When plants naturally grow in a certain area without any help from people, they are called native perennials. These plants come back every year and adapt to the conditions there.
They require less maintenance, as they are adapted to local conditions. This makes them an excellent choice for sustainable gardening.
This will save you time and money on pest control, and your garden will look great with less work.
Long Island has a moderate climate perfect for growing a wide variety of perennials. With proper planning and plant selection, you can have stellar perennials that provide non-stop color from spring to fall. Here are my picks for the 10 best perennials for Long Island gardens along with tips for caring for them.
1. Daylilies
Daylilies (Hemerocallis spp.) are tough, adaptable perennials that thrive in Long Island. They bloom in a rainbow of colors including yellow, orange, red, pink, purple, and bicolor. Daylilies grow well in full sun to part shade and adapt to most soil types. They spread to form dense clumps and also work well in containers. Deadhead spent blooms to encourage reblooming. Divide crowded plants in early spring or fall every 3-5 years.
2. Garden Phlox
Garden phlox (Phlox paniculata) are Long Island favorites prized for their large, fragrant flower clusters in summer. They grow up to 3-4 feet tall and come in white, pink, purple, red and bicolor. Plant garden phlox in full sun to light shade and fertile, well-drained soil. Pinch back tips in spring to promote bushy growth. Divide clumps every 2-3 years in spring to rejuvenate. Watch for powdery mildew and remove affected foliage promptly.
3. Black Eyed Susan
Black eyed Susan (Rudbeckia spp.) light up gardens with their bright golden yellow flowers and dark brown centers. They bloom all summer and attract butterflies. Plant black eyed Susan in full sun and average soil. Cut back spent flowers to encourage reblooming. Divide clumps every 3-4 years in spring or fall. Popular varieties include ‘Goldsturm’, ‘Cherokee Sunset’, and ‘Prairie Sun’.
4. Bee Balm
Bee balm (Monarda didyma) thrives in Long Island gardens with its vivid red, pink, or purple blooms in summer. The tubular flowers attract hummingbirds, butterflies and bees. Plant bee balm in full sun to part shade in moist, well-drained soil. Divide mature clumps every 2-3 years in spring to avoid overcrowding. Watch for powdery mildew and remove affected foliage promptly. Choose mildew-resistant varieties like ‘Jacob Cline’ and ‘Marshall’s Delight’.
5. Russian Sage
Russian sage (Perovskia atriplicifolia) offers airy purple-blue flower spikes from midsummer into fall. Its silver-green foliage provides a beautiful contrast. Grow this tough, drought-tolerant perennial in full sun and dry to average soil. Cut plants back to 6-12 inches in late winter. Avoid high-nitrogen fertilizers which promote weak growth. Russian sage works well in borders, mixed beds, and containers.
6. Sedum
Sedum offer late summer color and are easy to grow. They thrive in full sun and dry well-drained soil. ‘Autumn Joy’ has large pink flower heads that age to coppery-bronze. The dark green succulent foliage of ‘Black Jack’ turns almost black in cold temperatures. Low-growing sedum like ‘Dragon’s Blood’ work well in rock gardens. Leave sedum stand over winter for visual interest and cut back in early spring. Divide every 3-5 years to rejuvenate overcrowded clumps.
7. Astilbe
Astilbe offer graceful, feathery plumes that thrive in shady gardens. They bloom in white, pink, red, purple and bicolor in early to midsummer on 18-32 inch stems. Plant astilbe in part to full shade with regular watering and rich, moist soil amended with compost. Protect crowns with mulch in winter. Divide large clumps every 2-3 years in early spring or fall. Excellent varieties include ‘Bridal Veil,’ ‘Color Flash,’ and ‘Delft Lace’.
8. Coral Bells
Coral bells (Heuchera) are prized for their showy ruffled leaves in shades of green, purple, silver and bronze Flower stalks appear in late spring with airy blooms in white, pink or red depending on variety Grow coral bells in part shade with well-drained soil. Add lime if soil is acidic. Cut back flower stalks after blooming to encourage new foliage growth. Divide mature clumps every 3-4 years in spring. Great varieties include ‘Palace Purple’, ‘Caramel’, and ‘Citronelle’.
9. Lavender
Lavender offers fragrant gray-green foliage and spikes of purple, blue, or white flowers in summer. It thrives in hot, sunny spots with dry, sandy or gravelly soil. Good drainage is essential. Trim plants lightly in spring to remove winter dieback; avoid cutting into woody parts of the plant. Shear off flowers after initial bloom to encourage rebloom. In fall, prune back by 1/3 to maintain a healthy shape. Mulch plants in winter for protection. Replace plants every 5-8 years if they become woody and flowering declines.
10.Coneflower
Coneflowers (Echinacea purpurea) are daisy-like perennials with distinctive cone-shaped centers. They bloom in shades of purple, pink, white, and yellow from early to late summer. Plant coneflowers in full sun and average to dry soil. Deadhead spent blooms to encourage additional flowering. Leave seedheads over winter for birds to eat. Divide large clumps every 3-5 years in spring or fall. Popular varieties include ‘Cheyenne Spirit’, ‘PowWow Wild Berry’ and classic purple.
By choosing the right perennials suited for Long Island’s climate, you can create stunning beds and borders overflowing with color. Pay attention to each plant’s requirements for sun exposure, soil type, and moisture. With a proper site and care, these top perennials will deliver outstanding, lasting beauty in your garden.
Tips for Growing Native Perennials from Seed
Start by buying seeds from a reliable source.
Make sure the seeds are meant for your climate. Follow the instructions on the seed packet for planting depth and spacing.
Some seeds need to be cold-treated before planting to break dormancy. Place them in the fridge for a few weeks.
Plant the seeds in a well-prepared garden bed.
Water them regularly but don’t overwater.
As the seedlings grow, thin them out to avoid overcrowding.
Keep an eye on the growing season and protect young plants from frost.
Once established, native perennials will come back year after year, providing beauty and habitat for local wildlife.
Native perennials offer a multitude of benefits for your garden, including attracting pollinators and requiring less maintenance. Here’s what you need to know about selecting and caring for these plants.
What are the benefits of cultivating native perennials in a garden?
Native perennials are adapted to local conditions, making them easier to maintain. They also support local wildlife, including essential pollinators.
10 Long Blooming Perennials for a Colorful Garden // PlantDo Home & Garden
FAQ
What is the longest blooming perennial?
Are there any perennials that bloom all summer?
Are perennials a good investment on Long Island?
Perennials are a great investment for Long Island landscapes, as they can be enjoyed year after year by planting them once. Hicks Nurseries carries an outstanding selection of the best performing perennials, ensuring confidence in both quality and value.
Can you grow native plants on Long Island?
If you live on Long Island, this means growing some beautiful and amazing plants native to your New York home. Read on to learn some gorgeous Long Island native plants that you absolutely will want to grow and care for at home! Flowers and native plants can be incredibly beautiful if you know what to look for.
Can perennials grow in New York?
If you garden in New York, you probably already know that the growing conditions vary from one part of the state to another which may leave you wondering which perennials can be safely grown in your area.
Can You Grow Your Garden on Long Island?
Whether you’re a seasoned grower of plants and food or a gardening fledgling, there are tons of amazing ways that you can make your garden flourish. If you live on Long Island, this means growing some beautiful and amazing plants native to your New York home.
Is investing in perennials a good idea?
Perennials are a good investment because you plant them once and can enjoy them year after year, growing bigger and better with age. They are a great choice with many uses in nature. Hicks Nurseries guarantees the quality and value of roses and perennials until November 1st of the same year purchased.
What flowers go well in a garden?
1. Black-Eyed Susan Black-eyed Susans are a classic lovely flower that goes great in any garden. Their bright buttercream yellow color is highly reminiscent of the spring sunshine and is sure to put you in a bright, happy mood every time you see them.