Perennials that add beauty year after year are preferred plants for my yard. I think of them as the gifts that keep on giving. Not only do they perform faithfully every year, they often bloom over and over during their growing season. Regardless of whether you are starting a new garden or filling in an existing one, you can’t go wrong with reblooming perennials.
The name Endless Summer hydrangea says it all. Colorado’s alkaline soil produces pink flowers that bloom from early summer through Thanksgiving. If you prefer blue blossoms, simply increase your soil’s acidity. Both colors are striking against the plant’s dense green foliage.
Berry Chiffon coreopsis (Coreopsis verticillata) is a prolific perennial bloomer. Its raspberry-hued petals are accented by bright-white edges. Deadheading isn’t needed to encourage reblooming from early summer to early fall. You’ll especially enjoy easy care with this drought-tolerant, disease-, and deer-resistant variety.
Meadow sage (Salvia pretenses), a tried-and-true reblooming perennial, forms clusters of upright, blooming spikes highlighted by gray-green foliage. Trimming encourages fresh foliage and blossoms, and the spikes make lovely flower arrangements. The pint-sized Bumbleberry (Salvia nemorosa) is the perfect border plant. It boasts bright fuchsia-pink flower spikes cradled by dark wine-purple calyxes. Cold Hardy Pink (Salvia greggii), which tolerates Colorado’s cool nights, is covered with deep-pink flowers all season long. Salvia performs best in full sun, thrives in heat, and is deer and rabbit resistant.
Yarrow is an easy to grow, droughtresistant rebloomer featuring feathery foliage. It comes in a variety of colors. Pretty Woman yarrow (Achillea millefolium) has sturdy stems supporting vibrant flowers that stay red all season. Colorful Coronation Gold boasts bright yellow flowers with gray-green foliage. Yarrow flowers attract butterflies June through September.
Echinacea is a showy, free-flowering perennial that blooms early summer to early fall and attracts pollinators. The hybrid SunSeekers Salmon coneflower has large, semidouble salmon-pink flowers that turn pale pink as they mature, and a large dark-crimson cone forms. The flowers, held upright by short, stocky stems, make excellent cut-flower arrangements. Echinacea grows best in sunny locations with well-draining soil. Although deadheading is not required, it promotes more blooms.
Agastache is a herbaceous perennial with tubular flowers that attract pollinators. Its fragrant foliage is characteristic of the mint family. Deadheading spent flowers helps promote reblooming. Agastache Rosie Posie blooms early summer to fall. Deep-purple calyxes surrounding hot-pink flowers give it a two-tone effect. Alternatively, Tango Agastache (Afgastache aurantiaca) is a cold-hardy dwarf variety that produces a profusion of bright-orange flowers with hints of pale purple.
Reblooming perennials have the power to enchant us for months on end. By mingling plants that bloom (and rebloom) at different times throughout your landscape, you can enjoy an abundance of color all year long.
Master gardener Vicki Spencer has an eclectic background in conservation, water, natural resources, and more.