As the days get shorter and the nights get cooler, our gardens begin to wind down for the year. But there are still plenty of beautiful blooms to enjoy in the fall garden. In fact, some of the most stunning flowers of the year can be found in the late season. Here are 5 late-season perennials that will add a touch of autumn brilliance to your garden.
From the classic asters to the cheerful chrysanthemums, there are plenty of late-blooming perennials to choose from. These easy-care plants will add a splash of color to your garden when everything else is starting to fade. Best of all, you often find late-season perennials in a variety of colors and sizes, so you are sure to find the perfect ones for your garden.
So if you’re looking for a way to extend the beauty of your garden into the fall, plant some late-season perennials. They’ll add color, interest, and pollinators to your garden all season long.
Key Insights About Late-Season Perennials
- Late-season perennials add color and interest to the garden when other plants are starting to fade.
- Asters, chrysanthemums, goldenrods, coneflowers, and sedum are all popular late-season perennials.
- Late-season perennials are easy to care for and drought tolerant.
- Late-season perennials are a valuable source of nectar and pollen for bees and other pollinators.
- Planting late-season perennials can extend the blooming season in your garden.
1. 1. Asters: The Classic Fall Blooms
Asters are a classic choice for fall gardens. With their daisy-like flowers and range of colors, they are sure to add a touch of cheer to your garden. Asters are easy to grow and care for, making them a great choice for gardeners of all levels. They prefer full sun to partial shade and well-drained soil. Asters are also drought tolerant, so you don’t have to worry about watering them too often.
There are many different varieties of asters, so you can find the perfect ones to fit your garden. Some of the most popular varieties include New England asters, New York asters, and Michaelmas daisies. New England asters bloom in shades of purple and blue, while New York asters bloom in white. Michaelmas daisies come in a range of colors, including pink, purple, and blue.
Asters are a great way to attract pollinators to your garden. Butterflies and bees love to feed on their nectar. Asters are also deer resistant, so you don’t have to worry about them being eaten.
If you are looking for a beautiful and easy-care flower to add to your fall garden, asters are a great choice. They will add color and interest to your garden all season long.
New England Asters
New England asters are a classic fall bloomer that will add a touch of color to your garden when other plants are starting to fade. These easy-care plants are native to North America and can be found growing in meadows, fields, and woodlands.
New England asters are known for their showy flowers that come in a range of shades of purple and blue. The flowers have a daisy-like appearance with a central disk surrounded by petals. New England asters bloom in the late summer and fall, and they will continue to bloom until the first hard frost.
New England asters are a great choice for attracting pollinators to your garden. Butterflies, bees, and other pollinators are attracted to the nectar-rich flowers. New England asters are also deer resistant, so you don’t have to worry about them being eaten.
If you are looking for a beautiful and easy-care flower to add to your fall garden, New England asters are a great choice. They will add color and interest to your garden all season long.
New York Asters
New York asters are a beautiful and easy-care fall bloomer that will add a touch of elegance to your garden. These native North American plants are known for their showy white flowers that bloom in the late summer and fall.
New York asters have a daisy-like appearance with a central disk surrounded by petals. The flowers are typically white, but they can also be found in shades of pink or purple. New York asters bloom in clusters at the top of the stems.
New York asters are a great choice for attracting pollinators to your garden. Butterflies, bees, and other pollinators are attracted to the nectar-rich flowers. New York asters are also deer resistant, so you don’t have to worry about them being eaten.
If you are looking for a beautiful and easy-care flower to add to your fall garden, New York asters are a great choice. They will add color and interest to your garden all season long.
2. 2. Chrysanthemums: The Mums the Word
Chrysanthemums, or mums as they are commonly called, are a popular choice for fall gardens. These versatile plants come in a wide variety of colors, shapes, and sizes, so you are sure to find the perfect ones to fit your garden. Mums are also relatively easy to care for, making them a great choice for gardeners of all levels.
One of the best things about mums is that they bloom in the late summer and fall, when many other plants are starting to fade. This means that you can enjoy their beautiful flowers all season long. Mums come in a wide range of colors, including white, yellow, pink, purple, and red. They also come in a variety of shapes and sizes, from small button mums to large exhibition mums.
Mums are a great way to attract pollinators to your garden. Butterflies, bees, and other pollinators are attracted to the nectar-rich flowers. Mums are also deer resistant, so you don’t have to worry about them being eaten.
If you are looking for a beautiful and easy-care flower to add to your fall garden, mums are a great choice. They will add color and interest to your garden all season long.
Cushion Mums
Cushion mums are a popular type of chrysanthemum that is known for its compact, mounded shape. These plants typically grow to be about 12-18 inches tall and wide, and they produce an abundance of small, button-like flowers in the fall. Cushion mums are available in a wide range of colors, including white, yellow, pink, purple, and red.
One of the best things about cushion mums is that they are very easy to care for. They prefer full sun to partial shade and well-drained soil. Cushion mums are also drought tolerant, so you don’t have to worry about watering them too often.
Cushion mums are a great choice for adding color and interest to your fall garden. They are also a great choice for containers and small gardens. If you are looking for a beautiful and easy-care flower to add to your fall garden, cushion mums are a great choice.
Spider Mums
Spider mums are a unique and eye-catching type of chrysanthemum that is known for its long, thin petals. These petals give spider mums a spiky appearance that is sure to add interest to your fall garden. Spider mums come in a wide range of colors, including white, yellow, pink, purple, and red.
One of the best things about spider mums is that they are very easy to care for. They prefer full sun to partial shade and well-drained soil. Spider mums are also drought tolerant, so you don’t have to worry about watering them too often.
Spider mums are a great choice for adding a touch of drama to your fall garden. They are also a great choice for cut flowers. If you are looking for a beautiful and easy-care flower to add to your fall garden, spider mums are a great choice.
3. 3. Goldenrods: A Touch of Sunshine
Goldenrods are often overlooked, but these tall, stately plants add a touch of sunshine to the fall garden. With their bright yellow flowers and long, slender stems, goldenrods are a welcome sight in the late summer and fall. Goldenrods are also a valuable source of nectar and pollen for bees and other pollinators.
One of the best things about goldenrods is that they are very easy to care for. They prefer full sun to partial shade and well-drained soil. Goldenrods are also drought tolerant, so you don’t have to worry about watering them too often.
Goldenrods are a great choice for adding a touch of color and interest to your fall garden. They are also a great choice for attracting pollinators to your garden. If you are looking for a beautiful and easy-care flower to add to your fall garden, goldenrods are a great choice.
Showy Goldenrod
Showy goldenrod is a tall, stately plant that produces clusters of bright yellow flowers in the late summer and fall. This plant is a member of the aster family and is native to North America. Showy goldenrod is a popular choice for gardeners because it is easy to grow and care for, and it attracts pollinators to the garden.
Showy goldenrod prefers full sun to partial shade and well-drained soil. It is a drought-tolerant plant, so it does not need to be watered frequently. Showy goldenrod can grow to be 3-6 feet tall and 2-3 feet wide.
Showy goldenrod is a beautiful and easy-care plant that is a great choice for adding a touch of color and interest to your fall garden. It is also a valuable source of nectar and pollen for bees and other pollinators.
Sweet Goldenrod
Sweet goldenrod is a tall, stately plant that produces clusters of bright yellow flowers in the late summer and fall. This plant is a member of the aster family and is native to North America. Sweet goldenrod is a popular choice for gardeners because it is easy to grow and care for, and it attracts pollinators to the garden.
Sweet goldenrod prefers full sun to partial shade and well-drained soil. It is a drought-tolerant plant, so it does not need to be watered frequently. Sweet goldenrod can grow to be 3-6 feet tall and 2-3 feet wide.
One of the unique features of sweet goldenrod is its sweet, vanilla-scented fragrance. This fragrance is attractive to pollinators, such as bees and butterflies. Sweet goldenrod is also a valuable source of nectar and pollen for these beneficial insects.
4. 4. Coneflowers: A Symphony of Purples
Coneflowers are a popular choice for gardeners because they are easy to grow and care for, and they attract pollinators to the garden. Coneflowers prefer full sun to partial shade and well-drained soil. They are drought-tolerant plants, so they do not need to be watered frequently. Coneflowers can grow to be 2-4 feet tall and 2-3 feet wide.
One of the best things about coneflowers is that they bloom for a long time. They typically bloom from mid-summer to fall. Coneflowers come in a range of purple hues, from light lavender to deep purple. They also come in a variety of shapes and sizes.
Coneflowers are a valuable source of nectar and pollen for bees, butterflies, and other pollinators. They are also a good choice for cut flowers. If you are looking for a beautiful and easy-care flower to add to your garden, coneflowers are a great choice.
Purple Coneflower
Purple coneflower is the most common variety of coneflower. It is a tall, stately plant that produces large, showy flowers in the late summer and fall. Purple coneflower is a member of the aster family and is native to North America.
Purple coneflower prefers full sun to partial shade and well-drained soil. It is a drought-tolerant plant, so it does not need to be watered frequently. Purple coneflower can grow to be 2-4 feet tall and 2-3 feet wide.
Purple coneflower is a popular choice for gardeners because it is easy to grow and care for, and it attracts pollinators to the garden. Purple coneflower is also a valuable source of nectar and pollen for bees, butterflies, and other pollinators. If you are looking for a beautiful and easy-care flower to add to your garden, purple coneflower is a great choice.
Pale Purple Coneflower
Pale purple coneflower is a variety of coneflower that has smaller, more delicate flowers than the common purple coneflower. Pale purple coneflower is also known as prairie coneflower or eastern coneflower. It is a native wildflower that can be found in prairies, meadows, and open woodlands in eastern North America.
Pale purple coneflower prefers full sun to partial shade and well-drained soil. It is a drought-tolerant plant, so it does not need to be watered frequently. Pale purple coneflower can grow to be 2-3 feet tall and 1-2 feet wide.
Pale purple coneflower is a popular choice for gardeners because it is easy to grow and care for, and it attracts pollinators to the garden. Pale purple coneflower is also a valuable source of nectar and pollen for bees, butterflies, and other pollinators. If you are looking for a beautiful and easy-care flower to add to your garden, pale purple coneflower is a great choice.
5. 5. Sedum: Succulents for Fall
Sedum, also known as stonecrop, are a group of succulent plants that are perfect for adding a touch of texture and interest to the fall garden. Sedum are native to North America, Europe, and Asia, and they come in a wide variety of shapes, sizes, and colors. Some sedum are low-growing groundcovers, while others are tall, stately plants. Sedum leaves are typically thick and fleshy, and they come in a variety of colors, including green, blue, purple, and red.
Sedum are easy to grow and care for, and they are drought tolerant. This makes them a great choice for gardeners who live in areas with hot, dry summers. Sedum prefer full sun to partial shade and well-drained soil. They do not need to be watered frequently.
Sedum are a valuable source of nectar and pollen for bees and other pollinators. They are also a good choice for cut flowers. If you are looking for a beautiful and easy-care plant to add to your fall garden, sedum is a great choice.
Autumn Joy Sedum
Autumn Joy sedum is a popular variety of sedum that is known for its large clumps of fleshy leaves that turn a deep burgundy in the fall. Autumn Joy sedum is a member of the Crassulaceae family and is native to North America. It is a low-growing groundcover that can reach 6-12 inches in height and spread 12-18 inches wide.
Autumn Joy sedum prefers full sun to partial shade and well-drained soil. It is a drought-tolerant plant, so it does not need to be watered frequently. Autumn Joy sedum is a popular choice for gardeners because it is easy to grow and care for, and it adds a touch of color and interest to the fall garden.
Autumn Joy sedum is a valuable source of nectar and pollen for bees and other pollinators. It is also a good choice for cut flowers. If you are looking for a beautiful and easy-care plant to add to your fall garden, Autumn Joy sedum is a great choice.
Coral Reef Sedum
Coral Reef sedum is a variety of sedum that is known for its bright pink flowers that bloom in the late summer and fall. Coral Reef sedum is a member of the Crassulaceae family and is native to Mexico. It is a low-growing groundcover that can reach 4-6 inches in height and spread 12-18 inches wide.
Coral Reef sedum prefers full sun to partial shade and well-drained soil. It is a drought-tolerant plant, so it does not need to be watered frequently. Coral Reef sedum is a popular choice for gardeners because it is easy to grow and care for, and it adds a touch of color and interest to the fall garden.
Coral Reef sedum is a valuable source of nectar and pollen for bees and other pollinators. It is also a good choice for cut flowers. If you are looking for a beautiful and easy-care plant to add to your fall garden, Coral Reef sedum is a great choice.
What are some other late-season perennials that I can plant in my garden?
There are many other late-season perennials that you can plant in your garden. Some of our favorites include:
- Helenium: These daisy-like flowers come in a range of colors, including yellow, orange, and red. They bloom from late summer to fall.
- Liatris: These tall, stately plants produce spikes of purple flowers in the late summer and fall. They are a favorite of butterflies and other pollinators.
- Monarda: Also known as bee balm, these plants produce clusters of fragrant flowers in the late summer and fall. They are a favorite of hummingbirds and other pollinators.
- Salvia: These plants come in a wide variety of shapes and sizes, and they produce flowers in a range of colors, including purple, blue, and pink. They bloom from late summer to fall.
- Perovskia: These plants produce spikes of lavender-blue flowers in the late summer and fall. They are a favorite of butterflies and other pollinators.
How can I care for my late-season perennials?
Late-season perennials are generally easy to care for. Here are a few tips:
- Water: Water your plants regularly, especially during hot, dry weather.
- Fertilize: Fertilize your plants monthly with a balanced fertilizer.
- Deadhead: Deadhead your plants regularly to encourage new growth and flowering.
- Divide: Divide your plants every few years to prevent them from becoming overcrowded.
- Mulch: Mulch your plants with a layer of organic matter, such as compost or bark, to help retain moisture and suppress weeds.
What are some of the benefits of planting late-season perennials?
There are many benefits to planting late-season perennials. Here are a few:
- Extend the blooming season: Late-season perennials bloom when many other plants are starting to fade. This means that you can enjoy beautiful flowers in your garden all season long.
- Attract pollinators: Late-season perennials are a valuable source of nectar and pollen for bees, butterflies, and other pollinators.
- Add color and interest to your fall garden: Late-season perennials add a touch of color and interest to the fall garden. Their bright flowers and attractive foliage can help to brighten up your landscape.
Key Insights About Late-Season Perennials
| Key Insight | Description | |—|—| | Late-season perennials add color and interest to the garden when other plants are starting to fade. | These plants bloom in the late summer and fall, when many other plants are starting to die back. This means that you can enjoy beautiful flowers in your garden all season long. | | Asters, chrysanthemums, goldenrods, coneflowers, and sedum are all popular late-season perennials. | These plants are all easy to grow and care for, and they come in a wide variety of colors and sizes. | | Late-season perennials are easy to care for and drought tolerant. | These plants are generally low-maintenance and do not require a lot of water or fertilizer. | | Late-season perennials are a valuable source of nectar and pollen for bees and other pollinators. | These plants are an important food source for pollinators, which are essential for the reproduction of many plants. | | Planting late-season perennials can extend the blooming season in your garden. | By planting a variety of late-season perennials, you can enjoy beautiful flowers in your garden from early summer to late fall.