A Perennial Garden With Colors That Last From Spring to Fall: The trick is to plant an assortment of flowers with the calendar in mind

"Bursts of color are all too fleeting in most gardens.

The way to fix this is by planting perennials with the calendar in mind. True, most perennials bloom for just a few weeks to a few months, depending on the variety. But different types blossom at different, and predictable, times. And the plants come back each spring to start the show anew.

Below is a selective list of easy-to-grow perennials arranged roughly in order of flowering times. The USDA hardiness zones are approximate; check the plant labels since zones can vary by cultivar. All are deer-resistant, though nothing is deer-proof.

A design tip: Arrange three or more of the same type of perennial in a triangle or cluster for the most visual impact -- planting single plants randomly can create a messy and hodgepodge effect. And place them around spring-blooming bulbs to hide their foliage as it turns brown.

Lungworts

This dependable little plant, botanically known as pulmonaria, is among the first perennials to flower in spring. Its delicate purple or pink blooms atop white-spotted green leaves complement April daffodils in my New York state yard. Native to Europe and western Asia, these low-growers (under 1 foot tall) thrive in light shade and don't like full sun. Zones 3 to 8.

Moss phlox

 

Topping out at about 6 inches high, moss phlox (Phlox subulata) can spread into big clumps over time. But it isn't invasive. Its five-petaled blooms are tiny but prolific, creating a carpet of violet, mauve, pink, pale blue or white that follows the lungworts' blossoms. This North American native looks best spilling over rocks or along a garden's edge. Zones 2 to 8.

Bearded iris

Appearing about the same time as the moss phlox, stalks of bearded iris (Iris germanica), which can be 2 feet or more tall, produce frilly, multipart flowers. These European imports require full sun and come in nearly every color of the rainbow. While all bloom in mid spring, some produce a second flush in late summer. Zones 3 to 10.

Peonies

Next up are the peonies, a perennial that has few rivals for dependability. If left undisturbed in a sunny spot, a clump of peonies can put out silky, lush flowers in late spring for decades. Native to Asia and Europe, the petals come in red, pink, white, yellow and peachy orange. But while they are famed for a rich, sweet perfume, not all versions are fragrant. Zones 3 to 8.

Perennial geranium

No, not those overused red or pink flowers you see in patio containers. This is the lesser-known but botanically correct hardy geranium, colloquially called cranesbill. These mat-forming plants, found in temperate parts of the world, put out small but profuse blooms starting in late spring or early summer in colors including burgundy, fuchsia, pink and white. The popular cultivar Rozanne produces brilliant violet-blue blooms from late May to November at my house. For full sun to light shade. Zones 3 to 9.

Echinacea

 

Midsummer brings echinacea, commonly called coneflowers. The blooms of this native American plant once came only in purplish pink. But breeders in recent years created orange, red, burgundy, yellow and even green blooms. The novel-colored ones weren't as likely to survive harsh winters at my house. Echinaceas multiply readily; remove the babies to keep them in check. For full to part sun. Zones 3 to 9.

Asters

One of the last perennials to bloom are asters, whose flowers can mix with the falling leaves of autumn. New England asters cover themselves with frilly, star-shaped flowers for several weeks. The North American natives grow from 18 inches to 5 feet tall, depending on cultivar, and prefer full sun. Zones 3 to 8.

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Mr. Ziegler, a former Wall Street Journal editor, has been gardening for more than 20 years. He can be reached at reports@wsj.com." [1]

1. A Perennial Garden With Colors That Last From Spring to Fall: The trick is to plant an assortment of flowers with the calendar in mind
Ziegler, Bart.  Wall Street Journal, Eastern edition; New York, N.Y. [New York, N.Y]. 20 Apr 2023: R.7.