Gardening enthusiasts often seek out perennial plants for their gardens due to their longevity and vibrant beauty.
Perennials are especially valued for their ability to bloom year after year, with some varieties offering the added bonus of blooming all summer long.
This makes them an excellent choice for anyone looking to create a colorful and dynamic garden landscape that requires minimal replanting each season.
In this guide, we will explore 18 perennial flowers that are known for their enduring blooms, providing your garden with continuous color and life from spring through fall.
Low Maintenance Perennials
1. Daylilies (Hemerocallis)
Daylilies are the quintessential low-maintenance perennial. Known for their striking blooms, which last just a day, the plants themselves keep producing new flowers for a remarkably long period.
Most daylilies will bloom from early summer to early fall, with each plant producing multiple flower stalks.
To maximize their blooming potential, plant daylilies in a sunny spot with well-draining soil and divide the clumps every few years to prevent overcrowding.
2. Coneflowers (Echinacea)
Coneflowers are not only beloved for their bold and colorful flowers, ranging from pink to purple and even red, but they are also highly appreciated for attracting pollinators such as bees and butterflies.
These hardy natives of the prairie are drought tolerant once established and can thrive in full sun to light shade.
Deadheading the spent flowers can promote more blooms, but leaving some late-season cones will provide food for birds and add winter garden interest.
3. Coreopsis (Tickseed)
Coreopsis, with its cheerful yellow and gold blooms, brings a burst of color to the garden from early summer through fall. This perennial is incredibly easy to grow, thriving in dry to medium moisture soils and full sun.
Coreopsis can be propagated by seed or division, making it a wonderful plant to share with fellow gardeners. Regular deadheading will keep the plants blooming vigorously throughout the season.
Perennials for Sun
4. Black-eyed Susan (Rudbeckia)
Known for its golden-yellow flowers with a dark brown center, the Black-eyed Susan is a staple in sunny gardens. This plant loves full sun but can tolerate light shade.
It prefers well-drained soil but is remarkably adaptable and resistant to drought once established. For continuous blooms, deadhead regularly and divide the clumps every few years to maintain vigor.
5. Shasta Daisy (Leucanthemum)
Shasta daisies are famous for their classic beauty, featuring large white petals surrounding a bright yellow center. They thrive in full sun and require well-drained soil.
To encourage a longer blooming season, deadhead the flowers as they begin to fade. Division every two to three years will help prevent overcrowding and keep the plants healthy.
6. Sedum (Stonecrop)
Sedum, or stonecrop, is known for its thick, succulent leaves that store water, making it an excellent choice for drought-prone gardens.
The plant produces clusters of star-shaped flowers in late summer and early fall, adding a splash of color when many other perennials are starting to fade.
Sedums are best grown in full sun and need little care once established, aside from occasional watering during prolonged dry spells.
Perennials for Shade
7. Hostas
Hostas are one of the best choices for shady areas in the garden, offering not only lush foliage in a variety of textures and colors but also spikes of white or lavender flowers in summer.
They thrive in moist, well-drained soil and can benefit from a layer of mulch to retain moisture and keep roots cool.
While primarily grown for their leaves, the flowers can be quite attractive and add extra interest to the shade garden.
8. Astilbe
Astilbe is a fantastic perennial for shady gardens due to its feathery, plume-like flowers that come in shades of white, pink, and red.
These plants thrive in rich, moist soil and can add a vibrant splash of color to darker parts of the garden.
Because they require consistent moisture, consider planting astilbe near a water feature or in a site that does not dry out.
9. Heuchera (Coral Bells)
Heuchera is known for its colorful foliage, which ranges from silver to deep burgundy, and its delicate flowering spikes that appear in early summer. It performs best in partial shade but can handle more sun in cooler climates if kept moist.
Coral bells prefer well-drained soil and benefit from being divided every three to five years to maintain their vigor and prevent the center of the clump from dying out.
Colorful and Unusual Blooms
10. Bee Balm (Monarda)
Bee Balm is a standout with its distinctive, crown-like flowers in shades of red, pink, and purple. This native plant is particularly attractive to pollinators, including hummingbirds, bees, and butterflies.
Thriving in full sun to part shade, Bee Balm prefers moist, well-drained soil. To keep it looking its best, divide the clumps every 2 to 3 years and manage its spread, as it can be somewhat aggressive.
11. Lupine
Lupine is famed for its majestic spikes of flowers, which can range from deep blues and purples to vibrant pinks and reds. It thrives in cooler climates and prefers well-drained, slightly acidic soil.
Lupines can be started from seed, but they need a bit of extra care to ensure that they germinate properly. Deadheading spent spikes will often promote a second bloom.
12. Russian Sage (Perovskia)
Russian Sage offers a different aesthetic with its airy spikes of lavender-blue flowers and silvery foliage, which provide a striking contrast to the more traditional greenery in your garden.
It thrives in full sun and well-drained soil and is drought tolerant once established. Russian Sage can be used to great effect in a landscape, providing height and a misty hue from midsummer into fall.
Perennials for Continuous Blooms
13. Catmint (Nepeta)
Catmint is not only loved by cats but also provides a long-lasting display of light purple to blue flowers. It’s extremely easy to grow, requiring little more than some sunlight and well-drained soil.
Trimming back the foliage after the first bloom can encourage a second flush of flowers, extending the blooming period well into late summer.
14. Salvia
Available in a range of colors, Salvia is known for its long blooming period and ability to attract bees and butterflies. This perennial prefers full sun and well-drained soil.
Cutting back the flower spikes after blooming can encourage more flowers and maintain a neat appearance.
15. Yarrow (Achillea)
Yarrow is highly adaptable and comes in a variety of colors, including yellow, red, pink, and white. It’s known for its flat-topped clusters of flowers that make excellent cut flowers.
Yarrow thrives in full sun and well-drained soil and is particularly drought tolerant, making it ideal for xeriscaping.
Ground Cover Perennials
16. Creeping Phlox
Early in the summer, Creeping Phlox covers the ground with mats of pink, white, purple, or blue flowers.
It’s excellent for rock gardens, border fronts, or as a colorful ground cover, thriving in sunny locations with well-drained soil. Regular watering and light fertilization can help maintain its vibrant display.
17. Geranium
Not to be confused with the annual pelargonium, perennial Geraniums offer a more subtle beauty with blooms that last from late spring to early summer.
They come in colors like blue, pink, and purple and can handle everything from full sun to part shade. Cutting back the plants after the first bloom can encourage a second flush of flowers.
18. Ajuga (Bugleweed)
Ajuga is a low-growing perennial with glossy leaves and spikes of blue, pink, or white flowers. It’s perfect as a ground cover in shady areas, thriving in a range of soil conditions.
Ajuga spreads quickly and can be divided every few years to control its growth and rejuvenate older plantings.
Whether you’re drawn to the traditional blooms of Daylilies and Coneflowers or the unique and striking appearance of Russian Sage and Bee Balm, there’s a perennial for every corner of your summer garden.
By choosing a mix of these 18 perennials, you can ensure a long-lasting display of color and texture that enhances your outdoor space and delights the senses.