The 15 Best Fall-Blooming Perennials

While many people fill their gardens with the spring-blooming flowers they snatch up on Mother’s Day weekend, if you ask us, the real showstoppers come at the other end of the growing season. If you want to fill your garden with late-season colors that come back year after year, look no further. Whether you’re getting your garden ready for fall or dreaming of next year, here are 15 fall-blooming perennials to suit every landscape.

1. Autumn Crocus

You may assume crocuses only bloom in early spring, but a second round of color awaits when you grow Colochicum, also known as autumn crocus. These pint-sized plants look lovely as groundcovers in front of your other fall favorites or in containers. And while you wait for it to bloom, you can enjoy its lush foliage.

2. Aster

Available in a wide variety of colors and sizes, asters take center stage in mid- to late-summer, with many types lasting until frost. Low maintenance and drought-tolerant asters thrive in Zones 3 to 9 and make a great lasting alternative to those throw-away annual mums you find at the grocery store.

3. Black-eyed Susan

Although their showstopping yellow starts mid-summer, reliable black-eyed Susans (aka Rudbeckia) bloom through fall. Available in sizes from 1 to 3 feet tall and wide, their signature yellow-orange hue pops in any full-sun area. These unfussy fall perennials are largely deer- and rabbit-resistant, too.

4. Coneflower

Also known as echinacea, coneflowers are aptly named for their spiky, conical centers. They traditionally come in shades of purple, but newer varieties offer a wider span of color choices. A prairie native, coneflower thrives in drier, well-drained soil and stands up to drought.

5. Coreopsis

A tough native plant, coreopsis resists deer, drought, and more. And while many varieties come in yellow, you can also find plenty of shades of pink. Plus, its feathery foliage adds texture and interest to wherever it grows. Check your plant tag to ensure it’s hardy to your area.

6. Dahlia

While technically a bulb, dahlias are an interesting flower that can be grown as perennials if you live in a warmer climate or dig out the tubers and store them for the winter. With a seemingly endless number of varieties, you’re sure to find a dahlia in your favorite color. Blooms can reach a jaw-dropping 12 inches wide on aptly named “dinnerplate” varieties.

7.Goldenrod

This sunny stunner adds an immensely cheerful pop of yellow to any landscape. Note that taller varieties may need staking. Different varieties have different soil and sun needs, so consult plant tags carefully before purchasing.

7. Helenium

While it’s sometimes called sneezeweed, and it does bloom around the same time as allergy culprit ragweed, there’s no actual sneezing to be found here—it earned its moniker because its leaves were once used to make snuff. A member of the daisy family, helenium offers the same cheerful, round flowers but in bold shades of red, orange, and yellow. To keep the blooms coming longer, deadhead (or remove) flowers after they fade.

8. Hydrangea

The perfect back-of-the-garden plant, many hydrangea varieties bloom in late summer and into fall—or, worst case, their earlier-season blooms still look beautiful. ‘Limelight’ is a classic variety whose green blooms turn dark pink as the season wears on.

10. Joe Pye Weed

Pollinator magnet Joe Pye weed can grow 8 feet tall and wide. If you have the space, its pretty purple flowers and textured foliage can serve as the anchor of your fall garden. This fall-blooming perennial grows in full sun and can even help create privacy.

11. Russian Sage

Russian sage’s wispy purple blooms and soft green foliage can help balance out and soften some of the bolder hues of other fall-blooming perennials. This low-maintenance flower thrives in Zones 4 to 9 and fares well in dry conditions.

12. Salvia​

Salvia comes in a rainbow of colors. It features wispy flowers that look right at home in a container or the landscape. A big draw for hummingbirds, some salvias are grown as annuals in northern parts of the country—check the plant tag or seed packet to ensure you’re growing one that can overwinter where you live.

13. Sedum​

Sedum, also known as stonecrop, is a group of drought-tolerant, easy-to-grow succulents that make gorgeous groundcovers. A myriad of varieties bloom well into the fall, but you can seek out seasonal stunners like ‘Autumn Joy’ and ‘Autumn Fire’ for guaranteed fall color.

14. Sweet Autumn Clematis

Just when your spring-blooming clematis looks spent, Sweet Autumn clematis swoops in with its delicate, star-shaped flowers and powerful fragrance. It can grow up to 20 feet tall and can become invasive in warmer climates if not maintained.

15. Turtle Heads

With pretty pink and white flowers and lush foliage that emerge when many other plants go kaput, we’re not sure why this fall-blooming perennial isn’t more popular. Also known as chelone, turtleheads thrive in moist, shadier areas. At just 1 to 3 feet wide, it’s the perfect middle-of-the-garden plant.

7 Vegetables to Plant in Late Summer or Early Fall for a Bountiful Autumn Harvest

 If you only plant produce in the spring, you’re missing out on a whole second growing season. In fact, plenty of veggies flourish in the cooler temps and shorter days of late summer and early fall—and may even taste better after a light frost. If you ask us, planting veggies should be on everyone’s list of fall gardening to-dos. Read on for seven vegetables you can plant in late summer or early fall for a bountiful autumn harvest. 

First things first: Let’s determine your average first frost date. This is the average date temps dip below 32 degrees Fahrenheit where you live. It marks the end of the growing season for most plants and serves as a helpful date to work backward from to ensure your late summer and fall veggies have enough time to develop. The Old Farmer’s Almanac has a frost date tool that will give you an average date based on your ZIP code. Your local Extension office may be able to help as well.

1. Beets

Direct sow beet seeds roughly six to eight weeks before your average first frost date. Because they only need to be planted about one inch apart, you can pack plenty of beets into even a small space, then harvest and preserve them for the winter. Plus, their greens make for a fantastic sauté.

2. Carrots

In Northern climates, direct sow fall carrots from early July to early August so you can feature a homegrown Thanksgiving side dish. Those in Southern climates without a hard freeze can plant as late as November. Alternatively, you can simply plant a second set of carrot seeds after you harvest your spring batch.

3. Kale

Some gardeners believe this leafy green tastes even sweeter after a light frost. Plant from mid-July through early September in the Northern half of the country. If you live in the South, you can enjoy fresh kale throughout the winter.

4. Kohlrabi

Direct-sow cool-season kohlrabi about two months before your first frost date, or grow it throughout the fall and winter in the South. Harvest when bulbs are about 3 inches—any bigger, and they turn tough and woody. You can freeze it or store it in the fridge for up to two weeks

5. Lettuce

If you grew a spring garden, chances are, it included lettuce. Bring it back for fall by directly sowing or transplanting seedlings in mid-to-late-summer for unforgettable autumn salads. Plant them near radishes for the ultimate companion plant.

6. Radishes

Start direct-sowing radish seeds four to six weeks before your average first frost date. Because radishes are fast to mature—sometimes in less than 30 days—plant a fresh patch every one to two weeks, so you have radishes at the ready ‘til frost.

7. Spinach

Whether you purchase seedlings or direct sow, plant spinach six to eight weeks before your average first frost date. Don’t hesitate to grow a little extra to freeze for smoothies and soups throughout the winter.

Tips for Growing Late Summer and Early Fall Vegetables

• Fertilize when planting: If this is your second crop of the season, chances are, your soil could use a nutrient boost. Apply a fertilizer designed for vegetables according to package directions.
• Have a cover handy: You can purchase or build cold frames or row covers to protect delicate plants from late-summer heat or an early frost.
• Surround with mulch: Once all seedlings have sprouted, adding a thick layer of mulch not only insulates the soil, but also helps keep the temperature and moisture levels more consistent.
• Water, water, water: Because it may still be hot and dry when you first plant, ensure your garden receives about an inch of H2O per week. 
• Don’t plant too early: Cool-weather crops can stall out or turn bitter—also known as bolting—when temperatures get too high. Resist the urge to plant during the dog days of summer and wait until the optimal time for your plants to thrive.