Long-blooming perennials are the best way to get as much joy from your flower beds as possible. There are tons of great options that you can choose from too. No matter where you live, you’re sure to find plenty of great choices on this list.
If you’re tired of perennials that only bloom for a few weeks and they’re done, then this list is for you!
Perennials that have long flowering seasons will give you the stunning colors and textures that you desire. That means that you’ll be able to enjoy your gardens for an extended period.
In this list, I’ll share some of the longest-blooming perennials you can find. I’ll also give you important tips that will help keep them going for as much time as possible.
Tips For Keeping Perennials Blooming Longer
By nature, the perennials in this list bloom longer than the average. But, there are a few things you can do that will keep them going for the maximum amount of time.
Just follow these simple tips, and you’ll get even more blossom time out of them.
- Give them full sun – Even though many of these perennials will tolerate partial shade, they will bloom for the longest amount of time in a full sun location (6+ hours of direct sunshine).
- Prune and deadhead regularly – Timely pruning and deadheading will encourage more buds to open, which means even longer bloom times. So remove the dead blossoms and leaves whenever you see them.
- Provide rich, fertile soil – These long-blooming perennials need lots of nutrients in order to perform their best. For the best results, amend poor quality soils with organic materials such as compost or worm castings.
- Use the right fertilizer – Too much nitrogen will make the leaves grow more than the flowers. That’s why it’s important to use the right fertilizer for them. Learn all about how to fertilizer your flower beds here.
List Of Long Blooming Perennial Flowers
Like I said above, the perennial plants on this list will bloom for the longest amount of time.
To help you choose the ones that will perform the best in your garden, I’ve included the hardiness zones and flowering times for each one.
So you should be able to find several good options, no matter where you live. Browse the list, and try out your favorites.
1. Trumpet Vine
If you want something with a unique shape, then trumpet vine is the one for you. Also known as hummingbird vine, it has vibrant yellow, red, or orange flowers that open up like a trumpet.
This hardy climber will completely cover a fence or trellis, so make sure it has plenty of space. It’s very fast growing, and blooms from summer until fall.
It does best with full sun to partial shade in hardiness zones 4-10, so practically anyone can enjoy it in their garden.
Related Post: 17 Best Ground Cover Plants That Grow Well In The Shade
2. Spiderwort
The spiderwort goes by many different names – Lady’s Tears, Spider Lily, and Virginia Spiderwort are the most popular. It has long slender green or chartreuse colored foliage.
Depending on the variety, it will have either blue, purple, or white flowers that bloom from spring through autumn.
It can get 18-24” high, and does best with full sun in a variety of zones (4-9). It spreads out nicely, not aggressively, but make sure to leave plenty of room around it.
3. Coreopsis
The bright yellow and orange flowers on this perennial bloom repeatedly – from late spring through freezing in my garden. It’s in the daisy or aster family – which is apparent when you see them.
Coreopsis has nice foliage, but the star of the show are the abundance of cheerful yellow buds that cover it. They can reach anywhere from 18-36” tall.
Some varieties will have reddish or even white blossoms – but all of them will need plenty of room because they like to spread out.
4. Shasta Daisy
With its iconic white petals and yellow center, the Shasta Daisy is popular in home gardens. These happy little flowers will appear from mid summer through fall.
They are easy to care for, don’t require lots of watering, and are even resistant to deer. They will reach heights of 18-24” in a variety of zones (4-10).
5. Veronica (Speedwell)
The long, cylindrical flowers on the veronica plant bloom constantly, summer through fall.
It needs to be watered regularly, and prefers lots of sunshine. They do the best in a variety of zones (3-8), and will be 2-3’ tall.
They are closer to the ground, so it makes a wonderful border or edge filler plant for your beds.
6. Ice Plant
The ice plant is another hardy perennial that blooms for a very a long time in zones 5-10. You’ll get to enjoy them from spring through frost in cold areas, and even year-round if you live in a warm climate.
It’s a succulent with thick, waxy leaves, and is also drought-tolerant and pest-resistant. As a ground cover, it only reaches about 6” at the most.
There are tons of varieties to choose from too. Some will get purple flowers, while others are pink, yellow, or white.
7. Butterfly Bush
Also called a Summer Lilac, the clusters of flowers on this lovely perennial will fill your garden with color all season long. It blooms consistently, from summer through fall.
This drought-tolerant shrub is really tall too. It gets anywhere from 4-8’, and survives best in zones 5-10.
It doesn’t just get tall, but wide too. So it’s best to give it plenty of space when you add other plants around it.
8. Perennial Salvia
With purple or pink flowers that stretch towards the sky, the perennial salvia blooms repeatedly, starting in the spring.
It has lots of different names. You might hear it called a balkan clary, ornamental sage, or violet sage.
This hardy plant thrives in a variety of climates (zones 4-9), and is 12-18” – or 2-3’ tall.
9. Geranium
If you love lots of different colors, then you should check out geraniums. They come in all shades of pink, red, purple, orange, and white.
Both the hardy perennials (zones 4-9) as well as the tropical ones (9-10) bloom repeatedly all season long – even in the winter in warmer areas.
Most people plant them in containers to decorate their porch or deck. But, as long as you choose one that is hardy to your climate, you can leave them in your garden year round.
10. Anemone
Another vibrant perennial that blooms for an extended period of time is the anemone. It’s also sometimes called the windflower because it sways in the breeze.
The colors of the flowers depend on the variety. But you’ll find them in bright shades of pink, red, purple and white. It blooms from mid summer all the way through autumn.
It can reach 18-24” tall in zones 4-8, and needs full sun to partial shade.
11. Lavender
All types of lavender (English, Spanish, and French) are perennials in the right climate, and they bloom for a very long time.
They are well known for their fragrant purple buds. But, deepening on the type, they could be dark purple or white. This a hardy plant does really well in the full sun.
The tall blossoms will continue forming from spring through fall. They will either be 12-18”, or as tall as 3-4’. Learn how to care for lavender plants here.
12. Gaillardia
The gaillardia is commonly called a blanket flower because of how similar it looks to the bright patterns of Native American blankets. It’s also known to completely cover the ground with bright colors.
They bloom repeatedly, late spring all the way through until it gets to freezing in my garden. Their hues are breathtaking – from bold orange and yellow, to softer pink and white.
They will reach heights of 18-36” in a wide variety of climates (from 3-9). They can do well in partial shade, but prefer full sun.
13. Bougainvillea
Sometime called paper flower, bougainvillea can either come as a shrub, or vines that love to climb. Its showy flowers bloom all year round in warm climates where it’s a perennial.
The stems gets up to 8-10’ – so give it plenty of room. It does best in zones 9-11 when it has full sun and is watered regularly.
Depening on which one you choose, they will become completely covered with gorgeous magenta, red, purple, or orange blossoms. Learn all about their care here.
14. Cardinal Flower
Just like the bird, cardinal flowers are a deep red. They form on vertical stalks, with their delicate petals drooping towards the ground.
They bloom from summer through fall, and are extremely popular with hummingbirds and other pollinators.
It does require some special care though. They need consistently moist soil and full sun (which is perfect for a rain garden!).
This tough and versatile specimen does well in a variety of different climates (zones 3-9), and are 15-18”.
15. Pincushion Flower
The pincushion flower got its unique name from the way the stamens look like pins poking into the cushion of the flower. Lots of people love how full they look with these pretty blossoms all over.
They are light blue and blue-violet, and will bloom for a long time, from summer until frost.
It has wispy foliage that can reach 2-3’ tall, and will thrive in zones 3-9.
16. Gaura (Oenothera)
This one has lots of different names – appleblossom grass, Lindheimer’s beeblossom, and wanderflower. All of them accurately describe this unique and stunning plant.
It’s a thin but tall perennial with delicate flowers and long stamens that stick out like needles. The pale pink or white petals are ever-blooming from summer well into the fall.
It does best in zones 6-9, needs full sun, and can tolerate less watering than most. Many people like to use it for xeriscaping.
17. False Sunflower (Heliopsis helianthoides)
Also called orange sunflower or ox-eye, it might have the same shape and color, but it isn’t a sunflower.
The bright blooms on this hardy perennial last a long time, from summer through frost. They get fairly tall too, about 3-6’, depending on the variety.
They prefer cooler climates (zones 4-8), and fill every outdoor space with bunches of bright yellow and orange.
18. Tropical Hibiscus
The tropical hibiscus plant comes in a variety of colors, and each one is a breathtaking piece of art. Some have multiple shades that fade into each other with an eye-catching ombre effect.
As the name implies, it prefers really warm climates – from zone 9-11. When you care for it correctly, it will bloom all year round.
If you live in a colder area, keep it as a houseplant in a sunny window. I overwinter mine in my basement, and it flowers all winter long.
This show stopping plant will reach a stunning 6-10’, so give it plenty of room to shine.
19. Pasque Flower
Also called Dane’s blood, the pasque flower has a bright yellow center that is surrounded by contrasting blue, violet, or red petals. Each one has six petals that fan out around the middle.
It’s a very welcoming and happy plant, and one of the earliest to bloom. In most climates, it will open up around Easter, and then continue through the summer and fall months.
It doesn’t require a lot of watering, and is 6-12” tall. Give it plenty of sunshine, and it will show off all season long.
All of these long-blooming perennials will brighten your outdoor space with color and beauty for as much time as possible. So, if you want to enjoy ever-blooming flower beds, you can’t go wrong with anything on this list.
More Lists Of Flowers
- 21 Of The Best Yellow Flowers (Annuals & Perennials)
- 21 Best Foundation Plants For The Front Of Your House
- 29 Rain Garden Plants For Sun Or Shade
- 21 Of The Best Red Flowers (Perennials & Annuals)
- 17 Pink Flowers For Your Garden (Annuals & Perennials)
Share your favorite long-blooming perennials with us in the comments section below.
Mary caruso says
I love flowers but I am elderly so I am limited to planting so I would enjoy the annuals that bloom most of the season. I need your help and certainly appreciate your knowledge. Thanks you!
Amy Andrychowicz says
You’re welcome!