Favorite new sun perennial introductions for 2026
We’ve researched the new plant offerings for 2026 and have found this year’s top picks for new sun perennials are a flowery bunch in a wide range of colors, shapes and sizes. Even better, many of them are deer resistant! You’ll notice that the trend in compact varieties hasn’t slowed down, so whether you have a small garden or are running out of room in a big border, these smaller versions perennials will expand your plant palette. Let’s take a look at some fascinating new plant introductions for 2026.
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‘Sundial’ false sunflower (Heliopsis helianthoides)
The centers of these golden-yellow blooms glow red when they first emerge, then mature to solid yellow, so each plant has a mix of colorful flowers in mid- to late summer. This color combination really pops against the burgundy foliage of the smokebush (Cotinus coggygria) above.
This drought-tolerant native perennial has an upright habit with rich olive green foliage that takes on a deep purple tone when it first emerges. ‘Sundial’ has excellent resistance to powdery mildew.
Type: Perennial
Best features: Vibrant golden yellow flowers with red centers; deer resistant
Light: Full sun to part shade
Size: 48 to 54 in. tall, 40 to 46 in. wide
Cold hardy: USDA zones 3 to 9
Introducer: Walters Gardens, Inc.
Source: Bluestone Perennials, 800-852-5243
Skyward™ Light Pink speedwell (Veronica hybrid)
More compact than other veronica varieties, Skyward Light Pink has clusters of spikes starting in late spring, and they keep going through summer, enticing lots of pollinators.
Type: Perennial
Best features: Compact plants covered in lilac blooms; deer resistant
Light: Full sun to part shade
Size: 14 to 18 in. tall and wide
Cold hardy: USDA zones 4 to 9
Introducer: Darwin Perennials®
Source: Local garden centers
Learn more about Skyward speedwell
Take a closer look at Darwin Perennials new introduction, Skyward Speedwell (Veronica hybrid), on our tour at their test gardens last summer. With its branching spiky blooms, this variety is easy to create long-lasting waves of color for your border or container plantings.
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‘Passion Hearts’ fernleaf bleeding heart (Dicentra hybrid)
This low-growing perennial is tougher than it looks, putting on quite a show near the front of the border. Its ferny blue foliage is topped off with an abundance of heart-shaped bicolor pink blooms in spring, but it doesn’t stop there. Flowers keep coming through summer, even in the heat.
Type: Perennial
Best features: Bicolor blooms from spring to fall; deer resistant
Light: Full sun to part shade
Size: 18 to 24 in. tall, 26 to 28 in. wide
Cold hardy: USDA zones 3 to 9
Introducer: Walters Gardens, Inc.
Source: Sooner Plant Farm, 918-453-0771
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Orange Sparkler dianthus (Dianthus hybrid)
Part of the Scent First® series, this fragrant dianthus has unusual orange blooms with hot pink flecks in spring and makes a great cut flower. It reblooms off and on through summer, with silver-blue foliage to keep the garden interesting when the flowers take a break.
Type: Perennial
Best features: Fragrant blooms in a unique color for dianthus; deer resistant
Light: Full sun
Size: 10 to 12 in. tall and wide
Cold hardy: USDA zones 5 to 9
Introducer: PlantHaven International, Inc.
Source: Local garden centers
‘Prairie Princess’ ironweed (Vernonia hybrid)
With its smaller size and sturdy stems, this new ironweed doesn’t splay open like the species. Its upright stems are covered in late-summer to early-fall blooms, making it a late-season pollinator favorite.
Type: Perennial
Best features: Small rosy purple aster-like flowers on compact plants; deer resistant; North American Native
Light: Full sun
Size: 26 to 30 in. tall, 30 to 36 in. wide
Cold hardy: USDA zones 4 to 9
Introducer: Proven Winners®
Source: Garden Crossings, 616-875-6355
‘Violets Are Blue’ delphinium (Delphinium elatum)
The large blue-violet blooms with a white “bee” in the center will turn heads. The biggest flush of flowers is in early summer, but plants rebloom into early fall. Though the stems are sturdy, staking is still a good idea in windy spots.
Type: Perennial
Best features: Dramatic blue-violet blooms on tough plants; deer resistant
Light: Full sun to part shade
Size: 30 to 36 in. tall, 18 to 24 in. wide
Cold hardy: USDA zones 3 to 7
Introducer: Proven Winners®
Source: Sooner Plant Farm, 918-453-0771
‘JoJo’ Joe-Pye weed (Eutrochium fistulosum)
At 4 feet tall and wide, this new compact Joe-Pye weed is easy to work into just about any garden. The fluffy flowers, made up of tiny individual double blooms, are sterile, so there’s no worry about reseeding.
Type: Perennial
Best features: Compact plants with double blooms that won’t reseed; deer-resistant
Light: Full sun
Size: 3 to 4 ft. tall and wide
Cold hardy: USDA zones 4 to 8
Introducer: Plants Nouveau
Source: Sooner Plant Farm, 918-453-0771
‘Opal’ threadleaf coreopsis (Coreopsis verticillata)
The sweet little blooms on this threadleaf coreopsis put on a show that changes with the seasons. Flowers start in late spring and keep going until frost, blushing deep pink in cooler weather and having more white in warm temps. The powdery mildew–resistant foliage stayed fresh and green all season in our test garden.
Type: Perennial
Best features: Small, season-changing, white flowers with blushes of pink in cool weather; deer resistant
Light: Full sun
Size: 12 to 14 in. tall and wide
Cold hardy: USDA zones 5 to 10
Introducer: Terra Nova® Nurseries, Inc.
Source: Local garden centers
‘Golden Needles’ prairie dropseed (Sporobolus heterolepis)
When you want a spotlight of foliage in the border, this new prairie dropseed does the job. It starts out golden yellow in spring and matures to chartreuse by midsummer. Airy flower stems reach 3 feet tall. You’ll get the best foliage color in full sun.
Type: Perennial
Best features: Showy golden yellow foliage that matures to chartreuse; deer resistant
Light: Full sun
Size: 18 in. tall, 36 in. in bloom, 18 in. wide
Cold hardy: USDA zones 3 to 9
Introducer: Intrinsic Perennial Gardens, Inc.
Source: Local garden centers
Red Angelina™ sedum (Sedum hybrid)
Check out this cool new sedum that looks and grows like ‘Angelina’ but has red foliage! The deepest red shows up in spring and fall when temperatures are cooler. Plants develop a bit of green during the hottest part of summer. Yellow flowers open in late spring. Use it as an eye-catching accent near the front of the border to fill in gaps between other taller perennials.
Type: Perennial
Best features: A vigorous ground-cover sedum with deep red foliage
Light: Full sun
Size: 3 in. tall, 18 in. wide
Cold hardy: USDA zones 3 to 9
Introducer: Garden Solutions
Source: Local garden centers
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