Looking to add some serious height and wow-factor to your garden?
These tall perennial flowers will do just that, bringing bold color, structure, and charm that lasts year after year.
Which of these beautiful types of flowers will you create a colorful perennial garden with?
Tall Colorful Perennials For Part Sun, Part Shade, Full Sun & Shade
1. Perennial Hibiscus
Vibrant, tropical-looking blooms make this tall perennial a garden showstopper.
With flowers the size of dinner plates, it adds a bold splash of red, pink, or white to the landscape.
Its impressive height and large blossoms attract hummingbirds and butterflies alike.
USDA Growing Zone: 4-9
Average Mature Size: 3-8 feet tall, 2-4 feet wide
Growth Rate: Fast
Flower Colors: Red, pink, white
Blooms: Mid to late summer
Grows In: Full sun to part shade
Botanical Name: Hibiscus moscheutos
2. Oriental Lily
Fragrant and elegant, this lily variety graces gardens with exotic, star-shaped flowers.
The vibrant colors and intricate patterns make it a favorite for both gardeners and pollinators.
Ideal for cutting gardens, its blooms add a touch of luxury to any bouquet.
USDA Growing Zone: 4-9
Average Mature Size: 3-6 feet tall, 1-2 feet wide
Growth Rate: Moderate
Flower Colors: Pink, white, red, yellow, bi-colors
Blooms: Mid to late summer
Grows In: Full sun to part shade
Botanical Name: Lilium orientalis
3. Giant Lily
Towering above other plants, this lily produces clusters of trumpet-shaped flowers atop tall stalks.
Its fragrant blooms are a magnet for pollinators, adding height and allure to shaded garden areas.
Perfect for creating dramatic vertical interest in the landscape.
USDA Growing Zone: 6-9
Average Mature Size: 6-12 feet tall, 2-3 feet wide
Growth Rate: Slow to Moderate
Flower Colors: White with maroon markings
Blooms: Mid to late summer
Grows In: Part shade to full shade
Botanical Name: Cardiocrinum giganteum
4. Delphinium
Adding vertical splendor, this short-lived perennial showcases tall spires adorned with densely packed blossoms.
Vibrant blue, purple, pink, or white flowers make a striking statement in borders and bouquets.
Excellent for cottage gardens, it brings both height and a splash of color to the landscape.
USDA Growing Zone: 3-7
Average Mature Size: 4-6 feet tall, 1-2 feet wide
Growth Rate: Moderate
Flower Colors: Blue, purple, pink, white
Blooms: Early to mid-summer
Grows In: Full sun to part shade
Botanical Name: Delphinium spp.
5. Hollyhock
Embodying old-world charm, this tall biennial features towering spikes covered in large, disc-shaped flowers.
Blooms come in a variety of colors, adding a nostalgic touch to fences and walls.
A favorite in cottage gardens, it creates a dramatic backdrop with minimal effort.
USDA Growing Zone: 3-8
Average Mature Size: 5-8 feet tall, 1-2 feet wide
Growth Rate: Moderate to Fast
Flower Colors: Pink, red, yellow, white, purple
Blooms: Mid to late summer
Grows In: Full sun
Botanical Name: Alcea rosea
6. Black-Eyed Susan
Brightening gardens with cheerful yellow petals and dark centers, this tall variety is popular among these perennials.
Hardy and low-maintenance, it’s great for adding height and color.
Black-Eyed Susan blossoms attract butterflies and are excellent for cut flower arrangements.
USDA Growing Zone: 3-9
Average Mature Size: 5-7 feet tall, 2-3 feet wide
Growth Rate: Fast
Flower Colors: Yellow with dark centers
Blooms: Mid to late summer
Grows In: Full sun to part shade
Botanical Name: Rudbeckia laciniata ‘Herbstonne’
7. Joe Pye Weed
Renowned for clusters of mauve-pink flowers atop tall stems, this tall hardy perennial is a pollinator magnet.
Thriving in moist soils, it adds architectural height to the back of borders.
Joe Pye Weed’s airy blooms bring a naturalistic charm to gardens.
USDA Growing Zone: 4-9
Average Mature Size: 5-7 feet tall, 2-4 feet wide
Growth Rate: Fast
Flower Colors: Mauve, pink, purple
Blooms: Late summer to early fall
Grows In: Full sun to part shade
Botanical Name: Eutrochium purpureum
8. Queen of the Prairie
Featuring fluffy pink plumes that resemble cotton candy, this tall perennial adds a whimsical touch to landscapes.
Attractive foliage and towering flower clusters make it popular in moist garden areas.
It is perfect for naturalizing in meadow or woodland settings.
USDA Growing Zone: 3-8
Average Mature Size: 4-8 feet tall, 2-3 feet wide
Growth Rate: Moderate
Flower Colors: Pink
Blooms: Mid to late summer
Grows In: Full sun to part shade
Botanical Name: Filipendula rubra
9. Plume Poppy
Making a bold statement, this perennial boasts large, lobed leaves and tall plumes of creamy-white flowers.
Excellent for filling large spaces and adding dramatic height.
Caution: Plume Poppy can be aggressive, so containment may be necessary.
USDA Growing Zone: 3-8
Average Mature Size: 6-10 feet tall, 4-6 feet wide
Growth Rate: Fast
Flower Colors: Creamy-white
Blooms: Mid to late summer
Grows In: Full sun to part shade
Botanical Name: Macleaya cordata
10. Cup Plant
This native perennial features sturdy stems with leaves that form cups, capturing rainwater.
Bright yellow, sunflower-like blooms attract birds and pollinators.
The Cup Plant is ideal for naturalized areas, it brings both height and ecological value to the garden.
USDA Growing Zone: 3-9
Average Mature Size: 6-8 feet tall, 3-4 feet wide
Growth Rate: Fast
Flower Colors: Yellow
Blooms: Mid to late summer
Grows In: Full sun to part shade
Botanical Name: Silphium perfoliatum
11. Maximilian Sunflower
Displaying an abundance of yellow flowers along tall stems, this sunflower brings late-season color.
Drought-tolerant and perfect for prairie or meadow gardens.
Maximilian Sunflower’s towering height and bright blooms make it a favorite among pollinators.
USDA Growing Zone: 4-9
Average Mature Size: 6-10 feet tall, 2-4 feet wide
Growth Rate: Fast
Flower Colors: Yellow
Blooms: Late summer to fall
Grows In: Full sun
Botanical Name: Helianthus maximiliani
12. Foxglove
Elegant spires adorned with bell-shaped flowers add vertical interest to gardens.
Speckled throats and a variety of colors create a cottage garden feel when you plant this biennial or short-lived perennial.
Caution is advised with Foxglove, as all parts are toxic if ingested.
USDA Growing Zone: 4-9
Average Mature Size: 2-5 feet tall, 1-2 feet wide
Growth Rate: Moderate
Flower Colors: Pink, purple, white, yellow
Blooms: Late spring to early summer
Grows In: Part shade to full sun
Botanical Name: Digitalis purpurea
13. Red Hot Poker
Adding a tropical flair, this plant features spikes of tubular flowers transitioning from red to yellow.
Striking blooms resemble torches, attracting hummingbirds and butterflies.
Drought-tolerant, Red Hot Poker brings vibrant color to sunny spots.
USDA Growing Zone: 5-9
Average Mature Size: 3-4 feet tall, 2-3 feet wide
Growth Rate: Moderate
Flower Colors: Red, orange, yellow
Blooms: Early to late summer
Grows In: Full sun
Botanical Name: Kniphofia uvaria
14. Globe Thistles
Unique spherical blooms of steely blue add texture and interest to gardens.
Drought-tolerant and attractive to pollinators, they make excellent dried flowers.
The architectural form of Globe Thistles provide a striking contrast to softer plantings.
USDA Growing Zone: 3-8
Average Mature Size: 3-4 feet tall, 1-2 feet wide
Growth Rate: Moderate
Flower Colors: Blue, purple
Blooms: Mid to late summer
Grows In: Full sun
Botanical Name: Echinops ritro
15. Canna
Tropical-looking foliage and vibrant flowers make this plant a winner.
Large leaves in green, bronze, or variegated patterns complement blooms of red, orange, or yellow.
Canna is perfect for adding height and an exotic touch to gardens and containers.
USDA Growing Zone: 7-10 (can be grown as annual in colder zones)
Average Mature Size: 3-6 feet tall, 1-3 feet wide
Growth Rate: Fast
Flower Colors: Red, orange, yellow, pink
Blooms: Summer to fall
Grows In: Full sun
Botanical Name: Canna spp.
16. Boltonia
Covered in a profusion of daisy-like white or pink flowers, this tall perennial brings a cloud-like effect.
Excellent for late-season color and attracts butterflies.
Boltonia’s tall, airy habit makes it ideal for back borders or naturalistic plantings.
USDA Growing Zone: 3-10
Average Mature Size: 4-6 feet tall, 2-4 feet wide
Growth Rate: Fast
Flower Colors: White, pink
Blooms: Late summer to fall
Grows In: Full sun to part shade
Botanical Name: Boltonia asteroides
Garden Design Ideas Using Tall Perennial Flowers
Want More?
Surely after going through these tall perennials you found a beautiful type of flower that suits your property?
If not then we have some cheery winter blooming flowers that will turn your frown upside down.
