The Best Perennial Flowers for Arkansas: 16 Flowers for a Consistent Bloom

Welcome to our guide on the best perennial flowers for Arkansas, where we explore a variety of beautiful blooms that thrive in this region. Whether you’re an experienced gardener or just starting out, this article aims to provide valuable insights and recommendations to ensure a consistent burst of color in your garden throughout the year.

Gardening Climate in Arkansas

The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Hardiness Zones for Arkansas range from Zone 6b in the northwest corner of the state to Zone 8a in the south-central region. Average temperatures in Zone 6b range from -5 to 0 degrees Fahrenheit in the winter and from 75 to 80 degrees Fahrenheit in the summer. Zone 7a in the north-central region has average temperatures of 0 to 5 degrees Fahrenheit in the winter and 80 to 85 degrees Fahrenheit in the summer. Zone 8a in the south-central region has average temperatures of 10 to 15 degrees Fahrenheit in the winter and 85 to 90 degrees Fahrenheit in the summer.

When planning a garden in Arkansas, it is important to know the Hardiness Zone for the region. The USDA Hardiness Zones provide gardeners with an excellent guide to help them select the appropriate plants and flowers for the area. It is important to remember that the Hardiness Zones only provide an approximation of what temperatures plants are able to withstand. Plant varieties can vary widely in their tolerance for extreme temperatures.

16 Best Perennials for Arkansas

We will break these plants down into three categories, spring-blooming, summer-blooming, and fall-blooming. This will allow you to choose perennials for your Arkansas garden that create a continuous bloom from spring through fall.

Spring Blooming Perennials for Arkansas

A spring-blooming perennial is a plant that blooms in the springtime and returns year after year. These perennials typically grow and flower in the spring, and then their foliage dies back in the summer. In the fall, the foliage will regrow in preparation for the next year’s bloom. Popular spring-blooming perennials include tulips, daffodils, daylilies, and hyacinths.

1. Daylily

The daylily (Hemerocallis spp.) is a cheerful and hardy flower that is a favorite among gardeners. Its physical description includes a wide range of colors, such as orange, yellow, pink, red, and purple. The blooms typically last for one day, but the entire plant can bloom for several weeks. Daylilies are easy to grow, as they require full sun to partial shade, well-drained soil, and occasional watering. These perennials are hardy in USDA zones 3 to 10, so they are well-suited for most climates. Daylilies are attractive and low-maintenance, making them a great addition to any garden.

2. Bleeding Heart

The bleeding heart flower (Dicentra) is a beautiful and unique perennial that will bring life and color to any garden. It has heart-shaped, soft-pink flowers that hang from arching branches. This flower is a low-maintenance option that blooms in late spring and early summer. It can be grown in USDA Zones 2-9 and prefers moist, well-draining soil with partial to full shade. It can reach heights of 1-3 feet tall and spread about 1-2 feet wide. To keep these flowers looking their best, be sure to deadhead old blooms and provide extra water during extended dry spells. With its unique shape and delicate blooms, the bleeding heart is a great perennial for Arkansas.

3. Pinks

Pinks, also known as Sweet William and Dianthus, are beautiful and fragrant flowers. They come in a variety of colors, including shades of pink, white, red, and purple. Pinks are perennial flowers that people often use in gardens and flower beds.

Pinks require full sun and well-drained soil in order to survive. Water them regularly and fertilize them regularly to ensure optimal growth. Pinks bloom from mid-spring to mid-summer, and you can propagate them from cuttings or by dividing clumps.

Pinks are hardy in USDA zones 3 to 9, making them easy to grow in most areas. If you’re looking for a unique and fragrant flower to add to your garden, consider pinks!

4. Spiderwort

Spiderwort, also known as Tradescantia, is a perennial flower that thrives in Arkansas gardens. It has vibrant purple-blue flowers and grass-like foliage. The stems of the plant are thin and wiry, and the foliage is slim and has a bright green color.

When caring for this plant, it is important to ensure that it gets plenty of sunlight. Spiderwort likes to be placed in an area where it receives at least six hours of sunlight each day. It also needs to be watered regularly to keep the soil moist. When the blooming season begins, the plant will produce star-shaped flowers in shades of purple and blue.

Spiderwort blooms from May to July. It is hardy in USDA zones 4-9. With proper care and maintenance, this plant can be a beautiful addition to any garden.

5. Foamflower

Foamflower (Tiarella) is a perennial flowering plant that belongs to the Saxifragaceae family. Its leaves are round and thick, and its stems are covered with short hairs. The foliage is usually green in color, but some varieties are variegated with white or cream. The flower is small, white, and star-shaped, with five petals. Foamflower blooms in late spring or early summer, depending on the variety.

When caring for foamflower, it’s important to ensure the soil is moist but well-drained. This plant prefers partial to full shade and needs consistent watering. Fertilize it in spring or early summer with a slow-release fertilizer. Mulching is also beneficial to foamflower, as it insulates the soil and keeps it from drying out too quickly.

Foamflower is hardy in USDA Zones 3-9, making it an ideal choice for a variety of climates. With proper care, it will reward gardeners with beautiful blooms each year.

6. Bearded Iris

The bearded Iris is a stunning flower beloved by gardeners for its vibrant colors and unique beauty. The plant’s large, lush blooms range in colors from shades of purple, blue, yellow, pink, white, and even a few bicolored varieties. The petals are ruffled and have a velvety texture. The large beard in the center of the bloom adds a distinctive and captivating touch.

In order to keep your bearded iris healthy, plant it in soil that drains well and ensure that it gets plenty of sunlight (at least 6 hours a day). Water regularly and add fertilizer to the soil during the growing season.

Bearded Iris blooms typically appear in spring and last through early summer. When the blooms are done, cut back the foliage to the base of the plant. Bearded Iris is suitable for growing in USDA Hardiness Zones 3-10. With proper care, you can enjoy these beautiful blooms for many years to come!

Summer Blooming Perennials for Arkansas

A summer-blooming perennial is a type of flowering plant that blooms in the summer months and typically returns each year. These types of plants are characterized by their beauty and long bloom period, making them popular choices for gardens and outdoor landscapes. Common summer-blooming perennials include daisies, coneflowers, lilies, and asters.

7. Hydrangea

The Hydrangea (Hydrangea spp.) is a genus of flowering plants native to Asia and the Americas. The hydrangea produces a large, attractive, and often fragrant flower. The flowers range in color from white to pink to purple and can even be two-toned. The plant blooms from late spring to mid-summer and can reach heights of up to 4 feet.

In terms of care, hydrangeas grow best in soil that is moist and well-drained. They prefer cooler climates and full to partial sun. The ideal temperature range for hydrangeas is between 45-75°F. They are hardy in USDA Zones 3-9 and can survive even in colder climates if given proper protection.

8. Butterfly Bush

The butterfly bush, or Buddleia ‘davidii,’ is an attractive and fragrant flowering shrub. It is an ideal choice for a garden, as it produces an abundance of blooms in hues of purple, pink, and white. These blooms will attract butterflies and other pollinators to your garden.

This shrub is very easy to care for and only requires minimal pruning. Plant it in full sun and moist, well-drained soil. Fertilize this shrub once a year in the spring. The Butterfly Bush blooms from late spring to mid-summer. It is hardy in USDA zones 5-9.

9. Clematis

Clematis is a perennial that is popular in Arkansas. It has a rounded vining habit with delicate, lightly fragrant flowers. The blooms come in a variety of colors, including white, pink, and purple. It can grow to be 6 feet tall and wide and does best in full sun to partial shade.

To care for clematis, keep the soil moist. Fertilize it once in the spring and once in the summer. Deadheading spent flowers will also encourage more blooms. The blooms of clematis usually appear in mid to late summer, with some varieties blooming again in the fall. Clematis is hardy in USDA zones 3-9.

10. Coneflower

Coneflower, also known as Echinacea, is a beautiful and hardy perennial flower native to Arkansas. It grows to between two and three feet tall and produces gorgeous, daisy-like blooms. Coneflower blooms in shades of pink, purple, white, and yellow, and its petals are often shaded with darker streaks. The blooms appear in late summer and last throughout the fall.

Coneflower is incredibly easy to care for and requires very little maintenance. It thrives in full sun and prefers well-drained soils. It also grows well in containers and is drought-tolerant. To keep the plant thriving, it’s best to deadhead spent blooms and provide additional water during extended periods of dry weather.

In terms of USDA hardiness zones, Coneflower grows in zones 3-9, meaning it can survive temperatures as low as -30°F. This makes it a great choice for those living in colder climates.

11. Black-Eyed Susan

Black-Eyed Susan is a beautiful perennial flower native to Arkansas. It has a bright daisy-like yellow flower with a deep red center, making it a beautiful addition to any garden. This flower prefers dry, sandy soil and full sun, making it easy to care for. Black-Eyed Susan is a hardy plant, blooming from mid-summer until late fall in most climates. This flower is hardy in USDA zones 4-9, making it an excellent option for most areas of Arkansas.

Fall Blooming Perennials for Arkansas

A fall-blooming perennial is a type of plant that produces flowers during the autumn season. These plants can be annuals, biennials, or even perennials, depending on the species. Popular examples of fall-blooming perennials include chrysanthemums, asters, and sedums. Many of these plants will continue to bloom until the first frost of the season. Fall-blooming perennials can add a splash of color to a garden during a time of year when many plants have gone dormant.

12. Salvia

Salvia is a beautiful perennial that thrives in Arkansas. It is a striking addition to any garden, with lovely bright violet-blue flowers and a compact habit. The flowers bloom from April to October, so it adds a bit of cheer to your landscape for much of the year. Salvia is easy to care for, requiring only regular water and soil that drains well. It is hardy in USDA zones 4-9, so it should do well in most of Arkansas. This plant is a great perennial choice for Arkansas, not only for its hardiness but also for its vibrant blooms and easy care.

13. Stokes Aster

Stokes aster (Stokesia laevis) is a perennial flower native to the southeastern United States. It has long, linear leaves with toothed edges and blue-green in color. The flowers are daisy-like, with white petals and yellow centers. It is an attractive and hardy plant that can reach heights of up to 2 feet and bloom from May to October.

Stokes aster is best grown in full sun in USDA zones 6 to 9. It doesn’t require much in the way of care, though it will benefit from regular watering and a layer of mulch to help with moisture retention. Deadheading spent flowers will also help to encourage reblooming.

Stokes aster is a great choice for gardens in Arkansas, as it is tolerant of both heat and humidity. It is also a great choice for attracting pollinators, such as bees and butterflies, to the garden. With its bright blooms and easy care, it is an excellent choice for brightening up any garden.

14. Stonecrop

Stonecrop (Sedum) is an attractive, easy-care perennial that blooms in late summer and fall. It has succulent-like fleshy green foliage that creates an attractive, drought-tolerant ground cover. It is hardy in USDA Zones 3–10, making it a great choice for Arkansas.

To care for stonecrop, plant in well-draining soil and full sun. It prefers sandy or gravelly soils, but you can grow it in clay-based soils if you add lots of organic matter. Water it once weekly during dry spells; it is generally drought tolerant once established.

Stonecrop produces yellow, pink, or white flowers in late summer or early fall. The flowers are attractive to pollinators such as butterflies and bees.

Stonecrop is an excellent choice for Arkansas because of its hardiness in the region, its attractive foliage, and its drought tolerance. The upright-growing cultivars make long-lasting cut flowers, and the seed heads add winter interest if you leave them on the plant.

15. Turtlehead

Turtlehead (Chelone) is a perennial flowering plant that is native to North America. It has attractive blooms in shades of pink, white, or lavender. The flowers resemble turtle heads, giving the plant its common name. The foliage is a bright shade of green, and the plant also produces attractive seed pods.

Turtlehead is easy to care for, preferring moist soil and partial to full shade. It blooms in the late summer and early fall, producing vibrant flowers that attract bees and butterflies. The plant is hardy in USDA zones 3 to 8, making it a great perennial choice for Arkansas.

16. Toad Lily

Toad Lily (Tricyrtis) is an exquisite, hardy perennial that can add beauty and interest to a garden. The foliage features heart-shaped leaves, and the delicate, star-shaped flowers range in color from white to pink to purple. They bloom from fall through early winter, often when few other plants are in bloom. Toad lilies are hardy in USDA zones 4-9, making them a great choice for Arkansas gardeners.

Toad lilies prefer moist, well-drained soil and partial to full shade. To get the best flowers, provide them with supplemental water and fertilizer. They may need some protection from slugs, as they can be a favorite food of the pests.