18 Types of Perennial Flowers That Start With ‘A’

Perennial flowers are plants that live for more than two years, blooming every spring and summer. Unlike annuals that must be replanted each year, perennials persist in the garden, coming back reliably with their bright blooms and distinctive foliage.

There are many lovely perennial flowers that have names starting with the letter ‘A’. Here are 18 of the most popular:

1. Achillea (Yarrow)

Achillea is a genus of perennial flowering plants in the Asteraceae family. Common names include yarrow and milfoil.

There are 85 known species of yarrow native to Europe, Asia Minor, and North America. These hardy plants grow 1-3 feet tall and produce flattened clusters of tiny flowers in various shades of white, pink, red, and yellow.

Popular garden varieties include ‘Moonshine’ (lemon yellow) ‘Terracotta’ (rusty orange) and ‘New Vintage Violet’ (rich violet). Yarrows thrive in full sun and average to dry soil.

2. Aconitum (Monkshood)

Aconitum, also known as monkshood or wolfsbane, includes over 250 species of flowering plants in the Ranunculaceae family. These clump-forming perennials are known for their helmet-shaped hooded flowers.

While extremely toxic if ingested, monkshood adds striking architectural form and intense blue color to the late summer garden. Some popular varieties include ‘Bressingham Spire’ which has deep violet-blue flowers and ‘Stainless Steel’ which has icy blue blooms.

3. Agapanthus (Lily of the Nile)

Agapanthus is a genus of bulbous flowering plants native to South Africa. In warm climates, Agapanthus can bloom year-round. However, in colder zones they behave as summer-blooming perennials.

These plants produce large spherical clusters of trumpet-shaped flowers in shades of blue, purple, and white atop long naked stalks. Popular varieties include ‘Midnight Blue’ and white flowering ‘Albus’.

4. Alstroemeria (Peruvian Lily)

Often called Peruvian Lily or Lily of the Incas Alstroemeria originated in South America. These tuberous perennials grow 1-4 feet tall and produce abundant lily-like blooms in pink peach, yellow, orange, red, white, and purple.

Some popular garden varieties include ‘Sweet Laura’ (pink and white stripes), ‘Princess Fabia’ (orange and red flecked), and ‘Sweet Alicia’ (white with pink and red freckles) Alstroemerias thrive in partly shaded beds with moisture-retentive soil.

5. Amsonia (Blue Star)

Amsonia is a genus of herbaceous perennials in the Apocynaceae family. Commonly known as blue stars, these clump-forming plants are prized for their stellar periwinkle blue flowers and golden yellow fall foliage.

There are around 20 species native to eastern and southern parts of North America. One of the most popular garden varieties is Amsonia hubrechtii which has light blue flowers in spring and intense yellow color in autumn.

6. Anemone

Anemone is a genus of more than 120 flowering plants in the Ranunculaceae family. Though the common name windflower implies they are delicate, Anemones are surprisingly tough, hardy perennials.

While most Anemone species bloom in spring, there are a few late-season bloomers for the fall garden. Popular varieties include ‘Honorine Jobert’ (white with yellow centers), ‘Queen Charlotte’ (pink with dark veins) and ‘September Charm’ (pink with yellow centers).

7. Aquilegia (Columbine)

Aquilegia, commonly known as columbine, is a genus of about 60-70 herbaceous perennials in the Ranunculaceae family. Native to woodlands and meadows throughout the Northern Hemisphere, Columbines are adapted to partly shaded conditions.

In late spring and early summer, columbines produce elegant nodding flowers with backwards-curving petals resembling jester’s caps. Blooms come in just about every color including bicolors. One of the most popular varieties is ‘Origami Red & White’.

8. Aruncus (Goat’s Beard)

Aruncus is a small genus of herbaceous perennials commonly known as goat’s beard. Native to Europe, these moisture-loving plants produce feathery creamy white plumes that resemble a goat’s beard.

The most popular variety for gardens is Aruncus dioicus which can reach heights of 4-6 feet when happy. Goat beard plants thrive in partly shaded borders with consistent moisture. Astilbe are close relatives.

9. Arum (Italian Arum)

Arum is a genus of flowering plants native to Europe, North Africa, and Asia. The name arum comes from the Greek word ‘aron’ meaning poison. However, most Arum species are not toxic when grown in home gardens.

A popular arum for spring gardens is Arum italicum, also known as Italian arum or Italian lords and ladies. This hardy perennial produces arrowhead-shaped leaves and unique hooded spathes in white, maroon, or green.

10. Asclepias (Butterfly Weed)

Asclepias is a genus of herbaceous perennial flowering plants native to North and South America. One of the most popular garden species is Asclepias tuberosa, commonly called butterfly weed.

This drought-tolerant plant produces clusters of bright orange flowers from early to mid-summer, attracting hordes of butterflies. It thrives in full sun with average to dry soils. Flowers are followed by eye-catching seed pods in late summer.

11. Aster

Aster is a genus of perennial flowering plants in the Asteraceae family. Though most species originate from North America, Asters are grown worldwide for their colorful daisy-like blooms.

Late-season blooming Asters range from dwarfs under 1 foot to towering plants reaching 6 feet tall. They come in many colors including pink, purple, red, white, and blue. Popular varieties include the deep violet ‘Alma Potschke’ and bright fuchsia ‘Harrington’s Pink’.

12. Astilbe

Astilbe are elegant feathery-leaved perennials that produce flowering plumes on upright stems. Native to woodland areas of Asia and North America, these moisture-loving plants do best in partly shaded gardens with rich soil.

For optimal growth, Astilbes should receive supplemental water during dry periods. Some exceptional varieties include vision in pink ‘Fanal’, vivid red ‘Brautschleier’ (Bridal Veil), and white flowering ‘Deutschland’.

13. Astrantia (Masterwort)

Astrantia, also known as masterwort, is a genus of herbaceous perennials in the Apiaceae family. Native to Europe, these clump-forming plants produce flowers resembling exploding fireworks.

Star-shaped flowerheads sit atop straight stems and come in shades of pink, red, white, and green. For gardens, one of the best varieties is ‘Abbey Road’ which has ruby red bracts surrounding white flowers.

14. Aubrieta (False Rockcress)

Aubrieta is a genus of low-growing herbaceous perennials also known as false rock cress. Native to the Mediterranean region, Aubrieta forms a mat of evergreen foliage and puts on a colorful floral display in spring.

Flowers come in shades of purple, blue, and pink. Popular varieties for rock gardens and edging beds include ‘Purple Cascade’, ‘Blue Cascade’, and ‘Audrey Blue’. Aubrieta does best in full sun with average, well-drained soil.

15. Aurinia (Basket of Gold)

Aurinia saxatilis, commonly called basket of gold, is a compact perennial covered in masses of small bright yellow flowers in spring. This trouble-free plant thrives in full sun and average to dry soil.

Growing just 4-8 inches tall, Aurinia is perfect for rock gardens and garden edges. After flowering finishes, trim plants back to promote full growth and more flowering for next spring.

16. Azalea

Azaleas are flowering woody shrubs in the Rhododendron genus of the Ericaceae family. They are generally smaller and slower growing than their Rhododendron cousins. Azaleas thrive in humus-rich, acidic soil.

While Azaleas bloom in spring, the flowers can be single or double, and come in shades of pink, purple, red, orange, yellow, and white. Some popular evergreen varieties include ‘Girard Rose’ (fuchsia-pink), ‘Gumpo White’ (pure white), and ‘Gumpo Pink’ (bright pink).

17. Allium (Ornamental Onion)