The best summer-flowering perennials will carry a garden through heat, drought, deluge, and whatever else summer serves up. In the Better Homes & Gardens Test Garden® in Des Moines, Iowa, a few top performers shine above all the rest.
“I’m looking for plants that aren’t fussy and check a lot of boxes,” says garden manager Sandra Gerdes. Here are her picks for the very best summer-blooming perennials that you can count on to fill your summer garden with colorful flowers with minimal maintenance.
01 of 07
Catmint
Credit: Carson Downing
Both deer- and rabbit-resistant, catmint (Nepeta spp.) is a hardworking perennial that produces purple flowers from late spring until fall. Cut stems back by one-third of their height after the first flush of flowers fades in early summer to spur the plant continue blooming. The nectar-rich flowers make it a pollinator magnet.
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Some favorite Test Garden varieties include ‘Cat’s Pajamas’ and ‘Picture Purrfect’. ‘Lemon Purrfection’ has bright chartreuse foliage that makes a striking contrast with the flowers.
Growing Conditions: Full sun and average, well-drained soil
Size: 12 inches tall and wide
Zones: 3–8
02 of 07
Garden Phlox
Credit: Blaine Moats
Grown for its bold pop of color in the summer garden, garden phlox (Phlox paniculata) blooms in shades of pink, white, and yellow. Count on it to bloom for several weeks in midsummer. ‘David’ has excellent disease resistance and bright white flowers. ‘Luminary Ultraviolet’ and ‘Garden Girls Dream Girl’ have intense magenta flowers.
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Growing Conditions: Full sun and moist, well-drained soil
Size: 2-3 feet tall and wide
Zones: 3–8
03 of 07
Joe Pye Weed
Credit: Jay Wilde
A tall perennial that is perfect for the back of the border, Joe Pye weed (Eutrochium maculatum) gets up to 8 feet tall. This North American native begins flowering in midsummer and continues through fall. Its low-maintenance nature—simply cut it back to ground level in spring—and pollinator-friendly qualities make it a must-grow plant for many gardens. ‘Euphoria Ruby’ and ‘JoJo’ have pink flowers and mature at just 3 to 4 feet tall.
Growing Conditions: Full sun and moist to wet soil
Size: up to 8 feet tall and 4-5 feet wide
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Zones: 4–8
04 of 07
Russian Sage
Credit: Peter Krumhardt
The airy, lavender flower spires of Russian sage (Perovskia atriplicifolia) give it a delicate appearance, but this is one tough perennial. It’s deer- and rabbit-resistant, grows through drought, and tolerates poor soil. Plant three plants together in a border for a mass of long-lasting summer color. ‘Prime Time’ and ‘Blue Steel’ are two Test Garden favorites.
Growing Conditions: Full sun and well-drained soil
Size: 2-3 feet tall and wide
Zones: 4–9
05 of 07
Purple Coneflower
Credit: Kritsada Panichgul
A North American native that’s at home in both prairie-style settings and formal gardens, purple coneflower (Echinacea purpurea) is available in a rainbow of hues. Flower colors include white, yellow, gold, orange, pink, red, and purple. The single or double flowers on sturdy stems make long-lasting cut flowers. Deadhead plants every couple of weeks to promote new flowers. Gerdes notes that ‘Cheyenne Spirit,’ and ‘Sombrero Adobe Orange’ are Test Garden standouts.
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Growing Conditions: Full sun and well-drained soil
Size: 1-3 feet tall and 1-2 feet wide
Zones: 3–9
06 of 07
Perennial Salvia
Credit: Andre Baranowski
Starting in early summer, perennial salvia (Salvia nemerosa) is decorated with wands of purple or pink flowers. After the initial flush of early summer flowers fades, cut bloom spikes back to the foliage to encourage rebloom. Water plants during midsummer dry spells for best rebloom. Pollinators love the flowers and the plant is deer- and rabbit-resistant.
‘May Night’ has long been a popular variety and still is a favorite in the Test Garden, according to Gerdes. She also likes newer ‘Blue by You’, that blooms a little earlier and is a lighter purple than ‘May Night’, and pink-flowered ‘Sixteen Candles’.
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Growing Conditions: Full sun and average soil
Size: 1-2 feet tall and wide
Zones: 4–8
07 of 07
Yarrow
Credit: Marty Baldwin
Fernlike foliage and colorful flat-top flowers give yarrow (Achillea spp.) unique texture. Cut flower stems back to leafy foliage after flowers fade to encourage another flush of bloom. Plant it alongside garden phlox and purple coneflower for a pleasing contrast of shapes and textures. ‘Coronation Gold’ has long-lasting yellow flowers, and ‘Pink Grapefruit’ makes a frothy addition to bouquets.
Growing Conditions: Full sun and sandy, well-drained soil
Size: 1-2 feet tall and wide
Zones: 3–8
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