15 Short Perennials That Bloom All Summer

Sprinkle your garden with the magic of perennial plants and transform it into a vibrant, living canvas of color and charm.

Short perennials not only add depth but also serve as the captivating foreground of your garden landscape, drawing eyes and hearts alike.

We've curated a list of 15 phenomenal perennials that bloom all summer long. Dive in, uncover their secrets, and be inspired to plant them in your garden!

1. Phlox

This perennial is a wildflower favorite and features large clusters of blooms that grow from rigid stems. Because of their diversity, you can find lengths that are compact, medium, or long. They come in a wide range of colors including shades of white, red, pink, lavender, and salmon.

Its latin name is Phlox paniculata.

It's important to plant this perennial in nutrient-rich, moist, well-draining soil. They require at least 6 hours of sunlight but can grow in partially shaded areas. Grow this plant in USDA plant hardiness zones 4 to 8.

During its growing season, it should receive 1 inch of watering each week.

Add Phlox to your garden for a vibrant pop of color in your garden.

You'll receive 2 plants when you order this Phlox.

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2. Perennial Geranium

If you're looking for a high bloom summer perennial, this is the one for you. Depending on the variety, they can grow to a height between 6 and 18 inches and spread to a width between 18 and 24 inches.

The cup-shaped blooms may come in shades of white, red, pink, purple, and bi-color and may have single or double forms. The foliage is lush and green.

Its latin name is Geranium sanguineum. It's more commonly known as Cranesbill Geranium.

Grow these perennials in USDA plant hardiness zones 5 to 9. It grows best in partial shade and well-draining soil. They are susceptible to root rot if they're rooted in constantly wet soil.

Long-lasting blooms can be found on Perennial Geraniums, easily adding vibrant color to the garden all summer long.

3. Lavender

Aside from its alluring fragrance and culinary use, Lavender makes a beautiful addition to any garden. Its stunning flower spikes sit atop luscious green foliage and compact shrub-like form.

Despite what you may think, Lavender flowers can be lavender, white, pink, or even yellow. It can reach a height between 2 and 3 feet.

Its latin name is Lavandula angustifolia.

Grow it in USDA plant hardiness zones 5 to 8. It's a tough perennial that performs best in full sun and well-draining, dry soil. Don't plant it in soil that's very acidic (it needs slightly alkaline soil) and don't overwater it.

You can enjoy the appearance and the fragrance of this perennial all through the summer.

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4. Stella de Oro

This compact daylily is a favorite amongst garden due to its low maintenance requirements and beautiful blooms. It blooms between May and July and re-blooms over a long period of time.

It reaches a height of 12 inches and has bright yellow, trumpet-shaped fragrant blooms.

Its latin name is Hemerocallis, stemming from two Greek words, "hemera" and "kallos", meaning "day" and "beauty," respectively.

USDA plant hardiness zones 3 to 9 are where it grows. Full sun is ideal, but it can grow in partial shade, too. It needs well-draining soil, and having nutrient-rich soil will ensure its health. Water it deeply in its first growing season so it can establish a deep root system.

The golden trumpet-shaped blooms will be sure to brighten up your garden!

You'll receive a #1 size container with a fully rooted, ready to plant Lily.

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5. Ice Plant

Dainty, daisy-like blooms grow from succulent foliage. This plant forms a low mat of foliage that creates interest and texture.

The vibrant 2-inch blooms come in colors of purple, white, pink, and yellow. Its name comes from the little glossy dots that decorate the foliage, resembling ice crystals. It reaches a height between 6 and 8 inches.

Its latin name is Delosperma.

Grow it in USDA plant hardiness zones 5 to 9. Plant it in direct sunlight where it can receive at least 6 hours of sun. It can survive in partially shaded areas, but it won't have nearly as many blooms. Well draining soil is a necessity. Water it deeply in its first growing season.

Aside from the long-lasting blooms, the Ice Plant has alluring succulent foliage.

6. Dianthus

Dianthus can behave as an annual, biennial, or perennial, but we'll focus on the latter. They look like mini carnation flowers with jagged edges on the petals that are either single or double in form.

Their colors come in shades of white, pink, red, and lavender. They can bloom from spring or summer and into the fall.

There are 3 different varieties that act as perennials and their latin names are Dianthus plumarius, D. superbus, and D. deltoides.

Their USDA plant hardiness zones are 3 to 9. They need full sun and nutrient-rich, well-draining soil. The soil should also be neutral to slightly alkaline in nature. Water them weekly so that they receive about 1 inch each week.

7. Dwarf Sea Holly

This heavily flowering perennial features beautiful purplish-blue blooms and silver-green foliage. Its blooms are rounded like a Pincushion Flower and sit above deeply toothed leaves.

It can reach about a foot in height and will spread between 8 and 10 inches in width. Blooms last from early summer and can span into the fall.

Its latin name is Eryngium.

It performs best in USDA plant hardiness zones 4 to 9. It will require full sun or partial shade (at least 6 hours of sunlight) with weekly watering until it has been established. Well draining soil is a must but it can tolerate any quality of soil.

Deadheading will promote the growth of more blooms during both current and future growing seasons.

8. Periwinkle

Continuous blooms are visible from the spring and into the fall and come in shades of white, pink, purple, and red. Their foliage is dark green and each leaf measures between 2 and 3 inches in length.

The plant forms a dense mound that can reach a height between 2 and 3 feet.

Its latin name is Catharanthus roseus.

Surprisingly, Periwinkle doesn't prefer soil that's rich in nutrients but it does like well-draining soil. Full sun or partial shade is a necessity. It's drought and heat resistant. USDA plant hardiness zones 4 to 9.

Adding Periwinkle to your garden will ensure a sense of beauty and elegance.

9. Perennial Violet

These perennials can reach a height between 6 and 12 inches and, depending on the variety, can spread over 6 inches in width. Its scalloped foliage is a beautiful shade of green.

Violets are known for their bright jewel colors that can be seen in shades of white, pink, red, purple, blue, orange, and yellow. Some look so unique and intricate that you'd think they were hand-painted.

Its latin name is Viola.

Though they are a tough, cold-hardy plant, they need moist soil that's rich in nutrients. Full sun to partial shade is its optimal growing condition.

With over 500 species, it's no surprise that Violets have a large range of where they can grow: USDA plant hardiness zones 2 to 11 are well suited for various varieties.

This shipment contains over 5,000 seeds. You can also purchase .125 or .5 pounds of seeds from this seller.

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10. Bellflower

Vibrant bell-shaped blooms define this plant and can be seen in shades of purple, white, pink, and red. Their blooms last throughout the summer and can sometimes stay through the fall.

Depending on the variety, they can be low growing or stand upright and range between a height of 1 to 6 feet.

Its latin name is Campanula.

USDA plant hardiness zones 4 to 8 are best suited for its growth. It needs well-draining soil with a moderate amount of moisture. It performs best in full sun. Ensure that these plants receive an inch of water each week.

11. Nierembergia

Commonly known as a cup flower, this perennial shows off its beautiful blooms from the summer and through the fall. Their blooms come in either a creamy white or bluish-purple and have a yellow center.

Nierembergia has a mounding habit of growth and spreads between 12 and 15 inches in width. It can grow to a height between 6 and 8 inches.

Its latin name is Nierembergia.

It grows as a perennial in USDA plant hardiness zones 7 to 10, giving it a much smaller range. It needs to be planted in well-draining soil that's rich in nutrients and will grow in full sunlight or partial shade.

Try to keep the soil moist, but not waterlogged.

12. Verbena

These plants typically grow between 6 and 10 inches in height and have attractive clusters of flowers and dark, hairy foliage.

They may be shades of white, pink, red, and purple, many having a different colored center of the bloom. The blooms last from mid-summer until fall.

Its latin name is Verbena officinalis.

This perennial needs at least 6 hours of sunlight each week as well as at least 1 inch of water. It isn't particular about its oil components, but it needs to be well-draining. It performs best in USDA plant hardiness zones 2 to 8, making it a very cold hardy plant.

Enjoy Verbena blooms throughout the summer; they look great in your garden as well as in containers.

13. Alyssum

Small, dainty blooms decorate this perennial abundantly during the summer months. The plants remain short and grow like a mat, reaching between 4 and 6 inches in height and 6 to 9 inches in width.

White is the most common color of blooms, but you can also see Alyssum in shades of pink and purple.

Its latin name is Lobularia maritimum.

Though technically a perennial, many gardeners treat it as a cold-hardy annual. It can grow in either full sun or partial sun and needs well-draining soil. USDA plant hardiness zones 7 to 11 are best suited for its growth.

Sweet Alyssum's abundant delicate blooms create more depth and texture in the garden.

You'll receive 1 ounce of Carpet of Snow Sweet Alyssum seeds when you order this package.

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14. Midget Pincushion Plant

As a dwarf variety, this herbaceous plant grows to a shorter height than other Pincushion Plants, reaching a height up to 1 and 1/2 feet. Ruby red, round blooms appear from late spring until the fall. Its foliage is vibrantly green and pinnate.

Its latin name is Knautia macedonica.

This perennial performs best in USDA plant hardiness zones 5 to 8. It performs best in full sun but needs protection from the wind.

Well draining, nutrient-rich soil is a necessity for its health. Keep the soil moist, but not waterlogged. Once it has been established, it can be drought resistant.

Pincushion plants are unique and display an interesting texture and pop of color.