Long-Flowering Plants: The Best for American Gardens

Planting for every season may take some initial planning but using long-flowering perennial plants that bloom over an extended period will allow you to enjoy your flowers throughout the growing year without the need for replanting. Flowering times differ among plants. We advise cultivating various plant types so you can enjoy a colorful garden throughout the year.

Here, we discuss the flowers suitable for American gardens that offer prolonged blooming seasons and provide guidance on the ideal planting times so you can enjoy a flourishing garden all year round.

What Are Long Flowering Plants?

Perennial plants can thrive for two years or more, fading away during winter only to rejuvenate from their roots in the spring and early summer. They will grace your garden with blooms for weeks or months, depending on the specific varieties you choose to cultivate.

The beauty of these flowers lies in their endurance – there’s no need to replant them annually as they live through winter dormancy, offering an easy care option for any gardener. If you seek a garden that blossoms almost year-round without the constant chore of replanting each spring, long-lived plants may be an ideal solution for you.

Our Top Picks for Long-Flowering Plants

Before choosing your long-flowering plants, consider your garden’s design. Planning what to plant and where will mean you can enjoy a thriving garden from early Spring to Autumn. Ideally, plant various plants that bloom in both Spring and Summer, paying attention to colors and the flowering period. 

Below, we’ve split our top picks into the seasons in which they bloom so you can plan your garden’s future design. 

Long Flowering Perennial Plants For Spring

Choose a combination of these long-flowering perennial plants to enjoy a thriving garden in the springtime:

Lungwort

• Lungwort (USDA 3 – 8), or Pulmonaria officinalis, is a shade-loving perennial with unique spotted leaves and clusters of pink, purple, blue, or white flowers that bloom in early spring.
• It’s known for its spotted and velvety foliage, which continues to thrive throughout the growing season.
• This long-flowering perennial typically blooms for several weeks in early spring, generally from late March to late April or early May, depending on the weather conditions
• if you’re in a US region with milder temperatures, plant in early Spring when temperatures are above freezing.
• Plant in soil that remains moist but drains away and is slightly acidic to slightly alkaline. Lungwort also thrives best in partial to full shade.

Bleeding Heart

• Bleeding heart (USDA 3 – 9), also known as Dicentra spectabilis, is a classic spring-blooming perennial famous for its heart-shaped pink or white flowers dangling from its stems.
• It usually blooms from late April to early June and prefers some shade. 
• To enjoy the bleeding heart flower in the Summer, plant it in early Spring in milder areas of the US.
• Bleeding Heart will tolerate most soil conditions if moist and free-draining.

Hellebore

• Hellebores (USDA zones 4 – 9), also known as Lenten roses, are shade-loving perennials with nodding flowers in shades of white, pink, purple, or green.
• To enjoy Hellebore in the early springtime, plant in late Summer to early Fall. Or, if you’re in a particularly cold area of the US, plant in late February to early March. 
• They bloom from late winter to early spring, making them a fantastic way to inject much-needed color into your winter garden.
• They also require well-draining, moist soil rich in organic matter with a pH from slightly acidic to neutral to slightly alkaline. 

Virginia Bluebells

• Virginia Bluebells (Mertensia virginica) (USDA zones 3-8) are ideal for growing under trees. 
• Virginia Bluebells prefer moist, shady conditions and naturalize readily in USDA zones 3 – 8.
• These woodland perennials have clusters of bell-shaped pink and blue flowers that often bloom in early to mid-spring, offering some bursts of color in cooler seasons. 
• The ideal soil for Virginia Bluebells is moist, well-draining and rich in organic matter with a pH of 6.5 to 7.5.

Basket of Gold

• Basket of gold, also known as Alyssum saxatile, is a spring-blooming perennial with bright yellow flowers that form dense clusters.
• It often forms a ground cover in sunny, well-drained areas, injecting color and life into gardens. 
• Basket of Gold (USDA zones 3 – 7 ) blooms as early as April until May.
• After flowering, this perennial remains vibrant throughout the growing season by providing a green backdrop to your other garden plants. 
•  If you have heavy clay soil, an alternative is to grow it in containers.

Long Flowering Blooms For Summer

Combining Spring and Summer perennials will allow you to have a healthy and colorful garden year-round. Here are our top long-flowering plants for summer blooms:

Lavender

• Known for its fragrant flowers and foliage Lavender (Lavandula) is a perennial blooming from late spring until late summer. The usual flowers are purple, but some varieties also have pink or white flowers.
• Being tolerant to droughts, Lavender can withstand hotter weather conditions. Attracting pollinators like bees and butterflies, makes this beautiful plant beneficial to your garden. 
• To enjoy Lavender (USDA zones 5 – 9) in summer, plant in early spring after the last frost of the year or in early fall if you’re in a hotter climate.
• Lavender prefers well-draining soil in full sun and can be grown in flower beds or pots.

Tip: Try planting Lavender ‘Hidcote’ as an attractive low-growing border hedge for your flower beds. It makes an ideal companion plant, attracting many beneficial pollinating insects to your yard or garden.

Hydrangeas

• Hydrangeas are famous for their beautiful, vibrant clusters of flowers that blossom from late spring to the end of summer.
• Hydrangeas are available in various colors, such as pink, blue, white, and purple, making a striking addition to any garden.
• Thriving in hardiness zones ranging from 3 to 9, Hydrangeas can endure extreme cold and heat conditions.
• To enjoy Hydrangeas for many years ahead, plant them in the spring after the final frost or during early fall to prepare for the following spring.
• For soil conditions, it is best to refer to the supplier’s label, as the flowers of some varieties can change color according to the pH levels. In general, they will thrive in neutral soil rich in organic matter. 

Coneflowers

• Coneflowers (Echinacea spp.) are resilient, long-flowering perennial plants with striking daisy like flowers that bloom from mid summer until late fall.
• They come in shades of purple, pink, white and orange and are highly attractive to pollinators like bees and wasps.
• For a delightful display of Coneflowers (USDA zones 3. 9) during summertime, plant them early in spring after the last frosts.

Coreopsis

• Coreopsis (Coreopsis spp.), also known as tickseed, is a sun-loving perennial boasting bright yellow, red or pink blooms that flower abundantly throughout summer.
• Due to its drought tolerance, Coreopsis thrives even in scorching US summers. (USDA zones 3-8).
• Similar to Lavender and Coneflowers, tickseed attracts beneficial butterflies and bees as pollinators to your garden.
• Coreopsis will tolerate a range of soils so long as it is free-draining

Long Flowering Perennial Plants For Autumn

There’s a limited choice of long-flowering perennial plants that continue to bloom into Autumn. However, planting some along with your spring and summer blooming perennials is still worthwhile. Our top choices are:

Autumn Joy Sedum

• Autumn Joy sedum (Hylotelephium spectabile ‘Autumn Joy’),  known for its clusters of pink flowers that transform into coppery-red in fall.
• This perennial plant blooms from late summer to autumn (October) and prefers moderate to warm weather (USDA zones 3 – 9).
• Autumn Joy Sedum is highly attractive to pollinators like bees and butterflies, providing a late-season food source.
• This plant stays in bloom for between four to six weeks and, as a perennial, will grow back year after year. 
• Plant in late spring to early summer so Autumn Joy can establish itself before the harsher winter months.
• Autumn Joy Sedum thrives in full sun in well-draining soil with a pH of 6-7.5

Japanese Anemone 

• Known for their delicate, cup-shaped flowers, Japanese Anemones come in shades of pink and white and bloom in late summer and fall.
• These perennials thrive in partial shade (USDA zones 4 – 8) and will typically keep their flowers for 6 to 8 weeks, so your garden will remain vibrant into the cooler months. 
• Plant Japanese Anemone in early to mid-spring if you’re in a cooler climate or in Autumn if your area has hotter summers and harsher winters.
• They will thrive in various soils conditions so long as it is moist and free-draining and have pH levels of 6-7.

Toad Lily

• Toad Lilies (Tricyrtis hirta) are perennials that produce orchid-like flowers that love shady spots in gardens.
• Blooming in late summer to early fall, these stunning blooms come in purple, white, pink, and yellow, attracting hummingbirds and bees alike.
• Flowering for between four and six weeks, you’ll start to see your vibrant toad lilies in late summer and early fall (September). 
• Plant Toad Lily in early Spring if you’re in an area with milder temperatures or Fall if you’re in hotter areas. These flowers thrive in USDA zones 4 – 9.
• Ideal soil conditions for Toad Lilies are constantly moist but not soggy, rich in organic matter and a pH level of 6-7.5.

How to Care for Long-Flowering Blooms

To take care of your long-blooming flowers, you must create the right environment for them to grow and thrive year-round. Despite long-blooming perennials not needing as much attention, you still need to provide upkeep so they can stay healthy. 

The following guide will help guarantee you success in growing long-flowering perennial plants:

Sunlight

Make sure your plants get the right amount of sunlight. Some plants do well in full sun, while others  need partial to full shade to thrive. Position your plants around your garden in areas that provide the right amount of sunlight or shade they’ll need during blooming time.

Watering

Keep your plants hydrated regularly to maintain even moisture levels in the soil without saturating it. Adjust how often you water them depending on the weather and soil type. Using mulch around your plants can help keep moisture in the soil and stop it from evaporating in the heat.

Fertilizing

Give your plants a well-balanced fertilizer to supply them with all the nutrients they’ll need for healthy growth and flowers. Follow the instructions provided by the manufacturer regarding how much fertilizer to use and how often should it be applied. Be cautious not to over-fertilize, as it can cause excessive leaf growth and fewer flowers.

Dead-Heading

During the growing season, trim off faded flowers to keep them continuously growing and prevent energy from being directed toward seed production. This keeps your plant looking neat and extends the flowering period. However, at the end of the season, consider leaving the seedheads to drop and possibly reseed. Another benefit of leaving the seedheads is that they are a valuable winter food source for birds and small animals.

Trimming

Remember to trim your plants when necessary to get rid of any dead or damaged leaves, promote better air circulation, and keep them neat and tidy. Trimming can also help spur new growth and encourage more blooms.

Support

Give your tall or sprawling plants some support to prevent them from bending over and to help display their flowers more prominently. Use plant support stakes to prop up the plants without harming their stems or leaves.

Pest and Disease Management

Keep an eye on your plants and watch out for any signs of pests or diseases like aphids, powdery mildew, fungal growth, or decay. You can manage these pests and diseases by manually removing insects or using natural or chemical insecticides.

Winter Protection

If you’re in an area with particularly harsh winters, protect perennial plants to stop them from dying off early. Apply mulch around the plant base to keep the roots insulated and shielded from freezing, and consider using frost blankets for your delicate plants during severe cold snaps.

Final Thoughts

Long-flowering plants allow gardeners to enjoy vibrant blooms throughout the year – without the need to replant constantly. As you think about your garden’s design, start by selecting perennials that flower in different seasons to enjoy a colorful and thriving floral display from spring to autumn. 

Whether you’re drawn to the delicate beauty of spring-blooming favorites like bleeding hearts and Virginia bluebells, the fragrant allure of lavender and hydrangeas in the summertime, or the autumnal charm of Japanese anemones and toad lilies, there’s a long-flowering perennial to suit every garden.

Roll up your sleeves, get your hands dirty, and let the beauty of long-flowering plants transform your garden into a perennial paradise with our handy guide. 

Find more useful information in our comprehensive guide about plant displays.

Frequently Asked Questions