Raised beds are for more than just vegetables! They also make a great home for flowering perennials, especially if you have poor soils. Adding perennials to your raised bed gardens is a great way to guarantee beauty year after year.
Another benefit is the ability to grow some ornamentals that you otherwise would not have been able to. For example, if you have a lot of sun and want to grow hostas, position a raised bed in the shade, and you will have a whole new world of options.
Follow these tips for filling your raised beds with beautiful perennial flowers that will come back each season!
There is a perfect raised bed for every garden, including patio, porch, and rental home gardens. These beds are available in a variety of sizes as well as materials, such as this 6-in-1 raised metal bed from Birdies. Put down weed fabric, fill your bed with soil and amendments, and you will be ready to plant perennials!
Here are 27 perennial flowers that will fit raised beds perfectly. Let’s dig in!
Asiatic Lily
Do not plant Asiatic lilies in areas accessible to your pets, as they are toxic to animals.
 | botanical name Lilium asiatica |
|---|---|
 | sun requirements Full sun to partial shade |
 | height 2-5 feet tall, 1 foot wide |
 | hardiness zones 4-9 |
Asiatic lilies can add some really fun colors to raised beds. These perennial bulbs will do well in raised beds because they do not like growing in overly moist soil.
Asiatic lilies have many different colors, from white, pink, orange, yellow, bicolored, and more. You will have varying heights depending on which variety you choose, meaning that you can use these lilies in many different ways in your beds.
Asiatic lilies are toxic to pets, so do not plant them anywhere that your furry family members might be able to nibble them. Cut flowers for your vase arrangements, but allow the foliage and stems to fade naturally on the plant. This will help feed the lily bulb all winter, promoting stronger blooms next year.
‘Autumn Joy’ Stonecrop
During late summer and into fall, ‘Autumn Joy’ will yield clusters of pinkish-red flowers atop the leaves.
| | botanical name Sedum telephium ‘Autumn Joy’ |
|---|---|
| | sun requirements Full sun |
| | height 1-2 feet tall, 1-2 feet wide |
| | hardiness zones 3-9 |
This well-loved variety of stonecrop grows into a beautiful mound of succulent foliage. In late summer and into fall, ‘Autumn Joy’ produces pinkish-red tufts of flowers on top of the foliage. If you do not deadhead these flowers, they will dry and last through the winter providing much-needed winter interest.
Stonecrops like to be dry and kept in full sun. If your ornamental raised bed is positioned in these conditions, I urge you to plant an ‘Autumn Joy’ stonecrop. This is a virtually maintenance-free perennial that grows beautifully and comes back looking better every year.
Black-Eyed Susan
The black-eyed Susan produces bright yellow flowers with deep brown centers.
| | botanical name Rudbeckia hirta |
|---|---|
| | sun requirements Full sun |
| | height 2-3 feet wide, 1-2 feet wide |
| | hardiness zones 3-9 |
For a classic garden addition to your garden, try adding black-eyed Susans. These perennial superstars produce bright yellow flowers with deep brown centers. The foliage of the black-eyed Susan will remain attractive all season long. Deadhead the spent black-eyed susans to encourage a second round of blooms.
Black-eyed susans pair nicely with just about any other plant you choose. Birds love to nibble on this plant’s seed heads; be sure to leave these on the plant if you would like to attract and feed some birds in the wintertime.
Bleeding Heart
The bleeding heart will bloom in the springtime, but its leaves fade out as temperatures rise.
| | botanical name Lamprocapnos spectabilis (formerly Dicentra spectabilis) |
|---|---|
| | sun requirements Partial to full shade |
| | height 1-3 feet tall, 2-3 feet wide |
| | hardiness zones 3-9 |
Bleeding heart is a classic garden perennial. Its deeply cut leaves and heart-shaped dripping flowers are so unique it is hard to resist planting them in your garden. The bleeding heart will bloom in the springtime. Unfortunately, the leaves do fade out once the temperatures rise.
A bleeding heart makes a great addition to a garden that needs some spring color and can handle holes in blooms later in the season. There are pink and white varieties, making it easy to fit into any garden style.
Blue Fescue
This fescue grass is a very drought-tolerant plant that possesses remarkable toughness.
| | botanical name Festuca glauca |
|---|---|
| | sun requirements Full sun to partial shade |
| | height 6 inches to 1 foot tall, 1-2 feet wide |
| | hardiness zones 4-8 |
Blue fescue is a low-growing ornamental grass that is an excellent border plant. The blades of grass are a dreamy shade of blue. This plant will produce flowers similar to that of other ornamental grasses. These plumes will be blue at first but will age to a lovely shade of tan.
Blue fescue is a tough plant that is very drought-tolerant. The soft blue grass blades complement various other perennials very nicely. Try pairing them with daylilies or other sun-loving perennials in a raised bed.
Blue Spruce Stonecrop
This sedum thrives in arid soil conditions and requires minimal fertilization for optimal growth.
| | botanical name Sedum reflexum |
|---|---|
| | sun requirements Full sun to partial shade |
| | height 6-8 inches tall, 1-2 feet wide |
| | hardiness zones 4-9 |
This very popular variety of sedum has certainly earned its popularity. The short creeping blue succulent is stunning and a breeze to care for. While I personally believe the blue foliage is the star of the show, this stonecrop will produce clusters of tiny yellow flowers in the summertime.
Blue spruce stonecrop looks incredible when spilling out of a raised bed, sending its branches cascading down the sides. If you are looking for a low-maintenance plant for raised beds, this just might be it. Blue spruce stonecrop is very forgiving and does best in dry soils with low fertility.
Butterfly Bush
The butterfly bush produces beautiful large flowers in various shades, including blue, purple, white, pink, and bicolor.
| | botanical name Buddleja davidii |
|---|---|
| | sun requirements Full sun |
| | height 3-12 feet tall, 3-8 feet wide |
| | hardiness zones 5-9 |
Adding a butterfly bush to your raised bed is a great option to attract more butterflies or other pollinators into your garden! Many butterfly bush varieties grow quite large, but varieties such as ‘Pugster’ will max out at 2 feet tall.
These flowering shrubs produce beautiful large flowers in various shades, including blue, purple, white, pink, and bicolor. Butterfly bush grows best in well-draining soil and will continually bloom all season long with a little bit of deadheading in some cases.
Coneflower
Birds love coneflowers because they attract a wide range of pollinators.
| | botanical name Echinacea spp. |
|---|---|
| | sun requirements Full sun |
| | height 2-4 feet tall, 1-3 feet wide |
| | hardiness zones 3-9 |
This popular perennial is not only perfect for your flower beds, but it also makes a great addition to raised beds. Growing to about 4 feet tall, coneflowers produce daisy-like flowers available in various colors.
Plant these perennials on their own for a lush display, or add them to your vegetable gardens. Coneflowers attract pollinators of all sorts but are especially loved by birds. Deadhead the spent flowers to control the self-seeding. Consider leaving a few seed heads in the fall to feed the birds.
Coral Bells
A highly versatile plant for raised beds, coral bells thrive in both sun and shade conditions.
| | botanical name Heuchera spp. |
|---|---|
| | sun requirements Full sun to partial shade |
| | height 1-2 feet tall, 1-2 feet wide |
| | hardiness zones 4-9 |
Coral bells are grown mainly for their foliage but are really neat plants. This perennial has been hybridized, and there are a lot of varieties with different colored foliage, from lime green to nearly black.
The foliage is rounded and lobed and very attractive. The flowers are inconspicuous, but they can add some whimsy and a small splash of color to your gardens,
Coral bells do well in both sun and shade, making them versatile plants for raised beds. Deadhead the flowers if you want a neater look for your beds. Otherwise, let them age on your plant.
Daylily
Whether planted individually or grouped together, daylilies create a beautiful display.
| | botanical name Hemerocallis spp. |
|---|---|
| | sun requirements Full sun |
| | height 1-5 feet tall, 1-2 feet wide |
| | hardiness zones 3-9 |
Daylilies come in a wide variety of colors, but each produces large star-like flowers that last for about one day. These flowers bloom on stems that rise up above green grass-like leaves, which will remain attractive well into the fall.
If you love the look of daylilies but want the blossoms to last longer, I suggest planting the ‘Stella d’Oro’ variety. This variety reblooms throughout the summer.
Daylilies are pretty when planted independently or in a group to create a border or a large mass planting. Pair these perennials with ornamental grasses for a clean and modern raised bed.
Foam Flower
The foam flower, a lovely perennial thriving in shady conditions, spreads through its stolons.
| | botanical name Tiarella cordifolia |
|---|---|
| | sun requirements Partial to full shade |
| | height 1 foot tall, 1-2 feet wide |
| | hardiness zones 3-8 |
Foam flower is a pretty shady loving perennial that spreads through its stolons (horizontal or underground stems), also known as runners. The flowers are interesting foamy spikes in a creamy shade of white. This plant will spread nicely and is typically used as a ground cover.
If you have a raised bed in partial shade, foamflower is a great plant selection if you want something short that will take up a nice amount of space. The flowers will bloom in the spring, but the foliage remains attractive and lush all season long.
Fountain Grass
The fountain grass only needs minimal upkeep and little water.
| | botanical name Pennisetum alopecuroides |
|---|---|
| | sun requirements Full sun to partial shade |
| | height 1-3 feet tall, 1-3 feet wide |
| | hardiness zones 6-9 |
Ornamental grasses add a touch of grace to any garden, and your raised bed is not an exception. This arching grass will make a pretty backdrop to any flowering perennials you may have planted in your raised bed. Fountain grass is very low maintenance.
This perennial grass requires very little water and no other maintenance. If you wish, you can cut the grass back in the fall or wait until spring if you would rather enjoy the dried stalks through the winter.
If you would like a smaller fountain grass, try ‘Little Bunny,’ which has the same beautiful attributes but maxes out at 2 feet tall.
Garden Phlox
This phlox has attractive flower clusters that develop at the tips of strong, straight stalks.
| | botanical name Phlox paniculata |
|---|---|
| | sun requirements Full sun to partial shade |
| | height 2-4 feet tall, 2-3 feet wide |
| | hardiness zones 4-8 |
There are many types of phlox, but this garden phlox is a tall perennial with clusters of pretty flowers that grow on the tips of sturdy and straight stems. Its flowers come in many colors but are most commonly known for white, pink, and purple shades. The leaves are light green, while some are variegated.
Garden phlox is an excellent choice for the back of a raised bed or a raised bed that gets a bit more shade than others. Garden phlox does struggle with powdery mildew, which is more prevalent in shady and humid areas, so be sure to provide ample airflow to prevent this fungal disease.
Goat’s Beard
Goat’s beard is a fun perennial that prefers moist soil and avoids dry conditions.
| | botanical name Aruncus dioicus |
|---|---|
| | sun requirements Full sun to partial shade |
| | height 4-6 feet tall, 2-3 feet wide |
| | hardiness zones 4-7 |
Goat’s beard is a fun perennial for the middle of a raised bed. Some varieties can get quite large, so consider the size when purchasing a new plant. Either way, these plants produce large white plumes of tiny white flowers. The foliage is a deep green and oval in shape.
Goat’s beard does not like to live in dry soil. If the soil dries out too much, the foliage will begin to decline. Allow the soil to dry out slightly, and then water as needed. Deadhead the spent flowers and use them in vase arrangements. This will help to keep your goat’s beard from spreading.
Hosta
Regardless of their size, hostas are mainly cultivated for their foliage.
| | botanical name Hosta spp. |
|---|---|
| | sun requirements Partial to full shade |
| | height 6 inches to 3 feet tall, 1- 5 feet wide |
| | hardiness zones 3-9 |
The Hosta genus is very large, and there is a size and color of them for just about every gardening scenario. No matter the size, these plants are grown primarily for their foliage, although some produce pretty flowers that are a nice addition to your garden or your cut flower arrangement.
From 6 inches to 3 feet tall, you can find hostas in shades of blue, dark green, lime green, and variegated. The flowers are mostly white or different shades of purple. For your raised gardens, you could plant a variety such as ‘Blue Mouse Ears’ for the front border or perhaps ‘Big Daddy’ if you want to fill a lot of space.
Japanese Painted Fern
The stems of Japanese painted ferns display a hint of red, while their color is predominantly a silvery green.
| | botanical name Athyrium niponicum |
|---|---|
| | sun requirements Partial to full shade |
| | height 1-2 feet tall, 1-2 feet wide |
| | hardiness zones 3-8 |
If you want to add some texture, Japanese painted ferns are the perfect plants for your shaded gardens. These pretty ferns are almost silvery green with a hint of red in the stems giving these fronds a variegated appearance.
While this fern is slow growing, it will spread through rhizomes, and if given enough time, it can naturalize in your garden.
Japanese painted ferns are excellent for raised beds. Depending on what else you are growing, they could be used as a front border plant or a mid-sized plant. Goatsbeard and hosta would make excellent companions for this pretty painted fern.
Lavender
Known for its aromatherapy properties and beautiful purple flowers, lavender is great for raised beds.
| | botanical name Lavandula angustifolia |
|---|---|
| | sun requirements Full sun |
| | height 1-2 feet tall, 1-2 feet wide |
| | hardiness zones 5-9 |
Lavender will easily fit into your vegetable gardens or your perennial gardens. We know this plant for its aromatherapy properties and its beautiful purple flowers that sprout on top of silver foliage. Depending on the variety of lavender you select, these pretty perennials can reach up to two feet tall.
The lavender plant is a perfect choice for raised beds because they require soil that is well draining. Most raised beds have soil that is well-draining. If needed, you can amend it with pea gravel or horticultural sand. Plant lavender with coneflowers or salvia in your perennial beds.
Lenten Rose
The lenten rose prefers shade in the summer, but it will benefit from some sun during the winter.
| | botanical name Helleborus spp. |
|---|---|
| | sun requirements Full shade |
| | height 1-2 feet tall, 1-2 feet wide |
| | hardiness zones 3-9 |
Lenten roses are a group of semi-evergreen perennials. These interesting flowers are usually the first to bloom in a garden, with some varieties blooming in the mid to late winter. The rest of the bunch will bloom in the spring, producing interesting flowers in various colors, from white to black. The leaves are large and will remain attractive throughout the year.
The lenten rose prefers shade in the summer but will benefit from some sun in the cooler winter months. Plant lenten roses in your shady raised beds. Pair these perennials with later blooming plants to keep your gardens blooming all season long.
Montauk Daisy
Pretty daisies called Montauk daisies bloom from late summer to fall.
| | botanical name Nipponanthemum nipponicum |
|---|---|
| | sun requirements Full sun |
| | height 2-3 feet tall, 2-3 feet wide |
| | hardiness zones 5-9 |
Montauk daisies, also known as Nippon daisies, are pretty daisies that bloom in late summer and into the fall. Before these daisies show their faces, the foliage of this plant is dark green and very attractive. It will grow in a nice mounded shape and benefit from getting cut back in the late spring.
Add Montauk daisies to raised beds to fill them nicely while also preparing your gardens for the fall. These perennials have been known to flop once they bloom. As mentioned above, pruning in the spring will help strengthen these stems and keep them from flopping!
Peony
These late-spring blooming perennials produce stunningly large and fragrant flowers.
| | botanical name Paeonia lactiflora |
|---|---|
| | sun requirements Full sun to partial shade |
| | height 2-3 feet tall, 2-3 feet wide |
| | hardiness zones 3-8 |
Peonies are an excellent addition if you use raised beds for a cutting garden. These late-spring blooming perennials produce stunningly large and fragrant flowers. These flowers come in multiple colors, including pastel shades and bold colors like deep red. When the flowers have finished blooming, the foliage is mounded and will remain attractive throughout the season.
You may need to support your peonies using a peony ring to prevent the plants from flopping under the weight of the blossoms. Pair your peonies with plants that bloom in mid-summer, such as coneflowers, to keep your beds blooming all season long.
Perennial Salvia
The perennial salvia is a reliable plant that enhances your raised beds and draws various pollinators.
| | botanical name Salvia spp. |
|---|---|
| | sun requirements Full sun |
| | height 1-4 feet tall, 1-4 feet wide |
| | hardiness zones 3-8 |
Perennial salvia is a dependable perennial that will beautify your raised beds while attracting pollinators of all sorts. The foliage of this plant is dark green and lance-shaped. The flowers are spiked and deep purple. You will be rewarded with a second round of blossoms if you deadhead the spent flowers.
Perennial salvia can grow to about 4 feet tall and wide, so ensure your raised bed is equipped for something that size. If so, planting a row of perennial salvia would create a stunning display.
Roses
These classic flowers thrive in full sunlight and require regular watering to flourish.
| | botanical name Rosa spp. |
|---|---|
| | sun requirements Full sun |
| | height 1-20 feet tall, 1-5 feet wide |
| | hardiness zones 2-11, depending on the variety |
Planting roses in a raised garden bed is an excellent way to grow roses if you don’t have enough sun in your flower beds. Roses love full sun and should be watered regularly. If you can accommodate that, it’s time to plant some roses!
Roses are stunning flowers; there is nothing like watching one unfurl into its full beauty. You can find roses in many sizes and colors. Knockout roses are great for newbie rose gardeners. These roses will perform very nicely for you and will continue to bloom all summer.
You could plant an entire raised bed with roses or use them as a specimen with other sun-loving perennials alongside your roses. Lavender, daisies, and yarrow would make lovely complimentary plantings for your roses.
Shasta Daisy
These daisies can grow up to 3 feet in height.
| | botanical name Leucanthemum × superbum |
|---|---|
| | sun requirements Full sun to partial shade |
| | height 1-3 feet tall, 1-2 feet wide |
| | hardiness zones 5-9 |
If you are a daisy lover, you must plant Shasta daisies in your raised bed. These true daisies are stunning and dependable summer bloomers. These daisies can reach up to 3 feet tall and will be full of white daisies with bright yellow centers. Deadhead the flowers when they begin to fade to encourage a second round of blooms.
Plant your daisies with coneflowers or blackeyed susans for a raised bed full of summer blooms. Shasta daisies are a must-have in your garden if you are trying to attract pollinators.
Siberian Bugloss
A raised bed is a perfect match for Siberian bugloss because it prefers well-draining soil.
| | botanical name Brunerra spp. |
|---|---|
| | sun requirements Partial to full shade |
| | height 1-2 feet tall, 1-3 feet wide |
| | hardiness zones 3-8 |
Siberian bugloss, or brunerra, is a spring-blooming perennial that produces small blue flowers on top of beautiful heart-shaped leaves. These leaves are large and, depending on the variety, have different amounts of white variegation on the leaves.
This perennial loves well-draining soil, making it a perfect fit for a raised bed. Even though the flowers on Siberian bugloss bloom in the spring, the foliage will provide constant interest all season long. Plant brunerra along the front edge of your raised bed for a lush look.
Silver Mound Artemisia
The silver mound artemisia is a very low-maintenance plant that loves the heat and sun.
| | botanical name Artemisia schmidtiana ‘Silver Mound’ |
|---|---|
| | sun requirements Full sun to partial shade |
| | height 1 foot tall, 1-2 feet wide |
| | hardiness zones 4-8 |
This frilly silver-leaved plant is perfect for your raised beds. Grown primarily for its foliage, ‘Silver Mound’ produces small yellow flowers in the summertime. As the name states, this plant grows into a lovely mounded shape that can be used as a border plant or a filler for your raised beds.
The silver mound is a very low-maintenance plant that loves the heat and sun. Add this plant to your hotter raised beds to accent your herbs, annuals, or other flowering perennials.
Tickseed
Coreopsis flowers come in shades of yellow, orange, or red.
| | botanical name Coreopsis spp. |
|---|---|
| | sun requirements Full sun |
| | height 1-2 feet tall, 1-2 feet wide |
| | hardiness zones 5-9 |
Tickseed, also known as coreopsis, is a prolific blooming perennial. The flowers are typically in shades of yellow, orange, or red and cover the fern-like foliage. When the first round of flowers begins to fade, you can give the entire plant a haircut with your garden shears. This will encourage a second round of flowers that will last you into the fall.
Plant tickseed in your raised beds if you are looking for season-long color. This plant is a breeze to care for and only requires deadheading if you wish to encourage a second bloom. Try pairing it with Shasta daisies or another taller sun-loving perennial.
Yarrow
Once a wildflower, yarrow has been domesticated to thrive as a perennial in our gardens.
| | botanical name Achillea millefolium |
|---|---|
| | sun requirements Full sun |
| | height 2-3 feet tall, 2-3 feet wide |
| | hardiness zones 3-9 |
Yarrow is a stellar option if you are looking for a tough yet beautiful plant. This plant grows as a wildflower but has been tamed just enough for us to grow it as a perennial in our gardens.
Yarrow has silver fern-like leaves that are mounded but grow lower to the ground. The clusters of flowers will begin to bloom in the summertime and last through the fall. These flowers can be found in shades of pink, yellow, orange, and white.
Yarrow will attract pollinators and makes a great choice for a butterfly garden. If you have a raised cutting garden, yarrow flowers last for a long time in a vase and are a must-have for a low-maintenance option for your cutting garden.
Final Thoughts
To ensure that you have good luck with your raised beds, make sure you start with good-quality potting soil. The second most important thing is that you are choosing plants that are meant for your growing conditions. This includes sunlight requirements, your growing zone, and your ability to maintain the proper soil moisture.
As always, I urge you to plant what you love. No right or wrong plants exist for your garden, so long as they make you happy. Happy gardening!
