Summer Blooming Perennials
Lilium orientalis 'One Love'
Deciduous perennial with deep pink blooms covered in dark speckling. Forms a sturdy upright habit and grows 36 to 48 inches tall. Ideal for borders, cutting gardens, and fragrant seasonal displays. Zones: 4 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)
01
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)
02
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
03
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)
04
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)
05
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)
06
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 mauve pink 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)
07
Masterwort adds intricate detail and 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 and subtle complexity 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)
08
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)
09
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)
10
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.
SHASTA DAISY (Leucanthemum)
11
Shasta daisies brighten the summer garden with cheerful flowers that create a long-lasting display above dense mounds of green foliage. Leucanthemum x superbum ‘Reglo’ (shown here) 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’ 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.
OBEDIENT PLANT (Physostegia)
12
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 (shown here) 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’ 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.