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Summer to Fall Perennials

Posted on by crystal
30
Jun

By July, gardens across southeastern Massachusetts are bursting with color, but it’s also the perfect time to think about keeping that beauty going for months to come. Choosing long-blooming perennials now helps your landscape stay vibrant through the rest of the summer while providing valuable nectar for bees, butterflies, hummingbirds, and other beneficial pollinators.

By adding a mix of dependable perennials, you’ll enjoy continuous blooms while creating a welcoming habitat for local wildlife, including Monarch butterflies that migrate through New England each fall.

Coneflower (Echinacea)

Coneflowers are one of the most dependable perennials for season-long color.

They offer:

  • Weeks of colorful blooms
  • Excellent drought tolerance
  • Seed heads that attract songbirds
  • Outstanding pollinator value

Available in shades of purple, white, pink, orange, and yellow, they’re a favorite in Massachusetts gardens.

Rudbeckia (Black-Eyed Susan)

Few flowers brighten the summer garden like Rudbeckia.

These cheerful golden blooms:

  • Flower from mid-summer into fall
  • Thrive in full sun
  • Attract bees and butterflies
  • Pair beautifully with ornamental grasses

Their long bloom season makes them an excellent choice for extending garden color.

Sedum (Stonecrop)

Sedum begins putting on a beautiful display just as many early summer flowers begin slowing down.

Its benefits include:

  • Thick succulent foliage
  • Clusters of colorful blooms
  • Excellent drought tolerance
  • Pollinator-friendly flowers
  • Attractive seed heads for winter interest

Sedum adds beauty well beyond the peak of summer.

Salvia

Many varieties of Salvia continue blooming with occasional deadheading.

Salvia provides:

  • Vibrant flower spikes
  • Excellent heat tolerance
  • Hummingbird and bee attraction
  • Long-lasting blooms

Its upright growth adds height and texture to mixed garden beds.

Coreopsis

Coreopsis produces cheerful daisy-like flowers throughout much of the growing season.

Regular deadheading encourages continued blooms while providing nectar for pollinators all summer long.

Asters

Although asters are best known for their spectacular fall display, July is an excellent time to add them to your landscape.

They provide:

  • Purple, pink, blue, and white flowers
  • Valuable late-season nectar
  • Beautiful combinations with ornamental grasses and mums

Planting them now allows them to establish before their colorful blooms begin.

Ornamental Grasses

Ornamental grasses add movement, texture, and year-round interest to the landscape.

Popular varieties provide:

  • Graceful foliage
  • Decorative seed heads
  • Beautiful fall color
  • Winter interest

Combined with flowering perennials, they create stunning displays throughout every season.

Plant for Pollinators

Long-blooming perennials do more than add beauty to your landscape. They provide valuable nectar throughout the growing season for pollinators that help gardens flourish.

A diverse planting of coneflowers, asters, sedum, salvia, Rudbeckia, and ornamental grasses helps support:

  • Bees
  • Butterflies
  • Hummingbirds
  • Beneficial insects

Your garden will remain colorful while providing important habitat from summer through fall.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which perennial blooms the longest?

Coneflowers, Coreopsis, and many Salvia varieties bloom for weeks with proper care and regular deadheading.

Are these perennials good for pollinators?

Yes. These plants provide valuable nectar throughout the growing season and help support bees, butterflies, hummingbirds, and other beneficial insects.

Do ornamental grasses require much maintenance?

Very little. Most ornamental grasses are cut back in late winter or early spring before new growth begins.

Can I plant perennials in July?

Absolutely. With consistent watering, many perennials establish well during the summer and continue growing into fall.

Which perennial attracts butterflies?

Coneflowers, asters, sedum, salvia, and Rudbeckia are all outstanding choices for attracting butterflies and supporting pollinator gardens.

Visit Us

Looking to keep your garden blooming all season long? Crystal Lake Garden Shop offers a wonderful selection of flowering perennials, ornamental grasses, pollinator-friendly plants, and expert advice to help your landscape thrive from summer through fall.

Crystal Lake Garden Shop – Plymouth
252 Summer Street
Plymouth, MA 02360
Phone: (508) 746-4439

Crystal Lake Garden Shop – Carver
19 West Street
Carver, MA 02330
Phone: (508) 866-2873

Hours
Open 7 Days • 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM

Visit either of our locations and let our knowledgeable team help you choose beautiful perennials that will keep your garden colorful throughout the summer and well into fall.

crystal