Last updated on October 23rd, 2023 at 08:38 pm
Long-flowering perennials not only ensure that the garden remains colorful for a long time, but also provide a good food supply for insects. We present you a selection of long-flowering perennials.
Long-lasting blooms in the garden not only please us, but also smaller garden inhabitants: Native bees, butterflies and other insects constantly serve as a source of food for long-flowering perennials. Classic summer flowers such as geraniums, petunias or begonias also bloom for months, but they provide almost no food for insects. You can read more about such flowers here: 10 plants that are of no use to bees.
There is, however, a wide range of long-flowering perennials that are rich in pollen and nectar. If you combine them wisely, the plants will bloom at different times, so insects will always find food and the garden will always be colorful. Another advantage of perennials is that they are perennial. This saves you from having to reseed every year.
The range of long-flowering perennials is diverse. We present you a selection.
Contents
Long-flowering perennials: These bloom from spring onwards
Christmas roses
Flowering time: January to March, November to December
Christmas roses are harbingers of spring and have already opened their flowers when the first bumblebees and bees go in search of food. However, Christmas roses are highly poisonous to humans and pets.
The Christmas rose is hardy and thrives in nutrient- and humus-rich soil. Neither drought nor waterlogging is well tolerated by this long-flowering perennial.
You can find out how to plant the Christmas rose here: Christmas rose: care and cultivation of the winter plant.
Spotted lungwort
Flowering time: March to May
Spotted lungwort is a perennial herbaceous perennial. It is one of the early bloomers and is therefore especially important for early-flying bumblebees and wild bees. These especially like lungwort with red colored flowers.
Spotted lungwort prefers moist, loamy-humic and slightly calcareous soils. It does not tolerate drought and waterlogging well.
You can read more about growing lungwort here: Lungwort: uses, effects and cultivation of the medicinal plant.
Yellow anemone
Flowering time: March to May
Yellow anemone is a perennial with delicate flowers that provide plenty of food for bees. However, all parts of the plant are poisonous to humans.
The yellow wood anemone can be placed in partial shade. Especially in summer, the long-flowering perennial should get enough shade.
You can read more about wood anemones here: Planting and caring for wood anemones: here’s how.
Long-flowering perennials: These bloom from May onwards
Sand Thyme
Flowering time: May to August
Sand thyme is a ground-covering perennial that has a cushion-like habit. Over several months, evergreen sand thyme produces pink to purple flower umbels. As a bee pasture, sand thyme attracts many bees.
Sand thyme is suitable for rock gardens, heather gardens and as a roof planting. This long-flowering perennial also lends itself to edging beds and planting low borders.
Three-master flowers
Flowering time: May to September
These bushy perennials grow up to 90 centimeters tall. They are adorned with blue flowers that provide food for various insects.
Three-master flowers thrive in locations with fertile soil and do well along pond edges, in flower beds and rock gardens, or in containers.
Catnip
Flowering time: May to September
Visually, catnip is appealing thanks to its gray-green leaves and bright purple flowers. The long-flowering perennial is also very attractive to bees.
Growing up to 30 centimeters tall, catnip does well as a border for flower beds or planted in large groups. It is not very demanding, likes it sunny and tolerates a dry spell or two.
Learn how to plant catnip here: Catnip: growing, care and how it affects cats.
True lavender
Flowering time: May to September
True lavender is hardy and serves as a medicinal and culinary plant as well as a bee pasture.
This low-maintenance perennial feels especially at home in sunny locations and well-drained soil.
Find out how to plant lavender here: Lavender: plant and care – the best tips.
Snowflake flower
Flowering time: May to October
Many small, mostly white and star-shaped flowers make this long-flowering perennial an eye-catcher. Varieties with blue or purple flowers produce particularly abundant nectar and attract all the more bees.
Snowflake flower is suitable for hanging pots or as a ground-covering flower carpet.
Long-flowering perennials: These bloom from June onwards
Yarrow
Flowering time: June to September
Yarrow comes in many color varieties and serves as a bee pasture.
This long-flowering perennial prefers light, well-drained soil and a sunny location.
Tip: If you cut back the yarrow after the first flowering, you can extend the flowering period into October.
Yarrow, by the way, can be used as a medicinal plant. Read more about it here: Yarrow: effect and use of the medicinal plant.
Scented nettle
Flowering time: June to September
Scented nettles spread a pleasant fragrance, which insects also fly to. The long-flowering perennial forms violet-blue, spike-shaped flowers.
Fragrant nettles like to grow in normal and well-drained soil without waterlogging.
Learn how to plant scented nettles here: Scented nettle: tips on growing, caring for and pruning.
Girl’s Eye
Flowering time: June to October
Most varieties of this long-flowering perennial are very eager to bloom and are readily flown to by insects. Maidenhair is a frequent component of cottage gardens.
Girl’s eye prefers a dry location.
Learn how to plant girl’s eye here: Girl’s Eye: Plant, Care and Propagate
Creeping nasturtium
Flowering time: June to November
The nasturtium is an all-round talent. Not only are their flowers visually appealing, but they can also be used in cooking. They also feed insects.
Actually, the nasturtium is a perennial perennial, but usually it does not survive the local winter. It needs a full sun place and relatively humus and nutrient rich soil.
You can learn more about nasturtiums here: Nasturtium: Effects, use and cultivation of the medicinal plant.
Long-flowering perennials: These bloom from July onwards
Dyer’s chamomile
Flowering time: July to September
Dyer’s chamomile forms golden-yellow baskets that provide food for many species of wild bees.
This bee-friendly and long-flowering perennial is suitable for flower meadows, for example. It thrives in a sunny location and dry soil.
Find planting tips here: Dyer’s chamomile: location and care.
Scabiosa
Flowering time: July to October
Scabiosas give off a lovely fragrance and offer a beautiful look with their light purple flowers on filigree stems. They also attract many bees and other insects as a bee pasture.
This long-flowering perennial requires little care, a sunny spot and nutrient-rich, well-drained soil.
Read how to plant scabiosa here: Planting and Caring for Scabiosa: Instructions and Tips
Cocklebur
Flowering time: July to October
The large basket flowers of this long-flowering perennial glow in shades of yellow, orange and red, delighting insects with a long-lasting food supply.
Cocklebur grows well in well-drained, light soils and is sensitive to waterlogging.
Learn how to plant this perennial here: Cocklebur: How to plant and care for it.
Sun Eye
Flowering time: July to October
This long-flowering perennial grows up to 150 inches tall and is adorned with flower clusters that glow in shades of yellow.
The sun eye requires a very fertile soil and does not tolerate drought well.
Tips for extending the flowering period
With proper care, you can get a slightly longer bloom time out of already long-flowering perennials:
- Remove withered flowers: this ensures that the perennial puts its energy into new blooms instead of seed production.
- Remove wilted foliage: This will encourage flowers and leaves to grow back.
- Remove shoots after the first flowering: For some perennials, such as yarrow, this results in a second flowering phase. All other perennials will benefit as well, as this will result in even more abundant blooms the next year.
- Fertilizing: You can also support the growth of the flowers by adding fertilizer.