Some flowers only bloom for a short period before wilting and dying. Other flowers, however, remain green and vibrant for much longer. These long-lasting green flowers are perfect for gardeners who want color that endures for weeks or months. So what flowers stay green after blooming? Here are some of the top options:
Lily of the Valley
The dainty, bell-shaped blooms of lily of the valley only last for about two weeks in the spring. But the foliage remains fresh and green throughout the summer. Grow lily of the valley in partial to full shade and keep the soil moist. The green leaves will continue looking attractive right up until fall.
Lady’s Mantle
Lady’s mantle is treasured for its ruffled chartreuse flowers that appear in late spring and early summer. But after the blooms fade away, the leaves retain their bright green color. The scalloped foliage creates great texture and contrast in flower beds. Lady’s mantle thrives in partial shade and moist, fertile soil.
Astilbe
The feathery plumes of astilbe add incredible color in shades of white, pink, red, purple and more. Astilbe blooms in the summer and the flowers last about two to three weeks. After that, the green foliage persists to keep the garden looking lively. Plant astilbe in partial to full shade and irrigate regularly for the healthiest looking leaves.
Hosta
Hostas are grown primarily for their stunning foliage. The leaves come in green, blue-green, yellow and variegated forms. Hostas do produce spikes of lavender flowers mid-summer, but the blooms are brief. The foliage continues to look pristine if protected from slugs and snails. Grow hostas in shade to part shade and divide the plants every few years to encourage vigor.
Ferns
Ferns are another group of plants that shine for their elegant, lacy green foliage instead of their flowers. Varieties like autumn fern, Christmas fern, maidenhair fern, ostrich fern and Japanese painted fern maintain their lush green hues season after season. Site ferns in part to full shade and irrigate to keep their fronds perky.
Lungwort
The gray-green leaves of lungwort are decorated with unique white or pink spotting. In spring, lungwort displays clusters of blue, pink or white tubular flowers. When the blooms fade away, the pretty foliage persists. Lungwort thrives in partial shade and evenly moist soil. It spreads slowly to form an attractive groundcover.
Turtlehead
Turtlehead gets its name from its unique hooded flowers that resemble turtle heads. The flowers bloom from midsummer into fall and come in white, pink, red and purple. Once the flowers disappear, the bright green leaves maintain a nice presence in shady garden beds. Turtlehead favors consistently moist soil.
Hellebores
Many hellebore varieties bloom in late winter and early spring when little else is flowering. The rose-like blooms last for several weeks before giving way to leathery green foliage that sticks around through the summer. Plant hellebores in partial shade and fertile, well-draining soil. Cut back the previous year’s leaves in winter to show off the new growth.
Lenten Rose
Lenten rose is another early bloomer, showing off its large single or double flowers in shades of purple, red, pink, white and yellow starting late winter. The evergreen foliage remains attractive all season long. Plant lenten rose in part shade with rich, moist soil. Remove spent flowers to encourage continuous blooming.
Coral Bells
Coral bells are a popular perennial grown for their showy foliage. Varieties have green leaves with hues of red, orange, gold, purple and more. Airy flower spikes appear in spring or summer, but the colorful leaves continue looking beautiful after the blooms drop. Plant coral bells in partial shade or sun and well-draining soil.
Dead Nettle
The dainty purple, pink or white flowers of dead nettle, also called lamium, show up in spring. Once they fade, the leaves remain green or have silvery variegation. Dead nettle spreads to form a lush groundcover and thrives in partial shade to full shade. It needs consistently moist soil. Trim off flowers to prolong the bloom period.
Ligularia
Ligularia is prized for its large, dark green leaves that have a bold, tropical look. Bright yellow daisy-like blooms appear mid-summer and last about two weeks. The foliage remains green and healthy looking if given partial shade and plenty of moisture. Consider adding a mulch layer around ligularia plants to help retain soil moisture.
Sarracenia
Sarracenia produce otherworldly flowers in spring and early summer, but the trumpet-shaped leaves are the real showstoppers of this carnivorous plant. The leaves persist after the flowers and stay green through fall. Grow sarracenia in full sun and very wet soil. Use distilled or rain water, not tap water. Plant in a container or bog garden.
Barrenwort
Barrenwort lighting up shady gardens with their tiny purple or white flowers in spring. Once the blooms disappear, the oval-shaped green leaves create a nice groundcover effect. Barrenwort thrives in partial to full shade and evenly moist, rich soil. It does best with some shelter from intense afternoon sun.
Green and Variegated Sweet Flag
Sweet flag is a grass-like, moisture-loving plant. It produces small brown flowers in spring that give way to strappy green foliage. Look for variegated varieties like ‘Variegatum’ that have cream or white-striped leaves for added interest. Sweet flag grows in full sun or part shade if kept consistently wet. Use it at the edges of ponds or water features.
Golden Hakone Grass
This ornamental grass starts out bright yellow and slowly fades to green over the season. Pinkish flower spikes appear in fall but the real show is the cascading, bamboo-like foliage that persists into winter. Golden Hakone grass thrives in partial shade and moist soil. Protect it from intense afternoon sun to prevent leaf scorch.
Viola
Viola, also called pansies, are popular cool weather annuals that bloom from spring to fall in mild climates. But even after the cheery flowers fade away, the petite green leaves retain their lushness if the plants are kept watered. Plant violas in full sun to light shade and moist, fertile soil. Deadhead spent blooms to encourage more flowers.
Bergenia
Known as pigsqueak, bergenia emerges very early in spring with clusters of pink, red or white flowers. When the blooms disappear, large rounded leaves remain green throughout the growing season. Bergenia does best in partial shade and fairly dry soil. The leathery leaves are resistant to deer browsing.
Pachysandra
Pachysandra is a superb evergreen groundcover for shade. In spring it bears white flowers on short spikes, but the flowers are not the main attraction. The lush green leaves spread to form a dense carpet that thrives in shade and nearly any soil. Keep pachysandra watered during dry spells. It withstands deer grazing and needs little care.
Deadleaves
Deadleaves, or plectranthus, is a shrubby plant grown for its brightly colored and beautifully patterned foliage. Varieties exist with purple, silver, green, and cream leaves, sometimes with contrasting edges and veining. Deadleaves plants bloom sporadically with small purple flowers. Provide part shade and evenly moist soil. Pinch off flower spikes to promote leaf growth.
Caladium
Caladiums are treasured for their incredible leaf colors and patterns in shades of white, pink, red and green. Heart-shaped leaves emerge in spring and last until fall. Caladiums also produce small flowers during the summer, but they are mostly hidden by the flashy foliage. Grow caladiums in part to full shade and consistently moist, humus-rich soil.
Conclusion
Many flowering plants have short-lived blooms but flower gardening doesn’t have to end when the blossoms drop. The plants highlighted above maintain fresh green or variegated foliage long after any flowers fade away. Be sure to give them the proper growing conditions, especially shade and ample moisture, and they’ll keep your garden looking lively through summer and beyond. With a selection of plants that feature enduring green leaves, you can extend the color in your garden from spring through fall.
| Plant | Bloom Time | Flower Color | Ideal Growing Conditions |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lily of the Valley | Spring | White | Shade, evenly moist soil |
| Lady’s Mantle | Late spring, early summer | Greenish yellow | Part shade, moist soil |
| Astilbe | Summer | White, pink, red, purple | Part to full shade, regular watering |
| Hosta | Mid summer | Lavender | Part to full shade, slug protection |
| Ferns | None | None | Part to full shade, consistent moisture |
| Lungwort | Spring | Blue, pink, white | Part shade, evenly moist soil |
| Turtlehead | Summer to fall | White, pink, red, purple | Consistently moist soil |
| Hellebores | Late winter, early spring | Purple, red, pink, white, yellow | Part shade, well-draining soil |
| Lenten Rose | Late winter | Purple, red, pink, white, yellow | Part shade, rich moist soil |
| Coral Bells | Spring, summer | White, pink | Part shade to sun, well-draining soil |
| Dead Nettle | Spring | Purple, pink, white | Part to full shade, moist soil |
| Ligularia | Mid summer | Yellow | Part shade, consistent moisture |
| Sarracenia | Spring, early summer | Red, yellow, purple | Full sun, wet soil or bog conditions |
| Barrenwort | Spring | Purple, white | Part to full shade, evenly moist soil |
| Sweet Flag | Spring | Brown | Sun or part shade, wet soil |
| Golden Hakone Grass | Fall | Pinkish | Part shade, moist soil |
| Viola | Spring to fall | Wide variety | Sun to part shade, moist fertile soil |
| Bergenia | Early spring | Pink, red, white | Part shade, fairly dry soil |
| Pachysandra | Spring | White | Shade, any soil if irrigated |
| Deadleaves | Sporadic | Purple | Part shade, evenly moist soil |
| Caladium | Summer | White | Part to full shade, consistently moist soil |
