25 Perennials for Season-Long Color

Flowering perennials bloom at different times of year so you can enjoy a succession of color from the earliest warmth of spring to the frosty days of winter in mild regions.

You can find flowering perennials in any hue, including black, chartreuse and multicolored blends. And perennial flowers come in an amazing array of forms, from happy daisy-like blooms to fuzzy spikes as with delphinium pictured here, to delicate heart-shaped blossoms.

Mix and match perennial flower colors and shapes to create an eye-pleasing scene. Add into that mix a blend of plants that flower at different points in the growing season, and you’re on your way to a breathtaking perennial garden that changes with the seasons.

This hairy stemmed beauty pushes out new growth in early spring when snow is often still on the ground. Blooms open in shades of striking purple as leaves are unfurling. Flowers typically linger about three weeks. Pasque flower likes a well-drained, limey soil. Landscape use: Tuck in rock gardens, or use as an edging plant. Hardy in Zones 4 to 8.

Ignite late winter scenery with the pink blooms of Lenten rose. Leathery evergreen leaves boast striking venation that’s eye-catching when plants aren’t in flower. Blossoms open as early as February in regions with mild winters and linger eight weeks — and often longer. Landscape use: Include in perennial beds or skirted around deciduous shrubs. Hardy in Zones 4 to 9.

Also known as moss phlox, creeping phlox forms a solid ground cover that bursts into bloom in spring. Colorful flowers open in a range of hues, including pink, lavender and white. Flowering window depends on how fast spring heats up, but the show can linger up to six weeks or more. Showcase plants by letting them cascade over stones and walls. Hardy in Zones 3 to 9.