Are you looking for perennials that live up to those "blooms all summer" catalog promises? You're not alone. Many plants flower briefly, leaving disappointing gaps in the garden. Luckily, certain tough perennials deliver, flowering reliably for three months or more.
These marathon bloomers form the backbone of a thriving perennial garden. They provide consistent color while other plants come and go, creating that sought-after "always in bloom" look without constant replanting. The best part? Once established, they'll return yearly with the same impressive performance.
1. Coreopsis (Coreopsis spp.)
If properly deadheaded, Coreopsis delivers cheerful daisy-like flowers from early summer through fall. The common name "tickseed" refers to its small, tick-shaped seeds, but there's nothing tiny about its performance.
These native North American plants thrive in poor soil conditions where other perennials struggle. Most varieties grow in compact mounds 1 to 2 feet tall, making them perfect for borders and containers.
The classic golden-yellow blooms are most common, but newer cultivars offer bicolors, reds, and pinks. 'Moonbeam' produces pale yellow flowers, while 'Zagreb' features bright gold blooms against thread-like foliage.
2. Russian Sage (Perovskia atriplicifolia)
Russian sage creates clouds of lavender-blue color from midsummer until frost. This woody perennial isn't actually a true sage but a distant mint relative. Its aromatic silver-gray foliage remains attractive even when not in bloom, adding textural interest throughout the season.
Russian sage grows up to 4 feet tall and has an airy habit. It makes an excellent companion for shorter perennials. The tiny flowers appear on tall, silvery stems, creating a soft, misty effect in the landscape. Once established, it is incredibly drought-tolerant and performs beautifully in hot, sunny locations with minimal care.
3. Stella de Oro Daylily (Hemerocallis 'Stella de Oro')
The gold standard for reblooming daylilies, Stella de Oro produces golden-yellow flowers continuously from late spring through early fall. While individual blooms last just one day (hence the name "daylily"), each plant produces so many buds that the display appears continuous for months.
This compact daylily grows 12 to 18 inches tall, making it ideal for edging and small spaces. Unlike many perennials that need deadheading, Stella de Oro often reblooms naturally. The grassy foliage forms neat, arching clumps that stay attractive all season, even during brief flowering pauses.
4. Catmint (Nepeta spp.)
Catmint creates waves of lavender-blue flowers from late spring through September. This tough-as-nails perennial handles poor soil, drought, and neglect while still performing beautifully. Bees and butterflies flock to the fragrant blooms, while deer and rabbits typically avoid its aromatic foliage.
Despite its name, 'Walker's Low' catmint reaches 2 to 3 feet tall and spreads just as wide. For smaller spaces, 'Little Titch' stays under a foot tall. A quick shearing after the first bloom cycle encourages fresh growth and another round of flowers, extending the show even further into fall.
5. Salvia (Salvia nemorosa)
Perennial salvia produces spikes of intense purple-blue flowers that attract hummingbirds and butterflies. The first heavy bloom occurs in early summer, and repeat performances continue into fall with minimal care. Unlike annual salvias, these hardy perennials return reliably for years.
'May Night' features deep purple spikes, while 'East Friesland' offers vibrant violet-blue flowers. Both reach about 18 inches tall; shear plants back by one-third after the first flowering cycle for longer blooming. The aromatic foliage repels deer and rabbits, making salvia a wise choice for problem areas.
6. Black-Eyed Susan (Rudbeckia fulgida)
Black-eyed Susans light up the garden with sunny golden petals surrounding chocolate-brown centers from midsummer until frost. These native North American wildflowers attract pollinators while standing up to heat, humidity, and drought. Their daisy-like flowers brighten any garden style from cottage to prairie.
The variety 'Goldsturm' has become a landscape staple for good reason - it's virtually indestructible while blooming for months. Plants form tidy clumps 18-24 inches tall and wide. The strong stems rarely need staking, and the rough-textured foliage deters deer browsing.
7. Becky Shasta Daisy (Leucanthemum × superbum 'Becky')
'Becky' Shasta daisy produces classic white flowers with yellow centers for up to three months starting in early summer. This improved variety stands strong without flopping, even during summer downpours. The crisp white blooms brighten any color scheme and make excellent cut flowers.
Growing 3 to 4 feet tall, 'Becky' works perfectly in the middle of perennial borders. Regular deadheading extends the bloom time considerably. Unlike older Shasta daisies that often decline after a few years, 'Becky' maintains its vigor and flowering performance for many seasons.
8. Lavender (Lavandula spp.)
Lavender brings months of purple-blue flower spikes plus incomparable fragrance to sunny gardens. While most gardeners grow it for its aromatic qualities, its long flowering period from late spring through summer makes it stand out. The silver-gray foliage remains attractive even when not in bloom.
English lavender (Lavandula angustifolia) varieties like 'Hidcote' and 'Munstead' are most cold-hardy, growing in compact mounds 18 to 24 inches tall. Spanish lavender (Lavandula stoechas) offers distinctive, topped flower spikes for warmer regions. Both types attract bees and butterflies while deterring deer and rabbits.
9. Geranium 'Rozanne' (Geranium 'Rozanne')
'Rozanne' hardy geranium blooms with violet-blue flowers from late spring until frost without a summer break. This exceptional performer was named Perennial Plant of the Year in 2008 for good reason; few plants can match its non-stop flowering and adaptability to different growing conditions.
This spreading perennial reaches 18 to 20 inches tall and spreads 2 to 3 feet wide, making it perfect for filling spaces between taller plants. The deeply cut green foliage often develops reddish tints in fall, adding to its ornamental value. Unlike many geraniums that go dormant in summer heat, 'Rozanne' keeps flowering through the hottest weather.
10. Yarrow (Achillea millefolium)
From early summer through fall, yarrow produces flat-topped flower clusters in shades from white to yellow, pink, and red. These drought-tolerant plants feature attractive ferny foliage that remains handsome throughout the growing season.
Native to Europe and Asia, yarrow has naturalized throughout North America. Modern cultivars offer improved flowering and stronger stems than the common roadside yarrow.
'Moonshine' produces sulfur-yellow flowers on 18-inch stems, while the Seduction series offers rich colors like deep red 'Strawberry Seduction' and salmon-pink 'Apricot Delight.' All attract beneficial insects while tolerating poor soil.
11. Veronica (Veronica spicata)
From early summer into fall, Veronica produces slender spikes of tiny flowers in shades of blue, purple, pink, or white. These upright perennials, also called speedwell, blend beautifully with other summer bloomers and attract butterflies and hummingbirds.
Their reliable performance makes them garden workhorses. 'Sunny Border Blue' reaches 18 to 24 inches with deep violet-blue spikes, while 'Royal Candles' stays more compact at 15 inches.
For best reblooming, cut flower spikes back once they finish their first flush. The lance-shaped green leaves form neat mounds that stay attractive all season.
12. Coneflower (Echinacea purpurea)
Coneflowers deliver months of daisy-like blooms with distinctive raised centers from midsummer into fall. These North American natives have exploded in popularity, with breeders developing varieties in nearly every color from white to yellow, orange, red, and even green.
All share excellent drought tolerance and wildlife appeal. Classic purple coneflower grows 3 to 4 feet tall, while newer compact varieties like 'PowWow Wild Berry' stay under 2 feet.
After the colorful petals fade, the prickly central cones provide winter interest and food for finches. Leave some seedheads standing through winter to feed birds while providing natural reseeding.
13. Scabiosa (Scabiosa columbaria)
Scabiosa, commonly called pincushion flower, produces distinctive blooms with a cushion-like center surrounded by delicate petals from early summer through fall. These charming flowers attract butterflies while providing excellent cutting material. The long, slender stems hold flowers above mounds of attractive foliage.
'Butterfly Blue' offers lavender-blue flowers on 12 to 15-inch stems, while 'Pink Mist' provides soft pink blooms. Both bloom profusely for months when regularly deadheaded. The tidy foliage forms neat basal rosettes that remain semi-evergreen in mild winter areas, adding to their multi-season appeal.
14. Balloon Flower (Platycodon grandiflorus)
Balloon flower earns its name from the fascinating balloon-like buds that pop open into star-shaped flowers. The blooms appear in shades of blue, pink, or white from early summer through September. These long-lived perennials emerge late in spring but reward patience with months of flowering.
Most varieties grow 18-24 inches tall, while dwarf forms like 'Sentimental Blue' stay under a foot. The inflated buds provide as much garden interest as the open flowers, making balloon flower a conversation piece. The bluish-green foliage remains attractive throughout the growing season, slowly turning golden in fall.
15. Astilbe (Astilbe spp.)
From early summer through fall, astilbe produces feathery plumes of tiny flowers in shades of pink, red, lavender, and white. Unlike most long-bloomers that require full sun, astilbe thrives in partial shade, brightening woodland gardens and north-facing areas where few perennials bloom for extended periods.
Different astilbe species and hybrids bloom in succession, creating months of color when planted in combination. 'Fanal' offers deep red plumes in early summer, while 'Vision in Pink' continues the show with shell-pink flowers in midsummer. The fernlike foliage provides textural interest even when plants aren't blooming.
16. Blanket Flower (Gaillardia × grandiflora)
Blanket flower delivers non-stop daisy-like blooms in fiery sunset colors from early summer until frost. The red and yellow flowers evoke Native American blanket patterns, explaining the common name.
Few perennials match blanket flower's ability to thrive in hot, dry conditions while blooming continuously for months. Most varieties form rounded mounds 18 to 24 inches tall and wide.
'Arizona Sun' offers bicolor red-orange flowers with yellow tips, while 'Goblin' stays more compact. The hairy, somewhat coarse foliage handles poor soil with ease. Blanket flower often behaves as a short-lived perennial but self-seeds moderately to maintain its presence.
17. Gaura (Gaura lindheimeri)
Gaura creates clouds of delicate white or pink butterfly-like flowers from early summer through fall. This North American native brings airy movement to garden borders as the wand-like stems dance in the slightest breeze.
The continuous blooming habit makes it invaluable for maintaining summer interest. 'Whirling Butterflies' produces white flowers on 3-foot stems, while 'Siskiyou Pink' offers rosy-pink blooms.
Both float above basal rosettes of lance-shaped leaves that often develop attractive burgundy spotting. For best performance, plant gaura in poor to average soil; rich conditions produce excessive foliage at the expense of flowers.
18. Bleeding Heart (Dicentra 'Luxuriant')
Unlike the spring-blooming old-fashioned bleeding heart, 'Luxuriant' reblooming bleeding heart produces arching stems of heart-shaped flowers from spring through fall.
This garden treasure combines the charm of traditional bleeding hearts with marathon flowering performance, particularly in regions with cool summer temperatures. Growing 12 to 15 inches tall and wide, 'Luxuriant' fits easily into perennial borders or woodland gardens.
The blue-green ferny foliage creates an attractive backdrop for the dangling rose-pink hearts. While it won't bloom continuously in hot summer regions, it quickly resumes flowering when temperatures moderate in early fall.
19. Sedum (Sedum spp.)
Sedum offers months of reliable blooms in late summer through fall when many perennials have finished flowering. These succulent plants, also called stonecrop, produce flat clusters of tiny star-shaped flowers in shades of pink, red, or white.
The fleshy leaves remain attractive throughout the growing season. 'Autumn Joy' (now officially Hylotelephium 'Herbstfreude') is the classic tall sedum, reaching 18 to 24 inches with rosy-pink flowers that deepen to russet as they age.
For ground cover options, low-growing varieties like Sedum kamtschaticum spread to form colorful carpets. Once established, all sedums handle drought with ease.
20. Agastache (Agastache spp.)
Agastache, also called hyssop or hummingbird mint, produces spikes of tubular flowers from early summer through fall. The blooms, which come in shades of purple, blue, pink, and orange, attract hummingbirds and butterflies in droves.
When brushed, the aromatic foliage adds sensory interest, releasing a pleasant minty or licorice scent. 'Blue Fortune' offers lavender-blue spikes on plants reaching 3 feet tall, while the Coronado series features sunset hues.
All varieties perform best in well-drained soil. Their drought tolerance makes them perfect for water-wise gardens, and the aromatic leaves deter deer and rabbits from browsing.
21. Cranesbill Geranium (Geranium sanguineum)
With proper care, bloody cranesbill geranium delivers bright magenta-pink flowers from late spring through fall. This European native forms low mounds of deeply cut foliage that often turns brilliant red in autumn.
The long bloom period and adaptability to different light conditions make bloody cranesbill a versatile garden performer. Growing 8 to 12 inches tall and spreading up to 2 feet wide, it works beautifully as a front-of-border plant or ground cover.
The variety 'Max Frei' offers particularly vibrant flowers on a compact plant. Shearing the foliage back after the initial flowering flush encourages fresh growth and more blooms.
22. Phlox (Phlox paniculata)
Garden phlox provides fragrant flower clusters in nearly every color from pure white to pink, purple, salmon, and bicolors from July through September. These North American natives create the classic summer cottage garden look, attracting butterflies and hummingbirds.
Their sweet scent intensifies in the evening. Most varieties reach 3 to 4 feet tall, though newer compact cultivars stay under 2 feet. The David series offers mildew resistance, a common problem with older phlox varieties.
'David' produces pristine white flowers, while 'Bright Eyes' features pink blooms with dark centers. Deadheading spent flowers promotes continued blooming.
23. Beardtongue (Penstemon digitalis)
Beardtongue produces spikes of tubular flowers that hummingbirds find irresistible from early summer through fall. These North American natives combine excellent drought tolerance with long-lasting blooms.
The upright flower stalks rise above basal rosettes of attractive foliage, creating architectural interest. 'Husker Red' features white flowers above burgundy foliage, reaching 30 inches tall.
The hybrid 'Dark Towers' offers pink blooms with deeper red leaves. Both add vertical accent to perennial borders while blending beautifully with ornamental grasses. The semi-evergreen foliage provides winter interest in mild climates, offering year-round texture and structure to the garden.
Keep the Color Coming, Year After Year
Long-blooming perennials make it easy to enjoy vibrant color all season. Your garden can bloom from early summer into fall with just a few reliable plants. They're the secret to achieving that lush, “always in bloom” look without the extra work.
These hardworking favorites offer more than beauty. Many attract pollinators, resist deer, and thrive in harsh conditions with minimal care.
They’re ideal for busy gardeners who want lasting results without constant fuss.
Mix heights, textures, and bloom times to create a garden that feels full and alive for months, with no constant replanting required. Just plant once, then enjoy their performance year after year.