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Perennial flowers are a great way to add lasting color to your garden, returning year after year to keep it looking vibrant. If you’re looking to brighten your garden, check out these 38 colorful options that thrive and come back every season. Each one brings its own touch, adding variety and depth to your outdoor space.
Thrift
Thrift, often called “sea thrift” or “sea pink,” is a resilient perennial. Its striking deep pink, ball-shaped blooms adds a burst of color to most gardens. Not only are these vibrant flowers ideal for cutting, but they also make an excellent choice for border planting. Thrift is a low-growing plant that easily adapts to drought and drying winds, making it a low-maintenance option for gardeners. It thrives in Zones 3-9.
Coral Bells (Heuchera spp.)
Coral bells are a low-growing perennial plant that produces mounds of colorful leaves and delicate spikes of bell-shaped flowers that attract pollinating insects. This hardy plant rarely suffers from disease and grows best in shaded woodland gardens.
Dahlia
Dahlias are loved for their vibrant, showy blooms. They come in a wide array of colors and sizes and are a favorite among pollinators. Whether used in flower beds, borders, or containers, dahlias add a burst of color and charm to any outdoor space.
Dahlias typically thrive as perennials in Zones 8 to 11. However, in Zones 7 and colder, their tuberous roots are unable to survive the harsh winter temperatures, effectively making them annuals in those regions.
These perennials thrive in well-drained soil and full sun.
Hellebore
Hellebore also known as Lenten Rose, blooms early, offering flowers in shades from white to deep burgundy. It’s a hardy, low-maintenance perennial for the shade garden. Zones 4-10
Perennial Geranium
Perennial geranium, often known as cranesbill, will bloom in shades of pink, purple, blue, and white. This easy-care plant thrives in diverse conditions. The blossoms often feature intricate, darker veins radiating from the center. Most perennial geraniums begin flowering in early to late spring, continuing through midsummer, with some extending their display well into autumn. Many varieties rebloom throughout the season, especially when trimmed after their first flowering.
Clematis
Clematis has striking, vivid purple flowers. This perennial prefers full sunlight and requires moderate watering.
Peony
Peonies are popular perennials with big, fragrant pink, red, white, and yellow flowers. They have glossy green leaves and bloom from late spring to early summer. Peonies are generally considered deer-resistant. Peonies require rich soil with good drainage. Zones 3-8
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Sneezeweed
Its bright, daisy-like flowers bloom in late summer and fall, bringing vibrant yellow, red, and bronze hues to sunny gardens. These flowers are perfect for cutting and arranging. Despite its name, it does not trigger sneezing or allergies. Zone 3-10
Foxglove
Foxglove features tall spikes of bell-shaped flowers, ideal for adding vertical interest to shaded garden areas. It blooms from late spring to early summer and is suitable for Zones 4-10.
Lavender (Lavandula)
With its striking purple color and soothing aroma, lavender attracts butterflies and is perfect for low-maintenance gardens. It thrives in sunlight with minimal water, keeps deer at bay, and fills the garden with a wonderful scent. It’s perfect for easy-care gardens while keeping the deer away.
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Bee Balm
Bee balm is a win-win plant; it keeps mosquitoes at bay and attracts butterflies, bees, and even hummingbirds. Bee balm grows in almost any soil condition but thrives in evenly moist ones. It’s a part of the mint family, so it spreads easily and will give you lots of blooms from mid to late summer. Zones 4-8
Catnip
Catnip is herbaceous perennials that works well in borders, herb gardens, and as ground cover, repelling common garden pests with its fragrance. It thrives in full sun to light shade and well-drained soil. Once established, it is drought-tolerant. Trim midseason to refresh the plant.
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Garden Phlox
Phlox blooms are classic garden plants with a sweet fragrance that is irresistible to bees. It comes in many colors, including pink, purple, white, and lavender, with some varieties having a central eye of contrasting color. Zones 4-8
Sedum (Autumn Joy)
Sedum varieties are completely maintenance-free and love the sun. They provide late-season blooms and are excellent for attracting butterflies. These flowers are long-lasting and dry well for winter arrangements. Zones 3-9
Alliums
Alliums are striking ornamental bulbs that produce beautiful flowers on tall, slender stalks. They add dramatic height and visual interest to garden beds and borders. They are easy to grow and low maintenance. Additionally, their strong scent helps repel squirrels and other garden pests, serving as an effective natural deterrent.
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Hydrangeas
Hydrangeas are known for their large blooms, which mimic the lush appearance of roses when grouped. Their color can vary widely depending on the soil’s pH. They thrive in morning sun and afternoon shade and require moist, rich, well-drained soil.
Goldenrod (Solidago spp.)
Goldenrod is a plant that blooms in late summer, showcasing tall spikes filled with small, bright yellow flowers. It does best in conditions ranging from full sun to partial shade. The vivid yellow flowers of Goldenrod act like a magnet for bees and other pollinators.
Yarrow (Achillea)
Yarrow produces clusters of small, flat-topped flowers in colors including yellow, white, pink, and red. It’s drought-tolerant and thrives in full sun. Zones 3-9
Hyacinth
You can enjoy the beautiful and fragrant blooms of hyacinths in spring with proper care. These flowers can be grown indoors by forcing the bulbs or planted outdoors in well-drained soil. Available in a variety of colors, including pink, blue, and white, hyacinths add vibrant color and a sweet fragrance to both gardens and indoor spaces.
Hybrid Astilbe
Hybrid Astilbe lights up the shade with its feathery plumes of flowers in shades of pink, red, and white. Its fern-like foliage remains attractive throughout the season. Zones 4-9
Penstemon
Penstemon is deer-resistant and known for its colorful, tubular flowers that attract bees and hummingbirds. Its unappealing taste and texture to deer make it an excellent choice for gardens seeking beauty and wildlife attraction without the deer problem. Zones 3-9
Turtlehead
Named for its unique flower shape, which resembles a turtle’s head, Turtlehead thrives in moist, shaded areas, providing late-season color with its pink or white blooms. This plant pairs nicely with small shrubs. Zone 3-8
Virginia Bluebells
Native to the Eastern U.S., these plants feature pale green leaves and stalks of tubular blue flowers, transitioning from pink to clear blue before going dormant. They naturalize well, creating breathtaking drifts of color in spring.
Bleeding Heart
Known for its heart-shaped flowers on arching stems, Bleeding Heart is a beautiful addition to shady spots. This plant requires rich garden soil that doesn’t dry out but drains well. It is the longest blooming of all the perennials and grows up to 15 inches. Zones 3-9
Aster
Asters are available in various shades of purple, pink, and yellow. These flowers attract pollinators and are perfect for fall gardens.
creeping thyme
Creeping thyme is a beautiful perennial that returns year after year. It makes an excellent alternative to grass, forming a dense mat of lush green foliage that produces tiny, fragrant flowers all summer long.
To establish creeping thyme, plant young plugs spaced 6-12 inches apart in the spring or early fall. Mulch around the plants to suppress weeds and water regularly until the plants are well-established.
Bellflower
Bellflowers feature attractive bell-shaped blooms in blue, purple, and white shades. They are excellent for brightening sunny garden borders and drawing in pollinators with their nectar-rich flowers. Zones 4-8
Coneflower (Echinacea)
Also known as Echinacea, Coneflower boasts nectar-rich blooms that attract bees. This resilient plant thrives in the sun and requires minimal care, making it perfect for low-maintenance gardens. Flowers will bloom in summer and continue until frost. Zones 4-9
Columbine
Columbine is a perennial with bright flowers contrasting against dark, clover-shaped leaves. Available in various colors, including two-tone, its unique bell-shaped flowers with five spurs catch the eye. This sun-loving perennial is Ideal for slopes, ledges, or open garden spaces. Columbine adds beauty, attracts wildlife, and deters deer. Zones 3-9
Butterfly Weed
Butterfly weed, a form of milkweed, is a brightly colored wildflower. It blooms in vibrant shades of yellow, orange, and red. This sun-loving plant thrives in light, sandy soil with good drainage. Zones 3-9
False Indigo
Known for its striking spikes of brilliant blue color, False Indigo is a robust plant that thrives in the sun. This plant is practically indestructible, so it is best planted in well-drained soil where you want it to stay for a long time. Zones 3-9
Catmint
Catmint produces lavender-blue flowers throughout the summer. It’s easy to grow, drought-tolerant, and thrives in full sun to partial shade. This sun loving plant is not fussy about soil conditions and grows anywhere from 18-24 inches. Zones 3-8
Balloon Flower
Named for its unique balloon-shaped buds, this plant opens into beautiful star-shaped flowers. It prefers full sun to partial shade. This well-behaved plant adds a bright note wherever it is planted. It requires little to no maintenance and will bloom throughout the summer. Zones 3-8.
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Black Eye Susan
With their striking yellow flowers, Black-Eyed Susans are excellent at attracting butterflies. These hardy, sun-loving plants can thrive in various conditions, making them a versatile choice for any butterfly garden. They are relatively pest-free, blooming in midsummer until hard frost. Use this beautiful plant as a border plant, ground cover for sunny spots, or plant it in large groups in the flower or vegetable garden. Zones 3-9
Delphinium
Delphiniums are renowned for their tall spikes of rich blue flowers, which add a dramatic vertical element to garden borders. They prefer full sun and rich, well-drained soil and need regular watering and staking.
Cut the spikes back to the top of the foliage after blossoming for consistent blooms in late summer and early fall. Zones 3-8
Daylily (Hemerocallis)
Daylilies are a favorite in many gardens. They come in a spectrum of yellow shades, from light to deep golden. These easy-to-care-for plants do well in full sun and partial shade.
Although each flower blooms for only one day, the abundance of buds ensures a long blooming season that spans several weeks. As perennials, Daylilies return yearly, growing more robust and producing more flowers as they age.
Tickseed (Coreopsis)
Coreopsis is known for its bright, daisy-like flowers in shades of yellow, gold, orange, and sometimes red or pink. This hardy, drought-tolerant plant blooms from early summer to fall, adding lasting color to the garden. It thrives in full sun and well-drained soil, making it an easy-care option for various settings. Zones 2-8
Shasta Daisy
Add charm to your garden with Shasta Daisies. These simple white flowers are low-maintenance perennials that do best in rich, well-drained soil but need full sun and regular watering to thrive. Shasta daisies bloom all summer and reach heights from 12 to 39 inches. Zones 4-9.
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