7 Whimsical Perennials – For An Enchanting Yet Effortless Yard
Curate a magical yard with these timeless perennials that promise to captivate
Creating a whimsical yard doesn't have to be child's play. It is about choosing perennials that come alive through playful forms, airy textures, and produce flowers that feel otherworldly, creating an atmosphere of escapism.
I’ve carefully selected my favorite perennials, each chosen for their unique beauty, sensory appeal, and their ability to bring an ethereal quality to your yard. By focusing on layering plant heights, incorporating varieties that catch the light, provide soft textured groundcover and dance gently in the breeze you will have all the essential ingredients for a magical and whimsical yard.
1. Foxgloves
Foxgloves not only provide height and drama to borders but also are beloved by bees.
The soft velvety texture of foxgloves which, are available in a range of soft enchanting pastel colors, are a stalwart in any quintessential cottage yard. This means foxgloves also lend themselves well to creating a whimsical feel.
Their tall, bell – shaped blooms, provide excellent vertical drama and structure and of course are loved by bees, adding interest and wonder to your borders.
A biennial, foxgloves will also effortlessly self-seed and will thrive just as well in dappled shade as they will in full sun, and can be easily grown from seed.
I love foxgloves grown together in a collection of soft peaches, pinks and creams, which are ideal if you want to punctuate your borders with whimsical charm.
My favorite is this classic collection of colors available to buy from seed from Walmart.
Hardiness: USDA zones: 4–9.
2. Roses
Climbing roses are perfect for disguising arbors, walls and trellis's, creating intrigue and mystery.
Another classic addition which will provide drama, structure and height, not to mention the most romantic of scents are climbing roses.
Let them scramble up and over walls, arbors to soften edges and create living architecture. Flat spaces are subsequently transformed into living immersive sanctuaries .
My favorite is this sensational rose called New Dawn available from Nature Hills, which is the perfect example of a traditional old fashioned climbing rose. Not only is it a repeat flowerer but it also produces beautiful large pink blooms, and is lightly scented, fading to a softer pink. The addition of a New Dawn climbing rose will undoubtedly steal the show.
Roses, which will benefit from full sun and well drained rich soil. It's also best to plant them in fall or late winter before March as bareroots, for the gift that will keep giving for years to come.
Hardiness: USDA 4 – 11 (varies depending on cultivar)
3. Bleeding Heart
Bleeding Heart, is almost too good to be true, but it's delicate heart shaped flowers add a pop of color and magic to borders.
Known for its heart-shaped flowers dangling from arching stems, Bleeding Heart adds a romantic, whimsical touch and gentle texture to your planting scheme.
I vividly remember the first time I came across this plant in my parents yard. It reminded me of something I might uncover in the pages of a children's fairytale book. While it looked too perfect to be real, it was very much real.
With fern-like leaves and delicate flowers in shades of pinks and reds, a few Bleeding Heart plants, woven into your borders will guarantee a pop of color and magic from spring into summer. It's also a really hardy plant, reliably coming back year after year.
Native to Asia it will thrive in shady areas and should ideally be planted as a bare root in late winter or early spring. To get started why not try this pink variety which are available to buy as bare roots from Amazon, and ready to plant in your yard as soon as you receive them.
Hardiness: USDA zones 3–9.
4. Moss
A carpet of moss is a a versatile and timeless way to bring a vibrant yet natural touch to your landscape.
For a natural, timeless yet vibrant landscape, which provides good ground cover and is also soft and textured to touch, moss is a valuable addition to any whimsical backyard. It instantly creates the sense you have entered into your very own woodland escape.
Not only is moss resilient it's also really versatile. It works well as an alternative to a lawn and is beautiful in-between stepping stones and around patios, helping to soften edges. I also love moss planted around the base of weathered benches or urns and statues, which instantly brings a long established feel to your yard.
The good new is, there are lots of different varieties to choose from, whether you're looking to carpet your entire lawn, edge your walkway or even create a living moss wall. The texture of this cushion moss, which is available to buy from Moss Acres, is so tactile you will not be able to stop yourself from wanting to touch it.
Moss prefers moist dappled shade and should be planted in fall or spring when it's slightly cooler and a little damp underfoot.
Hardiness: USDA 4 – 9 (depending on variety)
5. Delphiniums
Delphiniums bring drama, height and structure to the backdrop of your borders and are also a magnet for bees and butterflies.
A personal favorite, delphiniums evoke all sorts of magical and nostalgic memories from my childhood and create an incredible backdrop to any yard.
Adding not only structure and height delphiniums also add drama, drawing your eyes up and outwards.
I love the idea of a sea of blues delphiniums standing tall, with a few white delphiniums threaded through. Or you could go for statement with this statuesque variety, the Pacific Giant Delphinium King Arthur available to buy as seed from Walmart. Its tall airy ethereal spires add not only charm but will also attract bees and butterflies into your yard.
Planted in fall, delphiniums will do well in full sun, although they do prefer cooler summers, and thrive in rich alkaline soil. It's best to also protect them from the wind and stake them.
Hardiness: USDA 3 – 7
6. Ornamental grasses
Even in the winter months, ornamental grasses, provide architectural interest, movement and magic to your yard.
To turn the ordinary into something a little more extraordinary, ornamental grasses will ensure your borders feel alive, providing year round architectural interest, even in the depths of winter.
Bringing a quiet underrated magic to a backyard, the movement, texture, and seed heads create a sense of softness and mystery, all the qualities you need to make a space feel whimsical.
When the wind catches ornamental grasses they sway like living brushstrokes, adding an orchestral rhythm to your borders that blend structured and naturalistic beauty together seamlessly.
What makes them really powerful is their ability to catch the light at different times of the day. Whether that's when the sun is rising, setting or even in the moonlight, when they evolve into enchanted glistening lanterns, which won't fail to captivate.
Fountain Grass, which is available to buy from Walmart is a winner in borders. Its prairie like features provide soft, foxtail feathery plumes which sway gracefully but also glow in the sunlight.
Another to add into the mix, which will add movement to borders and soften the edges of pathways, is Mexican Feather Grass, which you can buy online from Green Bloom Plants. With ultra-fine hair-like blades, this grass delicately ripples like the tide in the wind.
Ornamental grasses are not only dependable but also require very little maintenance. They do however prefer drier conditions and full sun.
Hardiness: USDA 6 - 10
7. Lavender
Lavender is a must in any whimsical planting design, adding fragrance, attracting wildlife while also adding structure to borders.
For both texture and scent, I really recommend planting lavender, another cornerstone of any whimsical planting scheme, which will transport you instantly to a warm Mediterranean coastline.
As well as its gorgeous scent it looks great planted along the front of borders or along paths, allowing you to rub the flowers gently between your finger tips as you walk past releasing a relaxing and dreamy scent.
Adored by wildlife, lavender is a magnet for bees and butterflies alike, adding interest to your yard throughout the whole of the summer.
With over 450 different varieties, each with their own unique flower and scent the biggest issue will be choosing just one. However Provence lavender, which is available from Nature Hills, is a good reliable variety to start with and will help to soften the edges of your borders and paths.
Lavender will flourish in full sun and in gritty well drained soil, but it won't forgive you if you over water it.
Hardiness: USDA 5 – 9
By carefully combining these whimsical perennials, you can design a garden that offers year-round interest, a rich sensory experience and a place of magic for grown ups and children alike.
