Perennials are reliable plants that keep coming back year after year, providing beauty and charm to your garden.
Among these, the long-blooming varieties really stand out.
They are especially great for gardeners who want to enjoy vibrant colors and lively flowers from early spring through late fall (without constantly replanting every season).
In this article, I’ll walk you through what makes these plants special, and share 15 of the best long-blooming perennials you can add to your garden.
If you’re ready to get started, there are many trusted seed companies where you can find these perennials.
What Are Long-Blooming Perennials?
Long-blooming perennials are plants that flower for extended periods of time, often from spring through fall, depending on the variety.
Unlike traditional perennials that may only bloom for a short time, these plants offer a continuous show of flowers over several weeks or even months.
This extended bloom time makes them a great choice for gardeners who want to enjoy vibrant color without having to constantly replant or switch out flowers every season.
15 Popular Long-Blooming Perennials
1. Black-eyed Susan
| Botanical Name | Rudbeckia hirta |
| Bloom Time | Summer to Fall |
| Hardiness Zones | 3–9 |
| Sun Requirements | Full sun |
| Soil Requirements | Well-drained, average soil |
Black-eyed Susan is one of the most cheerful and durable perennials. With their yellow petals and dark centers, they stand out and draw the eye.
These plants bloom from late summer into fall, making them perfect for keeping your garden colorful when many other flowers start to fade.
They're also pretty easy to care for and tolerate drought once they’re established. Just give them a sunny spot, and they’ll be happy.
2. Coneflower
| Botanical Name | Echinacea purpurea |
| Bloom Time | Summer to Fall |
| Hardiness Zones | 3–9 |
| Sun Requirements | Full sun |
| Soil Requirements | Well-drained, sandy or loamy soil |
Coneflowers are a favorite among many gardeners. These plants bloom from summer into fall, offering bright colors like purple, pink, and white.
They're pretty flexible, growing well in both full sun and partial shade. Plus, they’re great at attracting bees and butterflies, making your garden a livelier place.
What’s even better?
They don’t require much care at all.
3. Daylilies
| Botanical Name | Hemerocallis spp. |
| Bloom Time | Late Spring to Fall |
| Hardiness Zones | 3–9 |
| Sun Requirements | Full sun to partial shade |
| Soil Requirements | Well-drained, slightly acidic to neutral soil |
Daylilies are great for a low-maintenance garden.
These flowers bloom from late spring all the way to fall, offering a variety of colors like red, yellow, and orange.
They’re hardy plants that thrive in both sun and shade, making them versatile for different garden spots.
You’ll love how easy they are to grow and how long they keep blooming.
4. Shasta Daisy
| Botanical Name | Leucanthemum x superbum |
| Bloom Time | Summer to Fall |
| Hardiness Zones | 5–9 |
| Sun Requirements | Full sun |
| Soil Requirements | Well-drained, fertile soil |
Shasta Daisies are classic garden flowers that bring a burst of white and yellow.
They bloom from early summer through fall, keeping your garden looking fresh and lively for months.
These flowers are also fantastic for attracting pollinators like bees and butterflies. They do best in full sun, so place them in a sunny spot, and they’ll thrive.
5. Sedum (Autumn Joy)
| Botanical Name | Hylotelephium spectabile |
| Bloom Time | Late Summer to Fall |
| Hardiness Zones | 3–9 |
| Sun Requirements | Full sun |
| Soil Requirements | Well-drained, sandy or gravelly soil |
Sedum ‘Autumn Joy’ is perfect for adding a pop of color when many other plants are slowing down.
This variety blooms from late summer into fall, with flowers that change from pink to a rich red as the season progresses. It’s a tough plant that doesn’t mind dry conditions and loves the sun.
6. Geranium (Cranesbill)
| Botanical Name | Geranium spp. |
| Bloom Time | Spring to Fall |
| Hardiness Zones | 3–9 |
| Sun Requirements | Full sun to part shade |
| Soil Requirements | Well-drained, humus-rich soil |
Cranesbill geraniums are known for their long bloom period, displaying colors like purple, pink, and blue from spring through fall.
They’re perfect for filling in gaps in your garden, as they spread nicely and keep blooming for months.
Not to mention, their leaves have a pleasant scent that helps keep pests away. If you’re looking for something easy to grow, geraniums are a great choice.
But before you plant these perennials, make sure your garden is ready for the season. Check out our guide on how to prepare your garden for spring to ensure the best growing conditions for your plants.
7. Coreopsis (Tickseed)
| Botanical Name | Coreopsis verticillata |
| Bloom Time | Late Spring to Fall |
| Hardiness Zones | 3–9 |
| Sun Requirements | Full sun |
| Soil Requirements | Well-drained, sandy or loamy soil |
Coreopsis, also known as tickseed, is one of those plants that just keeps going.
It blooms from late spring all the way through fall, offering bright yellow, orange, and red flowers.
This plant loves the sun and well-drained soil, and it doesn’t need much care. Like the others mentioned, it’s great for attracting bees and butterflies, making it a great choice for a pollinator-friendly garden.
8. Russian Sage
| Botanical Name | Perovskia atriplicifolia |
| Bloom Time | Summer to Fall |
| Hardiness Zones | 4–9 |
| Sun Requirements | Full sun |
| Soil Requirements | Well-drained, sandy or loamy soil |
Russian Sage adds a soft, airy feel to the garden with its lavender-blue flowers that bloom from mid-summer to fall.
It’s a tall plant, making it perfect for adding height and texture to your garden. This hardy plant thrives in full sun and doesn’t need much water, making it ideal for dry spots.
Bees and butterflies love it, so it’s a great addition to any garden looking to attract pollinators.
9. Catmint
| Botanical Name | Nepeta x faassenii |
| Bloom Time | Late Spring to Fall |
| Hardiness Zones | 3–9 |
| Sun Requirements | Full sun |
| Soil Requirements | Well-drained, average soil |
Catmint is a fantastic plant for gardeners looking for low-maintenance options. It blooms with lavender-blue flowers from late spring to fall and thrives in dry conditions once established.
Its aromatic leaves help deter pests, making it a great companion for other plants.
It’s perfect for borders or as ground cover, and its resilience to heat and drought makes it an ideal choice for tough climates.
10. Bee Balm
| Botanical Name | Monarda didyma |
| Bloom Time | Summer to Early Fall |
| Hardiness Zones | 4–9 |
| Sun Requirements | Full sun to part shade |
| Soil Requirements | Moist, well-drained soil |
Bee Balm, also called Monarda, offers bold, colorful flowers in shades of red, pink, and purple from mid-summer through early fall.
It thrives in both sun and partial shade and prefers moist soil. Aside from attracting wildlife, Bee Balm’s aromatic leaves are great for making herbal teas and natural remedies.
If you want a plant that adds both beauty and versatility to your garden, this is a great choice.
11. Blanket Flower
| Botanical Name | Gaillardia spp. |
| Bloom Time | Early Summer to Fall |
| Hardiness Zones | 3–10 |
| Sun Requirements | Full sun |
| Soil Requirements | Well-drained, sandy or rocky soil |
Blanket Flowers are vibrant, heat-loving plants. They bloom from summer to fall, displaying bold colors like red, orange, and yellow.
These flowers are perfect for sunny spots, as they thrive in full sun and can handle dry conditions once established.
Blanket Flowers bring fiery hues to your garden without much fuss.
12. Penstemon (Beardtongue)
| Botanical Name | Penstemon spp. |
| Bloom Time | Spring to Summer |
| Hardiness Zones | 3–9 |
| Sun Requirements | Full sun |
| Soil Requirements | Well-drained, sandy or loamy soil |
Penstemon, or Beardtongue, is a lovely plant with tall spikes of tubular flowers in shades of pink, red, purple, or white.
These flowers bloom from late spring to early summer, adding vertical interest to your garden. Penstemon prefers full sun and well-drained soil, making it a great choice for sunny, dry spots.
It’s also a favorite among hummingbirds, so if you want to attract these little creatures, Penstemon is a great addition.
13. Lavender
| Botanical Name | Lavandula angustifolia |
| Bloom Time | Spring to Summer |
| Hardiness Zones | 5–9 |
| Sun Requirements | Full sun |
| Soil Requirements | Well-drained, sandy or loamy soil |
Lavender is a classic perennial that offers both beauty and fragrance. It blooms with lovely purple flowers from late spring to summer and thrives in full sun and well-drained soil.
Known for its calming scent, Lavender is a favorite in gardens and even kitchens. Plus, it’s drought-tolerant, so it doesn’t need much care once established.
14. Yarrow
| Botanical Name | Achillea millefolium |
| Bloom Time | Summer to Fall |
| Hardiness Zones | 3–9 |
| Sun Requirements | Full sun |
| Soil Requirements | Well-drained, sandy or loamy soil |
Yarrow is a tough, reliable plant that keeps blooming through the summer and into the fall.
Known for its fern-like leaves and clusters of small flowers, Yarrow comes in a variety of colors, including white, yellow, pink, and red.
It grows best in full sun and well-drained soil, making it a great option for dry gardens. Yarrow also has a long history of medicinal use, often valued for its healing properties to aid wounds and as a natural remedy for fevers.
15. Astilbe
| Botanical Name | Astilbe spp. |
| Bloom Time | Late Spring to Summer |
| Hardiness Zones | 4–9 |
| Sun Requirements | Part shade to full shade |
| Soil Requirements | Moist, well-drained, humus-rich soil |
Astilbe is the go-to perennial for shady spots in the garden. It produces fluffy, airy flowers in shades of pink, red, white, or purple during the summer.
These plants thrive in moist, well-drained soil, making them perfect for woodland gardens or areas that don’t get much direct sunlight.
Astilbe adds a soft, textured look to your garden and attracts hummingbirds and butterflies, making it a lovely choice for bringing gentle beauty to shaded areas.
These 15 perennials are worth considering so choose the ones that best suit your garden, and you’ll have a beautiful, low-maintenance space that you can enjoy season after season.
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