When we started our flower farm, we grew mostly Summer Blooming Annual flowers like Cosmos, Sunflowers and Zinnias. The seed is inexpensive and they grow quickly when planted from seed after the Average Last Spring Frost Date.

However, we soon noticed that we struggled with what I call “Awkward Gap Season”, which is the 6-8 weeks between when the Spring blooming bulbs die off (Daffodils, Tulips, etc) in mid May and the Summer Blooming Annuals begin in mid July.

What could we use to fill that “dead” space between mid-May to mid-July?

Perennials to the rescue!

Many types of Perennials bloom during the dreaded “Awkward Gap Season”.

I can’t tell you how much I’ve learned to love and appreciate our Perennials. Even though many Perennials are only in flower for about 2-6 weeks out of the year, many of them bloom right when I need them, when nothing else on the farm is in bloom!

Perennials do take a few years to establish before they are vigorous enough to harvest from, so I recommend planting as many as you can, as soon as you can.

While they may not bloom for a long length of time (many Perennials bloom for about 2-6 weeks out of the year), they are hardy, reliable and generally more drought tolerant than annual plants.

Some Perennials will give you a flush of blooms in early summer, then a second flush in late summer/early fall if cut back after the first blooming.

Fall is the BEST time to plant Perennials (about 4-6 weeks before your Average First Fall Frost), but they can also be planted in the spring.

Here is a list of a Few of my favorite Perennials on our farm

Not all of these Perennials bloom in the spring/early summer… but many do!

* Please note that some crops we grow may be considered “invasive” in your area. Be sure to do your own research before planting!

Achillea millefolium - Yarrow “Colorado Mix”

Allium - Ornamental Onion “Millenium”, “Purple Sensation”, “Drumstick”, “Garlic Chives”

Anemone x hybrida - Japanese Anemone “Honorine Jobert”

Aruncus dioicus - Goatsbeard

Astilbe -False Goatsbeard

Baptisia hybrid - False Indigo “Decadence® Deluxe Pink Truffles”

Echinops bannaticus - Globe Thistle “Blue Glow”

Eryngium planum - Sea Holly “Blue Glitter”

Geum - Avens “Totally Tangerine”, “Tempo Rose”, “Pretticoats Peach”

Gypsophila - Baby's Breath “Million Star II”

Hylotelephium telephium 'Herbstfreude' - Stonecrop/Sedum “Autumn Joy”

Lilium Lily (prefer the LxA hybrid types, as they are unscented)

Lupinus - Lupine

Lysimachia clethroides - Gooseneck Loosestrife

Melissa officinalis - Lemon Balm

Nepeta mussinii - Catmint

Origanum vulgare - Wild Marjoram

Paeonia lactiflora - Peony “Sarah Berhardt”, “Kansas”, “Dr. Alexander Fleming”, Duchess de Nemours”, “Festiva Maxima”, etc

Perovskia atriplicifolia - Russian Sage

Phlox paniculata - Garden Phlox “David”

Physostegia virginiana - Obedient Plant

Pycnanthemum pilosum - Mountain Mint

Rudbeckia hirta - Black-Eyed Susan “Irish Spring”, “Moroccan Sun”

Rudbeckia Triloba - Brown-Eyed Susan “Filou”

Scabiosa caucasia - Pincushion Flower “Fama Blue”, “Fama White”

Solidago - Goldenrod

Tanacetum parthenium - Feverfew/Matricaria “Magic Single”, “Magic Lime Green”, “Tetra White”

Veronica - Speedwell “Skyler Blue”, “Skyler Pink”, “Skyler White”