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Center for Agriculture, Food, and the Environment

Integrating research and outreach education from UMass Amherst

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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

Home Lawn & Garden Resources

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Home Lawn & Garden Resources for fact sheets, newsletters, and photos

  • Overview
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Center for Agriculture, Food, and the Environment

 

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