When and how long do perennials bloom? Many hobby gardeners ask themselves this question. There is no clear answer. Depending on the species, the flowering times differ considerably. There are also some permanent bloomers and repeating perennials that may surprise you with a second bloom.
While some perennials bloom in summer, others don't bloom until fall
Understanding flowering times for perennials
Most perennials only delight their owners with their colorful flowers for a few weeks a year. The rest of the time, the focus is on other aspects, such as leaf shapes and colors, autumn colour, budding and seed heads. These details are generally no less attractive.
As always, exceptions prove the rule in this case. There are also several species in the perennial kingdom that function as permanent bloomers and keep producing new flowers over many weeks or even months. Furthermore, there is a considerable number of so-called reblooming perennials - after their main flowering period (spring, summer), these produce a second bloom in late summer or autumn.
Note: In order to force the second flowering of reblooming perennials, it is advisable to remove withered flowers of the "basic passage" before seed formation. Cut the perennial back to about a hand's breadth above the ground, then apply a little liquid fertilizer and make sure to water the plant regularly afterwards. A few weeks later, the perennial blooms again.
Practical: permanent bloomers are not only a dream for the hobby gardener. Numerous insects, such as bees, bumblebees and butterflies, literally “fly” onto these reliable suppliers of nectar.
The flowering period of various perennials
In this section we name a few selected perennials with their respective flowering times. We also list various permanent bloomers and repeating plants.
Flowering period from March to May: saxifrage, bergenia, violet, primrose, dwarf iris
Flowering period from April to June: forget-me-not, cushion phlox, candytuft, oriental poppy, bleeding heart
Flowering period from May to July: purple bells, cranesbill, knapweed
Flowering period from June to August: knotweed, buttercup, evening primrose, campanula, phlox, carnation, tickseed
Flowering period from June to September: rockrose, yarrow, larkspur
Examples of permanent bloomers
- Large-flowered girl's eye
- Blue and Yellow Corydalis
- splendor candle
- blanket flower
Examples of reblooming perennials
- Petite woman's coat
- goose cress
- Double marsh marigold
- catnip
final word
Spring (or late summer/early fall) is the time to plant perennials. Then you have THE opportunity to create new perennial beds or to supplement existing borders with wonderfully long-blooming or reblooming new additions.