What perennial plant or shrub would you recommend that has a really long flowering period?

Question

Some of the things I love have such a short season and then they jut sit there. Kerria Japonica goes on and on for months so that is a good one. I have plenty of space. Love roses but they get black spot and it rains a lot here. ( Ireland ) Does Rugosa fare better ? Any suggestions.

Answer 1

I'm in the middle of the U.S. and have an hibiscus that just keeps blooming and blooming and actually returns each year. I think Ireland is milder, it might do well there.

Answer 2

Penstemons and hemerocallis flower for ages and are little trouble.

Cistus does well in hot situations, roses of course if you choose a repeat flowering variety and you dead head regularly.

Answer 3

Personally I favour the Hebe - especially the deep purple one as it is also an evergreen.

Best Wishes.

Answer 4

Some Rugosas will bloom for a longer time than others, depending on which variety of Rugosa you get, & on their growing conditions.  Click on links to enlarge picture on these varieties of Rugosa roses:

http://www.capital.net/com/azaleahs/rugo...

I really like the repeat-blooming "Therese Bugnet"  Rugosa rose & have always planted one whenever I moved to a new location. Unlike some Rugosas, this one isn't invasive,  & doesn't get overgrown. It grows up  5' .

http://www.marysplantfarm.com/_photos/ro...

http://www.flickr.com/photos/londonne/15...

http://www.horticlick.com/p/rosa_therese...

Here's what other's think about Theresa Bugnet:

http://forums2.gardenweb.com/forums/load...

Opinions on different types of Rugosas:

http://forums2.gardenweb.com/forums/load...

http://www.helpmefind.com/rose/pb.php?n=...

Why not try the "Knock Out" roses...they're great!

They bloom all summer & there's even a rainbow Knock Out rose.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cfiyWZtYa... (video)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V4bMn33wt...

http://www.landscape-america.com/gardens...

http://aggie-horticulture.tamu.edu/cemap...

http://www.waysidegardens.com/webapp/wcs...

The Daylily now has colorful "everbloomers" ... that bloom all summer until frost.

Stella D' Oro, Happy Returns, Pardon Me, Sunset Returns, Red Hot Returns, Apricot Sparkles , & Rosy Returns (the first PINK everblooming Daylily).

http://www.sepersnursery.com/Retail/Happ...

Echinacea isn't just a "Purple Coneflower" anymore because it now comes in various colors: rose-red, pink, lime, orange, yellow

http://www.itsaulplants.com/index.cfm?fu...

http://www.waysidegardens.com/webapp/wcs...

http://springhillnursery.com/search.asp?...

http://www.jacksonandperkins.com/gardeni...

Ornamental grasses can be used with your flowering plants..as nice structural plants which look great all season long...even in the winter.

Fountain Grass (Pennisetum alopecuroides)

Viridescens Black Fountain only grows 20 " full sun

http://www.bluestem.ca/grass-scapes/penn...

http://www.outsidepride.com/catalog/Blac...

http://www.urbanext.uiuc.edu/grasses/typ...

Blue Fescue

http://www.greenwoodnursery.com/page.cfm...

http://www.flickr.com/photos/41642339@N0...

P.S. I can't see any reason that you could not  get "Knock Out" roses in Ireland. They are disease resistant, so there shouldn't be any inpediment to selling (or buying) them there. If you can't find a nursery that sells them there, you can order them from the mail order nurseries. Just check out if they have any areas that they prohibit sending their plants to...it should be on their order forms...or you can phone or Email them.

As I hunted for info about Knock Out roses in Ireland (without success),  I found this Irish gardener's blog which I thought you'd enjoy. She likes the David Austin roses, & provides photos & a link to where she gets them (July 15, 08 entry):

http://windywillow.blogspot.com/ (scroll down page)

Good luck!!!   Hope I've been helpful.

Answer 5

I also live in Ireland and find that Hydrangas fare really well with very little care or attention. You can then remove the dried out flowers and spray them gold - they make lovely decorations for Christmas.

Rosa rugosa is hardy but quite invasive and the flowers aren't that impressive.  Plus it is a bugger to get rid of if you get tired of it.