Gorgeous long-lasting plant will flower every year - it's perfect for beginners

With the warmer months rolling in, green thumbs up and down the country are itching to spruce up their outdoor spaces with lively colours and fragrant . For those seeking a picture-perfect or a blooming balcony without the annual overhaul, perennials are the way forward, offering vibrant returns every summer.

Easy-to-care-for plants can totally transform your garden into an Eden of sorts, giving you the gift of gorgeous blossoms year on year – and they're a boon for bees and butterflies too. Opting for perennial plants means that no matter the size of your plot, there will always be something to add sparkle to your spring or create a summer spectacle.

READ MORE:

Some perennials may fade away after several seasons, but there's a host of hardy species that stage a grand comeback with each passing year – braving the winter only to burst forth anew as the warms.

We've handpicked six sublime picks for any outdoor area, ensuring a fit for every kind of space, whether it's a cosy corner or sprawling lawn.

Their showy petals come in a palette ranging from delicate blushes to fiery crimsons, reports . As per Gardener's World, they are "renowned for their longevity, and if planted correctly, should require little maintenance".

They flaunt their opulent flowers typically from April to July, changing up the variety, and every summer will bring a new wave of awe at their lush, expansive blooms.

Real Simple Magazine put it beautifully: "Peonies are one of the all-time most beloved garden flowers, and they're made even better when you know you only have to plant them once in your lifetime. Peonies are known to live for not just decades, but in some cases, over a century."

These plants ideally need a sunny spot to thrive in, so a north-facing garden may not suit these pretty plants. They also need a well-drained soil bed, but in the right environment, they'll flower year after year.

There's an array of colour choice when it comes to deciding which hardy geraniums to plant in your garden. These stunning flowers are also a great source of pollen for bees and butterflies.

You'll need to grow hardy geraniums in moist but well-drained soil. However, these perennials are generally happy to thrive in sun or shade.

Gardener's World experts recommend cutting them back after flowering "to encourage a second flush of blooms". Composting them annually is also recommended with manure or your own homemade compost to feed the plants.

Aside from that, there's not much tending to do, just enjoy the colourfulness every summertime. Sedum varieties are succulent-leaved perennial plants which are also known as the ice plant. They prefer full sun and will generally only flower if placed in sunlight or partial shade.

Real Simple Magazine suggested that "if you're looking for a groundcover that you can rely on year after year, sedum is a popular choice".

These ice plants work really well in rock garden spaces and are extremely drought-tolerant. The flowers come in several varieties and are a useful source for pollinators.

Real Simple Magazine highlights that most hardy sedum species "will last for 10 to 20 years, if not more, and they're about as low-maintenance as it gets".

The Gardeners' World website is quoted praising perennial rudbeckias, saying they're "ever-reliable and there are lots of beautiful types to choose from to suit different gardens".

Rudbeckias flourish in sunny spots, spreading generously but also adaptable to pot life. Catmint is hailed as a gardener's ally for its effortless growth, with Real Simple Magazine noting, "thrives on neglect".

Real Simple Magazine details Catmint's array of benefits, "Catmint has a lot to offer your yard. In addition to producing a dense bush of bright-colored flowers, it's also aromatic, deer-resistant, drought-tolerant, and pollinator-friendly."

Also remarked as an ideal choice for novice gardeners, Catmint's resilience is underscored with the phrase, "A great choice for beginner gardeners, catmint thrives on neglect and can live for a decade."

Boasting a plethora of colours, Asters remain a staple flower for perennial bases across British summertime gardens. A variety of hues including purple, pink, white, red, or yellow Asters could be the crown jewel of your summer floral display.

Regular thinning is advisable every few years for those Asters planted across sprawling spaces to maintain their vibrancy. Whether you're opting for shade-friendly types, potted beauties, or rock garden stars, there's an Aster variety fitting for your green haven, with guidance readily available at local garden centres.