Looking to add vibrant color to your garden all summer and fall long? These easy-care perennials are your go-to heroes! Plant them before summer starts and enjoy a low-maintenance burst of blooms well into the cooler months. These plants are perfect for busy gardeners who want maximum impact with minimal effort. They come back year after year, saving you time and money. Plus, they support pollinators and beneficial insects. If you love bold colors or soft pastels, there's something here for every garden style.
1. Coneflower
Coneflowers thrive in full sun and bloom from early summer to fall. These daisy-like flowers attract butterflies and make excellent cut flowers. They're drought-tolerant and low-maintenance, making them a favorite among gardeners. They also self-seed, so you may find new blooms popping up. Coneflowers come in various colors beyond purple, including pink, white, and orange, and birds love the seed heads in fall.
2. Black-eyed Susan
These sunny yellow flowers with dark centers bloom from midsummer into fall. Black-eyed Susans are tough, tolerant of poor soils, and attract pollinators like bees and butterflies. They spread easily, filling in garden gaps with cheerful color. Deer and rabbits usually leave them alone. They're ideal for cottage gardens or wildflower meadows. You can also enjoy their blooms in fresh or dried arrangements.
3. Russian Sage
This tall, airy perennial has silvery foliage and lavender-blue flowers. Russian sage blooms from midsummer into fall and thrives in hot, dry conditions. It's also deer-resistant and very low-care. Its aromatic foliage adds interest even when not in bloom. Russian sage pairs well with grasses and other drought-tolerant plants. It resists pests and diseases, and its height adds vertical drama to your borders.
4. Coreopsis
Coreopsis, or tickseed, blooms in bright yellow, red, or pink shades. These cheerful flowers appear in early summer and keep going with minimal deadheading. They love the sun and tolerate drought. Coreopsis is excellent for mass plantings and borders. Its delicate foliage adds texture to the garden. It attracts butterflies and other pollinators. Plus, it's easy to divide and share with friends.
5. Shasta Daisy
These classic white-petaled flowers with yellow centers bloom from early summer into fall. Shasta daisies prefer full sun and well-drained soil. They add a fresh, clean look to any border. Their sturdy stems hold up well in bouquets. Shasta daisies can form large clumps over time. They're easy to grow from seed or divisions. Their simplicity pairs beautifully with more dramatic flowers.
6. Sedum
Sedums are succulent perennials with starry blooms that appear in late summer and last into fall. Varieties like 'Autumn Joy' offer pink to copper hues that change as the season progresses. They thrive in poor soil and full sun. Sedum is loved for its unique texture and form. In the late season, it attracts butterflies and bees. Its fleshy leaves store water, helping it survive drought.
7. Blanket Flower
With fiery red and yellow blooms, blanket flowers are heat- and drought-tolerant. They flower from early summer until frost, especially if you deadhead regularly. Their bold colors bring warmth and energy to your garden. Blanket flowers grow well in containers, too. They attract bees, butterflies, and even hummingbirds. Their compact growth makes them great for front borders.
8. Daylily
Each daylily flower lasts one day, but new blooms emerge daily over many weeks. These perennials thrive in most conditions and bloom throughout summer and into fall. Daylilies come in countless colors and sizes. They're super low-maintenance once established. Many are fragrant, adding another sensory delight. You can even divide them to create more plants. Their strappy foliage stays attractive even when not in bloom.
9. Yarrow
Flat-topped clusters of tiny flowers bloom atop feathery foliage from early summer to fall. Yarrow is drought-tolerant and attracts pollinators, especially butterflies. Its ferny leaves add softness to any planting. Yarrow is excellent for naturalistic or prairie-style gardens. It's often used in herbal remedies. You can find yarrow in many colors, from white to bright pink. It also makes long-lasting cut flowers.
10. Salvia
Salvia produces tall spikes of purple, pink, or blue flowers from late spring to fall. It's a magnet for hummingbirds and bees, and thrives in sun and well-drained soil. Salvia is often deer-resistant and drought-hardy. It brings bold vertical interest to beds and borders. You can trim it midseason for a fresh flush of blooms. It pairs well with roses and ornamental grasses. Some varieties are even scented.
11. Phlox
Phlox adds a lovely fragrance and rich color to summer and fall gardens. It prefers moist, rich soil and blooms in pink, purple, or white shades. Its large flower clusters are stunning in bouquets. Phlox resists mildew if given good air circulation, making it perfect for pollinator gardens. It can be easily divided to expand your planting. Plus, its fragrance fills the air on warm evenings.
12. Bee Balm
Known for its unique, shaggy blooms and minty scent, bee balm attracts pollinators. It blooms from midsummer to early fall and thrives in moist, sunny spots. Bee balm is part of the mint family and spreads easily. Its bold colors stand out in any garden. You can use its leaves in herbal teas. Bee balm helps repel pests naturally. Deadheading encourages longer blooming.
13. Helenium
Also called sneezeweed, Helenium blooms in fiery red, orange, and yellow shades. Its long blooms extend from summer to fall, adding rich color to your garden. Helenium thrives in sunny borders and looks stunning in prairie-style plantings. The tall stems make great cut flowers, and pollinators adore its daisy-like blooms.
14. Aster
Asters bloom late in the season when many plants fade. These starry flowers come in purple, blue, pink, or white, bringing in butterflies and bees. Asters prefer full sun and well-drained soil. They're perfect for late-season interest. Many native varieties support wildlife. You can divide them in spring or fall. They pair beautifully with ornamental grasses.
15. Japanese Anemone
This elegant perennial blooms from late summer into fall with graceful pink or white flowers. It prefers partial shade and moist, well-drained soil. Japanese anemones sway in the breeze for a dreamy effect. They thrive in woodland or cottage-style gardens. Their foliage stays attractive all season. These plants are deer- and rabbit-resistant. They slowly form lovely clumps over time.
16. Catmint
Catmint blooms early and can rebloom through fall with regular trimming. It has aromatic foliage and attracts pollinators. It’s excellent along pathways or borders. Catmint forms neat mounds of silvery-green leaves. It pairs beautifully with roses. Drought-resistant and deer-proof, it's easy to grow. Bees love its long-lasting flowers.
17. Heliopsis
With bright golden blooms that mimic sunflowers, heliopsis flowers from mid-summer to fall. It’s easy to grow and works well in borders or cutting gardens. Heliopsis, called False Sunflower, thrives in the sun and poor soil. It stands tall and upright without staking. Its bright blooms cheer up any garden. It attracts butterflies and bees. Plus, it's long-lived and dependable.
18. Penstemon
Penstemon produces tubular blooms in shades of red, purple, pink, or white from early summer through fall. These upright perennials thrive in sunny, well-drained spots. Their flowers attract hummingbirds and butterflies in droves. Penstemon is drought-tolerant and deer-resistant. Its spiky form adds contrast to mounded plants. You can find varieties that suit borders, rock gardens, or wildflower mixes. It’s a vibrant, low-maintenance addition to any garden.
19. Veronica
Veronica produces tall spikes of blue, pink, or white flowers. It blooms from late spring to fall and loves sunny spots with well-drained soil. It brings structure and color to beds. Veronica attracts bees and butterflies. Deadheading extends the blooming period. It's compact and tidy in form. Great for front borders and rock gardens.
20. Balloon Flower
This unique perennial has balloon-like buds that open into star-shaped blooms in blue, pink, or white. It blooms in summer and may rebloom in fall. Balloon flower, called Platycodon, prefers sun to part shade. It’s slow to emerge in spring, so be patient. Its tidy growth makes it ideal for small spaces. It's deer-resistant and easy to grow. The quirky buds are a kid's favorite.
21. Joe-Pye Weed
A pollinator favorite, Joe-Pye weed has tall stems and large mauve flower clusters. It blooms from late summer to fall and thrives in moist soils. Its towering form adds drama. Joe-Pye attracts butterflies, especially monarchs. It is native to many U.S. regions and tolerates clay and wet conditions. It is great for rain gardens and natural areas.
22. Turtlehead
Turtlehead's snapdragon-like blooms appear in late summer and fall. It thrives in partial shade and moist conditions, adding structure to shaded borders. The flowers resemble little turtle heads. Turtlehead supports native pollinators. Its lush green leaves add texture. It’s an excellent choice for stream banks. Plus, it blends well with ferns and hostas.
23. Obedient Plant
This late-summer bloomer features pink or white spires that stay put when moved, hence the name. It loves sun or part shade and moist soil. The obedient plant can spread rapidly. It's excellent for naturalistic plantings. Bees and butterflies flock to its blooms. It stands tall and doesn’t flop easily. A fun plant for kids to interact with.
24. Anise Hyssop
This licorice-scented herb blooms from midsummer to fall in lavender, pink, or white. It attracts bees and hummingbirds and thrives in dry, sunny spots. Anise hyssop is part of the mint family. Its fragrant leaves deter deer and rabbits. It looks stunning in herb or cottage gardens. The flowers dry well for crafts. Plus, it’s heat- and drought-resistant.
25. Goldenrod
Often unfairly blamed for allergies, goldenrod lights the late summer garden with yellow plumes. It’s drought-tolerant and a vital late-season nectar source. Goldenrod supports bees and butterflies. It grows well in harsh conditions. Its upright form adds structure. It’s easy to grow from seed. Goldenrod pairs well with asters and grasses.
26. Hardy Geranium
These charming perennials bloom on and off from spring through fall. They’re deer-resistant, easy to grow, and perfect for ground cover. Hardy geraniums, also called Cranesbill, come in many colors and forms. Their foliage often turns red in fall. They handle sun or shade well. Great for edging paths and borders. Plus, they resist most pests and diseases.
27. Toad Lily
Toad lilies bloom in late summer to fall with exotic, orchid-like flowers in speckled shades of lavender, purple, or white. They thrive in shady spots with moist, rich soil. Their intricate blooms add surprise and elegance to woodland gardens. Toad lilies are deer-resistant and low-maintenance. Their arching stems look beautiful along paths or under trees. They offer a unique alternative to traditional fall flowers.
A Colorful, Long-Lasting Garden
Plant these perennial stars before summer hits and enjoy a season full of cheerful color, pollinator visits, and minimal fuss. With just a little planning, this plant will make your garden look effortlessly stunning and reward you with beautiful blooms year after year, all the way until the first frost. They bring life and motion to your space. Get planting and enjoy a show-stopping garden all season long!