Tough to beat

With their ornamental beauty and adaptable natures, many perennial garden favorites are worth a second look for their resiliency in an era of weather extremes

- MICHELLE GERVAIS

Hotter summers, harsher winters, stronger storms, and sustained dry spells. Severe weather is affecting us all these days, and often our gardens don't react as we would expect or hope. That makes now a good time to take stock of what's managing the fluctuations, and what's succumbing to less than ideal conditions. Another smart move: turning to perennials that take it all in stride. "Gardeners are looking for plants that can adapt to tough conditions, whether that's higher temperatures and longer droughts, or more rainfall than in the past." says Monrovia Nursery's Katie Tamony.

But while we're always on the hunt for plants that can take a beating, we a don't want to turn to those that are so quick to adapt that they overtake our beds and borders, becoming a nuisance that can take years to eradicate.

Turn instead to tried-and-true plants that gardeners have counted on for generations. These include some North American natives that have been adapting to local weather changes for centuries and make area wildlife happy, as well as long-ago imports that have become mainstays in American gardens thanks to their resilience, good behavior, and charm.

Plants like daylilies, coneflowers, and bee balm may seem commonplace, but they are perennially popular because they endure. As a result, growers keep tinkering with them, developing new cultivars that maximize their benefits and mitigate their few shortcomings. Up ahead: a few bulletproof performers that will save you time and money, and provide years of enjoyment.

FALSE INDIGO

Baptisia Decadence Cherries Jubilee'