Nothing beats the beauty of a garden in full bloom during summer. If you’re looking to keep your garden vibrant and colorful all season long, perennial plants are your best bet. They return year after year, offering reliable color and ease of maintenance. Here’s a list of 13 perennial plants that will ensure your garden boasts endless summer blooms.
1. Black-Eyed Susan (Rudbeckia hirta)
Why It’s Great: Black-Eyed Susans are quintessential summer flowers with their bright yellow petals and dark brown centers. They are hardy and attract pollinators.
Growing Tips:
- Sunlight: Full sun.
- Soil: Well-drained soil.
- Watering: Moderate watering needs.
2. Daylily (Hemerocallis)
Why It’s Great: Daylilies come in a variety of colors and are known for their long blooming period. They’re drought-tolerant and low-maintenance.
Growing Tips:
- Sunlight: Full sun to partial shade.
- Soil: Adaptable to most soil types.
- Watering: Regular watering, but drought-tolerant once established.
3. Coneflower (Echinacea)
Why It’s Great: Coneflowers are robust, easy to grow, and attract butterflies. Their daisy-like blooms come in various colors, primarily pink and purple.
Growing Tips:
- Sunlight: Full sun.
- Soil: Well-drained soil.
- Watering: Moderate watering needs.
4. Lavender (Lavandula)
Why It’s Great: Lavender offers fragrant blooms that are perfect for both fresh and dried arrangements. It’s also deer-resistant and attracts pollinators.
Growing Tips:
- Sunlight: Full sun.
- Soil: Well-drained, slightly alkaline soil.
- Watering: Minimal watering once established.
5. Shasta Daisy (Leucanthemum x superbum)
Why It’s Great: Shasta Daisies produce classic white flowers with yellow centers that bloom all summer long. They’re perfect for cutting gardens.
Growing Tips:
- Sunlight: Full sun.
- Soil: Well-drained soil.
- Watering: Regular watering, especially during dry periods.
6. Coreopsis (Coreopsis spp.)
Why It’s Great: Coreopsis, or tickseed, offers bright, cheerful flowers that bloom profusely throughout the summer. They’re low-maintenance and drought-tolerant.
Growing Tips:
- Sunlight: Full sun.
- Soil: Well-drained soil.
- Watering: Moderate watering needs.
7. Russian Sage (Perovskia atriplicifolia)
Why It’s Great: Russian Sage has airy spikes of lavender-blue flowers and aromatic foliage. It’s drought-tolerant and deer-resistant.
Growing Tips:
- Sunlight: Full sun.
- Soil: Well-drained soil.
- Watering: Minimal watering once established.
8. Yarrow (Achillea millefolium)
Why It’s Great: Yarrow produces clusters of tiny flowers in a variety of colors. It’s drought-tolerant and attracts beneficial insects.
Growing Tips:
- Sunlight: Full sun.
- Soil: Well-drained soil.
- Watering: Moderate watering needs.
9. Bee Balm (Monarda)
Why It’s Great: Bee Balm has vibrant, spiky flowers that attract hummingbirds and butterflies. It also has a pleasant, minty fragrance.
Growing Tips:
- Sunlight: Full sun to partial shade.
- Soil: Moist, well-drained soil.
- Watering: Regular watering.
10. Blanket Flower (Gaillardia)
Why It’s Great: Blanket Flowers have striking, daisy-like blooms in red, orange, and yellow. They’re drought-tolerant and bloom all summer.
Growing Tips:
- Sunlight: Full sun.
- Soil: Well-drained soil.
- Watering: Minimal watering once established.
11. Salvia (Salvia spp.)
Why It’s Great: Salvia produces spikes of flowers in shades of blue, purple, red, and pink. It’s a magnet for bees and butterflies.
Growing Tips:
- Sunlight: Full sun.
- Soil: Well-drained soil.
- Watering: Regular watering.
12. Hosta (Hosta spp.)
Why It’s Great: Hostas are shade-loving perennials with lush foliage and delicate flowers. They come in a variety of leaf shapes and colors.
Growing Tips:
- Sunlight: Partial to full shade.
- Soil: Moist, well-drained soil.
- Watering: Regular watering.
13. Phlox (Phlox paniculata)
Why It’s Great: Garden Phlox offers fragrant, large clusters of flowers in a range of colors. It’s a long-blooming plant that thrives in summer.
Growing Tips:
- Sunlight: Full sun to partial shade.
- Soil: Rich, well-drained soil.
- Watering: Regular watering.
Conclusion
Incorporating these 13 perennial plants into your garden will ensure that you enjoy endless summer blooms year after year. These plants not only provide vibrant and continuous color but also attract pollinators and require minimal maintenance. With the right care and placement, your garden can be a stunning, ever-blooming paradise all summer long. Happy gardening!