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We love gardens full of color that last all season long. Perennial flowers are a great way to add lasting beauty to our outdoor spaces. These plants come back year after year, saving us time and money.
Many perennials bloom from spring through fall, giving us months of colorful flowers. We can mix and match different types to create eye-catching displays in our beds, borders, and containers. With the right choices, we’ll enjoy a rainbow of blooms from the first warm days of spring until the cool nights of autumn arrive.
1. Purple Coneflower (Echinacea purpurea)
Purple coneflower is a stunning perennial that brings vibrant color to gardens from summer to fall. We love its large, daisy-like flowers with drooping petals and spiky centers. This North American native thrives in full sun and well-drained soil. It’s known for being hardy and drought-tolerant once established.
Purple coneflowers typically grow 3 feet tall, creating an eye-catching display in wildflower gardens. Their blooms come in shades of purple, pink, and sometimes white.
We appreciate how these flowers attract pollinators like bees and butterflies. They also make great cut flowers for bouquets.
2. Black-eyed Susan (Rudbeckia hirta)
Black-eyed Susans are cheerful perennials that bring vibrant color to gardens. Their bright yellow petals surround dark brown or black center cones, creating a striking contrast.
These flowers bloom from early summer until frost, providing long-lasting beauty. They grow 1-3 feet tall and spread 1-2 feet wide, making them perfect for borders or mass plantings.
Black-eyed Susans are easy to grow and attract pollinators like butterflies and bees. They thrive in full sun and well-drained soil. Some popular varieties include ‘Goldsturm’, ‘Autumn Colors’, and ‘Green Eyes’.
We love how these hardy plants add a splash of sunny yellow to any garden space. Their daisy-like blooms create a cheerful, informal look that works well in many landscape styles.
3. Shasta Daisy (Leucanthemum × superbum)
Shasta daisies are cheerful perennials that bring bright white blooms to our gardens. These flowers have rays of white petals around a yellow center, resembling the classic daisy shape we love.
Shasta daisies grow in upright clumps, reaching heights of 2 to 4 feet tall. Their sturdy stems can stand up to wind and rain, making them a reliable choice for many garden settings.
We can plant Shasta daisies in full sun or light shade. They prefer soil that drains well but stays moist. These flowers bloom from early summer into fall, providing long-lasting color.
For a taller variety, we might choose ‘Becky’. It grows up to 4 feet high and produces large 3-inch blooms from July to September.
4. Russian Sage (Perovskia atriplicifolia)
Russian sage is a stunning perennial that brings a soft, airy touch to gardens. Its delicate silver-gray foliage and lavender-blue flowers create a beautiful contrast. This drought-tolerant plant thrives in hot, dry conditions. It needs full sun to bloom properly, requiring at least 6 hours of direct sunlight daily.
Russian sage flowers from mid-summer to fall, providing long-lasting color. Its small, tubular blooms appear on tall spikes, attracting butterflies and bees.
We can plant Russian sage in well-draining soil, spacing plants 2-3 feet apart. Pruning in late winter or early spring helps stimulate new growth and more blooms.
5. Daylily (Hemerocallis spp.)
Daylilies are versatile perennials that bring vibrant colors to gardens from late spring through fall. We love their wide range of hues, including yellow, orange, red, purple, pink, and near-white.
These easy-to-grow flowers come in various sizes, from small 3-inch blooms to large 4.5-inch blossoms. Some daylilies have ruffled petals or contrasting “eyes” for added visual interest.
We recommend planting daylilies in full sun and well-draining soil. They’re adaptable to different climates and thrive in zones 3-9. For continuous blooms, we suggest combining early, midseason, and late-blooming varieties.
6. Garden Phlox (Phlox paniculata)
Garden phlox is a summer star in perennial gardens. It shows off large clusters of fragrant flowers in many colors. These blooms appear from late spring to early fall.
We love garden phlox for its long-lasting display. The plants grow 2-4 feet tall and prefer full sun. They thrive in well-draining soil.
Phlox attracts butterflies and hummingbirds to the garden. It’s a great choice for adding color and life to summer borders. The flowers bloom for about 6 weeks, creating a stunning show.
With proper care, garden phlox is easy to grow. It’s a low-maintenance plant that brings big rewards. We recommend it for gardeners who want reliable summer color.
7. Coreopsis (Coreopsis verticillata)
Coreopsis, also known as Threadleaf Coreopsis, is a bright and cheerful perennial. We love it for its golden-yellow flowers that bloom from mid-summer to early fall.
This plant forms bushy clumps that grow 2-3 feet tall. It’s easy to care for and thrives in poor soil conditions.
Coreopsis attracts bees and butterflies, making it great for pollinator gardens. It’s also drought-tolerant once established.
For continuous blooms, we recommend deadheading spent flowers. This plant does well in full sun and is hardy in zones 4-9.
8. Astilbe (Astilbe chinensis)
Astilbe is a stunning perennial that adds a splash of color to shady gardens. These plants produce feathery plumes of flowers in shades of pink, purple, and white.
Astilbes bloom from late spring to late summer, depending on the variety. They grow best in moist, well-draining soil and prefer partial to full shade.
These plants come in various sizes, from dwarf varieties reaching 8 inches tall to larger ones growing up to 4 feet. ‘Maggie Daley’ is a popular variety that grows to 28 inches tall with bright purple flower clusters.
We love astilbes for their low maintenance needs and ability to thrive in shady spots. They’re also deer-resistant, making them a great choice for gardens in wooded areas.
9. Bleeding Heart (Dicentra spectabilis)
Bleeding Heart is a stunning perennial that adds charm to any garden. Its heart-shaped flowers dangle from arching stems, creating a romantic display.
We love how this plant blooms in spring, producing pink or white flowers. The foliage is equally attractive, with fern-like leaves that provide texture.
Bleeding Heart grows best in partial shade and moist, well-draining soil. It can reach heights of 2-3 feet, making it perfect for borders or woodland gardens.
While beautiful, we should note that all parts of the plant are toxic if eaten. It’s best to admire Bleeding Heart from a distance and keep pets away.
10. Salvia (Salvia nemorosa)
Salvia nemorosa is a colorful perennial that brings vibrant blooms to gardens from spring to fall. These plants produce spikes of purple, pink, or blue flowers that attract butterflies and hummingbirds.
We love salvia for its low maintenance needs and drought tolerance. It thrives in full sun and well-drained soil. Most varieties grow 1-2 feet tall, making them perfect for borders or container gardens.
To keep salvias blooming, we recommend deadheading spent flowers regularly. This encourages the plants to produce new blooms throughout the season. Some popular cultivars include ‘May Night’, ‘Caradonna’, and ‘Violet Riot’.
11. Lupine (Lupinus polyphyllus)
Lupines are striking perennials that add vibrant color to gardens. They produce tall spikes of pea-like flowers in shades of blue, purple, pink, and white. Lupines grow best in full sun and well-drained soil. Their long taproots help them tolerate dry conditions once established.
We recommend planting lupine seeds directly in the garden in late fall or early spring. Soak seeds for 24-48 hours before planting to improve germination.
These flowers attract bees, butterflies, and other pollinators. Lupines bloom in late spring to early summer, creating a beautiful display. With their large palmate leaves and showy flower spikes, lupines make excellent focal points in perennial borders or wildflower gardens.
12. Beard Tongue (Penstemon digitalis)
Beard tongue is a lovely perennial that adds elegance to any garden. It forms upright clumps with deep green leaves and tall stems.
In late spring to mid-summer, beard tongue produces showy panicles of tubular white flowers. These blooms resemble snapdragons and attract many pollinators.
Penstemon digitalis grows well in full sun or partial shade. It prefers moist, well-draining soil but can tolerate various conditions. The plants typically reach 2-3 feet tall when mature.
We love how beard tongue provides both beautiful flowers and interesting foliage. Its seed capsules often turn reddish in late summer, adding fall and winter interest to the garden.
13. Yarrow (Achillea millefolium)
Yarrow is a tough perennial that brings color to our gardens from late spring through summer. It grows well in various conditions, making it a great choice for many landscapes.
We love yarrow for its clusters of small flowers in shades of white, pink, red, and yellow. These blooms sit atop tall stems, adding height and interest to our garden beds.
Yarrow is a low-maintenance plant that thrives in full sun and can handle poor soil. It’s drought-tolerant once established, which makes it perfect for dry areas in our yards.
This versatile plant attracts pollinators like bees and butterflies. It’s also deer-resistant, so we don’t have to worry about our blooms becoming a snack for wildlife.
14. Sedum ‘Autumn Joy’ (Hylotelephium spectabile)
Sedum ‘Autumn Joy’ is a stunning perennial that adds color to gardens from late summer through fall. This plant grows up to 2 feet tall and wide, forming a rounded shape.
Its fleshy green leaves stay attractive all season. In late summer, ‘Autumn Joy’ produces large, domed flower heads filled with tiny star-shaped blooms.
The flowers start pink and deepen to rusty red as autumn progresses. This color change makes it a dynamic addition to flowerbeds.
‘Autumn Joy’ is easy to grow and tolerates drought well. It thrives in full sun and well-drained soil. We can plant it in borders, rock gardens, or containers for long-lasting beauty.
15. Japanese Anemone (Anemone hupehensis)
Japanese Anemone brings a burst of color to gardens in late summer and early fall. This perennial plant produces delicate, pink or white flowers that sway gently in the breeze.
We find Japanese Anemone easy to grow in most garden settings. It thrives in partial shade and moist, well-drained soil. Regular watering keeps the plant healthy, especially during dry spells.
Japanese Anemone spreads through underground runners, forming attractive clumps over time. We can divide it every few years to control its growth or create new plants.
This versatile perennial works well in borders, woodland gardens, or as a ground cover. Its late-season blooms provide a welcome splash of color when many other flowers have faded.
16. Blanket Flower (Gaillardia aristata)
Blanket Flower is a vibrant perennial that brings long-lasting color to our gardens. It blooms from late spring through fall, giving us months of cheerful flowers.
The daisy-like blooms come in warm shades of red, yellow, and orange. They often have two-toned petals with yellow tips. These flowers sit atop hairy stems with lance-shaped leaves.
We love Blanket Flower for its easy care and drought tolerance. It thrives in full sun and grows 1 to 3 feet tall. Most varieties form compact mounds about 1 to 2 feet wide.
This native wildflower attracts butterflies and other pollinators. It’s a great choice for adding pops of color to borders or containers.
17. Columbine (Aquilegia caerulea)
Columbine is a stunning perennial that adds a splash of color to spring gardens. We love its unique, star-shaped flowers with long spurs that come in shades of blue, violet, and white.
This Rocky Mountain native grows 2 to 3 feet tall. It blooms for several weeks in late spring to early summer, attracting hummingbirds and butterflies.
Columbine is easy to grow from seed. We can scatter seeds on top of the soil and lightly cover them. In a few weeks, seedlings will sprout and be ready for outdoor planting.
For a striking display, we can mix different columbine varieties. Some have bi-colored blooms in combinations like red and yellow or blue and white.
18. Crow-dipper (Arum italicum)
Crow-dipper, also known as Italian arum, is a unique perennial that adds interest to gardens from spring to fall. Its arrow-shaped, glossy leaves emerge in autumn and persist through winter. In spring, Crow-dipper produces greenish-yellow flowers with a yellow spadix. These blooms resemble those of jack-in-the-pulpit.
After flowering, the plant develops showy spikes of bright orange-red berries in summer. These berries provide a pop of color as the leaves die back. Crow-dipper is an excellent choice for shaded areas in gardens. We appreciate its ability to thrive in difficult spots where other plants struggle.
19. Delphinium (Delphinium elatum)
Delphinium elatum, also known as larkspur, is a stunning perennial that adds vertical interest to gardens. We love its tall spikes of blue, pink, purple, or white flowers that bloom in early to mid-summer. These plants can reach impressive heights of 5 to 6 feet tall. They prefer rich, well-draining soil and full sun to partial shade.
Delphiniums make excellent cut flowers and attract pollinators to the garden. We recommend planting them in spring or early fall for best results.
While beautiful, it’s important to note that all parts of delphiniums are poisonous if eaten. We always advise keeping them away from children and pets.
20. Verbena (Verbena bonariensis)
Verbena bonariensis, also known as tall verbena or purpletop vervain, is a stunning perennial that adds height and color to gardens. This plant grows 3-6 feet tall and 1-3 feet wide, creating an airy, see-through effect.
Tall verbena produces clusters of small purple flowers from late spring to early fall. It’s a favorite of pollinators, attracting butterflies and bees to the garden.
We love using Verbena bonariensis as a companion plant. Its thin, wispy structure allows it to blend well with other flowers without overshadowing them. For best results, we plant it in masses or pair it with contrasting colors.
This verbena thrives in full sun and well-draining soil. It’s heat-tolerant and can be grown as an annual in colder regions. With proper care, it will bloom all season long, adding a pop of purple to your garden.
21. Dwarf Iris (Iris reticulata)
Dwarf iris brings early spring color to gardens. This small bulb grows just 4-6 inches tall. It blooms in late winter or early spring before most other plants. The flowers come in shades of blue, purple, and white. They have delicate petals with intricate markings. Dwarf iris prefers full sun to partial shade.
We recommend planting these bulbs in well-drained soil. Sandy loam works best. Add organic matter if your soil is heavy clay. These irises are easy to grow and care for. They’re great for rock gardens, borders, or containers. Plant them in groups for the best effect.
22. Catmint (Nepeta mussinii)
Catmint is a lovely perennial that brings color to gardens from spring to fall. It has pretty purple-blue flowers that bloom for months. This plant is easy to grow and care for. It does well in full sun or partial shade. Catmint can handle heat and dry spells once it’s established.
We love how catmint attracts bees and butterflies to the garden. It’s also deer and rabbit-resistant thanks to its minty scent.
Some compact varieties stay under 12 inches tall. Taller types can reach up to 2 feet. The gray-green foliage provides a nice contrast to the flowers. Catmint works great as a border plant or in rock gardens. It’s a low-maintenance choice that adds long-lasting color.
