If you're dreaming of a garden full of color that lasts from spring to fall, long-blooming perennials are the way to go. Unlike annuals, these reliable plants come back every year—and some bloom for months at a time.
They're low-maintenance, cost-effective, and a joy to watch as they return bigger and better each season. Here are 13 perennials that will keep your garden bursting with color all season long.
Coneflower (Echinacea)
Coneflowers are tough, beautiful, and bloom from early summer to fall. Their bold purple petals and raised centers attract bees and butterflies. Once established, they’re drought-tolerant and easy to grow.
Coreopsis
Also known as tickseed, coreopsis offers daisy-like flowers in shades of yellow, pink, and red. It blooms nonstop from late spring through fall with very little care. This plant thrives in sun and poor soil, making it a low-effort favorite.
Russian Sage
Tall, airy, and covered in lavender-blue blooms, Russian sage flowers from midsummer through fall. It loves full sun and dry conditions and looks stunning in borders or mass plantings. The silver foliage adds interest even when it's not blooming.
Black-Eyed Susan (Rudbeckia)
These golden-yellow flowers with dark centers brighten up any garden. Blooming from midsummer through early fall, they handle heat and poor soil like pros. They also make excellent cut flowers for indoor arrangements.
Catmint (Nepeta)
Catmint’s soft, lavender-blue blooms appear in late spring and last well into fall. The plant’s fragrant, silvery leaves repel deer and rabbits. It’s a pollinator magnet and a tough, tidy groundcover option.
Blanket Flower (Gaillardia)
This fiery-colored bloomer thrives in hot, sunny spots. It starts flowering in early summer and doesn’t quit until frost. Blanket flowers are low-maintenance and tolerate drought with ease.
Salvia
Salvia produces tall spikes of violet, blue, or red flowers that bloom from early summer through fall. It's a favorite of hummingbirds and bees, and its aromatic foliage is deer-resistant. Cut it back midseason for a fresh flush of blooms.
Daylilies
Each bloom may only last a day, but with so many buds per stalk, daylilies bloom for weeks on end. They come in countless colors and sizes and are nearly indestructible in the garden. Plant different varieties for continuous summer color.
Yarrow (Achillea)
Yarrow brings clusters of small flowers in white, yellow, pink, or red from early summer through fall. It's heat-tolerant, drought-resistant, and thrives in poor soil. The fern-like foliage adds soft texture to garden beds.
Shasta Daisy
With classic white petals and sunny yellow centers, Shasta daisies bloom from early summer to early fall. These cheerful perennials are reliable, tidy, and perfect for cottage gardens. They also make long-lasting cut flowers.
Geranium (Cranesbill)
Hardy geraniums bloom steadily from late spring through fall in shades of pink, purple, and blue. Unlike the annual kind, these are cold-hardy and dependable. They're great in borders, containers, or as groundcovers.
Hellebore
Also known as Lenten Rose, hellebores start blooming in late winter and continue into spring. Their nodding flowers bring early color and charm to shady spots. These tough plants are evergreen in many climates.
Bleeding Heart (Dicentra ‘Luxuriant’)
Unlike traditional bleeding hearts that bloom briefly in spring, the 'Luxuriant' variety flowers from late spring to frost. It features delicate, fern-like foliage and heart-shaped pink blooms. It's shade-tolerant and thrives in cool, moist soil.
With these long-blooming perennials, you can enjoy vibrant color in your garden month after month—without replanting each year. Plant a few of these hardworking beauties and let your garden do the blooming for you!
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