Sick of your flowers dying by mid-summer? I was too! But then I found these amazing plants that keep blooming for months.
I’m so excited to share my top picks with you.
Summer-Blooming Perennial Flowers
1. Coneflower
One of my absolute favorites is the coneflower. With its bright, daisy-like blooms in shades of pink, purple, and white, it’s a real showstopper. I love how easy they are to grow, and the way they attract bees and butterflies to my garden.
2. Rudbeckia (Black-Eyed Susan)
The cheerful yellow petals and dark centers of Black-Eyed Susans never fail to make me smile. They thrive in full sun and well-draining soil, making them perfect for those hot summer days.
3. Coreopsis
I adore the delicate, daisy-like blooms of coreopsis. They come in such lovely shades of yellow, orange, and red, adding pops of color throughout my garden beds.
4. Allium
Alliums are like nature’s lollipops! Their globe-shaped florets sit atop tall stems, creating a whimsical touch. I’ve planted them in various colors – yellow, white, pink, and purple – and they never fail to draw the eye.
5. Bee Balm
From July to August, my bee balm puts on quite a show. The fragrant flowers are irresistible to butterflies and hummingbirds, turning my garden into a bustling wildlife haven.
6. Lavender
Oh, the scent of lavender! I’ve used it as a border plant, and it’s simply divine. It loves well-draining soil and full sunlight, perfect for those sunny spots in the garden.
7. Perennial Geranium
These tiny yet vivid flowers are ideal for borders. I’m always amazed at how they bloom continuously for months, starting from late spring.
8. Shasta Daisy
Classic and charming, Shasta daisies brighten up my garden with their white petals and sunny yellow centers. They’re sun-lovers, just like me!
9. Hibiscus
Later in summer, my hibiscus steals the show. The large, eye-catching blooms in various colors are a favorite of both hummingbirds and butterflies.
10. Garden Phlox
The fragrant blooms of garden phlox in pink, purple, white, or red are absolutely dazzling. They’re a true showstopper in any garden.
11. Perennial Salvia
For the best summer displays, I’ve planted varieties like Blue Hill, Victoria Blue, Caradonna, and May Night. They thrive in bright, indirect sunlight.
12. Russian Sage
The tall, airy spikes of lavender-blue flowers on my Russian sage add such a graceful touch to the garden. It’s a trooper in hot and dry conditions, too!
13. Yarrow
While the species typically has white flower clusters, I’ve experimented with different cultivars to add various hues to my garden.
14. Ice Plant (Delosperma cooperi)
For low-maintenance, long-lasting blooms with distinctive foliage, ice plants are my go-to. They’re perfect for those busy summer days when I can’t tend to the garden as much.
15. Butterfly Bush
In my garden, butterfly bushes act as both perennials and deciduous shrubs. In colder climates, they die back to the ground in winter but faithfully re-sprout in spring.
16. Autumn Joy Stonecrop
I love watching the color transformation of Autumn Joy Stonecrop. From late summer, the blooms gradually shift from pink to rust red or purple as fall approaches.
17. Fringed Bleeding Hearts
These delicate beauties bloom for about three months in my garden, from late spring through late summer.
18. Serbian Bellflower
This low-growing, mat-forming plant is a dream in late spring and early summer, producing an abundance of blooms for two glorious months.
19. Red Hot Poker
With its compact growth reaching only 1-2 feet, Red Hot Poker adds a punch of color from late spring to mid-summer.
20. Catmint
I use catmint as a ground cover. It reaches about 8-12 inches tall and blooms from spring to early fall, filling in gaps beautifully.
21. Iris
The snowy white flowers of iris in both spring and autumn are simply stunning. They’re one of the easiest perennials I’ve cultivated.
22. Roses
My roses are the stars of the summer garden. Disease-resistant and hardy, they bloom nearly continuously and come in so many beautiful shades.
23. Clematis
The Jackmani clematis, with its royal purple petals, is a favorite in my early summer garden. It adds a touch of elegance to any trellis or fence.
24. Hydrangea
The Endless Summer variety is a game-changer. It blooms on new growth, giving me multiple blooms throughout the summer.
25. Astilbe
I love planting astilbe in containers around seating areas. Its feathery, fragrant flowers are perfect for creating a relaxing atmosphere.
26. Lupine
The tall, cone-shaped flowers of lupine add vertical interest to my garden all summer long.
27. Lily Turf
For gorgeous white flowers throughout summer, I rely on Monroe White lily turf. It’s a consistent performer year after year.
28. Dahlia
From June until the first frost, my dahlias keep blooming. They’re versatile for borders or pots and make excellent cut flowers for indoor arrangements.
29. Sedum ‘Voodoo’
The succulent-like leaves of Sedum ‘Voodoo’ create an interesting backdrop for its vibrant red flowers.
30. Dianthus
For beautiful, lasting color throughout summer, dianthus is my go-to perennial.
31. Cranesbill Geranium
With proper trimming, I get two waves of blooms from my cranesbill geranium – one from May to July, and another in late summer.
32. Hollyhocks
Yellow hollyhocks bring months of sunny color to the rear of my borders. They’re real attention-grabbers!
33. Peonies
The Inspector Lavergne variety thrives in my hot, sunny areas, rewarding me with magnificent full-bodied double flowers in rich pink-red.
34. Foam Flower
Perfect for my shaded areas, foam flowers produce graceful white blooms from April to the end of summer.
35. Bugleweed
In the dull, shaded areas of my garden, bugleweed’s vivid blue flowers bloom abundantly all summer.
36. Vinca
Though technically a tropical perennial, I grow vinca as an annual. Its flowers and foliage remind me of impatiens.
37. Summer Rose
My summer roses love full sun and well-draining soil, adding a classic touch to the garden.
38. Lantana
In my warmer garden zones, lantana thrives as a tender perennial. In colder areas, I treat it as an annual.
39. Blanket Flower
Once established, blanket flowers are my low-maintenance superstars. They’re drought and heat tolerant, and a magnet for birds and butterflies.
40. Spider Lily
As an elegant indoor plant, spider lily’s white flowers radiate from the center, creating a mesmerizing display.
41. Bush Clock Vine
The lavender-blue trumpet flowers of bush clock vine stand out beautifully against its dark green, heart-shaped leaves.
42. Geranium
In my warmer zones, geraniums thrive as evergreen perennials, while in cooler areas, I grow them as annuals.
43. Bleeding Heart
Last but not least, bleeding heart adds a romantic touch to my shaded areas with its arching sprays of heart-shaped pink flowers.