Blanket Flower (Gaillardia) is a showy perennial with large flowers. It enjoys a sunny location and well-drained soil. It is one of the more drought tolerant perennials in Colorado. It also offers a long bloom time from early summer to early fall.
Exposure: Sun
Bloom Time: Summer to Fall.
Threadleaf type Coreopsis, also known as tickseed, might be slow to wake up in Spring but it puts on a long-lived show once the heat of summer comes along. Dainty yellow flowers are the traditional type. Though many new hybrids range into pinks and reds. They all have a long bloom time and smother the plant in color. The foliage is light and airy and forms a nice mound. Blends with just about any color in the garden. Does best in well-drained soil.
Exposure: Sun
Bloom Time: Summer
Big Bang Mercury Rising: a unique threadleaf type that offers deep burgundy blooms all summer long. Zone 5
Early Sunrise: a lance-leaf type with golden yellow semi-double flowers. Size is smaller than the threadleaf types at about 12″H x 12″W. Blooms in early summer.
Moonbeam: 18″-24″ H x 18″-24″W. Light yellow flowers adorn this threadleaf type. Long bloom time.
Bergenia, also known as Pig Squeak, is a hardy perennial grown for its thick leaves that are green in summer and deeper tones in fall. Magenta flower spikes appear in Spring. Though these plants are short, the flowers are showy. Very pretty when paired with other late spring bloomers (geum, icelandic poppies, turkish veronica, golden creeping jenny).
Exposure: Sun to Part Sun
Bloom Time: Spring
(Centranthus) This perennial practically blooms all season long. It forms a small bush at maturity and is LOVED by all kinds of pollinators….butterflies, bees, hummingbirds. Not for high altitude locations but a wonderful perennial for the Colorado Springs area.
Exposure: Sun
Bloom Time: Summer to Fall
What would a shady garden be without hostas? Their leaves add color and texture. As a bonus, they flower in Summer with bell-shaped blossoms held above their foliage and are a nectar source for hummingbirds.
Exposure: Shade to Morning Sun
Bloom Time: Late Spring to Early Summer
Patriot
and other Assorted Varieties
Lungwort (Pulmonaria) is a low growing perennial for shady or morning sun locations. It delivers a big splash of color both from it’s leaves and iridescent flowers.
Exposure: Shade to Morning Sun
Bloom Time: Spring to Early Summer
Bertram Anderson
Lisa Marie
Upright sedum varieties bloom in late summer thru Fall. They are a great choice for a hot, dry place as they are very drought tolerant. Their succulent leaves add texture and often change color in cooler temps. Many types are also loved by pollinators.
Creeping types stay low to the ground and often spread to fill in an area. Provide full to part sun and well drained soil.
Exposure: Sun, Part Sun
Bloom Time: Summer
Upright Types:
Autumn Joy: 18″-24″ in height with pink flowers that deepen in color as weather cools
Elsie’s Gold: Variegated leaf with pink flowers. Shorter stature than Autumn Joy. NEW!
Creeping Types:
These lower growing types make great groundcovers/smaller accents for sunny spots.
Varieties such as: Angelina, Bertram Anderson, Dragon’s Blood, Kamschatka green leaf, Kamschatka variegated leaf, Ogon, Old Man’s Bones, Sunsparkler Lime Zinger, and Tricolor.
Autumn Joy
Lamium forms a bushy groundcover and offers colorful leaves and spring blooms for a deep shade or morning sun location. It is also a lovely addition to shady containers or hanging baskets. Just plant it in the ground in late Summer or early Fall if you would like to overwinter it. Regular watering will help it establish quickly.
Exposure: Shade, Morning Sun
Bloom Time: Spring
Assorted Varieties
Looking for an early or late season bloomer in your garden? Look to anemones… also called windflower since their flowers are held on airy wands above the foliage. Will grow in full or part sun as long as the soil is kept evenly moist. Bloom time depends on variety.
Exposure: Sun to Part Sun
Bloom Time: Either Early Summer OR Late Summer to Fall depending on variety
Fantasy Pocahontas: Pink blooming variety – Summer blooming
(Achillea) A dependable, drought tolerant summer bloomer that comes in a variety of colors. Attracts butterflies. Will repeat bloom if deadheaded.
Exposure: Sun
Bloom Time: Summer to Fall
Paprika, Terra Cotta, New Vintage Red and other Assorted Varieties
