Unique Perennials To Set Your Landscape Apart!

Charlotte Weidner | February 14, 2026

Looking for a garden standout that is a new and unique perennial? will add beauty and interest to your garden beds with striking colors, outstanding foliage, and interesting blooms that come in a variety of sizes, bold or unexpected colors, and curious growing habits!

Our new and unique perennials are quite exceptional with excellent performance in heat, humidity, cold, and drought. These perennials can be used as accent plants or in mixed borders, open woodlands, and mass plantings!

All of these unique perennials have that special ‘je ne sais quoi’! Build your garden around these spectacular plants and you will be rewarded with brilliant flowers year after year!

Here are some amazing plants that are sure to turn heads whenever they are in bloom or even just growing in your garden!

Using Unique Perennials In Your Landscape!
Full Sun Unique Perennials
Unique Part Sun/Partial Shade Perennials
Unique Perennials For Full Shade
Caring For Your Unique Perennials

Using Unique Perennials In Your Landscape!

Whether you want a big and bold display that turns heads, or a display of unique flowers no one else on the block has seen before, planting unique perennials will boost your garden's curb appeal!

From shocking color and unexpected texture, massive height or wide spreading form, and unusual foliage form or color, unique perennials will instantly become specimens, accents, and focal points in your yard and container garden!

Full Sun Unique Perennials

Show off in the sun with these fantastically unique flowering perennials for your full sun garden! Turn some heads and get all the attention on your home and yard!

Arkansas Blue Star - dark stems set off the sky-blue star-shaped blooms
Blue Glow Globe Thistle - spikey silvery blue round flowers
Joe Pye Weed - dramatically tall native that pollinators love
Fortnight Lily - wide-open creamy yellow stars with shocking black/yellow spots
Red Hot Poker Plants - unique hummingbird plants with eye-catching flower spires
Rozanne Hardy Geranium - long blooming groundcover that’s insanely easy to grow
Sea Thrift - cute little plants with cheerful raspberry-colored round flowers
Verbascum (Mullein) - showy flowering spires resemble Delphinium and Hollyhock
Blue Glitter Sea Holly - silvery lavender-blue spikey stars!
Silver Mound Artemisia - soft and silvery-green mounded fragrant perennial

Unique form and showy blooms, these perennials need at least 6 hours of sun a day to keep them flowering their best and keep them stress-free.

Unique Part Sun/Partial Shade Perennials

Doing best in 4-6 hours of sun, in afternoon shade with morning sun, or all-day dappled shade, these part sun/part shade perennials straddle this unique garden niche location!

Barrenwort - jester hat-like flowers and colorful heart-shaped leaves!
Blue Plumbago Plant - neon lavender-blue flowers
Brunnera - try Variegata or Jack Frost - glowing blue flowers
Empress Wu Hosta - Grows 5 - 6 feet wide!
Goatsbeard (Goat’s Beard) - airy white plumes
Japanese Painted Ferns - so much color on one plant!
Little Rocket Leopard Plant (Ligularia) - striking yellow rocket-like flowers
Little Redhead Indian Pink - shocking two-tone flowers
Sweet Kate Spiderwort - vibrant chartreuse foliage
Stairway to Heaven Jacobs Ladder - variegated leaves and dainty blue blooms

Unique foliage colors and whimsical flowers, these plants light up the in-between sun/shade gardens, containers, and as showy specimens!

Unique Part Sun/Partia lShade Perennials

Unique Perennials For Full Shade

Requiring about 2-4 hours of sun a day, full-shade perennials love those dark and glooming areas to inhabit and they are suitable for areas with higher moisture, which is common for these understory locations.

All Gold Japanese Forest Grass - radiant golden flowing grass
Bleeding Hearts - lacy foliage and delicate spring flowers kids love
Bugbane (aka: Black Cohosh, Black Snakeroot, or Baneberry) - dramatic black leaves
Chinese Wild Ginger - fast-growing heart-shaped black foliage groundcover
EverColor® Sedges - all EverColor® Sedge have showy foliage and variegated options
Hayscented Fern - a bright foliage plant with fragrant leaves
Othello Leopard Plant - showy yellow daisy-like flowers and unique leaves
Lenten Rose - beloved late winter/early spring flowers!
Raspberry Splash Lungwort - raspberry-colored flowers and silver spotted foliage
Solomon’s Seal - a stunning and unusual growth habit

Light up the full shade with these bright and colorful foliage plants and flowering perennials fill your garden with drifts of sheer color!

Caring For Your Unique Perennials

Once you have chosen the unique perennial for your particular Hardiness Zone and sun needs, most of these plants need well-drained soil conditions and moderate moisture needs throughout the growing season. Check each plant’s information page for their particular moisture and care needs, and pruning needs for your perennial.

These are among the easiest plants to grow and reliably return to your garden year after year, getting bigger and better to continue filling your landscape with their unique beauty!

Check out these and the many other types of unique plants at Nature Hills Nursery that will become your landscape's next show-stopping addition!

Happy Planting!

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Frequently Asked Questions

Can you plant unique perennials in the summer, or is it better to wait for spring or fall?

Unique perennials can absolutely be planted in summer, though spring and fall are generally the easiest times since cooler temperatures reduce transplant stress and watering demands. If you plant in summer, choose an overcast day or plant in the evening, water deeply at planting, and keep the root zone consistently moist for the first few weeks while the plant establishes. In hot climates like USDA Zones 7 through 10, fall planting is often preferred since roots have months to establish before summer heat arrives. Whenever you plant, apply 2 to 3 inches of mulch around the base to retain moisture and moderate soil temperature for the best start.

Can baby's breath be grown as a perennial, and how do you keep it blooming season after season?

Baby's breath (Gypsophila paniculata) is indeed a hardy perennial in zones 3 through 9, returning reliably each year when given well-drained, slightly alkaline soil and a full sun location. After the first flush of bloom in early summer, cut the plants back by about one-third to encourage a second wave of flowers later in the season. Avoid overwatering and heavy clay soils, as wet roots are the fastest way to lose these plants over winter. Plant in a spot with excellent drainage, amend with lime if your soil is acidic, and divide clumps every three to four years in early spring to keep them vigorous and blooming at their best.

Which unique perennials are easiest to grow for beginners who want a standout landscape without a lot of fuss?

For low-maintenance impact, Rozanne Hardy Geranium and Silver Mound Artemisia are top picks for beginners, as both are exceptionally adaptable, drought-tolerant once established, and require minimal care to look their best. Sea Thrift is another great choice, thriving in poor soils and coastal conditions while producing cheerful raspberry blooms with little intervention. All three perform well across a wide range of hardiness zones and can be used as groundcovers, edging, or accent plants in mixed borders. Start with any of these three in a well-draining spot with at least 6 hours of sun, water regularly through the first season to encourage strong root development, and you will have reliable, head-turning plants that largely take care of themselves.

How do I choose unique perennials that will actually survive and thrive in my USDA hardiness zone?

Start by checking your USDA hardiness zone at the USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map website, then cross-reference each perennial's listed cold tolerance before purchasing. Nature Hills displays hardiness zone information on every plant page, making it straightforward to confirm a plant will survive your winters. Beyond cold hardiness, match the plant's sun, soil, and moisture requirements to your actual garden conditions, since a perennial rated for your zone will still struggle if planted in the wrong light or drainage situation. Shop by your zone on naturehills.com and read each plant's full description to ensure you are selecting varieties proven to perform in your specific climate.

How much sun or shade do most unique perennials need, and are there standout options for low-light gardens?

Most unique perennials thrive in full sun and need at least 6 hours of direct sunlight per day to flower their best and stay stress-free. However, Nature Hills also offers standout selections for partial shade and full shade gardens, so low-light spaces don't have to settle for ordinary plants. Browse the full collection by light requirement to match the right unique perennial to your specific conditions and build a garden that turns heads no matter where you're planting.

How far apart should I space unique perennials when planting them in a new garden bed?

Spacing for unique perennials varies by plant, but a general rule is to space most medium-sized perennials 18 to 24 inches apart, while larger statement plants like Joe Pye Weed may need 3 to 4 feet between them. Groundcovers such as Rozanne Hardy Geranium can be spaced 12 to 18 inches apart since they spread to fill in gaps over time. Always check the mature spread listed on the plant tag or product page before digging your holes. When in doubt, space generously to allow for healthy airflow and natural growth, then fill temporary gaps with annuals while your perennials establish.

Should I amend my soil with compost or other additives before planting unique perennials?

Yes, amending your soil before planting unique perennials is highly recommended and will set your plants up for long-term success. Work 2 to 3 inches of compost into the top 12 inches of your planting area to improve drainage, boost nutrients, and encourage strong root development. For heavy clay soils, adding coarse sand or perlite alongside compost will prevent waterlogging, which most perennials cannot tolerate. Do this soil preparation in early spring or fall before planting, and your perennials will establish faster and perform better through heat, drought, and cold.

How often should I water newly planted unique perennials while they are getting established?

Newly planted perennials need consistent moisture during their first growing season to develop strong root systems, typically requiring deep watering two to three times per week during the first few weeks after planting. Aim to soak the root zone to a depth of 6 to 8 inches with each watering session, then gradually reduce frequency as plants show signs of new growth. In hotter climates or during summer heat spikes above 90 degrees Fahrenheit, you may need to water daily to prevent wilting and stress. Once established after their first full season, most of the unique perennials at Nature Hills are quite drought tolerant, so gradually taper your watering schedule to encourage deep, self-sufficient root growth.

How do I protect unique perennials from root rot and crown rot caused by overwatering or poor drainage?

Root rot and crown rot are almost always preventable by ensuring your soil drains freely and never stays waterlogged around the crown of the plant. Amend heavy clay soils with compost, perlite, or coarse sand before planting, and consider raising your beds by even 4 to 6 inches to improve drainage significantly. Water deeply but infrequently, allowing the top inch or two of soil to dry out between waterings, and always water at the base of the plant rather than overhead. If you suspect drainage issues in your planting area, test by digging a hole 12 inches deep, filling it with water, and ensuring it drains within an hour before you plant.

Which unique perennials are the most drought-tolerant and low-maintenance once they are established?

Several of Nature Hills' unique perennials are standout performers in dry conditions once established. Silver Mound Artemisia, Sea Thrift, Blue Glow Globe Thistle, and Red Hot Poker Plants are all known for excellent drought tolerance and require minimal intervention after their first growing season. Arkansas Blue Star and Sea Holly are similarly tough, thriving in poor soils with little supplemental watering. Focus your watering efforts during the first full growing season to help roots establish deeply, and after that these plants will largely take care of themselves with natural rainfall in most regions.