If you are a cheapskate like me you must love perennials.
You certainly get more bang for your buck with them.
So let’s look at my favorite perennial flowers that bloom all summer.
First things first:
A perennial flower is one whose lifespan is more than two years. This type of plant is known for growing and blooming over spring and summer.
It then becomes dormant during the periods of autumn and winter only to return in spring.
The secret is:
Perennial flowers have roots that reach far down hence guaranteeing a better access to nutrients. Consequentially this ensures that the flower has a long lifespan.
Perennial plants generally are easy to grow, have the ability to withstand harsh climates and require little maintenance.
There are many types of perennial flowers, including:
- Shasta daisy
- Long blooming perennial Salvia
- Russian sage
- Stella de oro
- Garden phlox
- Yarrow
- Lavender
- Ice plant
- Cone flower
- Moon beam coreopsis
In this article I am going to explain a bit about each of the flowers mentioned above. Aspects such as their appearance and type of conditions in which they grow in will be tackled.
The video below might be of use as well.
#1 Garden Phlox
This is the most common type of perennial flower. This plant grows in clumps which produces a raceme of flowers in late summer.
Garden Phlox has a characteristic scent which becomes even more pronounced as the flower continues to mature.
So:
Garden Phlox grows in moist but well-drained soils. It does not do well in humid areas since too much moisture makes it to develop powdery mildew on its leaves which ruins its appearance.
However, newer types of the plant have been develop. Types such as David Garden Phlox are resistant to mildew hence is used in place of the early types.
#2 Russian Sage
This plant consists of lavender purple flowers and silver grey leaves. Many spiky flowers come up during the periods of late spring as the season heads into autumn.
The flowers come in clusters hence at times growing to points where it blocks the leaves from being seen at all.
It is commonly used as a ground cover plant or even at times as a specimen plant. The plant grows best in dry conditions.
Truth is:
This implies that it cannot do well in areas of high humidity and also in soils that remain soggy even in conditions such as winter. Russian Sage grows in well-drained average to alkaline soils.
The plant tends to become floppy in cases where it is planted in excessively fertile soil. One good thing about it is that it is drought tolerant thus can do well even with low maintenance.
#3 Stella de Oro
This plant is characterized by deep green leaves and golden-yellow flowers. These flowers bloom from late spring until fall. The plant grows to about eleven inches on average.
The most important soil condition necessary for this plant to grow is that the soil must be well-drained. Stella de Oro can accommodate a range of soil types hence making it a very common and easy to grow plant.
This is worth knowing:
A distinguishable feature is it has a strong floral scent which attracts many creatures such as hummingbirds and butterflies. It also flowers very easily and early.
#4 Shasta Daisy
Being one of the most commonly grown flowers among many gardeners, the Shasta Daisy is made up of white petals around a yellow disc.
Of course:
It is also almost easily identifies by its distinct odour which some people may find not so pleasing. Roots of the Shasta Daisy spread until the plant starts to look like a bush almost up to two feet wide.
The plant grows in well-drained fertile soil, and requires full sun. This makes it very suitable for summer because of the long exposure to the sun’s rays.
#5 Long Blooming Perennial Salvia
This type of plant blossoms very productively. It is characterized by deep purple blue flowers.
It is definitely one of a kind as it displays very powerful toughness. This is so because of its ability to withstand thick and compact clay soil and be able to grow in them.
Pretty impressive right?
This type of plant flowers in late spring with a profusion of spike-like flowers. These then rebloom in the late periods during the summer.
It also grows in well-drained soil, in hardiness zones between eight and ten. In some places the plant grows as an annual but in most areas it is a perennial.
#6 Yarrow
This type of flowery plant originated in the Northern hemisphere temperate regions, mostly found in Asia and Europe.
Yarrow is characterized by a totally flat-shaped top or clusters which are dome-shaped, each having small white flowers. The plant usually grows to a height of about three feet.
Note this:
The feathery-cut leaves makes the plant almost resemble the soft nature of a fern. Yarrow thrives in well-drained soil and does very well in hot and dry conditions.
Most of the time, it is advisable to grow the plant in average to poor soils so as to prevent it from growing very tall.
#7 Cone Flower
This type of plant is almost similar to a Susan plant as it has the same centrally placed black eye if not a little bit lighter.
The flower petals of the cone droop down in a manner so as to form the shape that resembles a cone. It grows in well-drained soil and conditions of full sun.
What’s more:
The cone flower plant is usually about two to three feet in height. It gives optimal performance in soils that are rich and is drought tolerant.
This implies that it requires little maintenance. It has a sweet scent and grows in soils that have a PH from 6.5 to 7.0.
#8 Lavender
The silvery green leaves of the plant, accompanied by purple flowers give the plant a lacelike appearance. The lavender flowers usually have a sweet fragrance.
It has numerous uses for example, it can be used for medicinal purposes. Some ways in which it can be used medicinally are; to heal minor burns and to ease pain from toothaches.
Amazing!
This plant does best in well drained soils which are slightly basic. The plant does not tolerate conditions of high moisture and such exposure can destroy the plant.
#9 Ice Plant
The flowers of these plant have a red-purple colour. It has elongated leaves which look huge even in very hot conditions.
The leaves are coated with a whitish film of reflective nature. It grows in hardiness zones 5 to 10 and can do well in dry, well-drained soil.
#10 Moonbeam Coreopsis
This plant contains lemon yellow flowers which are very distinctive in nature. It usually grows to about fifteen inches. Moonbeam Coreopsis is drought tolerant and does well in loamy soils.
If you are a gardener interested in adding a little spark for your garden in the summer season, the above plants are worth considering.
These plants can do very well with little or no care and are usually very affordable. They live long hence making you save a lot of money whilst making you garden look very neat.
So there we have it my favorite perennial flowers to help you have a lovely looking yard with less effort.
USEFUL RESOURCES
Want to learn more about perenials? You can find more information here:
- 17 Flowering Perennials That Will Grow Anywhere – Gardeners’ Path
- 20 Best Perennial Flowers – Country Living
- How to Grow Perennials – Gardeners
