Every gardener dreams of flowers that don’t just show up for a week and disappear. That’s where long-blooming perennials come in—they keep the color going month after month. Read on to discover the best varieties for nonstop beauty.
Table of Contents
- Long-Blooming Perennials
- Coreopsis (Coreopsis verticillata, Coreopsis grandiflora)
- Black-Eyed Susan (Rudbeckia fulgida ‘Goldsturm’)
- Shasta Daisy (Leucanthemum x superbum)
- Coneflower (Echinacea purpurea)
- Catmint (Nepeta faassenii)
- Salvia (Salvia nemorosa, Salvia farinacea)
- Russian Sage (Perovskia atriplicifolia)
- Gaillardia (Blanket Flower)
- Geranium (Geranium Rozanne)
- Daylily (Hemerocallis hybrids)
- Garden Phlox (Phlox paniculata)
- Yarrow (Achillea millefolium)
- Lavender (Lavandula angustifolia)
- Bee Balm (Monarda didyma)
- Tickseed (Coreopsis lanceolata)
- Scabiosa (Pincushion Flower)
- Heliopsis (Heliopsis helianthoides)
- Veronica (Veronica spicata)
- Blanket Flower (Gaillardia aristata)
- Sedum ‘Autumn Joy’ (Hylotelephium spectabile)
- Japanese Anemone (Anemone hupehensis)
- Balloon Flower (Platycodon grandiflorus)
Long-Blooming Perennials
Some perennials are generous with their color, sticking around for months instead of just a quick cameo. Picking these long-bloomers makes it much easier to keep your garden cheerful from spring through autumn.
Coreopsis (Coreopsis verticillata, Coreopsis grandiflora)
With Coreopsis, you get a surprising stretch of bloom, sometimes from late spring until frost sneaks in. The yellow, daisy-like flowers are hard to miss. This one’s happy in full sun and shrugs off dry soil.
Maintenance? Barely any. Maybe deadhead if you’re chasing more flowers. Plants reach about 18 to 24 inches, and they’re pretty tough in the heat. Deer tend to ignore them, so they’re great for open spots.
Black-Eyed Susan (Rudbeckia fulgida ‘Goldsturm’)
Golden petals and a dark cone make Black-Eyed Susan a classic. The blooms stick around from midsummer into early fall, and pollinators absolutely love them.
‘Goldsturm’ grows to about two feet and thrives in full sun. It’s not fussy about pests or disease. It’s bold in borders or big groups, and the seedheads still look good after the flowers are gone.
Shasta Daisy (Leucanthemum x superbum)
Shasta Daisy brings that classic, cheerful white-and-yellow vibe. It often blooms from early summer to early fall, adding a bright spot wherever you put it.
These do best in full sun and well-drained soil, reaching 2 to 3 feet. Snip off old blooms if you want to stretch the show. They’re a staple for cutting gardens and mix nicely with other perennials.
Coneflower (Echinacea purpurea)
Coneflower’s big, pinkish-purple daisies hang around from early summer into fall. Pollinators, especially bees and butterflies, can’t seem to get enough.
Tough as nails once settled in, Echinacea handles drought and likes sun, though it’ll tolerate some shade. Leave the seedheads for the birds if you don’t mind a bit of wildness. The upright habit works in both formal and relaxed settings.
Catmint (Nepeta faassenii)
Catmint bursts with soft purple-blue spikes from late spring into summer. The foliage smells lovely and the plant keeps a tidy, compact form.
It’s drought-tolerant and rarely bothered by pests or deer. Not fussy about soil, either. Shear it after the first round of blooms for a second flush. Works beautifully as edging or in cottage-style gardens.
Salvia (Salvia nemorosa, Salvia farinacea)
Salvia’s upright spikes in blue, purple, or white are real eye-catchers. Expect blooms from late spring into late summer, and don’t be surprised if hummingbirds drop by.
Full sun is key. Salvias are heat-lovers and don’t mind dry spells. Most varieties grow between 18 and 30 inches. Trim back spent stems for more flowers. They add great texture among other sun-lovers.
Russian Sage (Perovskia atriplicifolia)
There’s something dreamy about Russian Sage’s airy lavender-blue flowers and silvery, fragrant leaves. It keeps blooming from midsummer into fall.
Full sun and well-drained soil are a must. Russian Sage thrives in hot, dry spots and grows up to 3 to 5 feet, both tall and wide. It’s a solid choice for borders or even as a loose hedge.
Gaillardia (Blanket Flower)
Gaillardia is all about bold, red-and-yellow daisies that keep going from late spring to fall. The flowers pop above gray-green leaves and dry well if you’re into arrangements.
Best in full sun and sandy or rocky soils, Blanket Flower doesn’t need much once it’s set. Deadheading helps the show last longer. Its compact habit suits tight spaces.
Geranium (Geranium Rozanne)
‘Rozanne’ puts out violet-blue blooms from early summer into fall, and it’s refreshingly low on pest issues. The plant spreads out and covers ground fast.
It’s flexible—full sun or part shade, moist but well-drained soil, even a bit of drought. The long bloom is what really makes it stand out from other hardy geraniums. Tuck it into borders or shady corners for a splash of color.
Daylily (Hemerocallis hybrids)
Daylilies put on a show with trumpet-shaped flowers on sturdy stems. Some hybrids bloom for ages, especially the rebloomers, and the color range is impressive—reds, yellows, oranges, pinks.
They’re reliable in sun or light shade and aren’t picky about soil. Deadheading is nice but not a must. Mass them along paths or fill in big swathes for easy impact.
Garden Phlox (Phlox paniculata)
Garden Phlox stands tall with fragrant clusters in pink, white, or purple, blooming from midsummer to early fall. Pollinators are always around these flowers.
Full sun is best, though a bit of afternoon shade helps in hot climates. Keep the soil moist and well-drained. Go for mildew-resistant types if you can. Phlox adds height at the back of borders.
Yarrow (Achillea millefolium)
Yarrow serves up flat clusters in yellow, red, or pink, starting in early summer and lasting into fall. The ferny, aromatic foliage adds a nice touch.
It doesn’t mind dry, poor soils or heat. Needs only occasional water once it’s established. Some types can spread a bit too much, so keep an eye on it in small beds. Yarrow brings texture and structure to perennial mixes.
Lavender (Lavandula angustifolia)
Lavender’s purple-blue spikes and fragrant, silvery leaves are a midsummer treat, often hanging on into fall. The scent alone is worth growing, and pollinators seem to agree.
Full sun and sandy, well-drained soil are key. Lavender doesn’t like wet feet but shrugs off drought. Plants usually reach 1 to 2 feet. Prune after bloom for shape. Perfect for edging, herb patches, or drying.
Bee Balm (Monarda didyma)
Bee Balm lights up summer with clusters of red, pink, or purple flowers. Hummingbirds and butterflies are regular visitors during its long bloom.
Full sun or part shade both work, but rich, moist soil makes it happiest. If your area’s humid, go for mildew-resistant kinds. Bee Balm’s great in the back of borders or wildflower mixes.
Tickseed (Coreopsis lanceolata)
Tickseed is a bright spot with yellow, daisy-like blooms that stick around from late spring through summer. It forms neat, dense mounds—easy to love.
Sun brings out the best in it, but it’s not picky about soil. Deadhead if you want to keep the flowers coming. Good for borders or open beds that need a lift.
Scabiosa (Pincushion Flower)
Scabiosa’s soft lavender-blue or pink pincushion flowers last for months. The wavy leaves make a tidy mound, and blooms start in late spring, sometimes lasting until frost.
Give it full sun and decent drainage. Average soil is fine. Deadhead to keep things looking fresh and encourage more blooms. Try it near a path or in a cutting patch.
Heliopsis (Heliopsis helianthoides)
Heliopsis, or False Sunflower, brings golden-yellow daisies from midsummer through fall, rising above sturdy stems.
Sun is best, though a touch of shade is okay. Grows 3 to 5 feet and doesn’t mind dry spells. It’s right at home in perennial borders or prairie-style gardens, and usually stands tall without much fuss.
Veronica (Veronica spicata)
Veronica’s blue, pink, or white flower spikes add a sharp vertical accent from late spring into midsummer. The dark green mounds of foliage keep things neat.
Needs sun and good drainage, but otherwise pretty adaptable. Handles some drought, grows 12 to 24 inches. Snip old spikes for more color. Looks sharp along edges or in formal beds.
Blanket Flower (Gaillardia aristata)
Blanket Flower fires up the garden with orange and red blooms tipped in yellow, starting in early summer and going into fall. It stays compact and shrugs off heat and drought.
Full sun and lean soil suit it just fine. Gaillardia often self-seeds, so you might see it pop up again next year. Deadhead to keep things tidy. Pairs well with other sun-lovers.
Sedum ‘Autumn Joy’ (Hylotelephium spectabile)
Sedum ‘Autumn Joy’ stands out with fleshy leaves and big pink flower heads that open in late summer, holding their color well into fall. The upright stems don’t flop, even when it’s windy.
Give it sun for the sturdiest stems and best blooms. Sedum laughs at drought and neglect. Plants reach 18 to 24 inches. This one’s a staple for late-season color or rock gardens.
Japanese Anemone (Anemone hupehensis)
Japanese Anemone sends up graceful white or pink blooms on tall, slender stems from late summer into fall. The deep green foliage creates a lush backdrop.
Partial sun and moist, fertile soil keep it happy. It’s best planted where roots can stay undisturbed. Japanese Anemones are perfect for filling shady borders or woodland spots that need a lift.
Balloon Flower (Platycodon grandiflorus)
There’s something oddly charming about those Balloon Flower buds—they puff up like little balloons, then pop open into star-shaped blossoms in blue, white, or pink. You’ll usually catch them blooming from early summer, sometimes hanging on until fall. Stems typically reach somewhere between 18 and 24 inches, so they don’t get lost in the crowd.
Honestly, they seem happiest with plenty of sun, though a bit of shade won’t hurt. Just make sure the soil drains well—nobody wants crown rot. Once they’ve settled in, you can pretty much forget about them. Whether you’re aiming for a tidy bed or something more relaxed along the border, these perennials fit right in.
