How to Have Constant Color in Your Garden
Creating a garden that provides color and blooms from spring through fall is a dream for many gardeners. By thoughtfully selecting perennials and flowering shrubs that bloom at different times of the season, you can achieve a colorful, ever-changing landscape that delights with fresh flowers all year long. In this guide, we’ll recommend some of the top perennials and shrubs that are season-long blooming and perennials that flower from early spring to early fall, giving you options for a complete garden plan for continuous blooms or favorite perennials to add to your flower garden to make every month of the season stunning.
When your goal is a garden with a more consistent display of blooms, there are several perennials that flower continuously from spring through fall. These long-blooming perennials can be the backbone of your garden, offering a reliable source of color and interest over the course of multiple months—and over many years. Below are some of the best choices for perennials that bloom continuously from spring until fall.
Nonstop Flowering Perennials
Geranium ‘Rozanne’ (Cranesbill Geranium)
Geranium 'Rozanne' is one of the most reliable long-blooming perennials, with blooms that last from late spring all the way through fall. Its violet-blue flowers have white centers and are set against mounds of attractive foliage, which turns reddish in the fall, adding a new layer of interest.
Bloom Time: Late spring until first frost
Colors: Violet-blue with white centers
Care: Thrives in full sun to partial shade and prefers well-drained soil. It is a low-maintenance perennial that spreads moderately, making it ideal for borders and containers.
Coreopsis (Tickseed)
Coreopsis is a hardy, long-blooming perennial known for its cheerful, daisy-like flowers that bloom from early summer into the fall. These sun-loving plants are a great choice for adding bright color throughout the growing season.
Bloom Time: Early summer to fall
Colors: Yellow, gold, pink, red, or bi-color
Care: Prefers full sun and well-drained soil. Deadheading spent blooms will encourage more flowering and extend the bloom period even longer.
Echinacea (Coneflower)
While Echinacea is often noted for its mid-summer blooms, newer varieties are bred to flower from spring through fall. Varieties like Echinacea ‘Cheyenne Spirit’ offer continuous blooms in bold shades of yellow, orange, red, and purple, bringing color to your garden for months.
Bloom Time: Late spring to fall
Colors: Purple, pink, white, yellow, orange, red
Care: Full sun and well-drained soil. Echinacea is drought-tolerant once established, making it ideal for sunny, dry areas. Deadheading promotes continuous blooming, but leaving some flowers at the end of the season will allow birds to enjoy the seeds.
Nepeta (Catmint)
Nepeta is a durable, low-maintenance perennial that produces masses of lavender-blue flowers from late spring until fall. The gray-green foliage adds a soft texture, and this plant is excellent for attracting pollinators like bees and butterflies.
Bloom Time: Late spring to fall
Colors: Lavender-blue
Care: Full sun to partial shade, prefers well-drained soil. Nepeta is drought-tolerant and thrives in sunny borders, rock gardens, and containers. Cutting it back after the first flush of blooms can encourage reblooming through the fall.
Gaillardia (Blanket Flower)
Gaillardia is a long-blooming, drought-tolerant perennial that thrives in sunny, dry conditions. It starts blooming in late spring and continues through the fall, producing brightly colored, daisy-like flowers in shades of red, orange, and yellow.
Bloom Time: Late spring to fall
Colors: Red, orange, yellow, bi-color
Care: Full sun and well-drained soil. Gaillardia is ideal for hot, dry spots and is very low-maintenance. Deadheading will help to prolong the bloom period, but it is not strictly necessary.
Heuchera ‘Paris’ (Coral Bells)
While Heuchera is often appreciated for its colorful foliage, the ‘Paris’ variety also produces long-lasting, bright pink flowers that persist from late spring into fall. This perennial is an excellent choice for adding long-lasting floral interest to shade gardens.
Bloom Time: Late spring to fall
Colors: Bright pink
Care: Partial to full shade, moist but well-drained soil. This perennial is perfect for woodland or shady borders and containers.
Salvia nemorosa (Woodland Sage)
Salvia nemorosa is a hardworking perennial that can bloom repeatedly from late spring until fall if deadheaded regularly. The tall spikes of blue, purple, or pink flowers attract pollinators and add a bold vertical element to garden beds.
Bloom Time: Late spring to fall
Colors: Blue, purple, pink
Care: Full sun, well-drained soil. This perennial is drought-tolerant once established and thrives in sunny, well-drained locations.
Hemerocallis (Reblooming Daylilies)
While many daylilies bloom for a short period, there are reblooming varieties like Hemerocallis 'Stella de Oro' that produce flowers continuously from late spring through fall. These daylilies are extremely popular for their repeat bloom cycles, bringing bursts of color throughout the season.
Bloom Time: Late spring to fall (reblooming varieties)
Colors: Yellow, red, orange, pink, purple
Care: Full sun to partial shade, adaptable to a wide range of soils. Reblooming daylilies benefit from deadheading and regular watering, especially during dry spells.
Rudbeckia (Black-Eyed Susan)
Rudbeckia, particularly the variety Rudbeckia fulgida ‘Goldsturm’, is a long-blooming perennial that produces bright yellow, daisy-like flowers from midsummer until fall. Its cheerful blooms are perfect for adding late-season color to the garden.
Bloom Time: Midsummer to fall
Colors: Yellow with dark centers
Care: Full sun, well-drained soil. This hardy perennial is drought-tolerant and thrives in sunny borders. Deadheading encourages more blooms and extends the flowering season.
Combining Long-Blooming Perennials for Continuous Color
While these perennials provide flowers over an extended period, combining them with other plants that peak at specific times of the season can further enhance your garden’s appeal. Here are some suggestions on how to pair these long-blooming perennials with seasonal bloomers for a continuous display of flowers:
Early Spring Pairings: Combine Geranium ‘Rozanne’ with early-blooming bulbs like tulips or daffodils. As the bulbs fade, Rozanne will continue to flower, maintaining color in the garden.
Midsummer Boosters: Pair coreopsis and echinacea with mid-season bloomers like daylilies or bearded iris to create a full, vibrant display. Salvia nemorosa can add height and texture with its vertical flower spikes.
Late Season Interest: As fall approaches, combine rudbeckia with sedum and asters for a garden that transitions smoothly from summer to fall. The rich golden hues of rudbeckia pair beautifully with the softer pinks and purples of fall bloomers.
Plant an all-season flowering garden by incorporating long-blooming perennials into your garden. These versatile, low-maintenance plants make it easy to create a garden that looks fresh and full of life throughout the growing season. At Wayside Gardens, we offer a wide selection of these perennials, helping you to design a landscape that provides beauty all year long.
Planning Your Flowering Garden
The key to a garden that blooms for months lies in selecting a variety of plants that peak at different times. By planting early-blooming, mid-season, and late-blooming perennials and shrubs, you can ensure there’s always something in flower. Additionally, mixing heights, textures, and flower shapes creates a more dynamic, biodiverse, and visually appealing space.
Here’s are favorite perennials and flowering shrubs that will provide color from early spring to fall, divided by bloom time.
Early Spring Blooms (March – April)
After the winter thaw, early spring-blooming plants are the first to bring color to your garden. These plants herald the growing season and often have delicate flowers that brighten up even the coolest spring days.
Helleborus (Lenten Rose)
One of the earliest bloomers, Helleborus (commonly called Lenten Rose), offers nodding, cup-shaped flowers that start as early as late winter and continue through spring. They are frost-hardy and do well in shade, making them an excellent choice for woodland gardens or shaded borders.
Colors: Pink, white, purple, green
Care: Thrives in partial to full shade, rich soil
Pulmonaria (Lungwort)
Pulmonaria adds a pop of color with its early spring blooms in shades of blue, pink, and purple. This low-growing perennial also features interesting foliage, with silver-speckled leaves that provide texture long after the blooms fade.
Colors: Blue, pink, purple
Care: Prefers partial shade and moist soil
Flowering Shrubs: Forsythia
A favorite for early spring, forsythia bursts into bright yellow flowers before its leaves emerge. It's a fast-growing shrub that can brighten any corner of your landscape.
Colors: Yellow
Care: Full sun, well-drained soil


Mid-Spring Blooms (April – May)
As the days warm up, mid-spring perennials start to take the stage. These plants offer more robust flowers and begin filling out the garden with lush foliage.
Known for their sword-like foliage and dramatic blooms, Bearded Irises are a classic choice for spring gardens. They bloom in a wide variety of colors and add architectural interest with their tall flower spikes.
Colors: Nearly every color imaginable
Care: Full sun, well-drained soil
Dicentra spectabilis (Bleeding Heart)
The arching stems of Dicentra, with its heart-shaped blooms, are a unique and beautiful addition to any spring garden. This plant thrives in shady areas and pairs well with other shade-loving perennials.
Colors: Pink, white
Care: Partial shade, moist soil
Flowering Shrubs: Rhododendron
Rhododendrons are a staple for mid-spring, with large clusters of showy flowers that last for weeks. Their evergreen foliage also adds year-round interest to the garden.
Colors: Pink, purple, white, red
Care: Partial shade, acidic, well-drained soil
Late Spring Blooms (May – June)
As spring transitions into summer, late-spring perennials continue to bring vibrancy to your garden. Many of these plants feature large, eye-catching blooms that make them focal points.
Peonies
Peonies are beloved for their large, fluffy blooms and delightful fragrance. They are long-lived perennials, often blooming for decades with minimal care.
Colors: Pink, white, red, yellow
Care: Full sun, well-drained soil
Aquilegia (Columbine)
With delicate, spurred flowers, Aquilegia blooms in late spring and is a great choice for both formal and cottage-style gardens. Their unique shape and graceful form make them a standout in any setting.
Colors: Blue, pink, red, purple, yellow
Care: Partial shade, well-drained soil
Flowering Shrubs: Azalea
Azaleas, part of the rhododendron family, bloom slightly later than rhododendrons, offering beautiful, dense flowers in a variety of shades. They are ideal for woodland settings and shaded garden borders.
Colors: Pink, red, orange, white
Care: Partial shade, acidic, moist soil
Early Summer Blooms (June – July)
Summer marks the time when the garden reaches its peak with lush, full blooms. Early summer perennials are known for their bold colors and larger flower heads.
Salvia nemorosa (Woodland Sage)
Salvia is a dependable perennial that attracts pollinators like bees and butterflies. With tall spikes of blue-purple flowers, it adds a vertical element to garden beds.
Colors: Purple, blue, pink, white
Care: Full sun, well-drained soil
Not to be confused with the annual geranium, Cranesbill Geranium is a hardy perennial that blooms throughout the summer. Its mounded form and dainty blooms make it a versatile addition to any border.
Colors: Pink, purple, blue
Care: Full sun to partial shade, moist soil
Flowering Shrubs: Hydrangea macrophylla (Bigleaf Hydrangea)
Hydrangeas are a summer garden favorite, with large, globe-shaped flower clusters that can change color depending on soil pH. They are perfect for adding structure and vibrant color to your garden.
Colors: Pink, blue, purple, white
Care: Partial shade, moist, well-drained soil
Midsummer Blooms (July – August)
During the heat of midsummer, some plants begin to fade, but many perennials are just hitting their stride. These plants are heat-tolerant and will keep your garden full of life.
Echinacea (Coneflower)
Echinacea is a tough, heat-loving perennial with long-lasting blooms that attract pollinators. Its daisy-like flowers come in a range of colors and are perfect for a pollinator garden.
Colors: Purple, pink, white, orange
Care: Full sun, well-drained soil
Hemerocallis (Daylily)
Daylilies are nearly indestructible perennials that bloom repeatedly throughout the summer. Their showy flowers come in a wide array of colors and sizes.
Colors: Yellow, orange, red, pink, purple
Care: Full sun to partial shade, adaptable to most soils
Flowering Shrubs: Buddleia (Butterfly Bush)
Known for attracting butterflies, buddleia produces fragrant flower spikes throughout the summer. It’s a low-maintenance shrub that adds vertical interest to sunny borders.
Colors: Purple, pink, white
Care: Full sun, well-drained soil
Late Summer to Early Fall Blooms (August – October)
As fall approaches, your garden can continue to offer beauty with late-blooming perennials and shrubs. These plants are vital for extending the season and keeping the landscape colorful.
Sedum is a drought-tolerant perennial that blooms in late summer and lasts well into fall. Its succulent-like foliage adds texture, while the flower heads attract pollinators.
Colors: Pink, red, yellow, white
Care: Full sun, well-drained soil
Asters are essential for fall gardens, blooming with daisy-like flowers in a variety of colors. They provide late-season nectar for bees and butterflies, extending the life of your pollinator garden.
Colors: Purple, pink, white
Care: Full sun, moist, well-drained soil
Flowering Shrubs: Hibiscus syriacus (Rose of Sharon)
This tropical-looking shrub blooms in late summer and early fall, producing large, showy flowers in a range of colors. It’s perfect for adding exotic flair to the landscape.
Colors: Pink, white, purple, blue
Care: Full sun, well-drained soil
By blending all-season, long-blooming perennialswith seasonal bloomers, you can create a garden that provides continuous color. Long-blooming perennials offer reliable, consistent flowers, while seasonal perennials fill in the gaps with bursts of color at key times, ensuring your garden remains stunningly beautiful throughout the growing season. With thoughtful planning and a mix of these flowering plants, your garden will evolve beautifully with the seasons, offering blooms from spring to fall.