Blooming All Season: 12 Perennials That Shine May to October in Zone 4

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One of the joys of perennial gardening is watching your garden evolve month by month. In Zone 4, with our shorter growing season, it’s still absolutely possible to have something in bloom from May straight through to October—as long as you plan carefully.

Here are two standout perennials for each month, handpicked for reliable blooms, pollinator support, and easy care.

MAY

• 1. Pulmonaria (Pulmonaria officinalis)
  Also known as lungwort, Pulmonaria kicks off the season with clusters of pink, violet, or blue blooms. It thrives in part shade and moist, rich soil, with speckled foliage that adds texture long after the flowers fade.
• 2. Bleeding Heart (Dicentra spectabilis) A cottage garden favorite with elegant, heart-shaped pink flowers that dangle from arching stems. It prefers part-shade and moist soil.

JUNE

• 1. Peonies (Paeonia)
  A timeless showstopper with large, fragrant blooms in pinks, whites, and reds. Peonies love full sun and need minimal maintenance once established.
• 2. Salvia (Salvia nemorosa)
  Long-blooming spires of purple-blue flowers that attract bees and butterflies. Shear after blooming for a possible second flush.

JULY

• 1. Daylilies (Hemerocallis)
  Tough and prolific, daylilies bloom for weeks in July. Available in endless colors and forms. Full sun and average soil are all they need.
• 2. Catmint (Nepeta 'Walker’s Low')
  Aromatic foliage and soft lavender-blue blooms that spread into a graceful mound. Loved by pollinators and incredibly drought-tolerant.

AUGUST

• 1. Coneflowers (Echinacea purpurea)
  A late-summer classic. These daisy-like blooms come in purple, white, and gold varieties. Coneflowers are hardy, drought-resistant, and provide seed for birds.
• 2. Black-Eyed Susan (Rudbeckia fulgida 'Goldsturm')
  Bold yellow flowers with black centers that bloom for weeks. A Zone 4 staple, perfect for mass plantings and sunny borders.

SEPTEMBER

• 1. Anise Hyssop (Agastache foeniculum)
  Fragrant and bee-magnet blooms that continue well into early fall. Spikes of purple flowers add height and texture to the garden.
• 2. Sedum 'Autumn Joy'
  Fleshy foliage and flat flower heads that turn from pink to bronze as the season progresses. Great for bees now and birds later.

OCTOBER

• 1. Aromatic Aster (Symphyotrichum oblongifolium)
  One of the last native perennials to bloom, this aster offers a profusion of purple daisy-like flowers that attract late-season pollinators.
• 2. Japanese Anemone (Anemone x hybrida)
  With graceful stems and soft pink or white blooms, Japanese Anemones thrive in part shade and bloom well into fall, bringing movement and elegance when most plants are winding down.

🌼 Want Season-Long Color Without the Guesswork?
Gardener Nation’s curated Pre-Planned Garden Kits make it easy. Choose from combos that bloom from spring to frost — all ready to plant and thrive in Zone 4.

🛒 Shop Perennials or visit us in person to see what’s blooming now!