Best Perennial Flowers for Your Summer Garden: Top 12 You Must Try
Perennial flowers are the ones that live for more than two years. They add color and life to your garden – life that won’t die and have to be reseeded or replanted annually.
These types of perennials are considered herbaceous meaning that all the leaves, stems and blossoms die back each year.
This conserves the energy of the plant by storing it in the root system in order to the plant to regrow and bloom the following spring and summer.
If you want a garden that blossoms year after year, perennial flowers are a must.
Just like our pet animals become a part of our lives, these flowers have the potential to become a part of our lives as well if they are cared for properly.
The best part is that growing and maintaining perennial flowers is comparatively easier than other annuals or biennials. Make sure to find your USDA Growing Zone first!
Best Perennial Flowers
With the great variety of flowers available, you can design your garden in your way and enjoy the colorful show of flowers.
Here’s the key information you need to know about the top 12 perennial flowers.
>More on How to Grow Perennials
Related Reading: consider plant toxicity
- Toxic Plants for Children and Pets
- ASPCA List on Safe and Unsafe Plants for Pets
- Poisonous and Safe Plants
- National Poison Control Website or 1-800-222-1222
- ASPCA Animal Poison Control
1. DELEPHIUM
Delphinium comes from the family of perennial flowering plants Ranunculaceae, natively found in the Northern Hemisphere and tropical Africa.
They are loved in gardens because of their beautiful summer colors adding cheery brightness.
Delphinium stands tall and straight. They are the perfect backdrop in your perennial flower garden.
Planting Zone
Zones 3-7
Height
Approximately 36 inches
Hardiness
It is a shorter-lived perennial that lasts for three seasons at max.
But, the great thing is that delphinium reseeds at an amazing rate so you should always have naturally replaced plants.
Perrenials that naturally reseed are wonderful as the new plants are acclimated to your growing environment.
Color of Blooms
They usually bloom in shades of purple, white, pink, and blue.
Planting Location
It can be planted in the sun or part-shaded area. You may even want to plant a few shade loving vegetables tucked in and around your perennials!
Watering Needs
The flower needs moist soils so do not leave it dry. They do not bloom in dry, hot summers.
Sowing
The seeds need to be sown 10-16 weeks before the last frost. The flowers are long so they need to be supported.
Bamboo stakes work great for supports, especially in windy locations.
Use a balanced fertilizer on well-drained, slightly alkaline soil with plenty of organic matter.
Delphinium Seeds and Live Plants are available on Amazon.com
2. SHASTA DAISY
Shasta Daisy is a classic perennial flower.
It looks like the roadside daisy flower but has more robust blooms. It has been hybridized for more than a century.
Planting Zone
Zones 3-8
Height
Approximately 24 to 36 inches
Hardiness
Shasta Daisies, once planted, return every spring or early summer. They bloom until early fall.
Color of Blooms
They have all-white daisy flower petals with yellow florets and dark green leaves.
Planting Location
They need light shade.
Watering Needs
The flower cannot stand in soggy roots or pools of water in the soil. The water needs to be drained completely. It needs water up to one-inch rainfall per week.
Sowing
The seeds should be sown in autumn or spring. The soil fertility should be moderate and moist but well-drained. Use perennial fertilizers in spring.
Even consider using homemade compost tea!
Shasta Daisy Seeds and Live Plants are available on Amazon.com
3. GAILLARIDA (Blanket Flower)
Gaillardia is a perennial flower that offers a long season of bloom.
They are daisy-like flowers that attract butterflies or for nectar. Also, consider planting a bee garden to attract these pollinators!
The flower is easy to care and can be grown in containers or in the garden.
These flowers are native to North America.
Planting Zone
Zones 3-9
Height
Approximately 14to 16 inches
Hardiness:
It has a long season of bloom and has repeat flowering from mid-summer to fall.
Color of Blooms:
They bloom in warm summer red, orange, and yellow colors.
Planting Location:
It needs full sun exposure.
Watering Needs:
The flowers bloom best in well-drained, light soil.
Water it every day once it is sown until flowers are not seen.
Once they bloom, they are drought tolerant and can go without water for days.
If conditions are dry, water the soil once or twice every week.
Sowing:
The flower seeds can be sown in ordinary soil and are not particular about pH.
The soil needs to be well-drained as heavy clay soil will not let it bloom.
There is no need for fertilizers as poor soil encourages more flowering in Gaillardia perennials.
Gaillardia Seeds and Live Plants are available on Amazon.com
>Great Article on Perennial Flowering Ground Covers
4. LUPINE
Lupine can be an annual or perennial flower.
They grow wild in some parts of the US. Perennial Lupine act as hosts to the larvae of certain butterfly species.
They are tall, spiky, colorful flowers that stand out in the garden.
Planting Zone:
Zones 4-8
Hardiness:
These flowers last for only one season if they are annual. The perennials keep returning for a couple of years in the same spot.
Color of Blooms
They bloom in dark blue, pink, yellow, and white colors domestically, while the wildflowers are blue and white.
Height:
Approximately 24 to 36 inches
Planting Location:
They need a sunny area with a well-drained soil patch.
Watering Needs:
Lupines require regular irrigation and good drainage.
They need up to one inch of rain every week.
Perennial lupine need cool, moist soil to grow perfectly.
They don’t need extra watering and are also drought tolerant.
Sowing:
The seeds are best sown in sandy soil.
If you have denser clay soil, soften it with enough water before planting the flower.
The soil needs to be slightly acidic.
The seed is directly sown in the garden ideally 4-6 weeks before the last frost date.
The flowers bloom in late summer.
Lupine seeds are available on Amazon.com
5. RUDBECKIA (Black-Eyed Susan)
Rudbeckia is from the sunflower family.
They are like bright rays of sunshine in the summers and have about 25 species and all of them are native to North America.
Planting Zone:
Zones 3-9
Hardiness:
They can be short-lived perennials or biennials that return each spring.
Color of Blooms:
They are in the shades of lemon-yellow, gold, and orange.
Height:
Approximately 2 feet
Planting Location:
Sunny area and well-drained soil.
Watering Needs:
For their first season, they need to be well-watered.
Water the soil instead of watering them from above.
Once established, they can be highly drought resistant.
Sowing:
The flower is self-seeding, which means you may get more flowers than you planted. Y
ou can start seeding them 10 weeks before the last frost date. S
catter seeds and gently press them into the soil.
Water them thoroughly until you start seeing flowers. Sow them at least 10-12 inches apart.
Rudbeckia seeds are available on Amazon.com
6. ORIENTAL POPPIES
Oriental Poppies are a showy perennial flower.
They look like the annual poppies but have larger more robust brilliant reddish-orange flowers.
They are native to the Caucasus region, northeastern Turkey, and northern Iran.
These poppies look to be made of tissue paper.
They seem so delicate but are actually quite hardy and long-lived.
The grayish-green feathery foliage is a striking contrast to the brilliant flowers.
Deadheading the spent flowers will encourage a second flowering.
Planting Zone:
Zones 3-8
Hardiness:
Oriental Poppies, once planted, return each spring to bloom in mid-summer.
They bloom until early fall. Oriental Poppies do not transplant easily.
You can try to transplant some but they really do better when started from seed.
Color of Blooms:
The traditional color is a beautiful reddish-orange but these perennial poppies also come in white, pink, peach, red, purple and even maroon.
Height:
Approximately 3 feet
Planting Location:
They need full sun or part shade.
Watering Needs:
The flowers should not be overwatered.
Sowing:
The seeds should be sown in autumn or spring.
The soil fertility should be moderate and moist but well-drained.
Use perennial fertilizers in spring. Consider making some homemade fertilizers like compost tea.
Oriental Poppy Seeds are available on Amazon.com
7. BLEEDING HEARTS
Bleeding Hearts or Lamprocapnos spectabilis is a plant that is native to Siberia, Korea, Japan, and Northern China.
They are perfect to add in a garden with shady or woodland settings.
All flowers are charming pink-heart shaped that look incredibly attractive.
Planting Zone:
Zones 3-8
Hardiness:
Bleeding Hearts are simply amazing.
They are so tender and delicate looking with absolutely gorgeous fuchia colored, heart shaped flowers.
It is incredible that they grow in cold USDA zones.
I know as we live in zone 3 with minus 40 temperatures in the winter and Bleeding Hearts seem to thrive here!
These lovely plants are a hardy perennial that will add grace and beauty to your flower garden.
Color of Blooms:
The traditional Bleeding Heart flower has absolutely gorgeous fuchsia-colored, heart-shaped flowers but they are also available in reds, pinks, whites and purples.
Height:
Approximately 30 to 36 inches
Planting Location:
They grow best in part shade to full shade but I have seen Bleeding Hearts growing in full sun. They just seem to prefer some shade.
Watering Needs:
Water on a regular schedule especially if the weather has been dry.
They need up to one inch of rain every week. Bleeding Hearts prefer cool, moist soil to grow perfectly.
Sowing:
Plant potted Bleeding Heart plants at ground level.
They love rich, evenly moist soil with an approximate pH of 7.5.
A top layer of mulch is helpful in retaining an evenly moist soil plus adds enriches the soil over the season.
The flowers bloom in mid-summer.
Special Tips:
Remove old flowers and yellowed leaves to keep your plant looking fresh and lively.
Dead-heading old flowers will encourage Bleeding Hearts to reflower throughout the season.
Bleeding Heart Live Plant or Bleeding Heart Seeds available on Amazon.com
8. SNOW-IN-SUMMER
Snow-in-Summer plants, also known as Cerastium tomentosum, are categorized as herbaceous perennials.
They are indigenous to western Asia and Europe.
These lovely flowers grow best in north regions along the coast.
Planting Zone:
Zones 3-7. They can also be grown in 8-10 but are short-lived in warm temperatures.
Hardiness:
These plants bloom in early summer but do not survive extreme hot and humid summers.
They thrive well along coasts as they are salt-tolerant.
Color of Blooms
They bloom in pristine white color spread across the garden like a ground cover, thus called ‘snow’ in summer.
Height:
Approximately 6-12 inches tall and 12-18 inches wide.
Planting Location:
They need full sun area to bloom.
Watering Needs:
Snow in summer plants thrive in a well-drained, poor soil but prefer a lot of sun. They need dry soil.
Sowing:
The seeds can be sown in normal, sandy, or clay soil and can be sown in early spring or four to six weeks before the last frost date.
They can also be grown indoors. The soil needs to be moist when planted but once sown, the plant is drought tolerant.
The seeds need to be sown at least 6-12 inches apart.
Look for Snow-in-Summer live plants at your local nursery or start the seeds now!
Snow-in-Summer are available on Amazon.com
9. COLUMBINE
The columbine plant, also called Aquilegia, is a perennial native to North America.
These bell-shaped flowers are a favorite to hummingbirds.
Planting Zone:
Zones 3-9
Hardiness:
These plants bloom from mid-spring to early summer.
Color of Blooms
They bloom in blue, orange, pink, red, white, yellow. They have over 70 species.
Height:
Varies. Usually up to 10 inches tall.
Planting Location:
They need full sun to bloom.
Watering Needs:
They need moist soil when planted but once sown, do not overwater or leave the soil saggy.
Sowing:
Seeds can be sown indoor 6-8 weeks before the last frost or directly into the well-drained, rich soil.
The seed needs to be pressed into the soil but not covered with soil. Spacing between seeds should be 1 to 2 feet apart.
Columbine seeds and Columbine live plants are available on Amazon.com
10. YARROW
Yarrow, also called Achillea millefolium, is a flowering plant native to Northern Hemisphere in Asia, Europe, and North America.
Planting Zone:
Zones 3-9
Hardiness:
These flowers are herbaceous flowering perennials. They bloom from June to September.
Color of Blooms
They bloom in reds. pinks, white and yellow colors.
Height:
Approximately 2-3 feet tall and 2-3 feet wide.
Planting Location:
Full sunlight is best but can also be grown in partial shade
Watering Needs:
The plant is drought-tolerant. It needs at least 1 inch of rain in a week.
Sowing:
Plant seeds in well-drained soil. It cannot sustain in wet soil.
The flower plant can tolerate poor garden soils but should be nutrient-rich.
Yarrow Seeds are available on Amazon.com
11. SALVIA
The Salvia plant belongs to the mint family, Lamiaceae.
It is a herbaceous perennial that grows well in most climates and that can tolerate drier climates which is helpful in water restricted areas.
Planting Zone:
Zones 5-9
Hardiness:
These flowers bloom for a long time from spring to summer to fall.
Color of Blooms
They bloom in blue, green, pink, purple, red, white, yellow
Height:
Approximately 12-14 inches tall
Planting Location:
They prefer full sun.
Watering Needs:
The plant is drought-tolerant and can survive in hot, dry conditions.
Sowing:
The seeds need a well-drained soil loosen up to a depth of 12 inches.
Plant the seeds 1 – 3 feet apart. Water thoroughly when the seed is sown.
Salvia Live Plants and Salvia Seeds are available on Amazon.com
12. RUSSIAN SAGE
Russian sage, also called Perovskia atriplicifolia, is a flowering plant. It is native to Central Asian countries.
Planting Zone:
Zones 5-10
Hardiness:
These flowers bloom in late spring until autumn. They are abundant and spiky.
Color of Blooms
They bloom in gray-green, purple-blue flowers.
Height:
Approximately 3-4 feet tall.
Planting Location:
They prefer a sunny spot.
Watering Needs:
The plant needs well-draining soil but not soggy. It needs water weekly.
Sowing:
Sown seeds in early spring. The spacing needs to be 2-3 feet apart.
Russian Sage Live Plants and Russian Sage Seeds are available on Amazon.com
Planting flowers can bring immense enjoyment and pleasure as your perennial garden is sure to bloom and grow more colorful every passing day!
Disclaimer: this article is for information only. The reader must take the responsibility of educating themselves on the toxic nature of all plants. Original Homesteading cannot dictate nor be responsible for what private individuals do with regard to the choice of plants they have in their homes or gardens.
