Summer Blooming Perennials

The diversity of summer-blooming perennials is amazing and often attracts a diverse group of pollinators to the landscape.

big betony (Stachys) — Big Betony (*Stachys*)

List of Summer Blooming Perennials | More Information

There are many perennial plants that bloom in the heat of summer. Daylilies (Hemerocallis) and hosta (Hosta) are well-known staples in the garden and are often in bloom in July and August regardless of the heat of summer. Other perennials like big betony (Stachys), blackberry lily (Iris domestica), Joe-pye-weed (Eutrochium) and rattlesnake master (Eryngium yuccifolium) are lesser-known species but equally as beautiful in bloom.

Some flowers like coneflower (Echinacea), Shasta daisy (Leucanthemum), Spike speedwell (Veronica), Queen-of-the-prairie (Filipendula), and yarrow (Achillea) started to bloom in June and often continue into the summer months. While other species were tardy in spring but still manage to be in bloom by July. Hardy hibiscus (Hibiscus), milkweed (Asclepias), Balloon flower (Platycodon), and Whirling butterflies (Gaura) sometimes wait to emerge until late May, but they are reliable July and August bloomers.

Summer Bloomers with Long Blooming Periods

There are several perennials that are known for their long-blooming times in the summer. Blanket flower (Gaillardia), threadleaf coreopsis (Coreopsis verticillata), false sunflower (Helioposis helianthoides) and ornamental onion (Allium hybrids ‘Millenium’ or ‘Serendipity’) are often in bloom for 2 months or more during the summer months.

Summer Blooming Natives

quinine (Parthenium) — Quinine (*Parthenium*)

There are many wonderful prairie plants (native to the Midwest) that are showing off in July and August. Many species of Phlox (Phlox), Blazing star (Liatris), wild quinine (Parthenium), ironweed (Vernonia) and Grey-headed coneflower (Ratibida) are just a few of the many options in prairie plants for mid-summer flowers.

Summer Bloomers for the Shade

Most of the perennials mentioned above bloom best in sunny sites. Yet, there are several species that perform well in shady locations. Cardinal flower (Lobelia), corydalis (Pseduofumaria), anemone (Anemone), snakeroot (Actea), and leopard plant (Ligularia) bloom with the hosta in mid to late summer.

Summer Blooming Perennials for Iowa

Common Name	Genus	Height (feet)	Light	Flower color and comments
Yarrow	Achillea	1-2	Full sun	Yellow or creamy white flat-topped flowers; flowers dry well
Black Snakeroot	Actea	4-6	Part shade-shade	Fragrant, creamy flower spikes
Ornamental onion	Allium	1-2	Full sun	Lavender, purple globe-shaped flowers
Japanese anemone	Anemone	1-3	Full sun–part shade	White or pale pink flowers
Butterfly milkweed	Asclepias	1-3	Full sun	Clusters of bright orange or yellow flowers
White false indigo	Baptisia	3-5	Full sun	Open white flower spikes
Threadleaf coreopsis	Coreopsis	1-2	Full sun	Lemon-yellow or golden yellow daisy flowers; long blooming
Coneflower	Echinacea	2-5	Full sun–part shade	Pink, purple, yellow, orange daisy-like flowers with spiky centers
Rattlesnake master	Eryngium	4-5	Full sun	Spiky green ball-like flowers
Joe-pye weed	Eutrochium	5-7	Full sun-part shade	Fluffy pink-purple flowers; prefers moist soils
Blanket flower	Gaillardia	1-3	Full sun	Red, gold, peach, and bicolor daisy flowers; long blooming
Whirling butterflies	Gaura	2-4	Full sun	White or pink flowers arranged loosely on long, thin stems
Queen-of-the-prairie	Filipendula	5-8	Full sun	Fluffly pink flowers; prefers moist soils
False Sunflower	Heliopsis	3-6	Full sun	Yellow daisy flowers; long blooming
Daylily	Hemerocallis	1-3	Full sun–part shade	Yellow, pink, orange, red, purple, and bicolor lily-like flowers for a day
Hardy Hibiscus	Hibiscus	3-4	Full sun–part shade	Large red, pink, white, or lavender flowers; prefers moist soils
Hosta	Hosta	1-3	Part shade–shade	White to light lavender tubular flowers on showy spikes
Blackberry lily	Iris	2-3	Full sun	Orange, speckled lily-like flowers; yellow cultivars also available
Shasta daisy	Leucanthemum	1-3	Full sun	White or cream-colored daisy like flowers
Blazing star	Liatris	2-5	Full sun	Lavender-pink flowers spikes
Leopard plant	Ligularia	2-3	Part shade–shade	Yellow daisy or spike like flowers; prefers moist soils
Garden Phlox	Phlox	2-4	Full sun–part shade	White, lavender, pink, orange, red, and bicolor flowers in large panicles
Wild quinine	Parthenium	3-4	Full sun	Flat top clusters of white woolly flowers
Balloon flower	Platycodon	1-3	Full sun–part shade	Pale blue or white balloon like flowers
Corydalis	Pseudofumaria	.5-1	Part shade–shade	Small yellow flowers; long blooming
Grey-headed coneflower	Ratibida	3-5	Full sun	Yellow daisy flowers with grey to dark brown centers
Big Betony	Stachys	1-2	Full sun–part shade	Lavender or white flowers on short spikes
Spike Speedwell	Veronica	1-2	Full sun	Blue, purple, pink, or white flower spikes
Culver’s root	Veronicastrum	4-7	Full sun–part shade	White to pale blue flower spikes; prefers moist soils
Ironweed	Vernonia	4-7	Full sun	Fluffy pink-purple flower clusters