There are many perennials that you can choose for your landscape bed, but these five flowering perennials should be at the top of your list. Not only do most of them need very little maintenance, but their colorful foliage and flowers add curb appeal to your yard.

Here at Outdoor Expressions Landscaping, we use these five perennials in many of our landscape renovations in East Lansing, Okemos, Haslett,MI and surrounding areas. Read on to find out more information about them, including the type of soil they should be planted in and more.

1. Hellebores

Hellebores flowers growing on a property in East Lansing, MI.

Hellebores are also referred to as Christmas Rose and Lenten rose. Their evergreen leaves make the perfect background for the flowers which can range from white, pink, purple, and yellow. They make the perfect addition to a woodland garden, blooming in late winter or early spring.

These perennial flowers thrive well in soil that has good drainage and shade coverage. Some great bonuses of hellebores are that they are very low-maintenance and they also repel deer.

It should be noted, however, that hellebores are toxic and should never be ingested. According to Penn State, some people may have some form of skin irritation such as dermatitis when handling hellebores. That's why gloves must be worn in the process of planting or handling them.

2. Viburnum

Viburnum flowers planted on a property in Haslett, MI.

There are over 150 varieties that fall under the genus of viburnum. Some grow into small trees while others are just small shrubs. The best time to plant them would be in the fall, although they can be readied for spring.

Depending on what you will get, expect the flowers to be either white or cream. There are some that have a pinkish color to them. Some varieties also have fruits, ranging in colors of black, pink, blue, yellow, red, and orange.

With some viburnum variants growing up to 30 feet in height, they are ideal to be used as hedges in your landscape. Just be sure to plant them in areas that have moist, rich soil with full sun exposure, as they tolerate summer heat well. Viburnums require very little maintenance once they are planted.

3. Allium

Allium flowers growing on a property in Okemos, MI.

Even though they are more commonly known as ornamental onions, alliums will look more at home in your landscape rather than on your kitchen table. These perennials have a distinct fragrance similar to that of onion and garlic.

Many of the species of allium bloom during May and June or even July. One of the most popular is the giant onion, which produces a flower head of small violet flowers clumped together. They can grow up to 12 inches, and if you plant a lot it will look absolutely spectacular in your landscape.

A bonus of alliums is that they can repel both deer and rodents, but are very attractive to bees and butterflies.

4. Geranium Rozanne

Geranium Rozanne flowers growing by a home in East Lansing, MI.

With their colorful blue flowers, long bloom period, and requirement for very little attention, it's no wonder the Geranium Rozanne was named as the 2008 Perennial Plant of the Year by the Perennial Plant Association.

The attractive violet-blue flowers hail from England and bloom for a long time. Plus, unlike other geranium varieties, there is no need for deadheading, making them very low maintenance. All you need to do is make sure they have full sun for about six hours a day.

Butterflies are naturally attracted to them, so they will be a great addition to any landscaping bed.

5. Hydrangea

Hydrangeas on a property in Haslett, MI.

Last but not least on our list is the hydrangea, which also comes in many varieties and colors, including pink, blue, and white. For some, the color of the flower is affected by the soil's pH. Acid soils will produce blue flowers while alkaline soils will produce pink ones.

They can grow very fast, and while it may seem that they are high maintenance, that is far from the truth. All they need is soil with good drainage and an area where they will get the morning sun but be shaded in the afternoon.

They will need plenty of water, so watch out for when they start to wilt because this means they need to be watered.

Ready to plant these perennials in your landscape beds?

Contact Outdoor Expressions Landscaping at (517) 333-7999 to get a quote for your landscaping needs. We cater to East Lansing, Okemos, Haslett, Michigan and nearby areas.

We can easily renovate your landscape and add new installations as well, including patios, retaining walls, and water features. These top five perennial flowers are a common part of our landscape renovations, but we can easily plant other flowers that you might like. We can even design some decorative pots that would be perfect for what you had in mind.

With 19 years of expertise in this industry, you can be assured of quality, efficient work that is worth every penny you will spend.