11 Plants With Year-Round Flowers – Enjoy Gardening in Full Bloom

Brock Ingham

This post follows our research editorial guidelines.

Brock Ingham

When it comes to gardening, there’s nothing quite as satisfying as seeing your plants in full bloom all year round. Imagine stepping outside to a garden bursting with color and fragrance, no matter what the season. 

Cottage garden 1

If this sounds like a dream come true, you’ll be pleased to know that it is possible with the right selection of plants. In this post, we’re going to take a look at 11 plants that will keep your garden looking beautiful and vibrant all year long, thanks to their year-round flowers. Some are low growing perennials, while others can grow mover 10 feet tall.

So, grab your gardening gloves and get ready to be inspired!

1. Coneflower (Echinacea)

Coneflowers, also known as echinacea, are a popular and easy-to-grow perennial flower that produces showy blooms in shades of pink, purple, and white. They’re also known for their medicinal properties and are often used to boost the immune system and relieve cold symptoms. Coneflowers are a great addition to any garden.

Botanical Name:Echinacea Purpurea
Growth Rate: 2-5 feet
Native Range: Central and eastern North America
Hardiness Zones:3-9
Exposure: Full sun to partial shade
Soil Needs: Well-drained soil with moderate fertility
Water needs:Average watering needs, can tolerate drought once grown
Echinacea Purpurea Growing Guide

2. Perennial Tickseed (Coreopsis)

Perennial Tickseed, also known as Coreopsis, is a bright and cheery addition to any garden. With its daisy-like blooms and a wide range of colors, it can bloom from early summer until fall. It’s easy to care for and attracts bees and butterflies, making it a perfect choice for a pollinator garden.

Botanical Name:Coreopsis verticillata
Growth Rate: 1-2 feet
Native Range: North America 
Hardiness Zones:4-9
Exposure: Full sun to partial shade
Soil Needs: Well-drained soil with low to moderate fertility
Water needs:Average 
Coreopsis Verticillata Growing Guide

3. Butterfly Pea (Clitoria ternatea)

Butterfly Pea is a stunning tropical plant that produces vibrant blue and purple flowers. Its unique shape and color make it a favorite among gardeners and butterfly enthusiasts.

In addition to its beauty, it has a unique quality that gardeners could use to their advantage. When the petals are placed in acidic water, they change in color from blue to purple. You can use Butterfly pea petals to test the pH of your garden water or soaked soil.

Botanical Name:Clitoria Ternatea
Growth Rate: 10 feet 
Native Range: Tropical Asia
Hardiness Zones:9-11
Exposure: Full sun to partial shade
Soil Needs: Well-draining soil with a pH between 6.0 and 7.5
Water needs:Regular watering, but avoid overwatering
Clitoria Ternatea Growing Guide

4. Black-Eyed Susan (Rudbeckia hirta)

Black Eyed Susan

With its bright yellow petals and dark center, the black-eyed Susan is a cheerful addition to any garden. This native North American wildflower blooms from midsummer to fall, attracting pollinators and providing food for birds. It’s also drought-tolerant and low maintenance, making it an excellent choice for beginner gardeners.

Botanical Name:Rudbeckia Hirta
Growth Rate: 2-3 feet
Native Range: North America
Hardiness Zones:3-9
Exposure: Full sun exposure to light shade 
Soil Needs: Well-drained soil with a pH of 6.0 to 7.5
Water needs:Occasional 
Rudbeckia Hirta Growing Guide

5. Bridal Wreath (Spiraea prunifolia)

Bridal Wreath is a popular deciduous shrub that produces stunning clusters of white flowers in spring. It can grow up to 8 feet tall and 10 feet wide, making it a great focal point in any garden. Its arching branches create a graceful and elegant appearance, making it perfect for weddings and other special occasions.

Botanical Name:Spiraea prunifolia
Growth Rate: 6-8 feet 
Native Range: Eastern Asia
Hardiness Zones:4-8
Exposure: Full sub-exposure 
Soil Needs: Well-drained soil with a pH of 5.5 to 7.5
Water needs:Occasional watering
Spiraea Prunifolia Growing Guide

6. Harlequin Glorybower (Clerodendrum trichotomum)

Harlequin Glorybower is a showy flowering plant that produces clusters of bright purple, tube-shaped blooms in the late summer. It’s native to East Asia and can grow up to 20 feet tall in the right conditions. It prefers full sun to partial shade and well-draining soil.

Botanical Name:Clerodendrum trichotomum
Growth Rate: 10-15 feet 
Native Range: China, Korea, Japan
Hardiness Zones:5-9
Exposure: Full sun to partial shade
Soil Needs: Well-drained 
Water needs:Regular watering 
Clerodendrum Trichotomum Growing Guide

7. Brazillian Dwarf Morning-glory, Blue daze (Evolvulus glomeratus)

Blue daze plant is native to South America and boasts stunning blue flowers that bloom all summer long. It’s easy to grow and requires minimal care, making it an excellent choice for busy gardeners. Plus, it attracts butterflies and other pollinators to your garden, adding to its beauty and ecological value.

Botanical Name:Evolvulus glomeratus
Growth Rate: 9-18 inches 
Native Range: South America
Hardiness Zones:8-11
Exposure: Full sun
Soil Needs: Well-drained soil
Water needs:Moderate 
Evolvulus Glomeratus Growing Guide

8. Blanket flower (Gaillardia spp.)

The Blanket Flower, also known as Gaillardia, is a drought-tolerant plant that produces striking red and yellow flowers. It’s easy to grow and attracts pollinators, making it a great choice for eco-conscious gardeners.

my pick for cold hardy gardens

I love blanket flowers, don’t let their fiery blooms fool you. They are hardy all the way down to USDA zone 3. They also have an extremely long bloom time from spring to fall with deadheading old flowers. For these reasons, they make the top of my list for cold hardy flowers that bloom year round.

Their warm and fiery flowers bloom all summer long and require minimal care. If you’re a busy gardener try growing blanket flowers in your low-maintenance garden.

Botanical Name:Gaillardia spp.
Growth Rate: 1-2 feet
Native Range: North and South America 
Hardiness Zones:3-10
Exposure: Full sun 
Soil Needs: Well-drained soil
Water needs:Deep watering 
Gaillardia spp. Growing Guide

9. Hibiscus (Hibiscus spp.)

Hibiscus is a stunning flowering plant that comes in a variety of colors and sizes. It’s easy to grow and thrives in warm weather. The plant produces large, showy blooms that add a pop of color to any garden. Plus, it’s attractive to butterflies and hummingbirds, making it a great addition to any pollinator garden.

Botanical Name:Hibiscus spp.
Growth Rate: 3-6 feet
Native Range: Tropical and subtropical regions 
Hardiness Zones:5-11
Exposure: Full sun to partial shade
Soil Needs: Moist, well-drained soil
Water needs:Regular watering 
Hibiscus spp. Growing Guide

10. Ixora (Ixora spp.)

Ixora is a tropical evergreen shrub with striking clusters of tiny, star-shaped flowers that come in bright colors like pink, orange, and red. It’s a low-maintenance plant that thrives in warm and humid weather, making it perfect for tropical and subtropical gardens. It’s also attractive to butterflies and hummingbirds.

Botanical Name:Ixora spp. 
Growth Rate: 3-6 feet
Native Range: Southeast Asia, South Pacific
Hardiness Zones:9-11
Exposure: Full sun to partial shade
Soil Needs: Moist, well-drained acidic soil
Water needs:Regular watering 
Ixora spp. Growing Guide

11. Lantana (Lantana spp.)

Lantana

Lantana is a beautiful flowering plant that produces clusters of tiny blooms in a variety of colors, including pink, yellow, orange, and purple. It’s a hardy plant that thrives in warm weather and attracts pollinators like butterflies and bees. Plus, it’s low-maintenance and easy to grow, making it perfect for busy gardeners.

best for tropical gardens

If you live in a warm tropical climate then the vibrant Lantana flower is perfect for you. While in colder regions the Lantana will bloom from spring to frost, in tropical zones you can expect flowers throughout the whole year.

Botanical Name:Lantana Camara 
Growth Rate: 2-6 feet
Native Range: Tropical America 
Hardiness Zones:8-11
Exposure: Full sun to partial shade 
Soil Needs: Well-drained soil
Water needs:Moderate to low 
Lantana Camara Growing Guide

Final Thoughts

With these 11 plants that bloom all year round, you can now enjoy the beauty of flowers and colors in their gardens throughout the year. Whether you live in a region with mild winters or harsh winters, there is a plant suitable for your garden. These plants not only add beauty to your outdoor space but also attract birds, bees, and butterflies, creating a thriving ecosystem. So, choose your favorite year-round blooming plant and create a garden that is always in full bloom!

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