Long Blooming Perennial Flowers

By
Marie Iannotti
Garden Writer Marie Iannotti
Marie Iannotti
Marie Iannotti is a life-long gardener and a veteran Master Gardener with nearly three decades of experience. She's also an author of three gardening books, a plant photographer, public speaker, and a former Cornell Cooperative Extension Horticulture Educator. Marie's garden writing has been featured in newspapers and magazines nationwide and she has been interviewed for Martha Stewart Radio, National Public Radio, and numerous articles.
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Updated on 04/21/21
Echinacea purpurea coneflowers with pink petals and orange coned centers in sunlight

The Spruce / Evgeniya Vlasova

Many gardeners like perennial flowering plants because they return year after year. However, that doesn't mean that you can plant them once and forget about them. Perennials require regular maintenance to look and perform their best. Staking, pruning, deadheading, dividing and pest control are a few of the gardening chores you can expect to enjoy when growing perennials.

To get the most bang for your buck, be sure to include some long flowering and repeat flowering perennial flowers in your garden design. Large blocks of color add impact to a garden, and the best way to achieve that is with long blooming perennials.

Here are 17 long-blooming perennial flowers.

  • 01 of 17

    Achillea (Yarrow)

    Flower Power
    Ann Cutting / Getty Images

    Achillea will grow almost anywhere, but it favors dry, lean soil. If given too much moisture or rich soil, the plants can become floppy. Deadhead spent flowers for repeat bloom. After the second bloom, rejuvenate the plant by cutting back to new growth. Yarrow tends to die out in the center of the plant and should be divided every 3 years or so.

    GOOD CHOICES: Achillea 'Coronation Gold', A. millefolium 'Fire King', A. m. 'Summer Pastels'

  • 02 of 17

    Campanula (Bellflower)

    a closeup of Campanula
    Feifei Cui-Paoluzzo / Getty Images

    There are many species of Campanula or Bellflowers, all easy to grow and relatively long-lived. They perform best in areas with cooler summers. Where summers are hot, give them some partial shade. Most Bellflowers will readily self-sow. If they start to look tired and ragged after several blooms, shear or mow them down to a few inches and they will grow back fresher.

    • USDA Hardiness Zones 4 - 9, varies by species
    • Bloom Span: 2+ Months

    GOOD CHOICES: Campanula carpatica 'Blue Clips' or 'Blue Chips,' C. c. 'White Clips' or 'White Chips'.

  • 03 of 17

    Centranthus (Red Valerian)

    a patch of Centranthus (Red Valerian)
    Garden Photo World/Georgianna Lane / Getty Images

    Centranthus is often seen spilling over borders, in photos of English gardens. Like yarrow, Centranthus prefers dry, lean soil, but it blooms longer in cooler climates. In the intense heat, it will bloom in spring and again as it feels up to it, throughout the summer. Centranthus rarely grows true from seed and is best propagated by cuttings. To be certain of what color you are getting, buy the plant while it is in flower. The plants don't live longer than about 5 years, and they resent being divided or even relocated.

    • USDA Hardiness Zones 3 - 9
    • Bloom Span: 3-4 Months

    GOOD CHOICES: Centranthus ruber 'Albus.'

  • 04 of 17

    Coreopsis (Tickseed)

    Close-Up Of Yellow Tickseed Flowers In Field
    Greg Jackson / EyeEm / Getty Images

    Coreopsis are undemanding plants, but short-lived. Either allow them to self-seed or divide the plants every 2-3 years and replant the newer, outer sections. Flower buds form all along the stems, making deadheading a time-consuming challenge. Once the initial buds have completed blooming, you must sheer the plants back by 1/3 to encourage new flower buds.

    • USDA Hardiness Zones 3 - 9
    • Bloom Span: 3+ Months

    GOOD CHOICES: Coreopsis verticillata 'Zagreb', C.v. 'Golden Showers', C. grandiflora 'Early Sunrise.'

    Continue to 5 of 17 below.
  • 05 of 17

    Corydalis lutea (Fumewort)

    A closeup of Corydalis lutea
    David Q. Cavagnaro / Getty Images

    The ferny foliage and delicate flowers of Corydalis belie its fortitude. This is a plant that prefers partial shade and well-drained soil and will find a home in cracks in rocks, on slopes in woodlands and along paths. Once established, Corydalis self-sows wherever it can. However it can take years for the seed to germinate, so starting your own plants can be frustrating.

    GOOD CHOICES: You will probably only find the species of C. lutea.

  • 06 of 17

    Dianthus (Pinks)

    A closeup of a Pinks (Dianthus) flower
    Malvuccio Maurizio / EyeEm / Getty Images

    While most Dianthus have a long natural period of bloom, many will rebloom with some deadheading. Several varieties are also evergreen and make nice edging plants. Dianthus does well in any well-drained soil, though it prefers a slight alkalinity. They don't tend to live very long and should be divided or seeded regularly.

    • USDA Hardiness Zones 3 - 9
    • Bloom Span: 2+ Months

    GOOD CHOICES: Dianthus gratianopolitanus 'Bath's Pink', D. g. 'Cheddar Pink,'​ D. deltoids (Maiden Pink).

  • 07 of 17

    Dicentra formosa & Dicentra eximia (Fringed Bleeding Heart)

    Fringed Bleeding Heart
    Photos from Japan, Asia and othe of the world / Getty Images

    Unlike the common bleeding heart (Dicentra spectabilis), cultivars of the fringed species will repeat bloom for most of the summer. Dicentra formosa is a western native. While Dicentra eximia can handle the heat and humidity of the eastern U.S., The fringed bleeding hearts are smaller plants than Dicentra spectabilis, and the flower is not as pronounced a heart shape, but the gray-green ferny foliage and abundance of flowers make it a prize. Most self-seed.

    • USDA Zones 2 - 9
    • Bloom Span: 3+ Months

    GOOD CHOICES: 'Alba' has a pure white flower.

  • 08 of 17

    Echinacea purpurea (Coneflower)

    Echinacea purpurea coneflowers with pink petals and orange coned centers in garden

    The Spruce / Evgeniya Vlasova

    Having a long bloom period is just one of Echinacea's many attributes. Coneflowers are extremely drought tolerant, attract birds and butterflies, and the intense color adds punch to any garden. The tall stalks are self-supporting. However, if they received too much water, they become floppy. They require good drainage and full sun. Deadheading will prolong the bloom period. Although Echinacea is slow to spread, the division is the best way to get the cultivar you want. The seed heads can be left on through the winter and will provide a treat for neighborhood birds.

    • USDA Hardiness Zones 3 - 9
    • Bloom Span: 2-3 Months

    GOOD CHOICES: Echinacea purpurea 'Magnus", E.p. 'Fragrant Angel,' E. "Art's Pride.'

    Continue to 9 of 17 below.
  • 09 of 17

    Gaillardia (Blanket Flower)

    Close-up image of the Vibrant Gaillardia red and yellow flower also known as the Blanket Flower
    Jacky Parker Photography / Getty Images

    These flowers are like daisies on caffeine. Gaillardia's yellow petals around a burgundy center are impossible to ignore in a garden. All they ask is full sun, and they will keep on blooming all summer. Too much shade and the stems begin to flop. In most cases, deadheading is not necessary for continual bloom. However, it would make the plants look tidier by comparison. Gaillardia is another short-lived perennial and should be divided or seeded often.

    • USDA hardiness Zones 2 - 9
    • Bloom Span: 3-4 Months

    GOOD CHOICES: Gaillardia x grandiflora, Gaillardia 'Goblin' (dwarf), G. 'Burgundy', G. 'Monarch'.

  • 10 of 17

    Kniphofia (Red Hot Poker)

    How to Grow Torch Lilies or Red Hot Poker (Kniphofia) from Seed.
    Kniphofia has many common names, but you'll know it when you see it. Amana Images Inc / Getty Images

    The spiky, bottle-brush flowers of Kniphofia are beacons for hummingbirds. Although they look like tough customers, Kniphofia actually requires a bit of winter protection in cooler zones. They are also a bit fussy about liking moist conditions in the summer, but well-drained soil for the winter months. Full sun is necessary for ample blooms. Kniphofia does not divide or transplant well, although you can usually get away with removing and replanting the young side shoots of the plants.

    GOOD CHOICES: Any of the hybrids. Kniphofia ''Primrose Beauty' is especially hardy.

  • 11 of 17

    Liatris (Gayfeather, Blazing Star)

    Gayfeather (Liatris spicata) 'Floristan'
    Mark Turner / Getty Images

    Liatris are easy to grow and texturally unusual. The thin, spiky leaves jut off the stems all the way to where the rosy-purple flower spikes begin. Unlike most spiky flowers, Liatris blooms from the top down. Liatris can handle just about any soil, but the richer the soil, the more likely they'll need staking. They'll grow in full sun or partial shade. Liatris is long-lived and doesn't often require division. They will self-seed, but generally don't take over.

    GOOD CHOICES: Liatris spicata (Spike Gayfeather) comes in white, pink and shades of purple

  • 12 of 17

    Nepeta (Catmint)

    Nepeta siberica (Siberian Catmint) in a garden
    Marie Iannotti

    Most people think of Nepeta as catnip (Nepeta cataria), a somewhat weedy garden plant. But there are many excellent ornamental Nepetas that will bloom throughout the summer if deadheaded. Most have some shade of blue-lavender flowers and gray foliage. They are very drought tolerant and make a nice substitute for lavender, in areas where lavender won't thrive. Although not as attractive to cats as catnip, you may still find a cat or two rolling around in your plants.

    • USDA Hardiness Zones 3 - 9
    • Bloom Span: 2-3 Months

    GOOD CHOICES: Nepeta 'Six Hills Giant', Nepeta 'Walker's Low' ​​​​Nepeta x faassenii 'Dropmore' (Sterile and doesn't need deadheading).

    Continue to 13 of 17 below.
  • 13 of 17

    Rudbeckia (Black-eyed Susan)

    Rudbeckia black-eyed susan flowers with radiating yellow petals in sunlight

    The Spruce / Evgeniya Vlasova

    Rudbeckia is at home everywhere, and many are native to various parts of North America. They prefer well-drained, somewhat lean soil and full sun. Deadheading will prolong bloom and cut Rudbeckia flowers will last a long time in water. With their flat landing pad petals, they are attractive to butterflies, and the seeds will be eaten by the birds during the winter. Relatively long-lived, Rudbeckias can be easily multiplied by division.

    • USDA Zones: 3 - 9
    • Bloom Span: 3 Months

    GOOD CHOICES: Rudbeckia fulgida 'Goldsturm."

  • 14 of 17

    Scabiosa (Pin Cushion Flower)

    Pincushion Flower (Scabiosa)
    Chris Burrows / Getty Images

    Scabiosa is a unique looking plant with a low growing rosette of narrow leaves and a profusion of gangly stems topped by pincushion flowers. They are relatively easily grown in average soil and full sun. Deadheading is a must for long bloom and general appearance. Divide plants every 3-4 years. You can also root the secondary stems you will see coming from the base of the plants.

    • USDA Hardiness Zones 3 - 9
    • Bloom Span: 3+ Months

    GOOD CHOICES: Scabiosa caucasica 'Butterfly Blue', S. c. 'Pink Mist'

  • 15 of 17

    Sedum (Stonecrop)

    Flowering stonecrop - sedum live-forever - orpine - livelong (Sedum telephium cultivar Autumn Joy)
    Justus de Cuveland / Getty Images

    The taller sedums are unparalleled garden performers. Sedum 'Autumn Joy' is a near perfect plant, looking good through four seasons. Sedum flower buds are attractive long before they are fully in bloom and long after they have gone to seed, so there is no need to deadhead. They thrive in well-drained soil and full sun. If your plants tend to flop, they can be sheared back in early summer to form a bushier, sturdier plant. Sedums can go years without division but can be propagated by stem cutting. Once the plant begins to thin out in the center, a division is necessary.

    • USDA Hardiness Zones 3- 9
    • Bloom Span: 2-3 Months


    GOOD CHOICES: Sedum 'Autumn Joy', S. 'Bertram Anderson,' S. Madrona, S. 'Brilliant'.

  • 16 of 17

    Tradescantia (Spiderwort)

    Spiderwort, (Tradescantia virginiana)
    Chris Burrows / Getty Images

    Tradescantia doesn't get much respect, probably because they can become a bit aggressive. However, they will readily bloom in partial shade and can be easily controlled by pulling young plants or by crowding them in with other plants. They have somewhat grassy-like leaves with clusters of 3-petaled flower heads. Each flower lasts only one day, but there are so many buds the bloom period is quite long. They prefer cool, moist soil and full sun, but will accept partial shade in exchange for the cool soil.

    • USDA Hardiness zones 4 - 9
    • Bloom Span: 3-4 Months

    GOOD CHOICES: Tradescantia ''Carmine Glow', T. 'Snowcap.

    Continue to 17 of 17 below.
  • 17 of 17

    Veronica spicata (Spike Speedwell)

    Veronica spicata
    schnuddel / Getty Images

    Veronicas start blooming in the spring and keep going through to frost. The genus includes a broad range of plants, but Veronica spicata is the most popular in gardens. The low growing dense foliage gives rise to narrow flowers spikes in blues, reds, pinks, whites, and purples. Deadheading will keep them going all summer long. Drought tolerant, Veronica likes a well-drained soil.

    GOOD CHOICES: Veronica 'Sunny Border Blue'.