22 Long Blooming Perennials That Keep Your Garden in Color for Months
Tired of plants that bloom and fade before you even get a chance to enjoy them? Long blooming perennials are the secret to a garden that stays vibrant and full of life all season long.
These hardworking plants offer weeks—sometimes months—of continuous color with minimal effort.
Whether you’re planning a cottage garden, a pollinator paradise, or a low-maintenance landscape, this list has you covered. From sun-drenched borders to partial shade beds, these 22 reliable bloomers are perfect for gardeners who want lasting impact without constant replanting.
1) Scabiosa (Pincushion Flower)
Scabiosa, also known as pincushion flower, is a charming perennial with soft, domed blooms that resemble pin-studded cushions. It flowers in shades of lavender, pink, blue, and white from late spring through early fall—making it one of the longest blooming perennials available.
These dainty yet durable flowers thrive in full sun and well-drained soil. Regular deadheading encourages even more blooms throughout the season. Scabiosa is also loved by butterflies and makes a lovely cut flower.
Perfect for borders, cottage gardens, or containers, this compact plant is a must for continuous color.
| Plant Varieties | Growing Zone | Blooming Period |
|---|---|---|
| Scabiosa ‘Butterfly Blue’ | 4–9 | Late Spring to Fall |
| Scabiosa ‘Pink Mist’ | 4–9 | Late Spring to Fall |
| Scabiosa caucasica | 3–7 | Summer to Early Fall |
| Scabiosa ‘Fama Deep Blue’ | 4–9 | Summer to Fall |
2) Nepeta ‘Walker’s Low’ (Catmint)
Nepeta ‘Walker’s Low’ is a robust, aromatic perennial with soft gray-green foliage and masses of lavender-blue flowers that bloom from late spring through summer—and often into fall if lightly trimmed after the first flush.
It’s heat-tolerant, drought-resistant, and practically carefree. Loved by bees and butterflies, it’s also deer- and rabbit-resistant, making it an excellent choice for wildlife-friendly or low-maintenance gardens.
Nepeta forms neat mounds and looks great spilling over paths or paired with and yarrow.
| Plant Varieties | Growing Zone | Blooming Period |
|---|---|---|
| Nepeta ‘Walker’s Low’ | 3–8 | Late Spring to Fall |
| Nepeta ‘Cat’s Pajamas’ | 3–8 | Spring to Late Summer |
| Nepeta ‘Junior Walker’ | 5–9 | Early Summer to Fall |
| Nepeta ‘Purrsian Blue’ | 3–8 | Late Spring to Fall |
3) Gaura (Whirling Butterflies)
Gaura is a graceful, airy perennial with delicate, star-shaped flowers that dance on long, wiry stems—like butterflies in the breeze. It blooms nonstop from early summer until frost.
This drought-tolerant plant thrives in full sun and poor to average soil. It adds movement and softness to the garden and is perfect for borders, , or container arrangements.
Gaura is low-maintenance, deer-resistant, and loved by pollinators.
| Plant Varieties | Growing Zone | Blooming Period |
|---|---|---|
| Gaura lindheimeri ‘Whirling Butterflies’ | 5–9 | Early Summer to Frost |
| Gaura ‘Sparkle White’ | 5–9 | Late Spring to Fall |
| Gaura ‘Rosy Jane’ | 5–9 | Summer to Fall |
| Gaura ‘Siskiyou Pink’ | 6–9 | Summer to Frost |
4) Gerbera Daisy (Hardy Gerbera)
Gerbera daisies are known for their vibrant, daisy-like blooms in a wide range of colors including red, pink, orange, and yellow. While many are treated as annuals, hardy Gerbera varieties can return year after year and bloom from late spring through fall.
They thrive in full sun and rich, well-drained soil. Deadheading encourages repeat blooms. Hardy Gerberas are perfect for adding pops of color to borders, containers, or cut flower beds.
Make sure to choose cold-hardy cultivars if planting in cooler climates.
| Plant Varieties | Growing Zone | Blooming Period |
|---|---|---|
| Gerbera ‘Everlast’ Series | 7–10 | Late Spring to Fall |
| Gerbera ‘Garvinea Sweet Sunset’ | 7–10 | Summer to Frost |
| Gerbera ‘Patio Series’ | 7–10 | Early Summer to Fall |
| Gerbera ‘Landscape Orange’ | 7–10 | Spring to Autumn |
5) Alstroemeria (Peruvian Lily)
Alstroemeria, or Peruvian lily, produces clusters of exotic, trumpet-shaped flowers in bold colors from late spring through fall. Known for its incredible vase life, this long bloomer is a favorite for cutting gardens and floral displays.
It prefers full sun to part shade and well-drained soil. In mild climates, it acts as a true perennial and blooms for months. In colder zones, choose hardy varieties or grow it as a tender perennial with winter protection.
Alstroemeria spreads slowly via underground rhizomes and is well-suited to borders or containers.
| Plant Varieties | Growing Zone | Blooming Period |
|---|---|---|
| Alstroemeria ‘Inca Ice’ | 6–9 | Late Spring to Fall |
| Alstroemeria ‘Indian Summer’ | 6–9 | Summer to Frost |
| Alstroemeria ‘Colorita Kate’ | 6–9 | Early Summer to Fall |
| Alstroemeria ‘Princess Lilian’ | 6–9 | Spring to Late Summer |
6) Erysimum (Wallflower)
Erysimum, commonly known as wallflower, is a sun-loving perennial with vibrant blooms that start in early spring and continue well into summer—and even into fall in milder climates. It produces dense spikes of yellow, orange, purple, or bi-colored flowers.
It’s extremely hardy, drought-tolerant, and excellent for borders, , or pollinator plantings. Light pruning after flowering encourages additional flushes.
Erysimum thrives in poor to average soil and prefers good drainage. It’s a favorite in cottage-style or gardens.
| Plant Varieties | Growing Zone | Blooming Period |
|---|---|---|
| Erysimum ‘Bowles’s Mauve’ | 6–9 | Spring to Fall |
| Erysimum ‘Apricot Twist’ | 6–9 | Mid Spring to Autumn |
| Erysimum ‘Winter Orchid’ | 6–9 | Spring to Late Summer |
| Erysimum ‘Canaries Yellow’ | 6–9 | Late Spring to Fall |
7) Veronica (Longleaf Speedwell)
Veronica longifolia is a tall, elegant perennial known for its long, tapering flower spikes in shades of blue, purple, pink, or white. It begins blooming in early summer and often continues through late summer with deadheading.
This upright grower adds vertical interest and is great for borders and pollinator gardens. It prefers full sun and well-drained soil and is attractive to bees and butterflies.
Veronica is low-maintenance, deer-resistant, and excellent for cutting gardens.
| Plant Varieties | Growing Zone | Blooming Period |
|---|---|---|
| Veronica longifolia ‘Charlotte’ | 4–8 | Early to Late Summer |
| Veronica longifolia ‘Blue Giant’ | 4–8 | Summer |
| Veronica longifolia ‘Pink Eveline’ | 4–8 | Summer to Fall |
| Veronica longifolia ‘Marietta’ | 4–8 | Late Spring to Summer |
8) Blue Globe Thistle
Echinops bannaticus is a striking perennial with bold, spiky, globe-shaped flowers in steely blue or violet. It blooms from mid to late summer and continues into fall, providing excellent texture and contrast in sunny borders.
This plant is tough, drought-tolerant, and thrives in poor, well-drained soil. It’s loved by pollinators and is highly deer- and rabbit-resistant.
Use it in prairie-style plantings, pollinator beds, or anywhere you want architectural interest.
| Plant Varieties | Growing Zone | Blooming Period |
|---|---|---|
| Echinops bannaticus ‘Blue Glow’ | 3–8 | Summer to Fall |
| Echinops bannaticus ‘Taplow Blue’ | 3–8 | Midsummer to Fall |
| Echinops bannaticus ‘Star Frost’ | 3–8 | Late Summer |
| Echinops bannaticus ‘Veitch’s Blue’ | 3–8 | Summer |
9) Kniphofia ‘Fire Dance’ (Red Hot Poker)
Kniphofia ‘Fire Dance’ is a compact, long-blooming cultivar of Red Hot Poker with bold, torch-like flowers in fiery red and orange hues. It blooms reliably from early summer into fall, especially with regular deadheading.
It loves full sun and well-drained soil and is drought-tolerant once established. Despite its tropical look, this variety is cold-hardy and thrives in many climates.
Perfect for adding drama to borders, wildlife gardens, or xeriscapes.
| Plant Varieties | Growing Zone | Blooming Period |
|---|---|---|
| Kniphofia ‘Fire Dance’ | 5–9 | Early Summer to Fall |
| Kniphofia ‘Mango Popsicle’ | 5–9 | Summer to Early Fall |
| Kniphofia ‘Coral Glow’ | 5–9 | Summer to Fall |
| Kniphofia ‘Papaya Ice’ | 6–9 | Late Spring to Fall |
10) Phlomis (Turkish Sage)
Phlomis russeliana is a unique perennial with woolly, sage-green foliage and whorls of soft that bloom from late spring to early fall. Even after blooming, its architectural seed heads provide interest into winter.
It’s drought-tolerant, low-maintenance, and thrives in sun to partial shade with well-drained soil. Phlomis adds unusual form and texture to dry gardens and Mediterranean-style landscapes.
It’s also deer-resistant and loved by pollinators.
| Plant Varieties | Growing Zone | Blooming Period |
|---|---|---|
| Phlomis russeliana | 4–9 | Late Spring to Fall |
| Phlomis tuberosa | 5–9 | Summer |
| Phlomis ‘Amazone’ | 5–9 | Summer to Early Fall |
| Phlomis fruticosa | 6–9 | Late Spring to Mid Summer |
11) Perovskia ‘Blue Steel’ (Russian Sage)
‘Blue Steel’ is a compact, cold-hardy variety of Russian sage with fine, silvery foliage and long sprays of soft that bloom from mid-summer well into fall. It’s heat- and drought-tolerant and thrives in full sun.
The aromatic foliage is deer-resistant and makes a great foil for bolder flowers like coneflowers or rudbeckia. Use ‘Blue Steel’ in borders, dry beds, or pollinator gardens.
It’s a long-season powerhouse that requires very little maintenance.
| Plant Varieties | Growing Zone | Blooming Period |
|---|---|---|
| Perovskia ‘Blue Steel’ | 4–9 | Summer to Fall |
| Perovskia ‘Denim ‘n Lace’ | 4–9 | Mid Summer to Frost |
| Perovskia ‘Lacey Blue’ | 5–9 | Summer to Late Fall |
| Perovskia atriplicifolia ‘Peek-a-Blue’ | 4–9 | Late Summer to Fall |
12) Stokes’ Aster
Stokes’ Aster is a long-blooming native perennial with large, cornflower-like blooms in shades of blue, purple, pink, or white. It begins flowering in early summer and continues through fall, especially with deadheading.
This plant thrives in full sun and well-drained soil. It’s tolerant of heat and drought, and attracts butterflies while resisting deer.
It stays compact and tidy, making it ideal for borders, , or cottage plantings.
| Plant Varieties | Growing Zone | Blooming Period |
|---|---|---|
| Stokesia laevis ‘Blue Danube’ | 5–9 | Summer to Fall |
| Stokesia ‘Colorwheel’ | 5–9 | Late Spring to Fall |
| Stokesia ‘Peachie’s Pick’ | 5–9 | Summer |
| Stokesia ‘Honeysong Purple’ | 5–9 | Summer to Early Fall |
13) Autumn Oxeye Daisy
Leucanthemella serotina is a tall, late-blooming perennial daisy that offers a burst of fresh white blooms with yellow centers from late summer into fall—long after most other daisies have finished.
This plant loves full sun and moist, fertile soil. It’s ideal for adding height to the back of borders or filling in late-season gaps. Despite its delicate look, it’s cold-hardy and tough once established.
It provides essential late nectar for pollinators and brings brightness to autumn beds.
| Plant Varieties | Growing Zone | Blooming Period |
|---|---|---|
| Leucanthemella serotina | 5–9 | Late Summer to Fall |
| Leucanthemella serotina ‘Herbststern’ | 5–9 | August to October |
14) Mexican Fleabane
This low-growing, spreading perennial features tiny daisy-like flowers that start white and age to pink, creating a charming two-tone effect. It blooms nonstop from late spring until frost, thriving in cracks, containers, or rock gardens.
Erigeron is drought-tolerant, thrives in full sun, and spreads gently without becoming invasive. It’s perfect for softening edges and adding whimsy to small spaces.
| Plant Varieties | Growing Zone | Blooming Period |
|---|---|---|
| Erigeron karvinskianus | 5–9 | Late Spring to Frost |
| Erigeron ‘Profusion’ | 5–9 | Early Summer to Fall |
| Erigeron ‘Stallone’ | 5–9 | Summer to Autumn |
15) Flame Acanthus
Flame Acanthus is a heat-loving perennial with brilliant red-orange tubular flowers that bloom from mid-summer to fall. It’s a favorite of hummingbirds and butterflies and thrives in full sun and dry soil.
Native to the southern U.S., it’s exceptionally drought-tolerant and deer-resistant. Though more common in warmer regions, it can survive in Zone 7 and warmer with protection.
Its airy form and hot-color blooms make it great for xeriscapes and pollinator gardens.
| Plant Varieties | Growing Zone | Blooming Period |
|---|---|---|
| Anisacanthus quadrifidus | 7–10 | Mid Summer to Fall |
| Anisacanthus ‘Wrightii’ | 7–10 | Summer to Frost |
16) Pink Tickseed
Coreopsis rosea offers the same easygoing, long-blooming nature as its golden cousins but with soft pink blooms that bring a fresh, romantic feel to sunny borders. It blooms from early summer well into fall with regular deadheading.
It loves full sun and moist, well-drained soil. Unlike many coreopsis types, this one tolerates wetter conditions, making it more versatile.
It forms a neat, low mound and is great for pollinator beds or edging.
| Plant Varieties | Growing Zone | Blooming Period |
|---|---|---|
| Coreopsis rosea ‘American Dream’ | 4–8 | Early Summer to Fall |
| Coreopsis rosea ‘Sweet Dreams’ | 4–8 | Summer to Early Fall |
17) Euphorbia ‘Ascot Rainbow’
‘Ascot Rainbow’ is a unique perennial grown for its vibrant, variegated foliage—green with golden edges—that looks stunning from spring through fall. In early summer, it sends up soft chartreuse blooms that last for weeks.
This Euphorbia thrives in sun to part shade and dry, well-drained soil. It’s heat- and drought-tolerant, deer-resistant, and loved for its long season of interest.
Note: Wear gloves when handling, as the sap can be irritating.
| Plant Varieties | Growing Zone | Blooming Period |
|---|---|---|
| Euphorbia ‘Ascot Rainbow’ | 5–9 | Late Spring to Fall |
| Euphorbia ‘Bonfire’ | 5–9 | Spring to Early Fall |
| Euphorbia ‘Blackbird’ | 6–9 | Spring to Summer |
18) Purple Toadflax
Linaria purpurea is a cottage garden gem with tall, slender spires of small, snapdragon-like that bloom from early summer through fall. It’s airy, self-seeding, and attracts bees and butterflies.
It thrives in sun and poor, well-drained soil and requires very little attention. Though short-lived, it often reseeds to create natural drifts year after year.
Great for wildflower gardens, pollinator beds, or a touch of vertical charm in tighter spaces.
| Plant Varieties | Growing Zone | Blooming Period |
|---|---|---|
| Linaria purpurea | 5–9 | Early Summer to Fall |
| Linaria purpurea ‘Canon J. Went’ | 5–9 | Summer to Autumn |
19) Gaillardia ‘Mesa Peach’
‘Mesa Peach’ is a standout cultivar of blanket flower with warm peachy-orange blooms and a compact, mounded shape. Like other Gaillardias, it blooms profusely from early summer all the way to frost.
This variety is bred for improved cold hardiness and longer bloom time. It thrives in full sun, poor soil, and dry conditions—making it ideal for low-maintenance borders, pollinator gardens, and containers.
Deadheading encourages even more blooms, though it often reblooms on its own.
| Plant Varieties | Growing Zone | Blooming Period |
|---|---|---|
| Gaillardia ‘Mesa Peach’ | 4–9 | Early Summer to Frost |
| Gaillardia ‘Mesa Yellow’ | 5–9 | Summer to Fall |
| Gaillardia ‘Mesa Red’ | 5–9 | Summer to Fall |
20) Sundrops
Sundrops are bright, golden yellow bloomers that open in the morning and close in the evening, glowing in the garden from late spring through summer. The cheerful blooms are set off by red-tinged stems and buds.
This hardy perennial thrives in full sun and poor, sandy, or rocky soil. It’s very drought-tolerant and spreads gently, making it great for naturalized borders and pollinator beds.
| Plant Varieties | Growing Zone | Blooming Period |
|---|---|---|
| Oenothera fruticosa ‘Fireworks’ | 4–8 | Late Spring to Summer |
| Oenothera fruticosa ‘Youngii’ | 4–8 | Late Spring to Fall |
21) Achillea ‘Moonshine’
A modern hybrid of yarrow, ‘Moonshine’ is beloved for its soft, lemon-yellow flower clusters and lacy, silvery foliage. It blooms from early summer to fall with just a bit of deadheading and thrives in full sun and dry soil.
This plant is tough, drought-tolerant, and attracts tons of pollinators. It’s a beautiful companion to purple or blue perennials and adds long-lasting brightness to borders or rock gardens.
| Plant Varieties | Growing Zone | Blooming Period |
|---|---|---|
| Achillea ‘Moonshine’ | 3–8 | Early Summer to Fall |
| Achillea ‘Little Moonshine’ | 4–8 | Summer to Fall |
22) Lesser Calamint
Calamintha nepeta is a low-growing, fragrant perennial with clouds of tiny, white to pale lavender flowers that bloom from midsummer until frost. It’s adored by bees and butterflies and makes a great filler or edging plant.
It thrives in full sun and well-drained soil and is very drought-tolerant. This airy bloomer blends beautifully with bolder plants, adding softness and movement to the garden.
| Plant Varieties | Growing Zone | Blooming Period |
|---|---|---|
| Calamintha nepeta subsp. nepeta | 4–9 | Summer to Frost |
| Calamintha ‘Montrose White’ | 5–9 | Mid Summer to Fall |