Perennials return year after year, providing dependable color, texture, and beauty with less maintenance over time. With so many options available, how do you know which perennial plants are right for your yard or garden? 

At Holub Greenhouses, we grow a wide variety of perennial plants for Iowa gardeners that are selected to thrive in our Midwest climate. Whether you’re creating a pollinator garden, adding color to sunny flower beds, or brightening a shady corner, choosing the right perennial starts with understanding your garden’s growing conditions.

when should I plant perennials in Iowa?

Spring and early fall are both excellent times for planting perennial flowers and plants. Warm soil and cooler air temperatures in late summer and early fall can help roots establish before winter. Explore our perennial pages to learn more about recommended planting windows for specific perennial varieties.

Think about bloom time

One of the easiest ways to create a beautiful landscape is by choosing perennials for Iowa that bloom at different times throughout the growing season.

Spring Blooms

• Columbine
• Peonies

Summer Blooms

• Daylilies
• Coneflowers
• Coreopsis
• Lavender

Late Summer & Fall Blooms

• Asters
• Sedum
• Ornamental Grasses

By combining plants with staggered bloom times, you’ll enjoy color from spring through fall instead of having everything flower at once.

Which Perennials Are Best for Pollinators?

Adding pollinator-friendly plants is one of the easiest ways to support butterflies, bees, and hummingbirds while creating a lively, colorful garden. Many perennial flowers for Iowa naturally attract beneficial pollinators, including:

• Coneflower
• Salvia
• Lavender
• Phlox
• Veronica

These plants provide valuable nectar throughout the growing season while enhancing your landscape.

What are the best Perennials for Iowa?

Some of the most dependable perennials for Iowa include coneflowers, hostas, daylilies, coreopsis (tickseed), sedum, salvia, coral bells, and phlox. These varieties perform well in Iowa’s climate and return year after year.

Buy Locally Grown Perennials

One of the best ways to set your garden up for success is to purchase plants that are already adapted to local growing conditions.

At Holub Greenhouses, our perennials for Iowa gardens are grown right here in Ames rather than shipped in from out of state. Because they’re acclimated to Iowa’s changing seasons, they’re well-suited for local landscapes and ready to thrive in Central Iowa gardens.

Visit Holub Greenhouse in Ames for expert advice

Whether you’re starting a new flower bed or expanding an established landscape, Holub Greenhouses has a wide selection of perennial flowers for Iowa, along with the expert advice you need to choose the right plants.

Our knowledgeable team can help you select varieties based on sunlight, soil conditions, bloom season, and maintenance preferences so you can enjoy beautiful blooms year after year.

Visit Holub Greenhouses in Ames to explore our selection of locally grown perennials and find the perfect plants for your Iowa garden.