Perennials for Continuous Color
In bloom from early spring through fall, garden perennials will brighten your landscape year after year. Combine colors that please you. Make the flower garden a focal point.
Plants are listed under the time period in which they usually bloom. Expect flowers for several weeks, or longer, depending on weather conditions and the type of plant. These plants tolerate average conditions, but pay attention to their preferences for the best results.
Many spring blooming plants will multiply readily (naturalize) over the years.
Prepare the soil as you would for a vegetable garden. The same steps apply. → See Growing Tips 18 Plan a Vegetable Garden.
| Early Spring - April to May | Prefers | Color |
|---|---|---|
| Daffodil (Narcissus spp.) bulb |
Full Sun Average Moisture |
Y, W |
| Dwarf Iris (Iris spp.) |
Full Sun Average Moisture |
Y, B, V, W |
| Fairy Wings (Epimedium spp.) |
Part to Full Shade Average Moisture |
R, Y, W, P |
| Helleborus (Helleborus spp.) |
Part Shade Average Moisture |
Y, W, P |
| Lungwort (Pulmonaria spp.) |
Part Shade Average Moisture |
R, B, V, P |
| Siberian Squill (Scilla siberica) bulb |
Full Sun to Part Shade Average Moisture |
B, W |
| Virginia Bluebells (Mertensia spp.) |
Part Shade Average Moisture |
B, V |
| Wild Blue Phlox (Phlox divaricata) |
Full Sun Average Moisture |
B, V |
| Key: Red, Orange, Yellow, Green, Blue, Indigo, Violet, White, Pink |
| Late Spring - May to June | Prefers | Colors |
|---|---|---|
| Bleeding Heart (Dicentra spp.) |
Part to Full Shade Average Moisture |
Y, V, W, P |
| Columbine (Aquilegia spp.) |
Part Shade Steady Moisture |
R, Y, B, V, W, P |
| Coral Bells (Heuchera spp.) |
Full Sun to Part Shade Average Moisture |
R, W, P |
| Cornflower (Centaurea montana) |
Full Sun to Part Shade Average Moisture |
B, V, W, P |
| Cranesbill (Geranium spp.) |
Full Sun to Part Shade Average Moisture |
B, V, W, P |
| Peony (Paeonia spp.) |
Full Sun Average Moisture |
R, O, Y, V, W, P |
| Viola (Viola spp.) perennial |
Part Shade Steady Moisture |
Y, B, V, W |
| Key: Red, Orange, Yellow, Green, Blue, Indigo, Violet, White, Pink |
| Summer - July to August | Prefers | Colors |
|---|---|---|
| Astilbe (Astilbe spp.) |
Part to Full Shade Steady Moisture |
R, W, P |
| Bee Balm (Monarda spp.) |
Full Sun to Part Shade Average Moisture |
R, V, W, P |
| Bellflower (Campanula spp.) |
Full Sun to Part Shade Average Moisture |
R, B, V, W, P |
| Blazing Star (Liatrus spp.) |
Full Sun Steady Moisture |
V, W, P |
| Blue Star (Amsonia spp.) |
Full Sun to Part Shade Average Moisture |
B |
| Coneflower (Echinacea spp.) |
Full Sun to Part Shade Average Moisture |
R, O, Y, V, P |
| Daylily (Hemerocallis spp.) |
Full Sun to Part Shade Average Moisture |
R, O, Y, V, W, P |
| False Sunflower (Heliopsis sp.) |
Full Sun Average Moisture |
Y |
| Foxglove (Digitalis spp.) |
Full Sun to Part Shade Average Moisture |
Y, V, W, P |
| Iris (Iris spp.) |
Full Sun Average Moisture |
R, O, Y, B, I, V, W, P |
| Lady’s Mantle (Alchemilla spp.) |
Full Sun to Part Shade Average Moisture |
Y, G |
| Landscape Rose (Rosa spp.) |
Full Sun Average Moisture |
R, O, Y, V, W, P |
| Lily (Lilium spp.) |
Full Sun to Part Shade Steady Moisture |
R, O, Y, V, W, P |
| Ornamental Onion (Allium spp.) |
Full Sun Average Moisture |
B, I, V, W, P |
| Perennial Sage (Salvia spp.) |
Full Sun Average Moisture |
B, I, V, P |
| Daisy (Leucanthemum spp.) |
Full Sun Average Moisture |
Y, W |
| Tickseed (Coreopsis spp.) |
Full Sun Average Moisture |
O, Y, V, W, P |
| Yarrow (Achillea spp.) |
Full Sun Average Moisture |
R, O, Y, V, W, P |
| Key: Red, Orange, Yellow, Green, Blue, Indigo, Violet, White, Pink |
| Late Summer & Fall - Sept to October | Prefers | Colors |
|---|---|---|
| Autumn Stonecrop (Sedum spp.) |
Full Sun Average Moisture |
R, W, P |
| Fall Aster (Aster spp.) |
Full Sun Average Moisture |
R, B, I, V, W, P |
| False Sunflower (Heliopsis sp.) |
Full Sun Average Moisture |
Y |
| Japanese Anemone (Anemone spp.) |
Full Sun to Part Shade Steady Moisture |
W, P |
| Garden Mum (Chrysanthemum spp.) |
Full Sun Average Moisture |
R, O, Y, V, W, P |
| Key: Red, Orange, Yellow, Green, Blue, Indigo, Violet, White, Pink |
Keep It Simple
- To begin a perennial garden, choose 2 or 3 kinds of plants for each season of bloom.
- For visual impact, plant at least three of the same kind of plant together in a group. Plant hardy, naturalizing bulbs generously.
- Space according to the directions on the label.
- Plants may take 2 – 3 years to reach full size.
- Label plants securely with permanent tags.
- Mulch, then water with care throughout the season, as necessary. → See Growing Tips 6 Watering New Plantings.
Great Combos (Add More As You Go!)
Spring: daffodils, dwarf iris, wild blue phlox
Late Spring: bleeding heart, cranesbill, peony
Summer: coneflower, daylily, perennial sage
Fall: autumn stonecrop, fall aster, false sunflower
Nifty Note:
Plant breeders create different types of plants (cultivars and varieties) in different colors and sizes, and often with extended blooming periods. For instance, many new “landscape” roses bloom repeatedly into the fall and resist diseases. These plants keep the same generic name (for example: Rosa spp.)
Resources
https://ag.umass.edu/resources/home-lawn-garden
https://www.mass.gov/agr/massgrown/
www.massflowergrowers.com
