia tabernaemontana, Zones 4–9)

Steve’s List
‘All Gold’ Japanese forest grass (Hakonechloa macra ‘All Gold’, Zones 5–9)

‘Sum and Substance’ hosta (Hosta ‘Sum and Substance’, Zones 3–8)

‘Millenium’ allium (Allium ‘Millenium’, Zones 4–8)

‘Six Hills Giant’ catmint (Nepeta ‘Six Hills Giant’, Zones 3–8)

Expert’s List

Mirage™ Deep Purple autumn sage (Salvia greggii ‘Balmirdepur’, Zones 7–9)

‘Moonshine’ or ‘Coronation Gold’ yarrow (Achillea ‘Moonshine’ or ‘Coronation Gold’, Zones 3–8)

‘Walker’s Low’ catmint (Nepeta racemosa ‘Walker’s Low’, Zones 3–8)

California fuchsia (Epilobium spp. and cvs., Zones 8–12)