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Bring on the non-stop blooms.
Perennials already do the most by coming up like clockwork every season, but some overachievers go above and beyond by blooming over and over again. The result is consistent—sometimes even continuous—color in your yard or garden and without a ton of upkeep.
We asked professional gardeners about their favorite low-maintenance, reblooming perennials, and they were happy to let us in on a handful of their favorites.
Meet Our Expert
- Mary Phillips, head of native plant habitat strategy at the National Wildlife Federation
- Paula Ramirez, expert gardener at Gardino Nursery and Palmstreet
01 of 05
Black-Eyed Susans
These cheerful flowers have a prominent dark center and golden petals, which give them the look of an inverted daisy or a miniature sunflower.
Mary Phillips, head of native plant habitat strategy at the National Wildlife Federation, says it’s one of her favorites for the garden because it blooms continuously from June through October.
“Once established, this perennial is remarkably tolerant of heat, drought, and poor soils, making it an excellent low-maintenance choice,” she says. “Spent blooms can be deadheaded to encourage additional blooms, but this is not necessary.”
02 of 05
Hydrangeas
Not all hydrangeas rebloom, but some varieties do. These include the Endless Summer and Let’s Dance varieties, which produce flowers on both old and new wood.
Paula Ramirez, expert gardener at Gardino Nursery and Palmstreet, says they’ll begin blooming in late spring to early summer, and then continue producing additional flowers all the way through fall as long as conditions are right.
“Pruning hydrangeas will keep them happy all season long and increase their floral display so you will have color for a long time in your garden,” Ramirez advises. “Also, hydrangeas need sufficient nutrients to bloom and are particular about fertilizer.” Make sure you’re using a bloom-boosting, slow-release, granular fertilizer and follow directions accordingly.
03 of 05
Yarrow
The bright yellow blooms of common yarrow are enough to make anyone smile, and the fact that they bloom from early spring through early fall means smiles abound for months on end.
“The common yarrow produces broad, flat-topped clusters of tiny flowers that create an ideal landing pad for pollinators, and are accented by soft, fern-like foliage,” Phillips says. “Removing spent flower clusters can encourage reblooming and help maintain a tidy appearance.”
As the season winds down, though, she says to consider leaving spent flower heads and stems standing through winter. They provide food and shelter for beneficial insects and seed for birds.
04 of 05
Russian Sage
The soft purple and blue blooms of Russian sage lend a touch of cottage charm to any garden—and it happens to have one of the longest bloom seasons compared to many perennials.
“Russian sage will bloom for several months—from mid-summer into fall—which makes it an excellent addition to your garden for adding color across multiple seasons,” Ramirez says. “When grown correctly, this plant can last for years and sometimes even a decade.”
She recommends pruning it back to about six to eight inches above the ground in late winter or early spring to promote growth with a thicker mass of foliage and abundant flowering for the seasons ahead.
05 of 05
Coral Honeysuckle
The coral honeysuckle is a twining vine that dazzles with whorled clusters of skinny, tubular flowers in red and yellow. “The bright blooms stand out against oval-shaped, evergreen foliage and can quickly cover arbors, trellises, fences, and other vertical structures,” Phillips says.
This reblooming perennial typically begins flowering in spring and continues blooming through summer, often with additional flushes of flowers into fall. Light pruning after a flush of blooms can help encourage additional flowering, as well.
Along with pretty sights, Phillips says its long bloom period provides a reliable nectar source for hummingbirds, butterflies, and other pollinators throughout the growing season.
Read the original article on Real Simple
