Annual flowers generally complete their entire life cycle in one growing season while perennial flowers return year after year. However, not all perennials are created equal. It's frustrating to design a new flowerbed around your favorite perennial flowers, like delphiniums, Shasta daisies, and pincushion flower, only to see them peter out after three or four years. Other perennial flowers are beloved for their longevity. You see them growing in old neighborhoods, planted when the homes were built, and still blooming decades later.
Here are 18 long-lived flowering perennials.
- 01 of 18
Agapanthus
A perennial for climates with milder winters, agapanthus is a genus of six species with bell-shaped vibrant flowers. They bloom from early summer until fall on tall stalks. The leaves spread out wide and long from the base; they are evergreen or deciduous depending on the variety and the foliage is dark to light green, gray-green, or blue-green. Agapanthus blooms attract hummingbirds and make excellent cut flowers. Many varieties are deer- and rabbit-resistant.
- Name: African lily (Agapanthus spp.)
- USDA Hardiness Zones: 7-10
- Flower Color: Blue, pink, purple, and white
- Light: Full sun to part shade
- Size: 3 ft. tall, 2 ft. wide
- 02 of 18
Balloon Flower
Balloon flowers deliver that coveted shade of blue that blends well in any garden design, without the finicky needs some blue flowers exhibit. A native of China, these flowers endure a wide range of temperatures and conditions. Compact varieties that don't need support are the easiest to grow, including 'Apoyama' and the container-ready 'Sentimental Blue.' Once settled in, balloon flowers rarely need to be divided, and don't require deadheading, although shearing may produce a second flush of blooms at the end of summer.
- Name: Balloon flower (Platycodon grandiflorus)
- USDA Hardiness Zones: 3-8
- Flower Color: Blue-violet, white, pink
- Light: Full sun to part shade
- Size: 12–30 in. tall, 12–18 in. wide
- 03 of 18
Black-Eyed Susan
Sometimes confused with daisies, Rudbeckia plants are the later-blooming, longer-living cousins in the Asteraceae family. Although the classic gold flowers of plants like this 'Goldsturm' variety are common in garden centers, you'll find gorgeous burgundy and orange-toned varieties, as well as fluffy doubles that act as enduring stand-ins for lookalikes such as zinnias or dahlias.
- Name: Black-eyed Susan (Rudbeckia hirta)
- USDA Hardiness Zones: 3-9
- Flower Color: Yellow, orange, red
- Light: Full sun
- Size: 2-3 ft. tall, 1-2 ft. wide
- 04 of 18
Butterfly Weed
Anyone who cares about the future of our Monarch butterflies should include one of the foods for Monarch caterpillars, the butterfly weed. It is fairly slow to become established and it does not bloom the first year, in fact, it may take as long as three years before it flowers but will linger on in your garden. The drought-tolerant, disease- and pest-free plants will grow in average soil and full sun for many years.
- Name: Butterfly weed (Asclepias tuberosa)
- USDA Hardiness Zones: 3-9
- Flower Color: Orange, yellow
- Light: Full sun
- Size: 1–2 ft. tall, 12-18 in. wide
Continue to 5 of 18 below - 05 of 18
Daffodil
Hybrid tulips and hyacinths are attention hogs in the spring garden, but these are some of the shortest-lived perennial bulbs you can plant. Instead, choose hardy daffodils, which will multiply over the years to form a handsome naturalized colony in flowerbeds or wild parts of your property. Many gardeners lift and divide the bulbs about every four years.
- Name: Daffodil (Narcissus spp.)
- USDA Hardiness Zones: 4-8
- Flower Color: Yellow, white, orange
- Light: Full sun to part shade
- Size: 6–30 in. tall, 6–12 in. wide
- 06 of 18
Daylily
Have you ever noticed a wild clump of daylilies on the side of a highway or back country road? This should give you a clue to the tenacity of the versatile daylily. If you like orange hues, try a hybrid like the more civilized 'Orange Crush' shown here. Or, branch out to many shades of the rainbow, as there are blooms in all shades except for pure white and true blue. Drought-tolerant and nearly pest-free, some consider daylilies to be an essential part of any blooming landscape.
- Name: Daylily (Hemerocallis spp.)
- USDA Hardiness Zones: 3-10
- Flower Color: Red, orange, yellow, purple, pink
- Light: Full sun to part shade
- Size: 6 in. to 5 ft. tall, 2-4 ft. wide
- 07 of 18
Geranium
Unlike the pelargoniums sometimes referred to as geraniums at the garden center, true geraniums are hardy perennials that will grow and return in the unforgiving climates of Siberia and Alaska. In addition to the delicate flowers, gardeners also appreciate the ornamental foliage of some varieties, which feature divided leaves with dark-colored bands.
- Name: Hardy geranium (Geranium spp.)
- USDA Hardiness Zones: 3-9
- Flower Color: Blue, lavender, pink, purple, white
- Light: Full sun to part shade
- Size: 6–36 in. tall, 1–3 ft. wide
- 08 of 18
Hellebore
A harbinger of spring, the hellebore or lenten rose fills two difficult niches: it thrives year after year in shady spots, and it blooms well before the last frost. Old hellebore varieties didn't generate much excitement with their muddy-colored blooms that turned their faces to the soil, but newer cultivars are bigger and brighter. 'Pink Frost' is notable for its large and upward-facing flowers.
- Name: Hellebore (Helleborus spp.)
- USDA Hardiness Zones: 3-9
- Flower Color: White, pink, purple, yellow
- Light: Part shade to full shade in summer, sun in winter
- Size: 1–2 ft. tall and wide
Continue to 9 of 18 below - 09 of 18
Hosta
One of the most popular garden plants, hostas are extremely easy to care for. With proper care, these perennials reliably come back every year. The plant produces blooms on long stalks that extend well above the clumping foliage in late spring or summer, but the foliage is the main attraction. Among the hundreds of hosta cultivars, there are fast-, medium-. and slow-growing varieties.
- Name: Hosta (Hosta spp.)
- USDA Hardiness Zones: 3-9
- Flower Color: White, purple, pink
- Light: Part shade to full shade
- Size: 6–48 in. tall, 10–60 in. wide
- 10 of 18
Lanceleaf Coreopsis
Native to the southeastern United States, this wildflower has become a popular garden plant in other parts of the country. The solitary daisy-like golden yellow flowers emerge from slender, erect stems. The narrow, hairy, lance-shaped leaves are clustered near the base of the plant. Lanceleaf coreopsis blooms in spring to early summer and its nectar and pollen attract a wide range of beneficial native insects.
- Name: Lanceleaf coreopsis (Coreopsis lanceolata)
- USDA Hardiness Zones: 4-9
- Flower Color: Yellow
- Light: Full sun
- Size: 1-3 ft. tall, 1-2 ft. wide
- 11 of 18
Liatris
You may have noticed the fluffy stems of liatris in your cut flower arrangements, and wondered where the exotic-looking flowers came from, but cultivars like 'Floristan' pictured here couldn't be easier to grow. The North American wildflowers still grow on prairies and grasslands, nourishing butterflies and bees with nectar-rich flowers that bloom from the top down.
- Name: Blazing star (Liatris spicata)
- USDA Hardiness Zones: 3-9
- Flower Color: Purple, reddish-purple, white
- Light: Full sun
- Size: 2–5 ft. tall, 9–18 inches wide
- 12 of 18
Liriope
Even though liriope looks like grass, it's an herbaceous flowering perennial plant in the asparagus family. It is often used as a ground cover to prevent erosion, serve as an edging plant, or help with weed control. Two of the most commonly grown species in the United States are L. muscari, commonly known as lilyturf, and L. spicata, known as creeping liriope or monkey grass. Liriope blooms in late summer.
- Name: Liriope (Liriope spp.)
- USDA Hardiness Zones: 4-10
- Flower Color: Lavender, white
- Light: Full sun to part shade
- Size: 9–18 in. tall, 12-24 in. wide
Continue to 13 of 18 below - 13 of 18
Lungwort
Pulmonaria plants like this 'Mrs. Moon' cultivar will already be blooming before many perennials have even emerged from the soil. Depending on the variety you plant, you will see petite white, pink, or blue flowers complemented by highly ornamental foliage with interesting white freckles. Give it ample moisture and rich soil, and watch a few plants multiply into a dozen over the seasons in your woodland garden.
- Name: Lungwort (Pulmonaria spp.)
- USDA Hardiness Zones: 3-8
- Flower Color: Blue, pink, white
- Light: Full sun to part shade
- Size: 6–12 in. tall, 12–18 in. wide
- 14 of 18
New England Aster
New England asters bloom in the late summer to early fall. They are fast growers and will typically bloom in their first year. In northern climates, you can plant these native perennials from spring to early fall, and they should become established before winter. Farther south, planting in the spring or fall is recommended because plants that are not yet fully established don't tolerate hot summer temperatures well, With proper care and dividing every three or four years, an aster plant lives for at least a decade.
- Name: New England aster (Symphyotrichum novae-angliae)
- USDA Hardiness Zones: 4-8
- Flower Color: Pink, purple, white
- Light: Full sun
- Size: 3-6 ft. tall, 2-3 ft. wide
- 15 of 18
Peony
Peonies take a few years to get established in the garden, but the wait is worth it. Just ask any bride who pays a premium to include these softball-sized, fragrant blooms in her bouquet. Plant them in well-drained soil, in a sunny spot, and keep the eyes just below soil level to ensure many years of spring blossoms.
- Name: Peony (Paeonia officinalis)
- USDA Hardiness Zones: 3-9
- Flower Color: White, pink, rose, red, purple
- Light: Full sun
- Size: 3 ft. tall and wide
- 16 of 18
Russian Sage
Russian sage is a low-maintenance, fast-growing, and drought-tolerant sub-shrub often grown as a perennial. Extremely tolerant of dry conditions, it is a great choice for xeriscaping. It produces panicles of small, bluish-lavender flowers throughout the summer and into fall. Its long blooming period is valued by those who seek a flower bed that remains in bloom throughout the growing season.
- Name: Russian sage (Salvia yangii )
- USDA Hardiness Zones: 3-9
- Flower Color: Blue, purple
- Light: Full sun
- Size: 3-5 ft. tall, 2-4 ft. wide
Continue to 17 of 18 below - 17 of 18
Sedum
Sedum plants are as tough as nails, and will survive such insults as being rudely yanked from the landscape and replanted by a toddler with a shovel. Leathery, succulent leaves contribute to the vigor of the sedum, retaining moisture during periods of drought. Sedum plants like the popular 'Autumn Joy' or the dramatic 'Purple Emperor' attract pollinators and thrive in clay or sandy soils with no additional fertilizing or spraying.
- Name: Sedum (Sedum spp.)
- USDA Hardiness Zones: 3-10
- Flower Color: Red, pink, yellow, white
- Light: Full sun to part shade
- Size: 6–24 in. tall, 12–24 in. wide
- 18 of 18
Siberian Iris
Include a selection of these easy perennials in your deer-resistant garden for late spring to early summer blooms. Although not invasive, irises do need to be divided every few years to maintain vigor. Share a few iris rhizomes with friends, and they can enjoy the same three-foot flower spikes in their floral arrangements as you.
- Name: Siberian iris (Iris sibirica)
- USDA Hardiness Zones: 3-8
- Flower Color: Blue, purple, white, yellow, pink, red
- Light: Full sun to part shade
- Size: 3–4 ft. tall, 2–3 ft. wide
Learn More
To find perennials that thrive in specific soil or light conditions or perennials that stand out for their long bloom time, also check out these suggestions: