Following last week’s column on short-lived but nevertheless indispensible perennials, here is a roundup of my favorite long-lived recurring flowers. These are all plants that my wife and I have never lost, no matter where we have planted them or how we have neglected them. In reading this list, please bear in mind that although longevity is a virtue in a perennial, it also imposes a certain responsibility on the gardener. Long-lived plants tend to be deep rooted, they tend to make spreading clumps and they usually achieve a size which makes them difficult to lift and divide after several years in one spot. So, if you don’t like any of these plants where you first plant it, don’t put off moving it for more than a year or two.

It is hard not to think of peonies at this time of year, and they certainly are champs for long-term survival. Beware of lifting them in spring or summer however; Labor Day or thereafter is the right time to transplant or divide peonies.

Daylilies seem just about indestructible, and will grow in any soil. Their blooming potential is directly proportional to the amount of sun they receive, and shaded plantings tend to lean toward the sun. One could spend all one’s disposable income on the thousands of named varieties of daylily, such is the diversity of size and color in this species. Look for tetraploid types if you fancy enormous blooms.

Siberian and Japanese irises apparently live forever. Their short bloom period is more than compensated for by the lovely upright spears of foliage that break up the monotony of the border. Borders don’t seem to set these plants back as they can the more showy bearded irises.

I’ve never known a hosta plant to fail. Absolute champions of the shade garden, these natives of Japan and East Asia come in a stupendous array of foliage types. To deter slugs, mulch with pine needles.

Along with hostas consider the many types of astilbe that thrive in the shade. Heights, colors and bloom times of astilbe will suit almost any garden need, and the foliage is slug-proof.

All species of phlox belong on the list of everlasting perennials, from the mossy P. subulata through the taller P. divaricata and P. stolonifera to the summer blooming P. paniculata, p. maculata and P. carolina. The last two are mildew resistant.

Platycodon, the balloon flower, is a member of the bluebell family. The flower can come in pink, blue or white. The plants come up late and bloom in August when they are most wanted. The Japanese, who are especially fond of platycodon, have done almost all the breeding in the genus.

Primroses are not known for their longevity, but I must mention Primula sieboldii because it seems to be immortal. Native to Japan and incredibly variable in flower form and color, this primrose will survive even when grass and weeds surround it.

Sedums and sempervivums are the stalwart succulents of the rock garden. They persist nobly for many years after one has abandoned them to the weeds, especially if the soil is not too rich.

Tradescantia or spiderwort is an ideal subject for a wet spot, along with blue flag (Iris versiclor) and yellow flag (I. pseudoacoris). All are apt to outlive their owners.

In closing, brief mention should be made of the following long-lived perennials: Ligularia, sweet woodruff, bloodroot, thread-leafed coreopsis, fern-leafed bleeding heart, all the filipenulas, helenium, and the many varieties of Ajuga.

Michael Zuck of Bangor is a horticulturist and the NEWS garden columnist. Send inquiries to him at 2106 Essex St., Bangor, Maine 04401.