15 flowering perennials for the middle of a border
Updated: Feb 1, 2023
The plants you grow in the middle of your borders are surrounded on all sides and need to be the perfect height to not disappear.
You can go with larger perennials that spread to take up more space. Or plant tall, thin plants with spire-shaped flowers. This helps to break up a stacked, layered look and still lets the plants behind it be seen. You’ll get more of a relaxed vibe to your borders with a few tall, thinner plants mixed in the middle.
After you’ve selected your favorite mid-sized perennials, finish off your landscaping with the best low-growing perennials for the front of the border and taller, eye-catching plants for the back.
What can you plant in the middle of a border? Here are 15 of my favorites that come back year after year! And ones I have growing in my garden right now.
1. Yarrow (Achillea millefolium 'Safran')
Height: 50-60 cm (20-24 inches)
Sun exposure: Full sun to partial shade
Type of soil: Well-drained
Blooms: late spring to early summer
Click here to see even more pink perennial flowers — ones that keep coming back year after year.
2. Allium 'Millenium' (Allium senescens 'Millenium')
Height: 50 cm (20 inches)
Sun exposure: Full sun
Type of soil: Well-drained
Blooms: late spring to early summer
3. Japanese Anemone 'Carmen' (Anemone hybrida 'Carmen')
Height: 60 cm (24 inches)
Sun exposure: Partial shade
Type of soil: Well-drained
Blooms: late spring to early summer
4. Columbine | European Crowfoot | Granny's Bonnet (Aquilegia vulgaris)
Height: 60-70 cm (24-28 inches)
Sun exposure: Partial shade to full sun
Type of soil: Well-drained
Blooms: late spring to early summer
5. False Goat's Beard | Tall False-Buck's-Beard | Chinese Astilbe (Astilbe chinensis)
Height: 50 cm (20 inches)
Sun exposure: Partial shade to full shade
Type of soil: Moist and well-drained
Blooms: late spring to early summer
6. Hattie's Pincushion | Masterwort (Astrantia hybrid 'Florence')
Height: 60-70 cm (24-28 inches)
Sun exposure: Partial shade
Type of soil: Well-drained
Blooms: late spring to early summer
7. Common Quaking Grass (Briza media)
Height: 50 cm (20 inches)
Sun exposure: Full sun to partial shade
Type of soil: Well-drained
Blooms: late spring to early summer
8. Clustered Bellflower (Campanula glomerata 'Superba')
Height: 50-60 cm (20-24 inches)
Sun exposure: Full sun to partial shade
Type of soil: Well-drained
Blooms: late spring to early summer
9. Mountain Bluet | Perennial Cornflower (Centaurea montana 'Grandiflora')
Height: 60-70 cm (24-28 inches)
Sun exposure: Full sun
Type of soil: Well-drained
Blooms: Late summer to early fall
Want to see more purple perennials? Click here to find your new favorites.
10. Rose Turtlehead (Chelone obliqua 'Pink Turtlehead')
Height: 50-60 cm (20-24 inches)
Sun exposure: Full sun to partial shade
Type of soil: Moist and well-drained
Blooms: late summer to early fall
11. Bleeding Heart (Dicentra spectabilis 'Cupid')
Height: 60 cm (24 inches)
Sun exposure: Partial shade to full shade
Type of soil: Moist and well-drained
Blooms: late spring to early summer
12. Avens (Geum rivale 'Tales of Hex')
Height: 60 cm (24 inches)
Sun exposure: Full sun to partial shade
Type of soil: Moist and well-drained
Blooms: late spring to early summer
13. Oxeye Daisy (Leucanthemum vulgare)
Height: 50-60 cm (20-24 inches)
Sun exposure: Full sun
Type of soil: Well-drained
Blooms: late spring to early summer
14. Lupine (Lupinus)
Height: 50-60 cm (20-24 inches)
Sun exposure: Full sun to partial shade
Type of soil: Well-drained
Blooms: late spring to early summer
15. Bee Balm (Monarda 'Purple Lace')
Height: 60-70 cm (24-28 inches)
Sun exposure: Full sun
Type of soil: Well-drained
Blooms: late spring to early summer
Are you ready to plant the middle of your borders?
Whether you’re starting these mid-border flowering perennials from seed or planting mature plants from a nursery, I’m sure they’re going to bring that extra pop to your garden.
And don’t forget that pollinators like a variety of different flower shapes, colors and sizes. Don’t be afraid to plant 5 or more different plants from this list. Depending on the look you’re going for, you can even plant all 15! The pollinating insects will love you for it.
If you have questions about what works in your area, drop me a line or contact your local gardening expert for help. Or drop me a line and ask any questions you have.
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