Coneflower (Echinacea)
If there were a “Most Reliable Flower” award, the coneflower would definitely be a contender. This daisy-like beauty is incredibly tough and blooms profusely throughout summer. It’s drought-tolerant, which means it can handle some neglect if you forget to water for a day or two. Plus, it’s a pollinator magnet, attracting bees and butterflies with its bright pink, purple, or white petals and distinctive spiky center.
Coneflowers thrive in full sun and well-drained soil. Not only do they add a splash of color to your garden, but they’re also medicinal plants! Echinacea has been used for centuries to boost the immune system. How’s that for a multi-tasker?
Black-Eyed Susan (Rudbeckia)
If you want a cheerful, sunshiny flower that practically takes care of itself, Black-eyed Susans are a must. Their golden-yellow petals with deep brown centers give them a bold, striking look. They can tolerate a variety of soil conditions, and once established, they can handle dry spells like a champ.
These vibrant flowers can bloom from early summer through fall, meaning you get months of color with very little effort. They’re also deer-resistant, so if you have unwanted furry visitors, Black-eyed Susans will stand tall while other plants might get nibbled down.
Shasta Daisy (Leucanthemum)
Classic, timeless, and undeniably cheerful, Shasta daisies are a great addition to any garden. With their bright white petals surrounding a sunny yellow center, they light up garden beds like little beacons of summer. They’re especially wonderful if you’re going for that wildflower, cottage-garden look.
Shasta daisies are low-maintenance, blooming from early summer well into the season. They love the sun, and the more they get, the more flowers they’ll reward you with. As a bonus, they’re excellent cut flowers, so you can bring a little of that sunshine inside!
Catmint (Nepeta)
Catmint may not be as showy as some other perennials, but it more than makes up for it with its long blooming season and fragrant lavender-blue flowers. Once it starts blooming in late spring, it keeps going strong throughout the summer and often into early fall. Its silvery foliage adds texture to your garden, and the plant itself is highly drought-tolerant.
This plant has a bonus feature—cats love it! While it’s not quite as potent as catnip, it still has that feline-attracting charm, so don’t be surprised if your neighborhood cats start paying more attention to your garden.
Daylilies (Hemerocallis)
Daylilies are like the garden gift that keeps on giving. They’re famous for their ability to bloom repeatedly, sending up waves of new flowers every few days throughout the summer. With colors ranging from buttery yellows to deep reds and purples, there’s a daylily for every color palette.
What makes them especially appealing is how low-maintenance they are. Daylilies can grow just about anywhere—sun, partial shade, clay, or sandy soil. They’re also virtually pest-free, so once they’re planted, you can sit back and enjoy the show without worrying about upkeep.
Bee Balm (Monarda)
Bee balm is a firecracker of a flower, known for its showy, spiky blooms in shades of red, pink, and purple. As the name suggests, it’s a favorite among bees and butterflies, making it a fantastic choice if you want to create a pollinator-friendly garden.
This fragrant plant loves the sun and moist soil but can handle a bit of shade too. Bee balm blooms from mid-summer to early fall, and its flowers are a little wild-looking, which adds a lovely, untamed vibe to your garden. And here’s a little secret: it’s part of the mint family, so its leaves can be used to make tea!
Salvia (Salvia nemorosa)
If you’re looking for a perennial that brings not just beauty but also scent, salvia should be on your list. It produces striking spikes of purple, blue, pink, or white flowers that last all summer long, especially if you deadhead them regularly.
Salvia is another plant that attracts pollinators like bees, hummingbirds, and butterflies, so it’s ideal if you’re looking to add some life to your garden. It thrives in full sun and well-drained soil, and it’s also deer- and rabbit-resistant—always a plus in any garden!
Russian Sage (Perovskia atriplicifolia)
For a touch of elegance and a haze of purple-blue blooms, Russian sage is a standout. This tall, wispy perennial creates a cloud-like effect with its clusters of tiny flowers and silvery stems. It’s perfect for adding some height and texture to your garden, and it pairs beautifully with other perennials like coneflowers and black-eyed Susans.
Russian sage is highly drought-tolerant, making it ideal for hot, dry areas. It blooms from early summer all the way into fall, keeping your garden looking lush and full, even in the hottest months.
