18 Perennial Flowers That Will Bloom Every Year
Perennial flowers offer a wonderful opportunity to build a garden that comes back stronger and more beautiful year after year. Whether you’re looking to add vibrant splashes of color, intricate textures, or inviting habitats for pollinators, perennials provide a diverse array of options that can suit any garden style or condition.
From the lush, romantic blooms of roses and peonies to the striking architectural forms of globe thistle and clematis, each perennial plant brings its own unique charm and characteristics.
Ideal for creating layered, enduring landscapes, these plants not only enhance the aesthetic of your garden but also contribute to its biodiversity, requiring less replanting and often less maintenance than their annual counterparts.
Clematis (Clematis spp.)
Would you like to save this page?
We'll email you a link to this post, so you can come back to it later!
Clematis is a versatile climbing vine known for its spectacular flowers, which come in a variety of shapes and colors including purple, pink, red, white, and blue. These plants bloom from late spring to fall, depending on the variety. Clematis prefers a sunny location with at least 6 hours of sunlight per day but likes its roots to be kept cool and shaded, often through mulching or the placement of other low-growing plants.
It requires well-drained, fertile soil and benefits from regular pruning to keep the growth vigorous and flowering abundant. Clematis can reach heights of 4 to 30 feet, making it perfect for growing on trellises, fences, or through shrubbery.
Daffodils (Narcissus spp.)
Daffodils are early spring bloomers known for their cheerful yellow flowers, although they also come in shades of white, orange, and pink. These bulbs are extremely easy to grow and thrive in full sun to partial shade. They prefer well-drained soil and can be planted in borders, under trees, or even naturalized in grass.
Daffodils typically grow about 6 inches to 1 foot tall and are excellent for cut flowers. They are also resistant to most pests and diseases, making them a low-maintenance choice for any garden.
Baby’s Breath (Gypsophila)
Baby’s Breath is famed for its delicate clouds of tiny, white flowers which are a staple in floral arrangements, especially popular in wedding bouquets. This plant loves full sun and well-drained, alkaline soil. It blooms from early summer to fall and can reach heights of 2 to 3 feet.
Baby’s Breath needs regular watering but can tolerate periods of dryness once established. Its airy blooms add a light, whimsical quality to garden beds and borders.
Roses (Rosa spp.)
Roses are perhaps the most iconic of garden plants, prized for their beautiful blooms and sweet fragrance. They come in an almost infinite range of colors and forms, from climbing varieties to shrub roses. Roses thrive best in full sun, needing at least 6 hours of direct sunlight daily.
They prefer rich, well-draining soil and require regular watering and fertilization to maintain health and vigor. Depending on the variety, roses can range in height from 1 foot to over 10 feet. Regular pruning and monitoring for pests and diseases are key to keeping roses flourishing.
Tulips (Tulipa spp.)
Tulips are popular for their bright, cup-shaped flowers which appear in early spring. Available in almost every color of the rainbow, tulips need full sun to light shade and flourish in well-drained soil. They are generally planted as annuals; bulbs are planted in the fall and bloom in the spring.
Tulips range in height from 4 inches to 28 inches and are perfect for beds, borders, or container gardens. Though they have a relatively short blooming period, their vibrant colors make them a garden favorite.
Bee Balm (Monarda didyma)
Bee Balm is known for its aromatic leaves and vibrant, spiky flowers, which attract a host of pollinators including hummingbirds, bees, and butterflies. It blooms in shades of red, pink, purple, and white through mid to late summer. Preferring full sun to partial shade, Bee Balm does best in moist, well-drained soil rich in organic matter.
It typically grows 2 to 4 feet tall and can spread, so it may require division every few years to maintain vigor. Additionally, Bee Balm is susceptible to powdery mildew, so good air circulation is important to keep the plants healthy.
Peony (Paeonia)
Peonies are beloved for their lush, voluminous blooms that appear in late spring to early summer. These flowers come in a range of colors including pink, red, white, and yellow, and are known for their sweet fragrance. The blooms can vary in form from simple single petals to complex double forms that resemble fluffy pom-poms.
Peonies have deep green, glossy foliage that remains attractive throughout the growing season. These plants prefer well-drained soil and full sun to partial shade. They require a cold period to bloom and are generally low maintenance but may take a few years to establish fully. Once settled, they can live and thrive for decades, reaching heights of 2-3 feet.
Hosta
Hostas are primarily grown for their decorative foliage, which comes in shades from green to gold and can be solid or variegated with white or yellow. The leaves themselves can be broad and heart-shaped or long and slender, depending on the variety. In addition to their striking leaves, hostas also produce spiky flowers in white or lavender during the summer.
They are shade-tolerant, making them perfect for underplanting beneath trees or in the shadowy corners of a garden. Hostas prefer moist, well-drained soil and can vary widely in size, from petite varieties that measure just a few inches tall to large types that can grow up to four feet in width and height.
Coneflower (Echinacea)
Coneflowers are a staple in the perennial garden due to their vibrant and enduring flowers. They typically bloom from early summer to fall with daisy-like flowers that feature raised, cone-shaped centers—hence the name—surrounded by petals in purples, pinks, reds, and whites.
Coneflowers are not only visually appealing but also attract pollinators such as bees and butterflies to the garden. These hardy plants are drought-resistant once established and do best in full sun. They can grow up to 2-4 feet tall, depending on the variety, and are excellent for cut flower arrangements.
Lavender (Lavandula)
Known for its fragrant flowers and silvery-green foliage, lavender is as functional as it is beautiful. It thrives in full sun and well-drained soil, preferring dry, sandy conditions that mimic its native Mediterranean environment. Lavender flowers in late spring to early summer and can continue blooming until early fall if the spent flowers are regularly deadheaded.
The plant’s height and spread can range from 1 to 3 feet, making it suitable for borders, herb gardens, or as a low hedge. Besides its aesthetic appeal, lavender is used in herbal preparations and for its essential oils.
Daylily (Hemerocallis)
Daylilies are one of the most carefree perennials to grow, known for their trumpet-shaped blooms that appear on tall, leafless stems above a base of strappy leaves. Flowers come in almost every color except true blue and typically last just one day, though numerous buds ensure a prolonged blooming period throughout mid-summer.
Daylilies adapt to a wide range of soil conditions but prefer slightly acidic, well-drained soil and full sun to partial shade. They are remarkably versatile, drought-tolerant once established, and can grow anywhere from 1 to 4 feet tall, making them excellent for mass plantings or as a colorful garden border.
Black-eyed Susan (Rudbeckia)
Black-eyed Susans are robust, sun-loving perennials known for their bright yellow flowers with a distinct, dark brown center. They bloom from mid-summer to fall, adding a cheerful splash of color to the garden. These hardy plants prefer full sun and well-drained soil but are quite adaptable and drought-resistant once established.
Typically reaching 2-3 feet in height, Black-eyed Susans are excellent for borders, wildflower gardens, or as cut flowers due to their long vase life. Their ability to attract pollinators like butterflies and bees also makes them a valuable addition to any garden.
Coral Bells (Heuchera)
Coral Bells are celebrated for their colorful foliage, which comes in shades of purple, red, orange, green, and almost black, making them standout groundcovers or border plants. They produce delicate bell-shaped flowers on slender stems that rise above the foliage in early to mid-summer.
Coral Bells prefer partial shade but can tolerate morning sun, thriving in moist, well-drained soil. They typically grow about 1 to 2 feet tall and wide, ideal for adding texture and color variety to shaded garden spots.
Astilbe
Astilbe is known for its showy, feathery plumes of flowers in pink, red, white, and lavender, which rise above fern-like foliage in early to mid-summer. Thriving in shade to partial shade, Astilbe is a favorite for woodland gardens or darker sections of a border.
It requires moist, well-drained soil and does well near water features or in garden spots that don’t dry out. Astilbe ranges in height from 1 to 5 feet, depending on the variety, making it extremely versatile in landscape design.
Salvia (Sage)
Salvia, or perennial sage, offers spikes of densely-packed flowers in blue, purple, red, or white, blooming from early to mid-summer. This plant loves full sun and well-drained soil and is known for its drought resistance once established. Typically reaching 1 to 3 feet in height, Salvia is ideal for borders, herb gardens, or as a structural element in perennial beds. It’s also a favorite of bees and butterflies, adding to the ecological health of the garden.
Shasta Daisy (Leucanthemum superbum)
Shasta Daisy is a classic perennial with clean white petals surrounding a bright yellow disk. Blooming from early summer to fall, it offers a long season of interest and is particularly striking in borders or as a cut flower. Shasta Daisies enjoy full sun to partial shade and thrive in moderately fertile, well-drained soil. They typically grow 1 to 3 feet tall and are easy to care for, requiring only occasional deadheading to keep them looking their best.
Foxglove (Digitalis)
Foxgloves are known for their tall spikes of bell-shaped flowers, which come in shades of pink, purple, white, and yellow. They are particularly striking in cottage gardens or woodland settings. Foxglove flowers in early summer and prefers partial shade and moist, well-drained soil. Reaching heights of 2 to 5 feet, they are ideal for adding vertical interest to the garden. Note that all parts of the plant are toxic if ingested, so they should be planted with care around children and pets.
Globe Thistle (Echinops)
Globe Thistle is a striking perennial known for its unique, spherical blue flowers and spiky, silver-green foliage. It blooms from mid to late summer, attracting bees and butterflies with its nectar-rich blossoms. This plant thrives in full sun and well-drained soil, particularly excelling in dry, poor soils where other plants might struggle.
Globe Thistle typically reaches heights of 2 to 4 feet and spreads about 1 to 2 feet wide, making it an excellent choice for adding texture and visual interest to borders, wildflower gardens, or xeriscaped areas. It is drought-tolerant once established, making it a low-maintenance option for gardeners seeking resilient and eye-catching plants. The flower heads can also be dried and used in arrangements, retaining their color and shape long after being cut.
Create A Cottagecore Garden Retreat
Learn More: 28 Dreamy Flowers For Your English Country Cottage Inspired Garden
Shade-Loving Plants & Flowers
Learn More: 19 Flowers & Plants That Grow In The Shady Parts of Your Garden
