Suitable in sun or shade, Aloe is known for how easy it is to care for and how drought-tolerant it is. While in the summer it looks great as a standalone plant or combined in a container with other succulents, during the winter you can bring it indoors to add a bit of greenery to your home. Some varieties like Aloe aristata are chosen for their decorative appeal, while Aloe vera is known for its medicinal properties—it’s thought that the gel in the leaves helps to soothe skin, including sunburns.

Stunning in perennial and butterfly gardens, containers, or bouquets, Blanket Flowers have an incredibly cheerful look, with blooms in red, yellow, and even a mix of the two. Deadhead occasionally to encourage new blooms to keep forming all season long. This perennial thrives in full to part sun.

The small blue flowers of Bugleweed attract hummingbirds, but the attractive foliage—in shades of green, purple, and even a mix—is what makes this plant stand out. This evergreen looks beautiful at the garden’s edge, in rock gardens, or as a groundcover, forming mats of glossy leaves. Bugleweed is suitable for sun or shade.

Available in dwarf or full-size varieties, Butterfly Bush has long, beautiful, and scented flowers that hang down in a weeping habit. The pink or purple blooms attract butterflies, as the name suggests, as well as hummingbirds. This perennial, which grows in a shrubby shape, performs best in full sun though can tolerate some afternoon shade.

Growing up to five feet tall, Feather Reed Grass adds a beautiful dimension of height to your yard. It remains tall and straight all season, rather than drooping down like other ornamental grasses. This perennial has four-season interest: in the spring, the foliage starts out green; in the summer, inflorescences turn shades of red and bronze; in the fall, the plumes turn golden; and in the cooler months, the tall stalks add winter interest. Grow Feather Reed Grass in full to part sun.

There are many varieties of Geraniums to choose from, many of which begin blooming in late spring and some continuing to bloom until fall. With flowers available in shades of pink, red, and white, Geraniums are known for their stunning blooms and for being drought and heat tolerant. Often grown as an annual (though you can overwinter Geraniums), this plant performs well in full sun to part shade.

This perennial may look delicate but it sure is tough. With its wonderful scent worthy of being turned into an essential oil, Lavender is deer-proof, resistant to many diseases, plus tolerant to heat and humidity. Grow it in combination with other plants or in a pot with good drainage in a spot with full sun. Perfect in cottage gardens, borders, or pots on the patio, Lavender also makes beautiful fresh or dried cut arrangements.

The small, shiny, rounded leaves of Silver Falls bring a soothing effect to any porch, patio, or deck. Since it can trail three feet or more, this annual is eye-catching when grown in baskets or window boxes. Suitable in sun or shade, this is one of those plants that you can trust will be alive even after you return from summer vacation!

Suitable for borders, rock gardens, or in wildflower meadows, Yarrow has small, tightly packed flowers available in a range of colors, including pink, red, white, and yellow. Place it in a sunny spot, and watch the butterflies flock to your yard to visit the blooms! This perennial makes an excellent cut flower for fresh or dried bouquets.