18 Cottage Garden Perennials That Reseed
Over the years, I’ve grown all sorts of flowers in my garden, but some keep proving themselves to be tough, beautiful, and easy to care for. These are my go-to plants—many of them are self-sowers, pollinator magnets, or deer-resistant wonders that bring joy season after season.
Here’s a quick rundown of 18 of my favorite cottage garden perennials (and a couple of annuals I wouldn’t be without), with a few growing tips and their hardiness zones to help you decide what will thrive in your own garden.
1. Shasta Daisy (Leucanthemum x superbum)
Zones: 4–9
Shasta daisies love full sun and well-drained soil. I deadhead mine regularly to keep those cheerful blooms coming.
How to Grow Daisies!
2. Echinacea (Coneflower)
Zones: 3–9
Coneflowers are tough, drought-tolerant, and adored by bees and butterflies. I grow them in full sun and let them go to seed for the birds.
You Can Grow Echinacea
3. Rudbeckia (Black-eyed Susan)
Zones: 3–9
These sunny yellow blooms bring such a long season of color. They don’t mind poor soil and thrive with little fuss.
Add Black Eyed Susans
4. Russian Sage (Perovskia atriplicifolia)
Zones: 4–9
This one’s a must if you want a haze of lavender-blue flowers in summer. It thrives in dry, sunny spots and the deer leave it alone.
5. Meadow Sage (Salvia pratensis)
Zones: 4–8
Another pollinator favorite! I grow this one in full sun and shear it back after blooming to encourage a second flush.
6. Foxgloves (Digitalis purpurea)
Zones: 4–8
Classic cottage charm. I grow foxgloves in dappled shade, and although they’re usually biennial, they self-seed nicely for a continuous show.
Growing Foxgloves
7. Moroccan Poppy (Papaver atlanticum)
Zones: 5–9
These delicate orange poppies bloom their hearts out in sun and gravelly soil. I let them self-sow and they never disappoint.
8. Jupiter’s Beard (Centranthus ruber)
Zones: 5–9
This one blooms for ages and is so tolerant of dry, poor soil. It reseeds freely and brings in the butterflies.
9. Alyssum (Lobularia maritima)
Zones: 5–9 (perennial in warm zones, annual elsewhere)
I tuck alyssum into containers and along borders. It’s fragrant, tidy, and blooms nonstop with very little effort.
Grab the Printable of this List!
10. Perennial Phlox (Phlox paniculata)
Zones: 4–8
A staple in my summer garden. It loves full sun and moisture. I choose mildew-resistant varieties and pinch early to keep it bushy.
11. Breadseed Poppies (Papaver somniferum)
Annual
These beauties are one of my favorite self-sowers. I scatter the seeds in late winter or early spring and let nature do the rest.
12. Feverfew (Tanacetum parthenium)
Zones: 5–9
Feverfew adds a dainty, lacy touch. It self-seeds like a champ and handles part shade, too. I often cut it for little cottage-style bouquets.
13. Yarrow (Achillea millefolium)
Zones: 3–9
This one’s a workhorse. It thrives in full sun, poor soil, and dry conditions. Plus, pollinators absolutely love it.
Yarrow aka Achillea
14. Gaillardia (Blanket Flower)
Zones: 3–10
These bold blooms keep going and going. I deadhead them for more flowers and they love full sun and lean soil.
15. Cleome (Spider Flower)
Annual
Cleome adds height and a whimsical feel. I direct sow it and let it reseed—it pops up every year without much effort from me.
16. Verbascum (Mullein)
Zones: 4–9
Tall spires of blooms in soft pastels or bright yellow. It likes full sun and good drainage. I love it for vertical interest.
17. Rose Campion (Lychnis coronaria)
Zones: 4–8
I adore the silver foliage and vibrant magenta blooms. It’s drought-tolerant, self-sows, and gives my garden that wild cottage feel.
18. ‘Bill Wallis’ Hardy Geranium (Geranium pyrenaicum)
Zones: 5–9
This low-growing charmer blooms for months. It’s great for edging, fills in gaps, and I don’t mind at all when it pops up in new spots.
This is not an exhaustive list but what I have going right now. There are many more and I can share those at another time!
If you’re looking to build a low-maintenance, charming garden full of character and color, these flowers are a great place to start. I’ve grown every one of them in my own garden, and they’ve earned their place year after year.
Let me know if you’ve tried any of these or if one catches your eye for next season. I always love hearing about what’s growing in your gardens, too.
Happy gardening!
Hi, I’m Pamela
With 45 years of hands-on gardening experience, I love sharing practical tips, proven techniques, and inspiration drawn from my own gardens. My goal is to nurture your confidence, spark your passion, and help make every step of your gardening journey more enjoyable.
