Easy sun perennials for beginners for season-long colour in Zone 4
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Blooming beauties
Starting your first perennial garden? With the right plant choices, even a beginner can enjoy a lush, colourful garden that blooms from spring through fall. If your space gets 6 or more hours of sunlight a day, you’re ready to grow some serious color.
At GardenerNation.com, we’ve hand-picked the top 15 sun-loving perennials that thrive in Zone 4, come back every year, and bloom from May to October. Start strong and grow with confidence!
🌸 May–June Bloomers (Spring to Early Summer)
1. Aquilegia canadensis ‘Little Lanterns’ (Columbine)
Delicate red and yellow blooms nod on compact plants that are loved by hummingbirds.
🕒 Bloom Time: May–June
🌞 Sun Needs: Full sun to part shade
2. Blue Star (Amsonia tabernaemontana)
Airy, star-shaped pale blue flowers appear in clusters, offering early interest and graceful foliage.
🕒 Bloom Time: May–June
🌞 Sun Needs: Full sun
3. Nora Barlow Columbine (Aquilegia vulgaris)
A unique, heirloom variety with fully double pink and green spurless flowers.
🕒 Bloom Time: Late May to June
🌞 Sun Needs: Full sun to part shade
4. Dicentra spectabilis (Old-Fashioned Bleeding Heart)
Elegant arching stems lined with pink heart-shaped flowers; classic cottage garden charm.
🕒 Bloom Time: May–June
🌞 Sun Needs: Part shade to shade
🌼 June–August Bloomers (Summer Showstoppers)
5. Crocosmia ‘Lucifer’ (Montbretia)
Arching stems of fiery red, tubular flowers add exotic flare and attract hummingbirds.
🕒 Bloom Time: July–August
🌞 Sun Needs: Full sun
6. Digitalis purpurea ‘Berggold’ (Foxglove)
Tall spires of tubular golden-yellow flowers with speckled throats; striking and bee-friendly.
🕒 Bloom Time: June–July
🌞 Sun Needs: Part shade to full sun
7. Echinacea purpurea ‘Rubinstern’ (Coneflower)
Large, ruby-red daisy-like blooms with prominent cones; a pollinator favorite and drought-tolerant.
🕒 Bloom Time: July–September
🌞 Sun Needs: Full sun
8. Agastache rugosa ‘Golden Jubilee’ (Korean Mint)
Fragrant gold foliage and lavender spikes beloved by bees and butterflies.
🕒 Bloom Time: July–September
🌞 Sun Needs: Full sun
9. Heliopsis helianthoides ‘Red Shades’ (False Sunflower)
Rich red-orange daisy blooms on tall stems offer long-season color and great cut flowers.
🕒 Bloom Time: July–September
🌞 Sun Needs: Full sun
10. Sedum ‘Cherry Fizz’ (Stonecrop)
Upright, succulent foliage topped with vivid cherry-pink flower clusters; drought-tolerant and bold.
🕒 Bloom Time: August–September
🌞 Sun Needs: Full sun
🌻 August–October Bloomers (Late-Season Color)
11. Solidago speciosa (Showy Goldenrod)
Vivid golden plumes on upright stems bring fall brilliance and pollinator power.
🕒 Bloom Time: August–October
🌞 Sun Needs: Full sun
12. Aster novae-angliae (New England Aster)
Bushy mounds of vibrant purple blooms with yellow centers; vital late nectar source for pollinators.
🕒 Bloom Time: September–October
🌞 Sun Needs: Full sun
13. Eryngium planum ‘Blue Glitter’ (Sea Holly)
Spiky steel-blue thistle-like blooms add bold texture and metallic color to late summer beds.
🕒 Bloom Time: July–September
🌞 Sun Needs: Full sun
14. Verbascum phoeniceum ‘Rosetta’ (Mullein)
Vertical spikes of soft pink-purple flowers loved by bees and butterflies.
🕒 Bloom Time: June–August
🌞 Sun Needs: Full sun
15. Anemone hupehensis (Japanese Anemone)
Graceful pink or white blooms on tall stems sway above mounded foliage in late summer.
🕒 Bloom Time: August–October
🌞 Sun Needs: Part sun to full sun
🌱 Beginner Tips for Planting Success
- Plant in groups of 3 or more for visual impact and easier pollination.
- Use compost when planting to enrich the soil and retain moisture.
- Water deeply for the first few weeks after planting.
- Choose a mix of bloom times to keep your garden colorful all season.
🌟 Grow Once, Bloom for Years
Perennial gardening is one of the most rewarding and low-maintenance ways to enjoy beauty and pollinators year after year. All of the plants listed above are hardy to Zone 4, thrive in full sun, and are available to purchase now at GardenerNation.com.
Plant smart, plant once—and enjoy a full season of blooms for years to come.
VISIT GARDENER NATION TODAY FOR UNMATCHED CUSTOMER SERVICE:
Say goodbye to endless wandering through crowded nurseries and hello to a relaxing, personalized shopping adventure. 🌸🌼
You will be seated overlooking Ruth Lake and while sipping a refreshing beverage, you will handpick your dream garden from our stunning look-book of locally grown perennials. 🧋📒
Our expert team, will gather your chosen plants while you unwind in style. It's that easy! 😎
🚐 WE DELIVER FOR ORDERS OVER $200:
Place your order over the phone or online.
Over 400 varieties grown from seed on site.
☎️ Landline: 705-724-5050
Hours May 31 - October 13 2025:
- Thursday: 9:00 to 8:00
- Friday: 9:00 to 6:00
- Saturday, Sunday: 9:00 to 4:00
Gardener Nation Perennials:
On Ruth Lake ⛱
494 Swalwell Drive, Powassan, ON
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