Many gardeners dream of perennial beds bursting with color from early spring to late fall. Unfortunately, most perennials have a short bloom season—but there are a few exceptions, including these:
Corydalis (Corydalis lutea, Zones 5 to 8) has fernlike foliage and yellow flowers. Full sun or partial shade. Blooms late spring to early autumn.
Gaura (Gaura lindheimeri, Zones 6 to 9) has fine foliage and pink, red, or white flowers that look like butterflies. Full sun. Blooms late spring to autumn.
Mallow (Malva sylvestris, Zones 5 to 8) has lobed foliage and pinkish or purplish flowers that resemble small hollyhocks. Full sun. Blooms late spring to autumn.
Sundrops (Oenothera macrocarpa, Zones 5 to 8) have glossy green foliage and yellow cup-shaped flowers. Full sun. Blooms late spring to autumn.
Threadleafed bleeding heart (Dicentra ‘Zestful’, Zones 4 to 8) has fernlike foliage and heart-shaped flowers. Partial shade. Blooms spring to early autumn. Plants bloom longest if given plenty of moisture in summer.