Long-blooming, hardy perennials are the right choice if you are looking for reliable plants that require little care and produce a true bloom. Each of these plants is able to thrive in difficult conditions such as dry soils, harsh winters and lack of water and still produce magnificent flowers year after year. Perennials that bloom for an extended period of time provide the gardener with color and fascination for months. Here are some of the longest-blooming perennials you can plant in your garden.
A well-designed garden is interesting from early spring to late autumn and even beyond. If a gardener wants to create a landscape that requires less maintenance, he or she should look for perennial plants that are not only easy to grow but also bloom for a longer period of time. The flowering period of most perennials lasts between two and four weeks, but the flowering period of the longest-blooming perennials can extend over months rather than weeks.
Insect-friendly catnip (Nepeta)
Due to its relaxed and problem-free growth habit, catnip is ideal for the front edge of a perennial border. In addition, from late spring to the middle of the fall season, the plants produce large numbers of purple-blue flower spikes that are particularly attractive to pollinators and beneficial insects. Catnip is a drought-resistant and extremely robust plant. You should cut the plant back when the first blooms begin to wilt, by about half. The plant will produce a fair amount of flowers even without pruning, but thorough pruning will result in neater leaves and an abundance of flowers that will last until the first frost.
Taglilie (Hemerocallis)
Many of these pretty plants can be enjoyed from the beginning of spring until the end of summer. With a color palette ranging from bright yellows and oranges to deep burgundy, these plants are a valuable splash of color and bring life to the landscape. Daylilies should be planted in well-drained, fertile soil. In addition, they should not be planted in shady places.
Long-flowering, hardy perennials – Coneflowers (Echinacea)
Coneflowers are among the perennials that are most commonly cultivated. There is a wide range of colors, from the classic purple-pink to white, orange, yellow and red. They bloom from the beginning of summer to the end of the season and attract both birds and butterflies. Growing conditions include plenty of direct sunlight and well-draining soil.
Deciduous perennial – buddleia (Buddleja)
This deciduous perennial, often referred to as butterfly lilac, blooms from June to September/October. Buddleia can grow up to 2 m tall, in some cases even taller, and produces tall clusters of blue and purple flowers. Butterfly lilacrequire full sun, a soil with good drainage and gradual, thorough irrigation during dry periods. To prevent self-seeding, all you have to do is remove the spent flower heads after the flowering period. These plants, as their name suggests, are preferred not only by butterflies, but also by a variety of other species of pollinators and beneficial insects.
Long-flowering hardy perennials – cockade flowers (Gaillardia)
The hardy, wildlife-resistant plant is at the top of several perennial lists. There are few things that shine brighter and more cheerfully than the cockade flowers.This perpetual bloomerexplodes with colors that are uplifting and brighten your day. Cockade flowers are particularly attractive when planted in large groups, as their appearance in the area is reminiscent of pinwheels spinning in a rainbow of colors. From the beginning of summer to the end of the season, the flowers attract a variety of winged visitors. Most hybrids feature a color palette that includes shades of red, yellow, orange, gold, and burgundy.
Perennial phlox (Phlox paniculata)
A large amount of phlox should grow in every flower bed. These time-honored perennials bloom with large,fragrant flower headsfrom spring until the first frost. There are varieties with pink, purple, violet, white or bicolor flowers and some of them also have variegated foliage. In humid areas, it is important to look for mildew-resistant varieties. Roses, coneflowers and lilies are three plants that benefit greatly from being near phlox. Growing conditions include full or partial sunlight and soil that drains well.
Large-flowered girl's eye (Coreopsis grandiflora)
The large-flowered girl's eye is one of the perennials that bloom the longest - from the beginning of summer to autumn. The plant will brighten up your garden with huge flowers that have a soft yellow color. In addition, the perennial is easy to care for, very drought-resistant and very popular with pollinators.
Bush mallow (Lavatera x olbia)
The leaves of the semi-evergreen bush mallow are three to five lobed and gray-green in color. Bush mallow is cultivated for its magnificent summer flowers, which are funnel-shaped and dark pink. It thrives in light, moderately rich soil with good drainage and likes full sun. Mid to late spring is the best time to sow annuals directly into the ground, while July is the best time to plant biennials.
