Long Lasting Perennials: Choosing Perennial Plants For Summer Gardens
Balancing flowering perennials in the garden can be tricky. You want to have blooms that go all summer and into the fall, which often means picking the right plants to pair with each other in beds, so that when one is done blooming the other will still be going. Another strategy is to choose perennials that bloom all summer.
Choosing Perennial Plants for Summer
Perennials are favorites with gardeners because they come back every year, they come in so many different varieties, they add interest to beds, and they are often native plants that support the local ecosystem. A downside is that perennials don’t always bloom for as long as annuals. Pairing the right plants together in beds can give you more continuous blooms, but you can also find summer blooming perennials that will give you longer-lasting flowers.
Long Lasting Perennials for Summer Gardens
While most perennials bloom for three to four weeks only, or some even less than that, there are season-long perennial flowers that you can choose to give your garden beds more continuous color. Here are just a handful of perennials that will color the garden throughout summer: Spiderwort. Spiderwort is a tuberous plant that will multiply and spread to fill in a space. The flowers are generally purple to blue or magenta, and bloom each afternoon through the late summer. Cut them back at this time for more blooms. Astilbe. A great choice for long-lasting blooms in a shady spot is astilbe, also known as false spirea. It produces pretty foliage, reminiscent of ferns, as well as feathery flowers that may be white, red, or pink. These flowers won’t last all summer, but they will bloom from early summer to about the beginning of August. Stella d’Oro daylily. This is a popular variety of daylily because unlike most others, it re-blooms. The flower stalks are shorter than those of other daylilies, but they will produce pretty golden yellow flowers over and over again. Double hollyhock. Like many types of hollyhock, these Alcea hybrids grow up to 7 feet (2 m.) tall, thrive in full sun, and will give you large, show-stopping yellow, pink, or red flowers. Clematis. For a climbing flower that blooms all season long, choose clematis. This vine produces colorful flowers. It likes to be in the sun, but grows best with the roots in the shade. Make sure it has something to climb, like a fence. There are a number of varieties to choose from, including clematis that specifically bloom in summer. Purple coneflower. Also known as Echinacea, purple coneflower is a tall perennial that produces light purple flowers. You can expect to get the flowers throughout the summer and into fall. Black-eyed Susan. Similar to coneflower, black-eyed Susan produces blooms in the summer and into the fall. They grow tall and bloom in deep golden yellow with dark brown centers. Shasta daisy. With evergreen foliage in many areas and cheery summer blooms, you basically cannot go wrong with Shasta daisy plants. Keep them deadheaded and they will reward you with continual flowers on up into early autumn.
Gardening tips, videos, info and more delivered right to your inbox!
Sign up for the Gardening Know How newsletter today and receive a free download of our DIY eBook "Bring Your Garden Indoors: 13 DIY Projects For Fall And Winter".
Mary Ellen Ellis has been gardening for over 20 years. With degrees in Chemistry and Biology, Mary Ellen's specialties are flowers, native plants, and herbs.
-
Bold & Beautiful Festive Bloomers: 6 Christmas Flowering Plants For A Big Holiday Buzz
‘Tis the season for celebration and easy living, so make sure your plants are up to it. These dynamic Christmas flowering plants will help you see out the season in style
By Mary Ellen Ellis
-
9 Thoughtful Stocking Stuffers For Gardeners They'll Actually Use – Starting At $10
Stocking stuffers often end up an after-thought, but not these! Explore expert-curated stocking stuffers for gardeners that they'll use for years to come.
By Laura Walters
-
20 Hard-to-Find Spring Flowers & Plants That Look Amazing All Season
It’s finally beginning to look like spring! If you’re eager to find some unique, hard-to-find varietals to satisfy your spring fever, look here first.
By Caroline Bloomfield
-
How Wildflower Strips Help Attract Pollinators To Your Yard
If you have a small garden spot or strip available, fill it with wildflowers for our hungry pollinators. Click to learn more.
By Tonya Barnett
-
10 Knockout Native Flowers To Add A Punch Of Color To Your Garden
Growing native is the way to go. See our list of ten native wildflowers that will knock you out with color.
By Amy Grant
-
Pretty Plants For A Pastel Flower Bouquet
Roses aren’t the only romantic flower. Some romantic pastel flowers can fill in beautifully.
By Tonya Barnett
-
Soft Yellow Plants For A Sunny Pastel Garden
Click here for ideas on some pale yellow flower varieties for pastel garden designs.
By Tonya Barnett
-
Most Common Flower Color In The World
What are the most common and least common flower colors in the world? Click here to find out.
By Mary Ellen Ellis
-
Pastel Plants For A Lovely, Light Purple Flower Garden
Click here for ideas on some light purple plants for a pretty, pastel garden display.
By Tonya Barnett
-
Plant Wildflower Seeds In Fall for A Stunning Spring Display
Can you plant wildflower seeds in fall? What makes fall the best time to sow wildflower seeds? Click here for more.
By Tonya Barnett