Summer Blooming Perennials
Hemerocallis ‘Wineberry Candy’
Deciduous perennial with dusty rose blooms featuring bold wine purple eyes and golden throats. Grows 24 to 30 inches tall. Ideal for borders, mass plantings, and seasonal displays. Zones: 3 to 9.
Summer blooming perennials carry the garden through the warmest months, producing waves of color when spring displays begin to fade. Their flowers range from soft pastels to bold shades of pink, purple, yellow, red, orange, and white, often paired with lush foliage and long bloom periods. These plants add texture and movement to borders and garden beds while creating a space that feels lively, colorful, and full throughout the changing season, helping maintain interest and continuity from early summer into fall.
LARKSPUR (Delphinium)
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Larkspurs create vertical drama in the summer garden, sending tall flower spikes skyward with densely packed blooms that add height and color through the season. Delphinium Delgenius ‘Chantay’ is grown for its richly layered lavender-purple flowers with darker centers, creating a full display that rises above deeply divided foliage. Its upright habit and towering flower stems provide strong structure while adding movement and seasonal impact.
A beautiful addition to cottage gardens, mixed borders, or cutting gardens, these perennials contribute both height and vivid flower color. Delphinium elatum ‘Guardian Blue’ (shown here) offers saturated blue and purple blooms, and Delphinium elatum ‘Highlander Bolero’ contributes densely petaled blossoms in soft pink and lavender tones. Together, these selections provide varied color, strong vertical form, and a memorable presence in the summer garden.
PERUVIAN LILY (Alstroemeria)
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Peruvian lilies keep the summer garden active with continuous flowering and vivid color carried on upright stems above clumping foliage. Alstroemeria x ‘AlsDun01’ is grown for its bold red flowers with golden yellow throats and dark markings, paired with highly unusual cream and green variegated foliage that remains decorative even when the plant is not in bloom. Its eye-catching leaves create a distinctive display while adding contrast and repeated bursts of color through the warm season.
A lovely addition to borders or mixed perennial plantings, these perennials contribute both flower quantity and extended seasonal performance. Alstroemeria ‘Indian Summer’ (shown here) offers orange and golden flowers above dramatic bronze-purple foliage, Alstroemeria ‘Inca Ocean’ adds lavender-pink blooms with soft markings, and Alstroemeria ‘Butterscotch’ contributes warm yellow and caramel tones. Together, these selections provide extended bloom, and varied color in the garden.
ASTILBE
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Astilbes carry color into the summer garden with feathery flower plumes that rise above deeply divided foliage, adding softness and height to planting combinations. Astilbe chinensis ‘Vision in Red’ (shown here) is grown for its dense raspberry-red plumes that appear in early to mid-summer, creating a bold display above textured green foliage. Its upright habit bring structure while contributing long-lasting seasonal color.
A graceful addition to woodland borders, and shaded perennial beds, these selections provide texture and movement during the warmest months of the season. Astilbe x rosea ‘Peach Blossom’ offers soft blush-pink plumes, Astilbe thunbergii ‘Chocolate Shogun’ adds bronzy chocolate foliage paired with pale pink flowers, and Astilbe japonica ‘Red Sentinel’ contributes rich crimson-red blooms held above glossy foliage.
Related: See All Astilbes ➔
LILIES (Lilium)
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Lilies bring height, fragrance, and dramatic flower form to the summer garden, producing large blooms above upright stems and narrow foliage. Lilium orientalis ‘Stargazer’ (shown here) is grown for its richly colored pink flowers with white edges and dark speckling, creating a bold midsummer display while adding noticeable fragrance. Its tall stems and oversized blooms create strong vertical interest and seasonal impact.
A striking addition to borders, cutting gardens, or mixed perennial plantings, these perennials contribute both color and architectural presence during summer. Lilium martagon ‘Manitoba Morning’ offers downward-facing flowers in soft rose-pink tones with darker speckling, while Lilium ‘Royal Sunset’ contributes warm apricot-orange blooms brushed with deeper red tones. Together, these selections provide varied flower forms, rich summer color, and a memorable presence in the garden.
Related: See All Lilies ➔
YARROW (Achillea)
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Yarrow carries color through the summer garden with broad flower clusters that create a long-lasting display above finely textured foliage. Achillea millefolium (shown here) is grown for its fern-like leaves and flat-topped blooms that rise on sturdy stems from early to late summer, adding both structure and movement to the planting. Its airy habit blends naturally with surrounding perennials while continuing to provide strong seasonal interest.
A dependable addition to borders, cottage gardens, or naturalistic plantings, these perennials contribute a wide range of flower colors during the warmest months of the year. Achillea millefolium ‘New Vintage Violet’ offers rich violet-purple blooms, Achillea millefolium ‘Terracotta’ adds flowers that shift through peach and copper tones, and Achillea millefolium ‘Paprika’ contributes deep red blooms that gradually soften as they age. Together, these selections provide evolving color, soft texture, and a vibrant presence in the summer garden.
DAYLILIES (Hemerocallis)
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Daylilies provide continuous summer color with large trumpet-shaped flowers that appear throughout the warm season. Hemerocallis ‘Wineberry Candy’ (shown here) is grown for its dusty rose petals accented by a bold wine-red eye and ruffled edges, creating a bright display from midsummer onward. Its grassy foliage forms dense clumps that provide texture and structure even between bloom cycles.
A colorful addition to borders, cottage gardens, or mixed perennial plantings, these perennials offer an exceptional range of flower forms and tones through summer. Hemerocallis ‘Charles Johnston’ adds rich crimson-red flowers, and Hemerocallis ‘Forestlake Ragamuffin’ contributes heavily ruffled peach blooms. Together, these selections provide extended bloom, varied color, and a lively presence in the summer garden.
Related: Explore All Daylilies ➔
MASTERWORT (Astrantia)
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Masterwort adds soft movement to the summer garden, producing pincushion-like flowers surrounded by papery bracts that hover above mounds of deeply divided foliage. Astrantia major ‘Star of Fire’ (shown here) is grown for its deep wine-red blooms that create a rich display from early through midsummer, adding texture to planting combinations. Its airy habit allows the flowers to mingle naturally among neighboring perennials while maintaining a refined presence.
A graceful addition to cottage gardens, woodland borders, or mixed perennial plantings, these perennials contribute long-lasting bloom and unusual flower form during the warm season. Astrantia major ‘Sparkling Stars Pink’ offers soft pink flowers with delicate detailing, while Astrantia major ‘Alba’ provides creamy white blooms that brighten the planting. Together, these selections provide layered color, fine texture, and an elegant presence in the summer garden.
MULLEIN (Verbascum)
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Mulleins bring height and a relaxed, cottage-garden character to the summer landscape, producing upright flower spires that rise above soft mounds of foliage. Verbascum phoeniceum ‘Antique Rose’ (shown here) is grown for its warm rosy-pink flowers arranged along slender stems, creating an airy display that blooms over an extended period through summer. Its open form allows flowers to float above surrounding plants while adding movement and vertical interest.
A charming addition to borders, naturalistic plantings, or pollinator gardens, these perennials contribute texture and soft color during the warm season. Verbascum nigrum var. album offers creamy white flowers for a lighter look, while Verbascum nigrum adds rich yellow blooms held on taller stems above textured green foliage. Together, these selections provide varied flower color, graceful structure, and an easygoing presence in the summer garden.
SAGE (Salvia)
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Sages fill the summer garden with vivid flower spikes and long-lasting color, creating an energetic display above fragrant, textured foliage. Salvia nemorosa ‘Rose Marvel’ is grown for its large rose-pink flower spikes that bloom from early summer onward, producing a bold display with a fuller appearance than many salvias. Its compact habit and repeat flowering help maintain strong seasonal color while adding vertical structure.
A dependable addition to borders, pollinator gardens, or mixed perennial plantings, these perennials contribute both flower power and extended bloom. Salvia nemorosa ‘Caradonna’ (shown here) offers compact spikes of rosy-pink flowers, while Salvia microphylla ‘Heatwave Glow’ adds vibrant blooms in warm pink and coral tones. Together, these selections provide varied color, and upright form in the summer garden.
Related: See All Sages ➔
MONTBRETIA (Crocosmia)
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Crocosmias bring bold color and arching movement to the summer garden, sending sprays of tubular flowers above fans of upright, sword-like foliage. Crocosmia x crocosmiiflora ‘Lucifer’ (shown here) is grown for its fiery scarlet-red blooms that appear from midsummer into late summer, creating a dramatic display that rises above the foliage on gently curving stems. Its strong vertical form and vivid color add structure to planting combinations.
A vibrant addition to borders, cottage gardens, or mixed perennial plantings, these perennials contribute both movement and long-lasting seasonal color. Crocosmia masoniorum ‘Rowallane Yellow’ offers soft peach-yellow flowers, Crocosmia ‘Bressingham Dark Fires’ adds rich orange-red blooms with darker tones, and Crocosmia x crocosmiiflora ‘Prometheus’ contributes large orange flowers with warm red shading. Together, these selections provide varied color, graceful form, and a lively presence in the summer garden.
MALLOW (Malva)
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Mallows bring a relaxed cottage-garden character to summer borders, producing open satiny flowers above soft textured foliage. Malva alcea var. ‘Fastigiata’ (shown here) is grown for its upright narrow habit and rosy-pink hollyhock-like blooms that rise along vertical stems without taking up excessive space in the garden. The airy flowering habit allow neighboring perennials to remain visible while still contributing strong seasonal color.
Flower shape and branching habits give mallows a lighter appearance than many densely flowering summer perennials. Malva moschata f. alba produces pure white blooms above finely divided foliage that creates a softer texture among grasses and broader-leaved plants. Their long flowering period and informal growth patterns help loosen more structured planting combinations while extending color through much of the summer season.
SHASTA DAISY (Leucanthemum)
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Shasta daisies brighten the summer garden with cheerful flowers that create a long-lasting display. Leucanthemum x superbum ‘Reglo’ is grown for its fully double white blooms packed with layered petals, creating a fuller, more textured display from early through late summer. Its upright stems and prolific flowering bring brightness and structure to the garden.
A classic addition to cottage gardens, borders, or cutting gardens, these perennials contribute both flower power and a fresh, clean look during the warmest months of the year. Leucanthemum x superbum ‘Real Charmer’ (shown here) offers creamy yellow blooms that gradually soften to ivory tones, while Leucanthemum x superbum ‘Victorian Secret’ adds densely petaled white flowers with a more intricate, layered appearance. Together, these selections provide abundant bloom, varied flower forms, and a lively presence in the summer garden.
HOSTA
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Hostas bring bold foliage and layered texture into shaded summer gardens, producing broad leaves that remain visually prominent long after many spring perennials have faded. Hosta ‘Canadian Blue’ is grown for its thick blue-gray foliage that forms cool-toned mounds beneath trees and along shaded borders. In summer, pale lavender flowers rise above the foliage on tall stems, adding a lighter vertical element.
Leaf color and variegation give hostas a wide range of visual effects within woodland and shade plantings. Hosta x ‘June’ develops blue-green leaves with glowing chartreuse centers, while Hosta sieboldiana ‘Dream Weaver’ (shown here) produces heavily textured blue-green foliage with creamy yellow centers that brighten darker garden spaces. Their broad leaves contrast strongly with ferns, grasses, and finer-textured shade perennials through the summer season.
Related: See All Hostas ➔
POPPY (Papaver)
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Poppies bring bold satiny flowers and dramatic seasonal color into the garden during late spring and summer, rising above textured foliage on tall wiry stems. Papaver orientale ‘Orange Scarlet’ (shown here) is grown for its fiery orange-red blooms with dark central markings that create strong contrast against coarse green foliage. The oversized flowers appear almost weightless above the leaves, adding movement and vivid color to mixed perennial borders during early summer.
Papaver orientale ‘Princess Victoria Louise’ produces soft pink flowers with dark blotches near the centers, while Papaver alpinum contributes smaller delicate orange blooms suited to rock gardens and alpine settings. Their crinkled petals catch changing light throughout the day, creating a softer effect alongside heavier summer flowers and broader foliage plants. The tall stems and translucent blooms help introduce movement and seasonal drama into early summer borders.
SEA HOLLY (Eryngium)
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Sea hollies bring dramatic spiny flower heads and metallic tones into the garden during summer, creating bold architectural contrast among softer flowering perennials. Eryngium x zabelii ‘Big Blue’ (shown here) is grown for its lavender-blue flower cones and star-like bracts held above silvery green foliage on upright stems. The softer violet-blue coloring gives the plant a cooler, more muted appearance that blends especially well with ornamental grasses.
Distinctive bract color and foliage patterns give each selection a very different visual character in the landscape. Eryngium x zabelii ‘Neptune’s Gold’ develops unique golden-yellow variegated bracts surrounding pale silvery flower cones, creating a luminous effect that stands out strongly in sunny plantings, while Eryngium x zabelii ‘Jos Eijking’ produces intensely saturated cobalt-blue flower heads and deep blue stems that create a strong presence in the garden.
MILKWEED (Asclepias)
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Milkweeds bring bold flower clusters and upright structure into the garden during summer, supporting butterflies and pollinators through the warmest months of the year. Asclepias tuberosa (shown here) is grown for its vivid orange flower clusters held above narrow green foliage on sturdy stems in midsummer. The saturated blooms create a bright focal point among grasses and prairie-style plantings while the upright habit adds vertical rhythm to sunny borders.
Flower color and foliage texture give different milkweeds distinct visual roles in the landscape. Asclepias incarnata ‘Cinderella’ produces soft pink flower clusters with a light vanilla fragrance above taller leafy stems that suit wetter garden settings and naturalistic plantings. Their rounded flower heads and upright forms combine well with ornamental grasses, rudbeckias, and other late-season perennials while continuing to attract butterflies deep into summer.
SWORD LILY (Gladiolus)
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Sword lilies send tall flower spikes through the summer garden, adding vertical color and strong floral presence above narrow sword-like foliage. Gladiolus ‘Priscilla’ (shown here) is grown for its large ruffled white flowers edged and flushed with soft pink that open sequentially along upright stems in midsummer. The blooms create a layered effect of color and texture while standing prominently above surrounding perennials and lower-growing foliage plants.
Each selection contributes a different mood and intensity to summer borders and cutting gardens. Gladiolus ‘Purple Prince’ develops saturated velvety purple flowers that create dramatic contrast against green foliage, while Gladiolus ‘Fairytale Pink’ produces rosy pink blooms with a lighter more romantic appearance. Their tall flower spikes introduce height and movement among mounding perennials, ornamental grasses, and late-season flowering companions.
BEARDTONGUE (Penstemon)
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Beardtongues bring upright spikes of tubular flowers into the garden during summer, creating vertical movement and strong pollinator activity. Penstemon ovatus (shown here) is grown for its tall stems of violet-blue flowers that rise above glossy green foliage in early to midsummer. The narrow flower spikes add a lighter vertical texture that contrasts well with broader-leaved perennials and mounding summer bloomers nearby.
Foliage color and flower tones give different penstemons distinct roles within mixed borders. Penstemon digitalis ‘Dakota Burgundy’ develops deep burgundy-purple foliage topped with lavender tubular flowers that brighten darker planting combinations, while Penstemon ‘Enor’ produces rich rosy-purple blooms that add warmer color to the summer palette. Their upright stems and open flowering habit help weave color through ornamental grasses, salvias, and other long-blooming perennials.
GIANT HYSSOP (Agastache)
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Giant hyssops bring fragrant foliage and long-lasting flower spikes into the garden during summer, filling borders with color and pollinator activity. Agastache mexicana ‘Balsumlmag’ (shown here) is grown for its upright stems of rosy-magenta tubular flowers held above aromatic green foliage that releases a minty fragrance when brushed. The vertical flower spikes create strong color contrast while attracting hummingbirds, bees, and butterflies throughout the season.
Foliage color and flower tones give different agastaches distinct visual effects within sunny plantings. Agastache rugosa ‘Golden Jubilee’ develops glowing chartreuse foliage beneath lavender-purple flower spikes, while Agastache mexicana ‘Balsumlora’ produces coral blooms that contribute a bright pop of color across summer borders. Their open branching habits and upright flower forms combine especially well with salvias, ornamental grasses, and prairie-style perennials.
OBEDIENT PLANT (Physostegia)
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Obedient plant adds upright structure and long-lasting flower spikes to the summer garden, bringing vertical interest and soft color from midsummer into early fall. Physostegia virginiana is grown for its tall stems lined with tubular flowers that open gradually from the bottom upward, creating an extended display above narrow green foliage. Its strong form adds rhythm and movement while blending naturally into mixed plantings.
A useful addition to borders, cottage gardens, or pollinator plantings, these perennials contribute both height and seasonal color during the warmest part of the year. Physostegia virginiana ‘Miss Manners’ (shown here) offers a more compact, upright habit with clean white flowers and a tidier growth pattern that resists spreading. Together, these selections provide prolonged bloom, vertical structure, and a lively presence in the summer garden.