What Are the Best Hardy Perennial Plants for Pots? Our Top 10 Picks

Utah County gardeners face hot, dry summers and freezing winters, so choosing hardy perennial plants for pots is crucial. The local climate spans roughly USDA Hardiness Zones 5 to 7, meaning plants must handle intense sun, low humidity, and winter lows around 0°F. 

For container gardening success, experts recommend selecting perennials hardy to about two zones colder than your area - this ensures they can survive winter in above-ground pots. 

Below we highlight What Are the Best Hardy Perennial Plants for Pots in Utah County, with our top 10 picks that combine beauty, resilience, and easy care for years of curb appeal.

Lavender: Fragrant Water-Wise Beauty

If you’re asking What Are the Best Hardy Perennial Plants for Pots, lavender (Lavandula angustifolia) is often the first answer. This Mediterranean native is celebrated for its soothing fragrance and silvery foliage, making it a star in Utah County container gardens. 

Lavender easily earns a spot among What Are the Best Hardy Perennial Plants for Pots because it thrives in sunny, dry conditions and bounces back each spring with minimal fuss.

In our high-desert climate, lavender actually prefers the conditions that leave fussier plants wilted, full sun, excellent drainage, and lean soil. English lavender varieties are hardy to about zone 5, which is ideal for Utah County’s zones. Plant it in a pot with gritty, well-draining potting mix; avoid overwatering since lavender performs poorly in waterlogged soil. 

This hardy perennial survives winter dormancy in containers as long as the roots are not waterlogged or exposed to extreme freeze-thaw cycles. A layer of mulch over the potting mix can insulate roots through cold snaps.

Lavender’s virtues go beyond toughness. It’s drought-tolerant and low-maintenance, perfect for busy homeowners who want color and scent without daily care. From late spring through summer, potted lavender produces purple flower spikes that attract bees and butterflies while repelling pests like mosquitos. Trim the spent blooms to encourage a second flush of flowers. Thanks to its compact size (many varieties stay 12–18 inches tall), lavender fits nicely in patio pots or clustered container arrangements. 

Its year-round silvery-green foliage provides winter interest, proving why this plant belongs in every list of What Are the Best Hardy Perennial Plants for Pots in Utah County.

Russian Sage: Airy Purple Pollinator Magnet

Gardeners frequently wonder What Are the Best Hardy Perennial Plants for Pots that can handle scorching sun and still put on a show. Russian sage (Perovskia atriplicifolia, also known as Salvia yangii) is a top contender. 

With its tall wands of smoky-purple flowers and feathery silver foliage, Russian sage adds a bold, airy texture to container plantings. It’s exceptionally well-suited to Utah County’s arid climate, thriving in hot, dry conditions and full sun that would stress many other perennials.

One reason Russian sage is among What Are the Best Hardy Perennial Plants for Pots here is its extreme hardiness. It’s reliably hardy to at least USDA zone 4, meaning it can tolerate winter lows far colder than anything Utah County will throw at it. In containers, give it a large pot (18 inches or more) with well-draining soil; Russian sage hates “wet feet” and actually prefers somewhat poor, sandy soil. 

Once established, it’s very drought-tolerant, an occasional deep watering is sufficient, and overwatering should be avoided. This sub-shrub can reach 3–4 feet tall and wide, so either use it in a generous-sized patio pot or be prepared to prune it back. Cutting stems down to about 6–8 inches in late fall will help it overwinter and produce fresh growth in spring.

Russian sage is beloved by pollinators and by homeowners who enjoy low-maintenance color. From midsummer into fall, it produces clouds of purple-blue flowers that draw bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds. The aromatic foliage is deer- and rabbit-resistant, a bonus in many Utah neighborhoods. 

In a mixed container, Russian sage can be the tall “thriller” element, complemented by shorter mounding flowers or trailing accents. Its resilience and long season of bloom firmly place it among the Best Hardy Perennial Plants for Pots in our region - a plant you can count on to bloom beautifully with little water or care year after year.

Coneflower (Echinacea): Colorful and Resilient

Another all-star answer to What Are the Best Hardy Perennial Plants for Pots is the coneflower, known botanically as Echinacea. These native prairie perennials are famous for their large, daisy-like blooms in shades of purple, pink, orange, and white. 

For Utah County container gardens, coneflowers bring reliable summer color and are tough as nails. They are heat- and drought-resistant once established, shrugging off our intense sun and dry air with ease.

Coneflowers are hardy to USDA zones 3–4, so they can withstand winter in pots here (especially if you use a frost-proof container and perhaps wrap or insulate it during the coldest months).

Plant them in a quality potting mix and ensure the container drains well, coneflowers don’t like soggy roots. They do, however, appreciate consistent moisture during the hottest part of summer, so check your pots regularly; water deeply when the top inch of soil is dry. In return, coneflowers will bloom profusely from early summer to fall. 

Deadheading (removing spent flowers) isn’t strictly necessary for continued bloom, but it will keep the plant tidy and may spur more flowering. You can also leave some dried seed heads on, they add winter interest and feed songbirds like goldfinches.

The Echinacea’s showy blooms and ease of care make it a fixture in lists of What Are the Best Hardy Perennial Plants for Pots. Not only do the vibrant flowers brighten any patio or porch, they also attract butterflies and bees, supporting local pollinators. 

Coneflowers are low-maintenance: they rarely need fertilizer, resist pests and diseases, and come back reliably each spring. Compact varieties around 18–24 inches tall are perfect for containers (try cultivars like ‘PowWow White’ or ‘Sombrero’ series). 

Mix them with grasses or trailing herbs for a prairie-style container, or let a pot of mixed-color coneflowers stand alone as a statement. Their combination of rugged hardiness and vivid blossoms exemplifies the qualities we seek in the Best Hardy Perennial Plants for Pots in Utah County.

Black-Eyed Susan (Rudbeckia): Sunny and Tough

When envisioning What Are the Best Hardy Perennial Plants for Pots, don’t forget the classic black-eyed Susan. Rudbeckia’s cheerful golden-yellow blooms with dark centers are like little suns brightening up any container. 

These prairie natives are right at home in Utah County’s climate, being drought-resistant and low-maintenance perennials that can thrive in full sun and poor soils. In fact, black-eyed Susans often flourish where fussier plants struggle, making them ideal for container gardens that bake in summer heat.

Hardy to roughly zones 3–9 (depending on the species/cultivar), black-eyed Susans easily survive our winters in pots. They tend to be short-lived perennials (many varieties live 2-3 years), but they often self-seed or can be successively replanted for continuous presence. In a container, use a loamy potting mix and ensure at least 12–14 inches of depth for their roots. 

While drought-tolerant, Rudbeckia in pots will bloom more prolifically if watered when the topsoil dries out (typically once or twice a week in hot weather). These plants can handle the alkaline soils common in Utah, but an annual addition of compost or a slow-release fertilizer in spring will keep them blooming strong in a confined soil space.

Black-eyed Susans in full bloom practically shout “summer” with their bright petals. They typically flower from mid-summer into fall. By deadheading spent flowers, you encourage a longer bloom period (though leaving a few to go to seed can attract birds and naturally reseed new plants). 

Their sturdy, upright habit (1 to 3 feet tall depending on type) makes them excellent centerpiece plants in medium to large pots. Pair Rudbeckia with purple or blue flowering companions (like Russian sage or salvia) for striking contrast, or with grasses for a prairie look. 

Because they’re pest-resistant, attract pollinators, and require little care, black-eyed Susans have earned their place among What Are the Best Hardy Perennial Plants for Pots. A pot of these sunny flowers on your porch or balcony will light up the space and connect your home to Utah’s native landscape.

Yarrow (Achillea): Heat-Proof and Colorful Umbels

For Utah County gardeners seeking What Are the Best Hardy Perennial Plants for Pots, yarrow is a must-consider. Achillea, commonly known as yarrow, is a hardy perennial famous for its flat clusters of tiny flowers (often yellow, pink, red, or white) and its soft, ferny foliage. 

This plant is native to arid regions and shows excellent heat resistance, making it perfect for Utah landscapes and container gardens. Yarrow laughs off the intense summer sun and actually prefers the dry conditions that our climate provides.

Hardy to zones 3–8, yarrow can easily overwinter in a container here, it’s the type of rugged plant that survives roadside, wild fields, and other tough spots. In a pot, provide a well-drained soil mix (yarrow does not tolerate standing water; too much moisture can cause root rot or make it floppy). 

One advantage of yarrow for containers is its fibrous, spreading root system, it will fill out the pot but isn’t overly deep-rooted, so it can do well even in somewhat shallow planters. Water your potted yarrow sparingly; once established, it’s very drought-tolerant, so let the top couple inches of soil dry out between thorough waterings. If the foliage ever wilts in extreme heat, a drink of water will perk it right up.

Yarrow’s flowers appear in late spring to summer and can rebloom through fall if cut back after the first flush. The flat-topped blooms not only add a unique shape to your container display, they also attract butterflies and beneficial insects. Many modern yarrow varieties are compact (12–18 inches tall) and bred for bright colors, these are ideal for pots. 

For example, Achillea millefolium cultivars like ‘Paprika’ (red), ‘Moonshine’ (yellow), or the Desert Eve™ series are prolific bloomers on shorter stems, perfect for container culture. Yarrow also handles the alkaline, clay-inclined soils of our region well, which translates to forgiving performance in various potting mixes. 

With its low water needs and reliable hardiness, yarrow clearly ranks among the Best Hardy Perennial Plants for Pots. Try it as a filler in a mixed container or en masse in its own pot for a bold swath of color that thrives in the Utah summer.

Sedum (Stonecrop): Succulent Survivor

When compiling a list of What Are the Best Hardy Perennial Plants for Pots, sedums are invariably included. Sedums (also called stonecrops) are a diverse group of succulent perennials known for thriving on neglect. 

For Utah County container gardening, sedums are a treasure: they are highly drought-tolerant and actually prefer the dry air and fast drainage that pots can provide. From low-growing groundcover sedums to upright varieties like Autumn Joy, these plants store water in their fleshy leaves and can sail through heat waves without wilting, an ideal trait for our climate.

Sedums are extremely hardy (many up to zone 3). This cold tolerance means they overwinter well in pots, often with evergreen or semi-evergreen foliage that adds off-season interest.

In fact, sedums and other frost-tolerant perennials like hens-and-chicks are commonly used in fall and winter container displays in Utah. Plant sedum in a gritty, well-drained potting mix, even a cactus or succulent blend works well. Use a container with good drainage holes, as sedums will rot in waterlogged soil. 

One advantage is that sedums generally have shallow root systems, so they can thrive in smaller pots or even shallow bowl planters. Water sparingly: allow the soil to dry out between waterings, and avoid watering at all if the soil is still moist. Thanks to their succulent nature, sedums can go weeks with little water, especially during cooler seasons.

Despite their tough-as-nails constitution, sedums are quite ornamental. Many produce clusters of starry flowers that attract butterflies and bees; for instance, Autumn Joy sedum turns heads in late summer with its rosy-pink flower heads that later deepen to copper. Trailing types like Sedum morganianum (burro’s tail) or Sedum spurium are great “spillers” for the edge of pots, draping nicely over sides. 

Sedum foliage itself comes in many colors (bright chartreuse, blue-green, deep red) which can complement other plants. They also handle the alkaline conditions often present in Utah’s water and soils. Virtually care-free and durable, sedums exemplify why they’re among the Best Hardy Perennial Plants for Pots. 

Whether you create a dedicated succulent dish garden or mix sedum with other perennials, you’ll appreciate a plant that laughs at drought, survives winter freezes, and still looks splendid.

Daylilies (Hemerocallis): Reliable Blooms for Any Spot

If What Are the Best Hardy Perennial Plants for Pots is on your mind, daylilies might be a pleasant surprise on our top 10 list. Often seen in garden beds, daylilies are actually well suited to containers and patios, especially the more compact or re-blooming varieties. 

These strappy-leaved perennials produce lily-like flowers (in almost every color except true blue) that typically last just one day each, but each stalk carries many buds, providing a succession of blooms over weeks.

In Utah County, daylilies are prized for being virtually indestructible: they tolerate heat, drought, and cold and still perform year after year.

Daylilies are hardy to zones 3 or 4, so surviving winter in a pot is usually no problem as long as the pot is not tiny. (In fact, daylilies in containers can be overwintered by clustering the pots in a sheltered spot and mulching around them if extra protection is needed.)

They prefer at least 6 hours of sun, though in the hottest areas some afternoon shade can prolong their flowering. Use a rich potting mix and a container that’s about 12 inches deep or more, since daylily roots and tuberous crowns appreciate some space. 

Keep soil moderately moist; daylilies have good drought tolerance once established and their thick roots store some water, but potted specimens will flower better with regular watering (generally water when the top inch of soil is dry). Fertilize lightly in spring with a balanced slow-release fertilizer to fuel their bloom cycle, or simply topdress with compost annually.

In terms of maintenance, daylilies are wonderfully low-effort. After blooms fade, you can trim away the spent stalks (and later, in fall, the foliage will die back and can be cleaned up).

Many newer hybrids are “everblooming” or repeat-blooming, meaning you get waves of flowers from early summer into fall. These cheerful plants also resist pests, deer tend to leave them alone (the foliage is somewhat fibrous) and they’re not prone to diseases in our dry climate. 

Use daylilies in pots as a lush vertical accent: their arching leaves provide texture even when not in bloom, and their flowers bring pops of color. Dwarf varieties like the Stella de Oro daylily (compact gold blooms) are fantastic in smaller pots or even window boxes. 

Given their hardiness, versatility, and ease of care, it’s no wonder daylilies are counted among What Are the Best Hardy Perennial Plants for Pots for Utah container gardeners who want dependable color year after year.

Coral Bells (Heuchera): Foliage Color for Shade and Sun

For those seeking What Are the Best Hardy Perennial Plants for Pots that offer striking foliage, coral bells (Heuchera) are an excellent choice. These perennials are known for their vibrant leaves ranging from deep purple and silver to bright lime green, as well as their delicate bell-shaped flower spikes in summer. Heucheras thrive in Utah County’s environment, handling a wide range of conditions. 

In fact, they are hardy in USDA zones 4–9 and tolerant of heat, cold, humidity and drought once established. This toughness, combined with their compact size and beauty, makes coral bells ideal for container cultivation.

Heucheras can grow in partial shade to full sun, depending on the variety. Generally, the darker or purple-leaved types tolerate more sun, while the light chartreuse or variegated types prefer part shade. This means you can use coral bells in containers on shady porches or under pergolas (where many flowering plants might struggle), as well as in sunnier spots if kept moist. 

They appreciate well-drained soil; a standard potting mix with some added compost for fertility works great. In a container, ensure consistent moisture (they like to be reasonably moist but not waterlogged). Coral bells are relatively shallow-rooted, so a wide, medium-depth pot is fine. 

Because our Utah summers are dry, you may need to water potted heucheras a bit more frequently than some xeric plants, check them a couple times a week. Fortunately, heuchera is somewhat drought-tolerant and will usually perk back up if it flags, so it’s forgiving if you miss an irrigation here or there.

One reason coral bells rank among What Are the Best Hardy Perennial Plants for Pots is their multi-season interest. The foliage is evergreen or semi-evergreen in our climate, meaning your pots have color even in winter. Many varieties develop more intense hues in the cool of spring and fall. Come late spring, slender flower spikes emerge, bearing tiny blooms that attract hummingbirds and butterflies. While the flowers are a bonus, it’s the leaves that steal the show. 

You can plant a single specimen of a bold variety like ‘Wildberry’ (with flashy purple leaves) in a decorative pot for a simple statement, or mix heucheras of different colors together for a stunning contrast. They also play well with others: try pairing a coral bell with a grass or upright sedum in a larger container for a mix of textures. 

Minimal maintenance is needed, trim any tattered leaves at the end of winter and refresh the topsoil yearly. In Utah County, heucheras can overwinter in pots (especially in protected spots) and return in spring; they are even listed among frost-tolerant perennials for fall and winter containers by local experts. 

All these qualities solidify coral bells as one of the Best Hardy Perennial Plants for Pots, bringing foliage artistry and reliable hardiness to your patio garden.

Hosta: Shade-Loving and Container-Hardy

When it comes to shade-friendly options for What Are the Best Hardy Perennial Plants for Pots, hostas take the crown. Known for their luxuriant leaves in various sizes and patterns, hostas can transform a shady porch or north-facing patio with their lush presence. They are also incredibly hardy perennials, many varieties withstand zone 3 winters, which means they can handle Utah County’s cold season in a pot. 

In fact, hostas are one of the hardiest perennials, so overwintering them in containers is easier than with more temperamental plants. This toughness, combined with their aesthetic appeal, makes hostas a staple of container gardening for shaded areas.

Hostas prefer partial to full shade, especially our intense mountain sun (morning sun and afternoon shade is ideal for most). In containers, choose a rich, moisture-retentive potting mix and a pot that’s spacious enough for the hosta’s root ball, remember, hostas will expand over time, so give them room or plan to divide every few years. Keep soil consistently moist; hostas are not drought-tolerant like many sun perennials on this list. 

In Utah’s dry air, potted hostas might need watering every 2–3 days in summer (depending on pot size and location) to keep their leaves plump and happy. You can even double-pot by placing the grower pot inside a decorative cachepot to help insulate roots and retain moisture. 

During winter, hostas in pots just need a bit of protection: once the foliage dies back in fall, you can cluster the pots in a sheltered corner and cover with mulch or straw, or move them into an unheated garage until spring. Many Utah gardeners report great success simply leaving hosta planters outside year-round (since they’re very cold-hardy), especially if the containers are frost-resistant and at least a foot in diameter.

The payoff for a little extra watering is huge: hostas offer an incredible range of sizes and colors to design with. Dwarf hostas can fit in small pots or even hanging baskets, while large hostas become dramatic specimen plants in big containers by the front door. 

Their foliage can be solid green, blue-green, golden, or variegated with stripes, providing season-long interest. In summer, most hostas also produce spikes of lavender or white flowers that often have a pleasant fragrance and attract hummingbirds. 

Maintenance is simple: remove spent flower stalks and trim away dead leaves in fall. Slugs can sometimes be an issue with hostas, but in containers this is rarely a severe problem (you can use copper tape or organic slug bait if needed). Hostas exemplify What Are the Best Hardy Perennial Plants for Pots by proving that even a shady spot can host a lush, thriving container planting. 

With their ease of growth and robust hardiness, they’re an ideal choice to add texture and greenery to any protected patio or entryway.

Blanket Flower (Gaillardia): Long-Blooming and Heat-Tolerant

Rounding out our top 10 picks for What Are the Best Hardy Perennial Plants for Pots is the vibrant blanket flower, or Gaillardia.

This Western native wildflower absolutely thrives in Utah’s sunny, dry climate and brings a carnival of color to containers. 

Gaillardia earned its common name “blanket flower” from the way its red, orange, and yellow blooms can blanket a meadow, and in a pot, it will do the same, blooming profusely all summer long.

It’s a low-maintenance, very hardy perennial that tolerates drought, heat, and cold weather, perfectly suited for our region’s extremes.

Blanket flowers are typically hardy from zone 3 up to 9 or 10, depending on the cultivar, so winter cold is rarely an issue. (They do prefer well-drained conditions in winter, and in fact if you have heavy clay soil, growing Gaillardia in a container or raised medium is recommended to avoid rot.) 

In containers, use a sandy or gritty potting mix to mimic the well-draining soil they love. A deep pot isn’t required because these plants are relatively shallow-rooted, but good drainage is paramount. They won’t tolerate sitting in water, so let the soil dry a bit between waterings. 

Interestingly, even though Gaillardia is drought-tolerant, container-grown specimens will flower more abundantly if watered regularly, in full hot sun, they may need a drink every day or two. Just be careful to not overwater; ensure the topsoil is dry to the touch before giving more, as drought-tolerant plants can be overwatered in pots if one isn’t mindful.

Once established, expect a parade of daisy-like blooms from late spring until fall. Each flower features fiery concentric bands of red, orange, and yellow, creating a sunset effect that stands out beautifully. Deadheading spent flowers will encourage even more blooms and keep the plant looking tidy, though blanket flower will often keep blooming regardless. 

One thing to note: Gaillardia is fast-growing and blooms so prolifically that individual plants can be somewhat short-lived (often 2-3 years), but they tend to self-sow seeds that can sprout new plants. You can also propagate new ones easily from division or cuttings to keep the display going. 

In a mixed container, Gaillardia’s bright colors pair well with purple coneflowers, blue salvia, or silver foliage plants like lamb’s ear. They also look great with ornamental grasses, giving a prairie or desert feel perfect for Utah xeriscape themes. Pollinators adore blanket flowers – you’ll see bees and butterflies visiting all day long, and later seed-eating birds might stop by for the seedheads. 

Few plants can match Gaillardia’s combination of extreme heat tolerance and brilliant, long-lasting bloom, which is why it secures a spot among our Best Hardy Perennial Plants for Pots. A pot of these can transform a bare patio into a lively oasis of color that thrives under the Utah sun.

Thriving with the Best Hardy Perennial Plants for Pots in Utah County

Creating a flourishing container garden in Utah County is absolutely achievable with the right plant choices and care. 

Our top 10 picks for What Are the Best Hardy Perennial Plants for Pots showcase perennials that laugh at intense sun, shrug off drought, and survive freezing winters, all while delivering season after season of beauty. By focusing on hardy perennials adapted to USDA zones 5–7 (or colder), you ensure that your container plants will return each year, saving you time and money. 

Equally important, many of these selections (like coneflowers, lavender, and blanket flowers) are pollinator-friendly and low-maintenance, aligning with a sustainable, easy-care approach to gardening. Remember to use well-draining potting mix, water appropriately, and give your potted perennials a little extra winter protection when needed, and you’ll be rewarded with vibrant blooms and foliage year-round.

Ready to elevate your Utah County landscape with durable, gorgeous container plantings? 

Contact Sable Hills Landscaping today for expert guidance and services. At Sable Hills Landscaping, we specialize in transforming outdoor spaces with hardy, low-maintenance solutions tailored to our local climate. 

Let us help you design stunning perennial container gardens that will thrive in Utah’s unique environment, and keep your home looking beautiful in every season. Get in touch with our team now to start growing your dream container garden!