Easy Maintenance Perennials

Coneflower (Echinacea): A native Iowa plant that requires little watering and is resistant to pests and diseases. Coneflowers are also known for attracting butterflies and birds to your garden.

Black-eyed Susan (Rudbeckia hirta): Another native Iowa plant that can handle hot, dry conditions with ease. Black-eyed Susans produce bright yellow flowers that bloom from midsummer to early fall.

Daylily (Hemerocallis): These hardy plants are perfect for Iowa's climate, and they come in a range of colors and sizes. Daylilies require minimal watering and can even tolerate some shade.

Hosta: These leafy plants are well-suited to Iowa's humid summers and cold winters. Hostas are shade-tolerant and come in a wide variety of leaf shapes and colors.

Sedum: A drought-tolerant succulent that can handle Iowa's harsh summer heat. Sedums come in a range of sizes and colors and are easy to care for.

Ornamental grasses: These hardy plants require minimal watering and come in a range of heights and textures. Some good options for Iowa include switchgrass (Panicum virgatum), feather reed grass (Calamagrostis acutiflora), and little bluestem (Schizachyrium scoparium).

Yarrow (Achillea): This tough plant can handle a wide range of soil conditions and is known for its pretty clusters of pink, white, or yellow flowers.