10 Tall Perennial Flowers

Written by Crystal
Updated: April 17, 2023
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What qualifies as a tall perennial flower? Many gardeners would say anything over two feet, but others hold fast to the belief that the blooms must be at eye level. The variety in heights makes for a good debate! One thing’s certain; towering perennials are thrilling to see. That’s why we’ve rounded up a list of our favorite tall flowers perfect for making a dramatic statement in your garden. Read on to learn about 10 incredible tall perennial flowers.

1. Astilbe

Pink fresh astilbe flowers with green foliage

Astilbe flowers handle water well, and are often used to frame ponds.

©iStock.com/Sansargo

A popular plant is Astilbe which is a shade-loving perennial that comes in a variety of colors and sizes. Their history dates back to eigth century China, when the plants helped heal all sorts of ailments – such as wounds from swords, animals, and frostbite.

These hardy plants produce beautiful clusters of flowers that bloom in late spring or early summer. Astilbes are relatively easy to care for, and they make an excellent addition to any garden. Astilbe plants prefer moist, well-drained soil and partial shade, so they are ideal for shady areas that other plants may not thrive in.

Astilbes are also deer resistant, making them a good choice for gardens in areas where deer are prevalent. With proper care, astilbes will bloom year after year, providing beauty and interest to the garden for many years to come.

2. Joe Pye Weed

Joe Pye weed

Another name for

Eupatorium Purpureum

is Joe Pye weed

©Andrey_Nikitin/Shutterstock.com

Joe Pye weed is a tall, flowering plant native to North America. The plant gets its name from Joe Pye. Today, Joe Pye weed is still used for medicinal purposes, and it is also popular as an ornamental plant. The flowers of Joe Pye weed are pink or purple, and they grow in clusters at the top of the plant. The plant blooms from July to September, and it typically grows to be about six feet tall. Joe Pye weed prefers damp, open areas such as meadows and fields, and it is often found growing near streams or ponds. If you are looking for a showy plant to add to your garden, Joe Pye weed is a great choice.

3. Wild Blue Indigo (Baptisia Australis)

blue false indigo

Wild blue indigo has pretty blue flowers which bloom in the early summer

©iStock.com/magicflute002

Baptisia australis, also known as wild blue indigo, is a member of the legume family. It is native to the southeastern United States. The plant gets its name from its showy blue flowers, which bloom in early summer. It’s one of the loveliest tall perennial flowers on our list.

These are hardy plants that can tolerate poor soils and drought conditions. They are often used as ornamental plants in gardens and parks. These tall perennial flowers can spread quickly through their network of underground roots. As a result, it is important to place Baptisia australis in an area where it will not crowd out other plants.

The leaves of this flower divide into three leaflets. It grows 2 to 4 feet tall from a woody base. The flowers are blue-purple and pea-like.  The plant becomes silvery-gray in late fall and may break off at ground level and tumble about in the wind. This plant requires the existence of microorganisms that inhabit root nodules on the plant’s system and produce nitrogen compounds necessary for survival.

4. Bee Balm (Monarda Didyma)

bee balm flowers

Bee balm comes in many colors.

©Bryan Pollard/Shutterstock.com

Monarda didyma, also known as bee balm, is a tall perennial flower native to North America. The plant has showy flowers that range in color from pink to purple, and it is a popular choice for gardens and pollinator-friendly landscaping. Bee balm is easy to grow and care for, and it attracts bees, butterflies, and other pollinators.  Overall, it is a versatile plant that makes a beautiful addition to any garden.

Bee balm flowers are very showy, and each variety serves a purpose in the ecosystem. Each of these flowers has a different bloom time, but they all share one commonality: they are absolutely essential to our ecosystems. Not only do they provide food for pollinators,  but they are also excellent plants for naturalizing. These flowers spread readily via rhizome roots. 

5. New England Aster (Symphyotrichum Novae-Angliae)

Male Orange sulfur butterfly or Colias eurytheme on New England Aster in the late summer sun.

New England aster has stunning purple flowers and is a colorful addition to any garden

©iStock.com/McKinneMike

Symphyotrichum novae-angliae, or New England aster, is a popular garden plant known for its striking purple flowers. Sometimes the blooms are also lavender blue with a hint of white. No matter the color, these plants are always producing tall perennial flowers. Native to the eastern United States, this aster is easy to grow and tolerant of a wide range of soil and light levels.

In late summer and early fall, the plant produces an abundance of daisy-like flowers that attract bees and butterflies. New England aster is a hardy plant that will thrive with minimal care. However, it can become weedy in certain conditions, so be sure to deadhead spent flowers if you don’t want it to self-seed. Overall, New England aster is a beautiful and versatile plant that will add color and interest to any garden.

6. Autumn Joy Sedum

Flowering Sedum Autumn Joy

One of the most popular and colorful sedums is the autumn joy variety which is a brilliant pink color

©iStock.com/herreid

Autumn joy, is one of the most popular sedums, and it’s easy to see why. This hardy plant is drought-tolerant and low-maintenance, and blooms from late summer into fall. The flowers start out a deep pink color and then turn a beautiful shade of red and bronze as the season progresses.

Sedum is also a great choice for gardeners looking to attract pollinators, as the flowers are popular with bees and butterflies. If you’re looking for a hassle-free plant that will add color to your garden from summer to fall, autumn joy sedum is sure to please.

7. Purple Coneflower (Echinacea Purpurea)

Purple coneflowers are members of the daisy family and usually bloom a brilliant pink color

©iStock.com/db_beyer

Echinacea purpurea, also known as purple coneflower, is a species of flowering plant in the daisy family. It is native to eastern and central North America. The plant is most commonly found in prairies, meadows, and open woodlands.

Echinacea purpurea grows to a height of 12 to 24 inches. The leaves are lanceolate or elliptical in shape and 4 to 8 inches long. The flowers are pink, purple, or white in color and 2 to 3.5 inches wide. They bloom from June to September. The plant is a favorite of bees, butterflies, and skippers.

8. Willowleaf Sunflower (Helianthus Salicifolius)

Willowleaf sunflower

The willow-leaved sunflower has impressive yellow flowers and looks similar to the common sunflower

©c_WaldWiese/Shutterstock.com

Helianthus salicifolius, or willowleaf sunflower, is a striking perennial that is native to North America. The plant gets its name from its willow-like leaves, which are soft and have a silvery sheen. The tall perennial flowers are stunning to see. The leaves are arranged in a rosette around the central stem and are hairless and deeply veined.

The flowers of the plant are yellow and located at the tips of the stems. They bloom in late summer and early fall, and they are followed by black seeds that are attractive to birds. Willowleaf sunflower is a drought-tolerant plant that prefers full sun and well-drained soil. It is relatively low-maintenance, and it makes gardens more vibrant.

9. Rudbeckia Fulgida

Goldsturm

Goldsturm is a stunning yellow flower which is closely related to the common sunflower

©Irena Socratous/Shutterstock.com

Rudbeckia fulgida “sullivantii”, commonly known as goldsturm, is a herbaceous perennial that is native to North America. It’s one of the most popular tall perennial flowers. Rudbeckia fulgida is member of the Asteraceae family and is closely related to the common sunflower. This flower grows to a height of 12 to 24 inches and produces large, daisy-like flowers with yellow petals and brownish-orange centers.

Goldsturm flowers bloom from late summer to early fall and attract bees, butterflies, and other pollinators. This plant prefers full sun and well-drained soil, but it is tolerant of many conditions. Goldsturm is a popular garden plant and is available commercially as both a seedling and a potted plant.

10. Alumroot (Heuchera americana)

Alumroot, or coral bell plant

Coral bells, also called Alumroot, have colorful flowers and colorful leaves.

©iStock.com/Martina Unbehauen

The Heuchera americana, also known as alumroot or coral bells, is a tall perennial flower that is native to North America. The species is characterized by its distinctive heart-shaped leaves and bell-shaped flowers, which range in color from white to pink to purple.

Heuchera americana is a popular ornamental plant, and it is often used in landscaping and gardens. The species is relatively easy to care for and does not require a lot of maintenance. Heuchera americana can be an excellent addition to any garden, and it is sure to add a touch of beauty and sophistication.

Summary Of 10 Tall Perennial Flowers

RankFlowerHeight
1Astilbe1 to 4 ft tall
2Joe Pye Weed4 to 6 ft tall
3Wild Blue Indigo (Baptisia Australis)2 to 4 ft tall
4Bee Balm (Monarda Didyma)4 ft tall
5New England Aster (Symphyotrichum Novae-Angliae)6 ft tall
6Autumn Joy Sedum20 to 24 inches tall
7Purple Coneflower (Echinacea Purpurea)12 to 24 inches tall
8Willowleaf Sunflower (Helianthus Salicifolius)24 to 26 inches tall
9Rudbeckia Fulgida12 to 24 inches tall
10Alumroot (Heuchera americana)up to 3 ft tall

The photo featured at the top of this post is © iStock.com/Sansargo


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About the Author

Crystal is a dedicated writer at A-Z Animals, focusing on topics related to mammals, insects, and travel. With over a decade of experience in the world of research and writing, she also fulfills the role of a skilled video and audio engineer. Residing in sunny Florida, alligators are Crystal's favorite animal.

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Sources
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  3. , Available here: https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1034/j.1600-0706.2002.980212.x
  4. , Available here: https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/08/090804071358.htm