21 Long Blooming Perennials (With Pictures)
Long-blooming perennials can fill your garden with colorful flowers year after year. Perennials such as asters, black-eyed Susans, coneflowers, peonies, and lavender will bloom every spring and summer. After planting once, perennial shrubs, flowers, and plants will rebloom annually without requiring much maintenance.
Growing various long-blooming perennials is ideal for enjoying flowers all summer long. Tall perennials are suitable for planting at the back of flower beds, raised beds, or along fences. Some perennial flowering shrubs create colorful borders or provide attractive edging to pathways or driveways.
When choosing the best long-blooming perennials, it’s vital to pay attention to a few factors. Some perennials need full sun to flower every year, while others prefer partial shade and are drought-tolerant. Whatever perennials you choose, your garden landscape can be full of flowers that bloom all summer.
In this article, you’ll find the best perennials that bloom from spring through summer to fall and return year after year.
Do Perennial Plants Come Back Year After Year?
Most perennials come back year after year. However, depending on your climate, not all perennials can survive harsh, freezing winters. Perennials that are not cold hardy are called ‘tender perennials’ and are treated as annuals in cold climates.
To know if individual perennials flower year after year, you should check out the plant’s hardiness zone. For example, some plants sold as annuals in northern states can grow as perennials in states such as Florida, Texas, and California.
Some types of perennials can also show signs of decline. Although these plants will flower every year, you may need to replant them every three or four years. However, some hardy perennials continue to bloom annually for 20 years or more.
Tender perennials
Tender perennials are generally garden plants, shrubs, and bushes that can’t survive frost. Tender perennials typically bloom every summer in zones 10 and above. However, in colder zones, these long-blooming plants should be treated as annuals.
Half-hardy perennials
Some types of perennials are classed as half-hardy perennials. These flowers can survive outdoors in slightly colder temperatures than tender perennials. However, it’s difficult to specify exact temperatures as each plant has its own cold tolerance.
Long Blooming Perennials (With Pictures)
Let’s look at the list of the best long-blooming perennials. Most of these flowering shrubs, bushes, and plants flower year after year in most growing zones. Some hardy perennials can flower annually in zone 3, where temperatures can drop to -40°F.
Black-Eyed Susan (Rudbeckia)
Black-eyed Susan has long flower stems and can be planted at the back of flower beds or borders
Black-eyed Susan is a stunning tall long blooming perennial that flower all summer through to the fall. Its bright yellow flowers sit on the top of 2 to 3 ft. (0.6 – 0.9 m) stems. Black-eyed Susan are tall perennial plants that thrive in full sun and grow best at the back of flower beds, borders, or cottage gardens.
Black-eyed Susan grows in zones 3 to 9, needs full sun or partial shade, and is on the drought-tolerant plants’ list. For cold-hardy long-blooming perennials, choose the Rudbeckia cultivars ‘Goldstrum,’ ‘Little Goldstar,’ ‘Rudbeckia fulgida var. deamii,’ or ‘Rudbeckia fulgida var. speciose.’
Bugleweed (Ajuga reptans)
Bugleweed is a drought tolerant perennial plant from the mint family
Bugleweed is a flowering perennial that can be used as a ground cover plant for full sun. When it comes to long blooming perennials, the attractive blue spiky flowers make the bugleweed a real stunner. As a creeping, spreading perennial plant, bugleweed is ideal for brightening up borders, the front of flower beds, or garden slopes.
Bugleweed is a low-growing, easy-care blooming perennial that flowers from spring until summer. Even when not in bloom, bugleweed has attractive foliage throughout the year. It can however become invasive and take over gardens if not controlled.
Bugleweed thrives in zones 4 to 9. During hot summers, provide plenty of moisture to keep the ground cover plant flowering every year.
Clematis
Clematis is a long flowering perennial climber that is also suitable for hanging baskets
Clematis are perennial plants that bloom for a long time from late spring through summer, until fall. They are climbing plants that flower for a long time year after year. Many varieties of clematis have large, showy flowers in shades of pink, white, lilac, purple and red. These plants thrive in full sun, where they can climb arbors, trellises, or walls.
Other types of evergreen clematis plants have small bell-shaped flowers and grow best in clumps in containers, flower beds, or along borders. Clematis are excellent long-blooming perennials for zones 4 to 10.
Daylily (Hemerocallis)
Daylily is a tall perennial flowering plant with attractive showy blooms in various colors
Daylilies are often hailed as the ideal long-flowering perennial plants due to their drought tolerance, affinity for full sun, cold hardiness, and low maintenance requirements. Moreover, daylilies produce a profusion of vibrant, eye-catching flowers available in an extensive range of shades.
Plant a variety of daylilies to enjoy their flowers all summer long. Look for types of perennial daylilies that are ‘early,’ ‘mid-season,’ ‘late,’ and ‘very late.’ Some of these stunning perennials are reblooming flowers that may bloom in spring and then again in the fall.
Grow daylilies in zones 3 to 9. These flowering perennials are ideal for at the back of borders or flower beds, or in containers.
Coneflower (Echinacea)
Coneflowers are drought tolerant perennials with flowers that attract pollinators and make excellent cut flowers
Coneflowers are stunning long blooming perennials that flower profusely throughout the whole summer. Coneflowers are cold-hardy perennials that bloom year after year in zones 3 to 10. These are tall flowering perennial plants that can grow up to 4 ft. (1.2 m) tall. Their cone-shaped flowers are usually in shades of pinks or reds.
The best place to grow coneflowers is in flower beds, garden borders, or at the back of other flowers. Coneflwers are sun-loving summer flowers that thrive in well-drained soil for summer-long blooms.
Hellebore (Helleborus)
Helleborus are long flowering perennials that are shade tolerant
Hellebores are hardy perennials that bloom continuously from late winter until early summer, with most species flowering for a month. Some species of hellebores produce flowers that last for up to two months. Easy to grow, hellebores are ideal for shady flower beds, under trees, or in containers. These flowering perennials prefer shade or partial sun to thrive.
Most hellebore varieties are cold hardy to zone 6. However, some cold-hardy hellebore perennials survive in zones 3 and 4.
Tickseed (Coreopsis)
The long blooming flowers of coreopsis come in a wide array of colors
Coreopsis are among the longest flowering perennials, with a blooming period extending from spring to fall. Stunning yellow, red, pink, orange, and burgundy flowers emerge from these perennial shrubs in spring and last until early fall. Low-maintenance coreopsis plants grow best in borders, growing to between 1 and 2 ft. (0.6 – 0.9 m) tall.
Grow tickseed plants if you want to enjoy large, bright perennial flowers in your backyard flower beds all summer. As a flowering perennial plant, tickseed flowers return year after year. Most varieties of tickseed grow in zones 5 to 9.
Dahlia
Dahlias are perennials in warmer zones, but in areas with cold winters are grown as annuals
In warm zones, dahlias are long flowering perennials that bloom profusely throughout the summer until frost. Some of their flowers can be like small daisies, and other huge, showy double flowers can be as large as 6” to 8” (15 – 20 cm) in diameter.
Dahlias are hardy perennial flowers in USDA zones 8 – 11. In colder areas they will grow as annuals or tender perennials. Depending on the cultivar, dahlias produce a variety of flowers in all shapes, colors and sizes.
Dahlias will thrive in free-draining soil, in area where they get plenty of sunlight.
Gerbera Daisy Perennials
Gerbera daisies grow as perennial flowering plant is warmer zones and thrive in full sun and well draining soil
Gerbera daisies are some of the most spectacular flowering perennials to grow in gardens. Easy to grow, perennial gerbera daisy plants bloom for a long time from spring, through summer, until the first frost. Gerbera daisies have a flowerhead with a central disc with ray-like petals that come is many colors.
Gerbera daisies are tender perennials that bloom year after year in zones 9 and 10. Some daisy varieties are cold hardy in zone 7. However, in colder climates, treat gerbera daisies as annuals.
Lilies
Lilies include many types and depending on the species can grow between 2 and 6 ft. (0.6 – 1.8 m) tall
Lilies are long-blooming perennials that flower year after year. Asiatic lilies, martagon lilies, Easter lilies, and Oriental lilies bloom for a long time in summer. You can enjoy their huge trumpet-like flowers and strong scent from late spring until summer. Some species of lilies bloom for up to one month. Most types of lilies thrive for years without any decline.
Perennial lilies grow in full or part sun in zones 4 – 8 and will bloom continuously for most of the summer. Some lilies even produce up to 25 flowers on one stem.
Chrysanthemum
Chrysanthemums are sun-loving long flowering perennial plants
Chrysanthemums are blooming perennials with showy flowers that return annually and don’t decline quickly. Depending on the chrysanthemum variety, most chrysanthemums will bloom for four to eight weeks.
Because chrysanthemums produce flowers late in the season, you can extend the blooming time in your backyard by a few weeks. Chrysanthemums are hardy perennial shrubs that are easy to grow and maintain in borders, flower beds, and containers.
Once established, chrysanthemum plants come back after winter to fill your garden with flowers every summer. Many chrysanthemum cultivars are cold hardy in zones 4 and 5.
Hibiscus
Rose of Sharon (Hibiscus syriacus) is a beautiful long flowering perennial shrub in zones 4-9
Hibiscus are flowering tender perennials that are treated as annuals in colder climates. Hibiscus shrubs produce some of the showiest flowers in any summer garden. These low-maintenance tender perennials bloom for a long time from the middle of summer until fall. Flowering hibiscus shrubs are ideal for mixed borders or large containers.
For a hardy perennial hibiscus species, choose the Rose of Sharon (Hibiscus syriacus). This hibiscus variety is best grown in shrub borders and is cold hardy in zones 4 to 9.
Aster
Asters are perennial flowers that bloom all summer and include different types to brighten your garden
Asters are some of the best long blooming perennials to add a splash of color to summer gardens. Aster plants are perfect for growing in borders, mixed flower beds, and anywhere in a garden landscape where you need colorful summer flowers. The beauty of asters is that they bloom for weeks and extend your garden’s flowering period from early summer until early fall.
Asters are hardy perennial flowers to grow in zones 4 to 8. Plant asters in your yard where they get full sun or partial shade.
Asters are in the list of the best purple perennial flowers to give stunning color to your garden.
Primrose (Primula)
Primrose is a flowering perennial that will do well in full sun to light shade
Primroses are semi-evergreen perennials that burst into color in spring and last until summer. Primrose flowers are famous for their outstanding beauty, deep colors, and showy displays. Easy to care for perennial flowers, primroses grow best in borders, mixed flower beds, or patio containers.
Some primrose varieties are early bloomers and flower in late winter. However, other types of primroses bloom for many weeks from late spring. Grow primrose flowers in zones 4 to 9—but check the specific cultivar for cold hardiness.
Phlox
Phlox are low maintenance and easy to grow long blooming perennials
Phlox is a species of long-blooming perennials that flowers from midsummer well into the fall. Phlox flowers come back year after year with pastel shades of pinks, blues, lilac, and reds. Some varieties of phlox are creeping, ground cover plants for shade, or full sun. Tall varieties of phlox flowers are best grown in perennial borders, at the back of beds, or as single specimens.
Phlox species are low-maintenance colorful flowers that bloom from early spring until mid- or late summer. Grow phlox perennials in zones 4 to 8.
Perennial Salvia
Perennial salvia has fragrant flowers that will fill your garden with scent all summer long
Hardy perennial salvia plants produce vibrant long lasting purple-colored flowers throughout the whole summer. Plant salvia in herbaceous beds, along borders, or as striking container plants. Salvia flowers look like indigo or colorful blue spikes that contrast with other types of decorative grasses or flowering perennials.
Salvia perennials grow best in zones 3 to 9. Expect the long blooming flowers to appear in late spring, and they should last all summer until the fall.
Yarrow (Achillea)
The long stems of yarrow grow in clumps and can reach to 3 ft. (1 m) tall
Yarrow plants are the ideal long-blooming perennials because they flower all summer from June through September. Yarrow plants are drought-resistant, grow in most types of soil, and thrive in full sun. These tall flowering perennial plants grow best in rock gardens, borders, or mixed flower beds. The beautiful yarrow flowers are shades of pink, creamy-white, yellow, red, as well as bi-colored varieties.
Yarrows are cold-hardy plants that are a must for any garden landscape where you need colorful flowers throughout the summer. Yarrow plants grow in zones 3 – 9.
Lavender (Lavandula)
Lavender is an excellent perennial flower to plant in your garden
Perennial lavender plants fill your summer garden with scented deep lilac and purple flowers. Lavender produces spiked flowers year after year that can withstand some cold climates. Look for English lavender (Lavandula angustifolia) for a cold-hardy flowering perennial herb that grows in zones 5 – 9.
Lavender are long blooming perennial plants that grow well in full sun, sandy soil, and flower throughout the summer.
Ice Plant (Delosperma cooperi)
The flowering perennial ice plants grow up to 6” (15 cm) tall and are low maintenance
Perennial ice plants are fast-growing, flowering perennials that bloom continuously throughout the summer. Ice plants grow best as flowering ground cover plants that produce beautiful star-like blooms. Grow ice plants along borders, in flower beds, or use them to cover slopes and banks with pink or purple daisy-like flowers.
Ice plants are some of the best flowering perennials that bloom all summer long. Ice plants thrive in zones 6 – 10, are drought resistant and need full sun to grow.
Stonecrop (Sedum)
Stonecrop flowering perennials vary in height from short types and up to 3 ft. (1 m) tall
Stonecrop flowers are blooming perennials that vigorously bloom all summer long. There are three varieties of stonecrop flower—ground cover, creeping, and tall perennial flowers. Sedum flowers are best grown in flower beds, borders, or rock gardens. The mat-forming stonecrop varieties are ideal for ground cover flowering plants for full sun.
Grow stonecrop flowers in a garden landscape in zone 4 – 9. Their resistance to drought, full sun, and heat, make these garden perennials some of the easiest flowers to grow in your back or front yard.
Spike Speedwell (Veronica)
Speedwells (veronica) are tall flowering plants that grow up to 3 ft. (0.9 m) and bloom all summer
Spiked speedwell plants are a group of flowering perennials that produce purple flowers in the shape of spikes. Spike speedwell grows as a bushy, clump-forming perennial that blooms from the start of summer until the end. These flowering plants come back year after year. They are ideal for perennial borders, mixed beds, rock gardens, or deck containers.
Spike speedwell are cold-hardy perennials that thrive in zones 3 – 8 and need full sun to flourish.
Giant Allium (Allium giganteum)
The tall alliums (ornamental onions) are excellent perennial flowers for the back of summer borders or flower beds
If you’re looking for tall perennial flowers with a sizeable globous flowerhead, then giant alliums are your best choice. These flowering ornamental onions are best grown as background plants for flower beds due to their height. However, giant alliums are ideal for perennial borders to create a high visual impact in a garden landscape.
Giant alliums are perennials that start producing flowers at the end of spring and continue blooming throughout the summer. Plant giant allium in summer gardens in zones 6 – 10.
Perennial Geraniums
Perennial geranium are low maintenance flowers that grow well in full sum or partial shade
Many types of geraniums are perennial plants that are low maintenance and bloom all summer long. Geraniums are spreading perennials or annuals that produce long-lasting blossoms. These hardy flowering plants flower annually and provide beautiful colors in backyards from early summer through to the fall.
Perennial geranium flowers thrive in any type of soil, are resistant to drought, and are best grown in zones 5 – 9.
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