Spring is a time of anticipation for many gardeners, eagerly waiting for flowers and leaves to emerge after the winter. However, not all plants follow the same schedule; some seem to hit the snooze button well into spring. These late bloomers are not defective or lazy; they are well-adapted species that take their time to emerge from dormancy. They have evolved strategies to survive the unpredictable weather as winter transitions into spring.
What Does Dormancy Mean for Plants?
Dormancy in gardening refers to a plant’s period of rest when growth slows down or ceases entirely. It acts as a reset button in the plant’s life cycle, conserving energy until favorable conditions—like ideal temperatures, humidity, and sunlight—are consistently available. Plants enter dormancy during harsh environmental conditions such as winter to conserve resources. When they emerge, you may notice new buds or fresh green growth, but unseasonably warm weather can trigger premature dormancy breaking. Covering the soil with mulch can help manage the effects of sudden weather changes. Plants in dormancy do not die; they merely rest, relying on reserves accumulated during peak growing seasons. Patience is essential, as they may appear a bit bedraggled before reaching their peak beauty.
Late-Blooming Plants to Celebrate
1. Milkweed (Asclepias)
- Breaks Dormancy: Mid to late spring
- Milkweed returns reliably each year but takes its time. Patience is rewarded with nectar-rich blooms that attract pollinators from June to August.
2. Butterfly Bush (Buddleia)
- Breaks Dormancy: Late spring
- These shrubs, one of the last to wake up, often keep gardeners waiting until June. Their brightly-colored panicles are well worth the wait.
3. False Indigo (Baptisia)
- Breaks Dormancy: Mid spring
- False Indigo’s stunning blue or multicolor blooms make the wait worthwhile. Expect them to start growing in late March or early April, with flowers appearing about a month later.
4. Hardy Plumbago (Certostigma)
- Breaks Dormancy: Mid to late spring
- Hardy Plumbago provides whimsical blue flowers in early fall, followed by maroon foliage. Its late dormancy is a small price to pay for such beauty.
5. Bluebeard (Caryopteris)
- Breaks Dormancy: Late spring
- Known for preferring hotter conditions, Bluebeard develops leaves in late spring and bursts into bloom with dark blue, purple, or pink flowers in late August.
6. Korean Tassel Fern
- Breaks Dormancy: Late spring
- This elegant, semi-evergreen fern adds classic charm to shade gardens. Its new fronds emerge in late spring, offering year-round stunning foliage.
7. Perennial Hibiscus
- Breaks Dormancy: Late spring to early summer
- Known for being among the last to wake up, the Summerific Series of hibiscus takes several weeks or months to reach their full bloom in mid-late summer.
8. Hydrangea
- Breaks Dormancy: Mid spring
- Waiting for hydrangeas to bloom can be tough, but the patience pays off with their large mophead and lacecap flowers. Different types such as bigleaf and mountain hydrangeas start earlier, but panicle and smooth types are just behind.
9. Ornamental Grasses
- Breaks Dormancy: Late spring to early summer
- Warm-season grasses, such as ornamental grasses, tend to take their time, which can be worrying. However, they reliably emerge as the weather warms up.
10. Pineapple Lily (Eucomis)
- Breaks Dormancy: Early to mid summer
- These perennials require extra patience but reward you with unique star-shaped flowers and a unique habit that makes them worth the wait.
11. Russian Sage (Perovskia)
- Breaks Dormancy: Mid spring
- This late-summer blooming perennial features fragrant lavender-blue blooms. It thrives in warm temperatures, so expect it to emerge a bit later than other drought-tolerant plants.
12. Weigela
- Breaks Dormancy: Mid to late spring
- Once leaves appear in mid-spring, you won’t wait long for Weigela’s early summer blooms. Some cultivars even rebloom into fall.
