Perennial flowers come back year after year without replanting. Many bloom from late spring through early fall, delivering color for months. The downside is that most perennials flower for shorter periods than annuals. But some perennials do bloom all summer long. Below are 50 long-blooming perennials that keep producing flowers from early summer right through to frost.
Agastache
Agastache, also called hummingbird mint, produces colorful flower spikes from early summer through fall. The plant grows best in full sun and dry soil. Both flowers and leaves are edible. Agastache attracts hummingbirds, bees, and butterflies. It resists deer and tolerates drought. The plant works well in garden beds, borders, and containers.
Bellflower
Bellflower produces large, bell-shaped flowers in blue, pink, purple, and white. The plant is easy to care for. Regular deadheading keeps it blooming all summer. Bellflower works well in borders and cottage gardens.
Lavender
Lavender (Lavandula angustifolia) blooms from late spring to early fall. The fragrant flowers attract bees and butterflies. Lavender grows best in full sun and well-drained soil. Some gardeners leave the stems standing through winter to deter deer. There are many lavender varieties to choose from, including white lavender.
Bee balm
Bee balm produces showy, brightly-colored flowers throughout the summer. Most flowers are pink or purple. The plant tolerates a wide range of growing conditions. Deadheading helps keep bee balm blooming. It attracts bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds.
Echinacea
Echinacea, commonly known as coneflower, blooms from early summer to fall. The plant prefers full sun and well-drained soil. It produces large daisy-like flowers in purple, pink, orange, and white. Echinacea attracts pollinators and tolerates drought once established. Deer tend to avoid it. The flowers and leaves are edible.
Black-eyed Susan
Black-eyed Susan produces yellow or gold blooms with black centers. The plant blooms from early summer to fall. It grows easily in full sun and fills gaps in the garden. Deadheading extends the blooming season. Black-eyed Susan attracts bees and butterflies.
Dianthus
Dianthus, sometimes called pinks, are old-fashioned flowers that bloom from spring to fall. They come in white, pink, red, and purple. Pinks grow easily and make excellent cut flowers for bouquets. The flowers have a spicy, clove-like fragrance.
Yarrow
Yarrow produces clusters of small flowers in yellow, pink, or red. It blooms from early summer to fall. Yarrow tolerates drought and poor soil. The plant works well in gardens with limited water. It attracts beneficial insects and resists deer.
Evening primrose
Evening primrose blooms at night. The flowers open white and turn pink as they age. Regular deadheading keeps the plant blooming all summer. Evening primrose adds a touch of romance to the garden and works well in moonlight gardens.
Scabiosa
Scabiosa, sometimes called pincushion flower, blooms from early summer to fall. It produces large, round flowers in blue, pink, purple, and white. Scabiosa grows in full sun and well-drained soil. The plants form neat mounds. Regular deadheading encourages continued flowering through frost. Scabiosa attracts butterflies, resists deer, and makes an excellent cut flower.
Salvia
Salvia blooms all summer with showy, brightly-colored flowers. The plant comes in blue, purple, red, and white. It grows best in full sun and hot, dry conditions. Salvia needs enough water while getting established. The plants produce small, lipped flowers from late spring through fall. Popular types include ‘Hot Lips’ and ‘Amethyst Lips.’ Salvia attracts bees and hummingbirds, resists deer, and grows well in pots or sunny borders.
Penstemon
Penstemon, commonly known as beardtongue, grows best in full sun with good drainage. The plant produces tall flower stalks covered in tube-shaped blooms during summer. Flowers come in red, purple, pink, or white. Penstemon attracts hummingbirds and bees. It works well in garden beds and pots.
Russian sage
Russian sage blooms all summer with showy, lavender-blue flowers. The plant grows easily and tolerates a wide range of conditions. It prefers full sun and well-drained soil. Russian sage handles heat and drought well once established. The silvery foliage adds texture to the garden even when the plant is not blooming.
Delphinium
Delphiniums (Delphinium spp.) are tall, stately flowers with long stems and clusters of small blooms. They come in blue, purple, pink, and white. Delphiniums bloom in early to mid-summer and can reach 6 feet tall or more. Established plants often bloom a second time in late summer for a second display of towering blooms.
Daylily
Daylily blooms for an extended period when you choose repeat bloomers like the golden ‘Stella de Oro’ daylily. Individual flowers last for a day, but the plant keeps producing new buds all summer
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