When spring hits, I always get the itch to garden. After lots of tries, I’ve found the best way to have a colorful yard without spending every weekend working on it: long-blooming perennials.
Here are my top 10 picks that keep my garden looking good all season.
Top 10 Long Blooming Perennial Flowers
1. Echinacea (Coneflower)
Echinacea, or coneflowers, have become my go-to perennials for adding a pop of color to my garden. These North American natives feature bold, daisy-like petals in classic purple, fiery oranges, and reds. Standing tall at 2-4 feet, they’re perfect for those bare spots in my garden that need a little height.
I love how drought-tolerant they are, especially during those scorching summer months when I’m too busy chasing the kids to water regularly. Plus, the bees and butterflies they attract have turned our backyard into a mini nature reserve!
2. Coreopsis (Tickseed)
Coreopsis, also known as tickseed, has stolen my heart with its cheery blooms in yellows, oranges, and pinks. These versatile 1-3 foot tall plants have become my secret weapon for filling gaps in borders and brightening up containers on our patio.
Their drought tolerance is a lifesaver during busy summer days. I’ve even started cutting them for indoor bouquets – they last forever and bring a smile to my face every time I see them on the kitchen counter.
3. Salvia (Sage)
Salvia has been a game-changer in my garden. With their tubular flowers on tall spikes in blues, purples, reds, and whites, they add a touch of elegance to my sometimes chaotic backyard. Growing 1-3 feet tall, they’re the perfect middle-ground plants in my mixed perennial beds.
The best part? They’re like a “do not disturb” sign for deer and rabbits, which means I can actually enjoy my garden instead of constantly replanting nibbled stems.
4. Nepeta (Catmint)
Nepeta, or catmint, has become my secret weapon for softening hard edges in the garden. Its delicate lavender-blue flowers and aromatic gray-green foliage create a dreamy, cottage-garden feel. At 1-3 feet tall, it’s perfect for borders and rock gardens.
I love how it thrives in both full sun and partial shade – perfect for those tricky spots in my yard. And let’s be honest, any plant that’s both drought-tolerant and deer-resistant is a win in my busy mom book!
5. Gaillardia (Blanket Flower)
Gaillardia, or blanket flower, brings a touch of the wild prairie to my suburban garden. Its daisy-like blooms in reds, yellows, and oranges remind me of a sunset. Standing 1-3 feet tall, they’re my go-to for adding a splash of color to containers and wildflower patches.
While they’re not deer-resistant, their ability to attract butterflies more than makes up for it. My kids love watching the “flying flowers” visit our garden all summer long.
6. Rudbeckia (Black-eyed Susan)
Rudbeckia, with its cheerful golden petals and dark centers, never fails to brighten up my day. Growing 1-3 feet tall, these native wildflowers have become the backbone of my late summer garden.
They’re incredibly easy to grow, which is perfect for my not-so-green-thumbed moments. I’ve planted them as a backdrop for shorter perennials, and they make fantastic cut flowers for impromptu bouquets.
7. Penstemon (Beardtongue)
Penstemon, or beardtongue, adds a touch of elegance to my garden with its tubular blooms in deep reds, purples, pinks, and blues. Standing 1-3 feet tall, they’re my secret weapon for adding vertical interest to borders and rock gardens.
Their drought tolerance is a huge plus, and the hummingbirds they attract provide endless entertainment for the whole family. It’s like having our own little nature show right in the backyard!
8. Geranium (Cranesbill)
Perennial geraniums, or cranesbills, have become my go-to ground cover. Their saucer-shaped flowers in pinks, purples, whites, and blues create a beautiful carpet of color. At 1-2 feet tall, they’re perfect for filling in gaps and softening edges.
I love how they thrive in both sun and partial shade – they’re so adaptable, just like us moms! And their deer-resistant nature means I can plant them anywhere without worry.
9. Phlox
Tall garden phlox has stolen the show in my summer garden. Their fragrant blooms in pinks, purples, reds, and whites transport me to my grandmother’s garden every time I smell them. Growing 2-4 feet tall, they’re perfect for creating a colorful backdrop.
While they’re not deer-resistant, their sweet scent and long-lasting blooms make them worth the extra protection. They’ve become a staple in my cut flower arrangements, bringing a touch of the garden indoors.
10. Helenium (Sneezeweed)
Helenium, or sneezeweed, is my secret weapon for late-season color. Their daisy-like flowers in reds, oranges, and yellows keep my garden vibrant when other plants are starting to fade. Standing tall at 3-5 feet, they’re perfect for the back of borders.
While they need a bit more water than some of my other perennials, the burst of color they provide in late summer and early fall is well worth the extra effort. They’re like nature’s grand finale before the curtain falls on another beautiful growing season.