While perennials offer beauty year after year, the major drawback is that they don't generally bloom as long as annuals, which can often last most or all of the summer.  There are, however, some particularly long-blooming perennials that really offer the best of both worlds. 



Agastache - also known as Anise Hyssop, this hardy perennial is a butterfly attractant.  Blue to purple flower spikes bloom July to September and grow 2-3' tall.  


Aster - our Stokes & Wood's varieties come in pink, purple or blue and bloom late summer through fall.  Mature plants reach 12-24" tall depending on your selection.  

Beebalm (Monarda) - the Petite Delight variety is a butterfly and hummingbird attractant, grows 12-15" tall and blooms in a lavender-rose shade from June to September.  

Bell Flower (Campanula) - in particular, the Bavaria White, Bernice, Pearl Blue, Pearl White and Rotundifolia Thumbell varieties will bloom in shades of blue and white from June to August, although a couple bloom into September and even November.  These deer resistant plants vary in height depending on the cultivar. 

Black-Eyed Susan (Rudbeckia) - with daisy-like flowers, these long-bloomers will bloom from July into September and are available in a number of different varieties that will grow to between 12 and 30" tall.  

Blanket Flower (Gaillardia) - Aristata Golden Goblin has yellow flowers that bloom from June to September; Fanfare's deep reddish-yellow, trumpet-like flowers bloom May to September; and Monarch's mixed blooms show June to August.  These daisy-like, deer resistant plants grow from 15-30" tall. 

Bleeding Heart (Dicentra) - eximia Bacchanal and Luxuriant varieties both grow to 36" and have red, heart-shaped flowers that dangle from long, arching stems, blooming from April to October.


Clematis - most varieties of this pretty vine bloom from summer to fall in shades of blue, red and purple.

Columbine - not quite as long-blooming as some others, Columbine will bloom from spring through early summer and is available in many single and double colored flowers.

Coneflower (Echinacea) - these daisy-like flowers have raised maroon centers with a variety of petal colors.  Coneflower will last from June or July until August or September, depending on the variety.

Coreopsis (Tickseed) - in particular, the auriculata Nana cultivar blooms late spring through fall and grows to about 6-8" tall.  The yellow flowers atop hairy, narrow foliage attract butterflies and hummingbirds.

Cranesbill (perennial Geranium) - varying from 4-20" in height and 12-24" in width, you've got quite a few long blooming cultivars to choose from.  Laurence Flatman (dark pink), Jolly Bee (deep blue), Rozanne (violet-blue), New Hampshire Bloodred (reddish-purple), Johnson's Blue (clear blue), and Max Frei (magenta-pink) will all bloom for at least six weeks in the summer, and some bloom right into the mid-fall.


Cupid's Dart - our caerulea variety has blue flowers that bloom June to September and grow up to 24" tall.



Daisy, Shasta variety - extremely hardy, these traditional white petaled flowers with yellow centers will bloom mid June through the first frost if dead-headed properly.  Learn more about dead heading

Daylily - Happy Returns has lemon yellow flowers that bloom from June to first frost and will grow 16-18" tall.  Stella De Oro reaches 16" in height with flowers that are more golden yellow and bloom all summer.  

Dianthus (Pinks) - the gratianopolitanus Spotti variety (what a name!) has rose-red flowers that bloom June to September and reach 8" in height.


Honeysuckle, Berries Jubilee - this vigorously growing, fragrant vine produces summer-long, yellow blooms and blue-green foliage.  Summer blooms are followed bright red autumn berries.

Honeysuckle, Goldflame - this shade tolerant vine boasts semi-evergreen, blue-green foliage, as well as red buds that open into summer-long, fragrant yellow-throated blooms beginning in mid-May.

Lobelia - the speciosa Fan Deep Red and Fan Scarlet varieties grow 24" tall and bloom June to September with deep red flowers.


Obedient Plant, Miss Manners - at 24-30" tall and 18-24" wide, this variety of obedient plant actually lives up to its name (not like its traditional predecessors that were aggressive growing and sprawling).  Miss Manners' strong stems will keep the plant upright without flopping.  Long bud groups form atop the dark green, waxy leaves, and open to pure white, snapdragon-like flowers that colorful butterflies love!  This variety will bloom throughout the summer and into the fall.

Phlox, Volcano varieties - the paniculata Volcano varieties grow to 18-30" tall by 12-18" wide.  Your choice of pink, red, purple and white flowers bloom for around three months, depending on the variety.   

Pincushion Flower (Scabiosa) - columbaria Butterfly Blue reaches 12" in height and blooms April to November with pretty, purplish-blue flowers.


Salvia (Meadow Sage) -  nemerosa May Night has violet flower spikes that bloom summer to fall and reach about 14" in height.


Sedum (Stonecrop) - several varieties of this drought-tolerant perennial, both in upright and groundcover forms, bloom summer to fall.  If left untrimmed, the upright form makes a nice addition to the winter landscape, as well.

Veronica (Speedwell) - Sunny Border Blue has dark, violet-blue flowers that bloom June to frost and reach up to 20" in height.  Icicle has white flowers that bloom July to September and reach a little higher, up to 24".


Spiderwort - Concord Grape, Osprey, Snowcap and Zwanenburg Blue varieties all bloom from summer to fall in various shades of blue or white and grow from 12-24" tall.

In addition to these perennials, some longer-blooming shrubs include Endless Summer Hydrangea and Butterfly Bush.