Looking to create a stunning, low-maintenance garden that keeps its color from early summer until frost? Long-blooming perennials are your best friends! Perfect for Calgary’s variable climate, these hardy plants will thrive in our zone and provide continuous beauty year after year.
Why Choose Long-Blooming Perennials?
They flower for months, often from June through September or even October, giving you vibrant color without the need to replant annually. With a mix of heights and textures, they create a natural, layered look—perfect for garden beds, borders, or even container gardens.
Top Picks for Calgary Gardens:
- Aster durmosus (Wood’s Blue):
Height: 8-12 inches
Bloom: July to September
Features: Light purple-blue blooms, attractive foliage all season long. - Calamagrostis brachytricha:
Height: 2.5-3 feet
Bloom: September to October
Features: Rosy plumes, especially striking in fall. - Pulsatilla vulgaris (Heiler Hybrids):
Height: 12-15 inches
Bloom: Early spring
Features: Beautiful mix of red, pink, violet-blue, and white flowers; a perfect low-growing choice. - Veronica spicata (‘Goodness Grows’):
Height: 15 inches
Bloom: June to late August
Features: Deep blue flowers, blooms for a long period. - Penstemon mexicanus (‘Red Rocks’):
Height: 15-18 inches
Bloom: July to September
Features: Bright rose flowers, very adaptable and hardy—great for our climate. - Gaura lindheimeri (‘Siskiyou Pink’):
Height: 18-24 inches
Bloom: June to September
Features: Rose pink flowers with striking red stems and buds. - Aster fendleri (‘My Antonia’):
Height: 12 inches
Bloom: July to frost
Features: White flowers with yellow centers, native and tough. - Pennisetum alopecuroides (‘Hameln’):
Height: 2-3 feet
Bloom: June to July
Features: Large buff-colored plumes, stays upright in winter. - Echinacea tennesseensis hybrids:
Height: 24-30 inches
Bloom: July to September
Features: Bright pink flowers, prolific bloomers, resilient. - Nepeta faassenii (‘Blue Wonder’):
Height: 12-24 inches
Bloom: Late June to September
Features: Blue spikes, great for tall groundcover or border planting.
Why These Plants Work in Calgary:
They’re all selected for their hardy nature and ability to withstand our cold winters and variable summers. Plant them in well-drained soil, in full sun, and water regularly—most will reward you with months of vibrant flowers.
Tips for Success:
- Plant early in the season to give your perennials time to establish before winter.
- Mulch around your plants to protect roots from cold snaps and retain moisture.
- Deadhead spent blooms to encourage more flowering.
- Incorporate a variety of heights and colors for a natural, layered look.
Create a garden that blooms beautifully from spring to fall—long-lasting, hardy perennials are the way to go in Calgary!
