Here are 10 easy-to-care-for perennials that will grow just about anywhere in the Northeast.

USDA Growing Zones: 4 to 8Color Variation: White, pink, or purpleSun Exposure: Full sun to part shadeSoil Needs: Dry to medium-moisture, well-drained soil

USDA Growing Zones: 3 to 8Color Variation: Purple, blue; pink and white cultivars also availableSun Exposure: Full sunSoil Needs: Medium moisture, well-drained soil

The biggest challenge growing coral bells in the Northeast is its tendency to heave out of the ground in winter. Mulching it after the ground has frozen will help protect the crown from cold damage. The plants do best if divided every three to five years, but these are not long-lived plants.

USDA Growing Zones: 4 to 8Color Variation: Pink or coral red flowers; green, bronze, or yellow foliageSun Exposure: Full sun to part shade; heavy sun can wash out leaf colorSoil Needs: Rich, moist, well-drained soil; prefers neutral to slightly acidic pH

USDA Growing Zones: 2 to 9Color Variation: Pink, red, whiteSun Exposure: Part shade to full shadeSoil Needs: Average, well-drained soil

USDA Growing Zones: 4 to 8Color Variation: Pale to dark pink/purpleSun Exposure: Full sun to part shadeSoil Needs: Average soil; prefers neutral to slightly acidic soil

USDA Growing Zones: 4 to 8Color Variation: Lilac to violetSun Exposure: Full sunSoil Needs: Average, dry to medium-moisture, well-drained soil

USDA Growing Zones: 3 to 9Color Variation: Red, yellow, white, blue, pink, salmon, or purpleSun Exposure: Full sun to part shadeSoil Needs: Average, slightly acidic soil; adapts to any soil

USDA Growing Zones: 4 to 9Color Variation: lavender, blueSun Exposure: Full sunSoil Needs: Average dry to medium-moisture soil

USDA Growing Zones: 3 to 9Color Variation: Cultivars available in nearly every color, including bi-colorsSun Exposure: Full sun to part shadeSoil Needs: Average, slightly acidic soil; tolerates virtually any soil

Peonies are very long-lived plants—they will live for many decades once they are well established. But they do not like to be moved, so be careful to position peonies carefully when planting. Deadheading is not necessary unless you want to do it for appearance, and the plants do not require division.

USDA Growing Zones: 3 to 8Color Variation: White, pink, red, purple, bi-colorsSun Exposure: Full sun to part shadeSoil Needs: Average, well-draining soil