June is a great time to add a few new perennials to your garden. Perennials are the plants that come back year after year. They need less maintenance than annuals and are often native, which means you can support the local ecosystem and wildlife by planting them. A perennial bed may not be as flashy as one with annual flowers, but it can be just as pretty in a subtler, more natural way. Here are some ideas for perennials that thrive in Bedford gardens.

Purple Coneflower, Echinacea purpurea

Also referred to simply as echinacea and known as an herbal supplement for boosting the immune system, coneflower is a native Midwestern flower. These pretty, cone-shaped flowers grow 16 to 20 inches tall and are sturdy enough to stand up without support. The classic variety is purple, but you can find new cultivars of coneflower in red, yellow, and other colors.

Penstemon, Penstemon digitalis

This pretty perennial will grow up to two feet tall and produce delicate white flowers. Also attractive is the foliage, which is green, tinged with burgundy. Penstemon prefers a sunny spot and soil that drains well.

Sedum, Crassulaceae spp.

There are hundreds of species of sedum, also known as stonecrop, and they do well in Bedford gardens. These are low-maintenance perennials that produce thick clusters of tiny flowers, almost like broccoli heads. You can find different colors, but a popular variety is ‘Autumn Joy’ because it changes from green to pink to deep red in fall, providing multi-season color.

Butterfly Weed, Asclepias tuberosa

This native prairie plant is no weed, despite its name. This is an easy perennial to grow, and it produces gorgeous clusters of red, pink, yellow, or orange flowers that attract butterflies. Butterfly weed resists drought and is vulnerable to very few pests or diseases.

Lenten Rose, Helleboros orientalis

Lenten rose, also called hellebore, is a pretty perennial that is also cold hardy. It thrives in shady spots, where you’ll struggle to grow other plants. The flowers come in a range of colors, including white and green and a shade that is nearly black. Look for the blooms to appear early in spring, even while there is still snow on the ground.

Little Bluestem, Schizachyrium scoparium

Not all perennials need to be flowers. Ornamental grasses make a bold statement in beds and even add color and texture to the garden throughout the winter. Little bluestem grows three feet tall and provides color through the entire growing season. The blades are blue-gray with touches of purple-red.

Jack-in-the-Pulpit, Arisaema triphyllum

For a truly unique flower, but one that is actually native to the Midwest, try Jack-in-the-Pulpit. This plant produces pitcher-like flowers that are green and red streaked. This is a forest plant that loves moist soil so put it in a shady area and keep the ground well-watered but drained.

No Bedford garden is complete without beds of showy, colorful, delicate, and pretty perennials. There are many options to choose from, and once they’re in the ground maintenance is easy and mostly hands-off. Annuals can be lovely, but make room for perennials this year.