28 Best Fall-Blooming Flowers for Your Perennial Garden

Reviewed by Julie Thompson-Adolf

For an abundance of fall-blooming perennials in your flower garden, you need to do some planning early in the gardening season. Perennials thrive when planted in the late fall so they have time to become established for spectacular and colorful blooms the next year or early spring. Check each plant's growing zones. In warm regions, some of these perennials will bloom in mid-summer, and for colder zones, they should bloom before frost hits. Your local nursery or county extension service office can offer advice. Here are the best fall-blooming flowers for your perennial garden.

Warning

Some of the plants listed are toxic to humans and animals, as noted below.

Autumn Crocus

Autumn crocus bulbs (Colchicum autumnale) are planted in late summer and bloom the next fall. The flowers appear first, blooming for two to three weeks, and then die back. The next spring, long leaves will sprout and then disappear as summer heats up. The plant remains dormant throughout the summer and blooms in early fall. The flowers are about 4 inches across, and each plant blooms in a cluster of up to four blossoms. The bulbs benefit from being divided every four years or so to keep the clumps healthy and prevent the center of the clump from dying out. All parts of the plant are toxic to humans, cats, dogs, and horses.

• Name: Autumn crocus (Colchicum autumnale)

• USDA Hardiness Zones: 4a to 9b

• Light: Full sun

• Soil: Well-draining, neutral

• Flower Color: Pink, lavender, white

• Deer Resistant: No

Autumn Joy Sedum

Autumn Joy sedum (Hylotelephium 'Herbstfreude' Autumn Joy) comes as close to perfection as any plant can. It looks good all year, requires minimal maintenance, and attracts few problems. The only drawback of sedum, commonly known as stonecrop, is that it's not deer-resistant. Pruning the plant in early July can encourage bushier and sturdier growth.

• Name: Autumn Joy sedum (Hylotelephium 'Herbstfreude' Autumn Joy)
  

• USDA Hardiness Zones: 3a to 10 b

• Light: Full sun

• Soil: Dry, well-draining, sandy, rocky

• Flower Color: Yellow, red, pink, lavender, white

• Deer Resistant: No
  

Autumn Phlox 'Laura'

In addition to the cultivar, 'Laura' Autumn phlox (Phlox paniculata 'Laura') is available in various colors and blooms from mid-summer to mid-fall. It grows from 2 to 4 feet tall and is clump-forming. Removing faded flower panicles will prolong blooming and prevent self-seeding, as cultivars do not come true from seed. It attracts birds, butterflies, and other pollinators. In winter, plants should be cut to the ground and removed from the garden to minimize possible powdery mildew infection for the following season.  

• Name: Autumn phlox (Phlox paniculata 'Laura')

• USDA Hardiness Zones: 4a to 8b

• Light: Full sun to dappled sun

• Soil: Moist, neutral

• Flower Color: Purple, pink, blue, red, white

• Deer Resistant: No
  

Autumn Sneezeweed

Sneezeweed (Helenium autumnale) blooms look like small, russet-toned coneflowers. Many can grow quite tall and will need to be staked or pinched. The plant likes cool feet and hot heads, meaning you should use mulch to keep the roots cool but plant it in full sun to keep the top of the plant warm.

• Name: Autumn sneezeweed (Helenium autumnale)

• USDA Hardiness Zones: 3a to 8b

• Light: Full sun to dappled sun

• Soil: Moist, neutral

• Flower Color: Orange, yellow, gold, copper, brown

• Deer Resistant: Yes

Balloon Flower

Balloon flower (Platycodon grandiflorus) mostly blooms in the summertime, but it can also bloom in the fall if you deadhead it. It starts as a puff or bubble and pops open when ready to bloom. Balloon flower is a profuse bloomer, and the plants spread slowly, filling in without becoming a nuisance. Cut the plants back in the spring or fall; otherwise, there's virtually no other maintenance required.

• Name: Balloon flower (Platycodon grandiflorus)

• USDA Hardiness Zones: 3a to 8b

• Light: Full sun to dappled shade

• Soil: Well-draining, neutral

• Flower Color: Pink, lavender-blue, white

• Deer Resistant: No
  

Bengal Tiger Canna Lily

Grown from a bulb and often called arrowroot, cannas (Canna americanallis var. variegata) can grow up to 8 feet tall and 6 feet wide. Bengal tiger cannas have yellow and green striped leaves and an orange bloom. Other varieties are prized for their foliage and range of bloom colors from July to October. They prefer organically rich, well-drained soil and a site that receives full sun to partial shade. They make great mass plantings to grow as hedges, backgrounds, or borders. 

• Name: Bengal tiger canna lily (Canna americanallis var. variegata)

• USDA Hardiness Zones: 8a to 11b

• Light: Full sun to dappled shade

• Soil: Well-draining, neutral

• Flower Color: Red, yellow, orange, pink, cream, variegated

• Deer Resistant: Yes
  

Blue Mist Shrub

The blue mist shrub (Caryopteris x clandonensis) typically blooms in late summer or fall. It slowly opens its blossoms with dazzling flower clusters that butterflies and bumblebees love. The blue mist shrub should be cut back in early spring to maintain its size and shape and to remove any dead or diseased portions. The plant blooms on new wood, and the gray-green foliage is attractive all season.

• Name: Blue mist shrub (Caryopteris x clandonensis)

• USDA Hardiness Zones: 6a to 9b

• Light: Full sun to dappled shade

• Soil: Well-draining, neutral

• Flower Color: Blue

• Deer Resistant: Yes

Blue Pitcher Sage

Blue sage (Salvia azurea) is a delicate herbaceous, clumping perennial with sky-blue, showy, two-lipped tubular flowers. Flowers appear from mid-summer to fall for long-lasting interest in the garden. Cut the stems back by half in the late spring to promote fuller, more compact growth.

• Name: Blue pitcher sage (Salvia azurea)

• USDA Hardiness Zones: 5a to 9b

• Light: Full sun to dappled shade

• Soil: Well-draining, sandy

• Flower Color: Blue

• Deer Resistant: Yes

Goldenrod

Goldenrod (Solidago) is one of the last flowers to bloom in the fall, with its bloom period generally stretching from August to October. There are more than 100 species in the goldenrod family. The plants typically reach around 5 feet tall and display clusters of tiny yellow flowers at the tops of their stems when in bloom. Bees and butterflies love these flowers. Goldenrod is fairly low-maintenance and can be an aggressive spreader in the garden. So if you want to control its spread, remove the flower heads before they go to seed.

• Name: Goldenrod (Solidago)

• USDA Hardiness Zones: 2a to 8b

• Light: Full sun to dappled shade

• Soil: Well-draining, acidic

• Flower Color: Gold, yellow

• Deer Resistant: Yes
  

Japanese Anemone

Japanese anemone (Anemone x hybrida) starts blooming in late summer and goes straight through until frost. The paper-like blooms are white or pink with yellow stamens in the center, and they're known to attract butterflies. This plant requires little maintenance once established, though some taller plants might need staking to prevent flopping. Plus, if you live in a cooler part of its growing zone, adding a layer of mulch before cold weather keeps the roots warm.

• Name: Japanese anemone (Anemone x hybrida)

• USDA Hardiness Zones: 4a to 8b

• Light: Full sun to dappled shade

• Soil: Well-draining, acidic

• Flower Color: Pink, white

• Deer Resistant: Yes
  

Joe Pye Weed

Joe Pye weed (Eutrochium purpureum) is a native plant that grows in erect clumps up to 6 feet tall. It can make a wonderful backdrop to a garden border. Tiny mauve blooms appear in round clusters or florets in midsummer to early fall. Each plant has around five to seven of these florets, and the flowers give off a light vanilla scent. To prevent the plants from becoming overgrown and flopping over, cut them back in the late winter.

• Name: Joe Pye weed (Eutrochium purpureum)

• USDA Hardiness Zones: 4a to 9b

• Light: Full sun to dappled shade

• Soil: Well-draining, neutral

• Flower Color: Purple, pink

• Deer Resistant: Yes
  

Leadwort

An aggressively spreading low, perennial ground cover, leadwort (Ceratostigma plumbaginoides) is grown for its true blue flowers and bronze-red fall leaf color. To winter over in cooler climates, provide a light winter mulch. Plant it in rocky areas in full sun. Space plants 10 to 16 inches apart when you plant. The plant has an aggressive root system and can spread freely; however, it is not considered invasive.

• Name: Leadwort (Ceratostigma plumbaginoides)

• USDA Hardiness Zones: 5a to 9b

• Light: Full sun to dappled shade

• Soil: Well-draining, neutral

• Flower Color: Blue

• Deer Resistant: Yes

Mexican Bush Sage

Mexican bush sage (Salvia leucantha) or Velvet sage is a herbaceous perennial that prefers rich, evenly moist, well-drained soil. It grows 2 to 3 feet tall and wide. The flower stalks bear persistent flowers that are velvety and purplish with short-lived, white corollas that do not appear until late summer. The showy, bicolor flowers attract butterflies and hummingbirds.

• Name: Mexican bush sage (Salvia leucantha)

• USDA Hardiness Zones: 7b to 10b

• Light: Full sun to dappled shade

• Soil: Well-draining, neutral

• Flower Color: Lavender, purple, white

• Deer Resistant: Yes
  

Mums

Mums (Chrysanthemum) are a common sight of fall in the garden with brilliant and profuse blooms. While mums are showcased in garden centers in the fall, to grow as a perennial, it's best to get mums in the ground in the spring to become established before cold weather hits. Make sure your plant is well watered, especially in hot weather. Put a layer of mulch around the planting site before cold weather to keep the roots warm.

• Name: Mums (Chrysanthemum)

• USDA Hardiness Zones: 3a to 9b

• Light: Full sun to dappled shade

• Soil: Well-draining, neutral

• Flower Color: Yellow, orange, white, red, purple

• Deer Resistant: No

New England Aster

Growing 3 to 7 feet tall, New England asters (Symphyotrichum novae-angliae) have large, purple flowers with a yellow center and bloom from August to October. The flowers attract bees and butterflies and make lovely cut flowers. Cut plants to the ground after flowering to promote strong new growth.

• Name: New England aster (Symphyotrichum novae-angliae)

• USDA Hardiness Zones: 4a to 8b

• Light: Full sun to dappled shade

• Soil: Tolerates clay soil, neutral

• Flower Color: Purple

• Deer Resistant: Yes

New York Aster/Michaelmas Daisy

New York aster (Symphyotrichum novi-belgii) blooms with delicate daisy-like blossoms that open in late August and continue until frost. Pinching back the stems in the early summer can turn these plants into dense mounds with dozens of flower buds. The many Asteraceae varieties range in size from 8 inches to 8 feet; the taller varieties should be staked to prevent them from flopping over.

• Name: New York aster/Michaelmas daisy (Symphyotrichum novi-belgii)

• USDA Hardiness Zones: 4a to 8b

• Light: Full sun to dappled shade

• Soil: Tolerates clay soil, neutral

• Flower Color: Gold, yellow, pink, lavender

• Deer Resistant: Yes

Perennial Sunflower

Many gardeners are familiar with annual sunflowers, which can grow up to 12 feet tall and display plate-size flowers. But Helianthus includes perennial sunflowers that bloom in the fall. The perennials generally produce smaller daisy-like flowers than the annuals, but in larger quantities. Varieties include H. simulans, H. schweinitzii, H. divaricatus, and H. angustifolius.

• Name: Perennial sunflower (Helianthus spp.)

• USDA Hardiness Zones: 5a to 9b

• Light: Full sun to dappled shade

• Soil: Moist, neutral

• Flower Color: Gold, yellow

• Deer Resistant: Yes

Russian Sage

Russian sage (Salvia yangii) flowers can last for weeks, with the plant typically blooming at the end of the summer to early fall. The blooming begins slowly, and the flower color gets more brilliant as the small blooms fully open. Pruning should be done in late winter to early spring, as the flowers form on new growth. Make sure to pick a planting site with full sun, as too much shade can cause the plants to flop over.

• Name: Russian sage (Salvia yangii)

• USDA Hardiness Zones: 5a to 9b

• Light: Full sun

• Soil: Dry, neutral

• Flower Color: Blue, lavender

• Deer Resistant: Yes

Strawflower

Strawflower (Xerochrysum bracteatum) or everlasting daisy can be grown as a short-lived, tender perennial or as an annual with blooms from late spring until frost. The flowers retain their shape and color when dried and are grown for the dried flower market. Most plants grow 2 to 3 feet tall. Deadhead regularly to encourage side shoots and blooms.

• Name: Strawflower (Xerochrysum bracteatum)

• USDA Hardiness Zones: 8a to 10b

• Light: Full sun

• Soil: Well-draining, neutral

• Flower Color: White, yellow, orange, red, pink

• Deer Resistant: Yes
  

Sweet Alyssum

Sweet alyssum (Lobularia maritima) makes a colorful ground cover of tiny flowers that is easy to grow from plants or seeds. It can be grown as an annual or perennial, but sweet alyssum is a cool-season flower. Most varieties will fade in the heat but bloom again in the fall. It is an invasive plant in California and can grow aggressively in other parts of the United States.

• Name: Sweet alyssum (Lobularia maritima)

• USDA Hardiness Zones: 5a to 9b

• Light: Full sun, part shade

• Soil: Well-draining, neutral

• Flower Color: White, pink, purple

• Deer Resistant: No

Stonecrop 'Lidakense'

Stonecrop (Hylotelephium cauticola 'Lidakense') is an herbaceous perennial ground cover with a horizontal, creeping habit. It grows 2 to 4 inches tall and 8 to 12 inches wide. The plant may be trimmed after flowering to maintain its shape. Stonecrop spreads by underground stolons and is suitable for coastal, cottage, rock, and pollinator gardens.

• Name: Stonecrop (Hylotelephium cauticola 'Lidakense')

• USDA Hardiness Zones: 4a to 9b

• Light: Full sun to dappled shade

• Soil: Well-draining, neutral

• Flower Color: Pink, lavender

• Deer Resistant: No

Sweet Autumn Clematis

While its fragrant, snowy blooms are beautiful, sweet autumn clematis (Clematis paniculata) is an aggressive, woody, self-seeding perennial vine that is considered invasive in some states. The flowers attract pollinators, and songbirds use the vine as a nesting site.  This plant can be cut to the ground in fall or spring because it flowers only on new wood.

• Name: Sweet autumn clematis (Clematis paniculata)

• USDA Hardiness Zones: 3a to 8b

• Light: Full sun, dappled shade

• Soil: Moist, well-draining

• Flower Color: White

• Deer Resistant: Yes

Tickseed

Tickseed (Coreopsis) is available in many cultivars that range from dwarf to 9 feet tall. Most bloom periodically throughout the summer season. But if you prune back your plant after it flowers, it will put on a glorious fall floral display. Bees and butterflies tend to love the daisy-like blooms. Most diseases and pests avoid the plant. Watering usually isn't essential unless you go for a long stretch without rainfall.

• Name: Tickseed (Coreopsis)

• USDA Hardiness Zones: 4a to 9b

• Light: Full sun to dappled shade

• Soil: Well-draining, neutral

• Flower Color: Yellow, gold

• Deer Resistant: No

Turtlehead

Turtlehead (Chelone lyonii) got its common name from its blossoms, which are shaped like turtles' heads. It is a fall-blooming perennial that does not handle excessive dry heat well. But it is perfect for a damp area in your garden. Turtlehead is not unruly. It grows in a dense clump with attractive foliage and flowers that bloom for weeks, attracting hummingbirds and butterflies. You can prune it lightly to shape it in the late fall or spring.

• Name: Turtlehead (Chelone lyonii)

• USDA Hardiness Zones: 3a to 8b

• Light: Full sun, dappled shade

• Soil: Moist, well-draining

• Flower Color: Gold, pink, purple

• Deer Resistant: Yes

Blanket Flower

Blanket flower (Gaillardia aristata) is a perennial blooming with bright red flowers that have yellow tips. They're called blanket flowers because they spread and "blanket" an area. They are short-lived plants that are fast-growing. Blanket flowers can be planted either from seed or from nursery starters, but if planted from seed, they generally won't bloom until their second year. These plants are slightly toxic.

• Name: Blanket flower (Gaillardia aristata)

• USDA Hardiness Zones: 3 to 10

• Light: Full sun

• Soil: Poor, well-draining

• Flower Color: Red, yellow

• Deer Resistant: Yes

Coneflower 'Southern Belle'

The 'Southern Belle' coneflower (Echinacea) blooms with deep magenta cone-like flowers on top of pink rays. The blooms generally last for several weeks at a time, starting from early summer until the first frost. The plant is native to the central and eastern United States and has been around since the 1700s.

• Name: Coneflower 'Southern Belle' (Echinacea)

• USDA Hardiness Zones: 3 to 9

• Light: Full sun

• Soil: Moist, well-draining

• Flower Color: Magenta, pink

• Deer Resistant: Yes

Dahlia

Dahlias (Dahlia spp.) bloom from midsummer to the first frost. There are hundreds of dahlia varieties to choose from, and they come in a wide variety of colors (almost every color imaginable!). They originated in Mexico and are considered perennials in a warmer climate, but annuals below zone 8. The dahlia plant is toxic to pets, so take care if you have dogs or cats around.

• Name: Dahlia (Dahlia spp.)
  

• USDA Hardiness Zones: 8 to 10

• Light: Full sun

• Soil: Loamy, well-draining

• Flower Color: Red, pink, orange, yellow, purple, white, and more
  

• Deer Resistant: Potentially

Boltonia

Boltonia (Boltonia asteroides) flowers from late summer into fall with daisy-like flowers. They are bushy, perennial plants that can grow 2 to 4 feet wide. The flowers generally have white petals with a yellow (or pink or violet) disc in the center. They attract butterflies and pollinators. This plant is generally found in the eastern U.S.

• Name: Boltonia (Boltonia asteroides)

• USDA Hardiness Zones: 3 to 10

• Light: Full sun

• Soil: Well-draining

• Flower Color: Gold, pink, purple

• Deer Resistant: Yes

Frequently asked Questions

What is a long blooming perennial?

One of the longest-blooming perennials is known to be threadleaf coreopsis 'Moonbeam', which blooms from early summer through the fall.

What is the easiest fall-blooming perennial flower to grow?

Sedum and chrysanthemums are considered the easiest fall-blooming perennial flowers to grow.

Is September too late to plant perennials for the spring?

September is not too late to plant perennials. Planting perennial flowers between September and October, when the weather is still mild, ensures the perennials can settle in before winter, and they will get a good head start for the spring bloom season.

Read the original article on The Spruce