23 Beautiful Flowering Perennials Perfect For Fall Planting
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Fall presents a golden opportunity for gardeners to enhance their landscapes with flowering perennials. Many think of spring as the prime planting season. But autumn offers ideal conditions for sowing many hardy crops that will return year after year. The plants in this carefully curated list of 23 beautiful flowering perennials are perfect for fall planting. Here’s how to ensure your garden bursts with color and life when spring arrives!
Sound good?
Then, let’s plant some autumn bulbs!
23 Flowering Perennials Perfect For Fall Planting
Let’s explore these stunning flowering fall perennials that will thrive when planted in autumn. Plant them now and set the stage for years of vibrant blooms!
1. Bee Balm
Bee Balm is one of my favorite flowering perennials. Its showy, spiky flowers bring your garden to life by attracting pollinators like bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds. I also love how the late-season bloom adds pops of color, just as some summer flowers are fading.
- USDA Zone: 4 through 9.
- Crop Height: 2 to 4 feet.
- When To Plant: September to October.
- Flowering Schedule: June to August.
Bee balm is easily one of the best plants to attract backyard hummingbirds. Even if your yard has many hummingbird feeders, they might visit these blooms first.
2. Lavender
Lavender offers a soothing scent that brings an almost magical calm to your garden in the summer. Once established, it’s super easy to maintain. Plus, it’s a natural pest deterrent that helps keep unwanted critters out. Just be sure to give it plenty of sun—lavender loves to soak up those autumn rays.
- USDA Zone: 5 through 9.
- Crop Height: 1 to 3 feet.
- When To Plant: September to October.
- Flowering Schedule: June to July.
Lavender has a reputation for deterring annoying garden pests like aphids and whiteflies. But it’s worth growing even without these perks!
3. Snowdrops (Galanthus)
Snowdrops are delicate and dainty little things that signal the end of winter. When you see these tiny whitish blooms popping up, you know warmer weather is coming. They’re among the first perennials to bloom (often starting when the ground is still cold) and stand out among contrasting brown, wintry foliage.
- USDA Zone: 3 through 8.
- Crop Height: 3 to 6 inches.
- When To Plant: September to November.
- Flowering Schedule: January to February.
Every year, homesteaders await the first snowdrops blooming in late winter, signaling the start of spring.
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4. Sedum
Sedum is practically indestructible! It also transforms through the seasons. In the fall, it bursts into beautiful shades of pink, red, and rust, offering your garden a warm fall glow. Plus, it’s an excellent plant for beginners because it’s so easy to care for. Sedum’s succulent-like leaves make it drought-resistant, which is a massive win as many of us deal with unpredictable weather.
- USDA Zone: 3 through 10.
- Crop Height: 6 to 24 inches.
- When To Plant: September to October.
- Flowering Schedule: July to September.
Sedum leaves store boatloads of water. They make a superb drought-tolerant companion plant for cacti and other xeriscaping crops.
5. Astilbe
Astilbe leaves look like elegant feathery plumes. The warm summer weather brings out their deeply colored shades, which contrast magnificently with nearly any other foliage. Astilbe is perfect if your backyard is a tad shady, as It loves the shade and complements your yard with a pleasant texture.
- USDA Zone: 3 through 9.
- Crop Height: 1 to 4 feet.
- When To Plant: September to October.
- Flowering Schedule: June to August.
Astilbe adds stunning texture to arrangements. Try pairing them with hydrangeas to create a bedazzling color combo.
6. Peony
Peonies are most famous for their lovely spring blooms. But planting them in autumn gives them a head start for spring. These elegant, poofy flowers are always impressive. They’re also another easy-to-grow crop. Once you’ve established them, they’ll reward you year after year with their unyielding brilliance.
- USDA Zone: 3 through 8.
- Crop Height: 2 to 4 feet.
- When To Plant: September to November.
- Flowering Schedule: May to June.
Legend has it that peonies bring good fortune. Even if that’s unproven, their lush blooms bring joy to my garden.
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7. Yarrow
Yarrow has a fern-like texture that blooms into tiny, tightly packed clusters of pastel-like flowers. It’s also resilient and can easily handle drought, lackluster garden soil, heat, or anything else you can throw at it.
- USDA Zone: 3 through 9.
- Crop Height: 2 to 4 feet.
- When To Plant: September to October.
- Flowering Schedule: June to August.
Yarrow also has a well-earned reputation for repelling pesky mosquitoes who love crashing summer barbeques!
8. Crocus
Crocus is always one of the first flowers you see as the seasons change. They’re little sunshine bursts that seemingly peek through the soil. Plant them in the fall to ensure a colorful surprise come the spring! We forgot to mention that these perennial flowers are also one of the easiest to grow.
- USDA Zone: 3 through 8.
- Crop Height: 3 to 6 inches.
- When To Plant: September to November.
- Flowering Schedule: February to April.
Watching crocus blooms push through snow-covered soil never fails to amaze me.
9. Black-Eyed Susan
I adore black-eyed Susans for their cheerful, daisy-like flowers that seem to smile back at you. They’re hardy and reliable, and they attract a ton of pollinators. What’s remarkable is that they bloom right into the fall, so they help keep the color going as other plants wind down. They’re tough, too—able to handle heat, drought, and poor soil.
- USDA Zone: 4 through 9.
- Crop Height: 2 to 3 feet.
- When To Plant: September to October.
- Flowering Schedule: June to September.
Planting black-eyed Susans with coneflowers and bee balm creates a stunning, low-maintenance prairie garden.
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10. Daylilies
Daylilies are tremendously resilient plants that always keep going! They’re most famous for flowering in the spring and summer, but fall is a great time to plant them. I love that they come in nearly every color so that you can customize your garden. They’re another incredibly low-maintenance perennial, making them perfect if you don’t want to fuss too much with your plants.
- USDA Zone: 3 through 9.
- Crop Height: 2 to 4 feet.
- When To Plant: September to October.
- Flowering Schedule: May to July.
Did you know that daylilies are not true lilies? Instead, they belong to the family Hemerocallidaceae. They’re garden imposters! But no worries. They’re welcome anyway!
11. Catmint (Nepeta)
Catmint is ideal if you already have visiting cats, bees, or butterflies. Catmint is also perfect for alluring any of these critters! In the spring, catmint entices a massive pollinator trove. Some argue that cats don’t like catmint as much as catnip. But our cats disagree. They seem to love it!
- USDA Zone: 4 through 9.
- Crop Height: 1 to 3 feet.
- When To Plant: September to October.
- Flowering Schedule: May to September.
Did you know hummingbirds also love catmint? It’s one of those plants that all of the neighborhood creatures love. Grow some if you want an increasingly lively garden!
12. Phlox
Phlox is a charming plant with clusters of fragrant flowers ranging from white to bright purple. They still bloom strong in the fall, adding a cottage garden vibe. I love using them as ground cover or border plants. Phlox can be prone to mildew in humid weather. But if you give it enough space to breathe, it’s a beautiful perennial.
- USDA Zone: 4 through 8.
- Crop Height: 2 to 4 feet.
- When To Plant: September to October.
- Flowering Schedule: July to September.
Phlox’s fragrant blooms attract butterflies and hummingbirds, adding life to your backyard garden.
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13. Ornamental Onions
Ornamental onions are like fireworks in the garden! They sport massive, globe-like flowers perched on tall, sturdy stems. Their purple, pink, or white blooms make a striking statement. Plant them in autumn, and they’ll reward you with a stunning display next year.
- USDA Zone: 4 through 9.
- Crop Height: 1 to 4 feet.
- When To Plant: September to October.
- Flowering Schedule: May to June.
These aren’t the types of onions that go in onion rings. But ornamental onions add a lovely pink pizzazz to your garden. And bees also love them!
14. Hostas
Hostas are among my favorite perennials for adding lush greenery to shady spots. Their large, textured leaves take on golden hues in the fall, adding warmth to the garden. They’re straightforward to grow, and while they’re more known for their foliage than their flowers, the blooms can be surprisingly fragrant. The only challenge with hostas is keeping the slugs away!
- USDA Zone: 3 through 9.
- Crop Height: 1 to 3 feet.
- When To Plant: September to October.
- Flowering Schedule: July to August.
Large hosta leaves shade smaller plants, creating a lush, layered landscape.
15. Liatris
Liatris, also known as blazing star, sends up tall spikes of purple flowers that will catch your eye. These spikes can last well into September, adding height and late-summer or fall interest to the garden. What’s cool about Liatris is that it blooms from the top down, which is the opposite of most flowering shrubs and plants.
- USDA Zone: 3 through 9.
- Crop Height: 1 to 3 feet.
- When To Plant: September to October.
- Flowering Schedule: July to September.
Liatris’ fluffy purple blooms are irresistible to many butterflies and other pollinators.
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16. Ajuga (Bugleweed)
Ajuga is a low-growing, ground-covering plant that adds color and texture without much effort. In fall, its deep purple leaves become even more striking. I like to use it to fill in bare spots in the garden. Just be careful—it can spread quickly!
- USDA Zone: 3 through 9.
- Crop Height: 6 to 12 inches.
- When To Plant: September to October.
- Flowering Schedule: May to June.
Ajuga is perfect for laying patio pavers on dirt. It grows super-quickly and can fill the gaps without fuss.
17. Coneflower (Echinacea)
Coneflowers are one of the most resilient and reliable perennials you can grow. Their bright pink, purple, orange, or white blooms last from mid-summer until fall, keeping the garden lively. They are markedly drought-tolerant and attract loads of pollinators. Plus, once established, they’re nearly maintenance-free!
- USDA Zone: 4 through 9.
- Crop Height: 2 to 5 feet.
- When To Plant: September to October.
- Flowering Schedule: July to September.
Coneflowers and their prominent floriferous cones provide autumn interest and attract birds.
18. Russian Sage (Perovskia)
Russian sage adds an airy, silver-blue elegance to the fall garden. I love how its tall, wispy stems dance in the breeze. It’s incredibly drought-tolerant and thrives in sunny spots. Russian sage also has a lovely, earthy fragrance that adds a sensory element.
- USDA Zone: 4 through 9.
- Crop Height: 2 to 4 feet.
- When To Plant: September to October.
- Flowering Schedule: June to September.
Russian sage goes beautifully with rose bushes, wildflowers, or nearly any colorful chaos garden crops.
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19. Coral Bells
Coral Bells are all about the foliage. Depending on the variety, they sport deep purples, reds, and even silvers. In the fall, their leaves intensify, adding depth and color to your garden. You can use them as edging plants, and they’re surprisingly versatile. The tiny flowers are lovely. But the leaves steal the show. Plus, they’re perfect for shady spots.
- USDA Zone: 3 through 9.
- Crop Height: 1 to 2 feet.
- When To Plant: September to October.
- Flowering Schedule: May to June.
Coral bells’ maple-like leaves add stunning color to shade gardens.
20. Blanket Flower (Gaillardia)
Blanket flowers are like little sunshine bursts that bloom well into fall. I love their bright reds, oranges, and yellows. Each bloom reminds me of a mini sunset. If you want a low-maintenance plant that gives back colors in multiples, this is the one to grow.
- USDA Zone: 4 through 10.
- Crop Height: 1 to 2 feet.
- When To Plant: September to October.
- Flowering Schedule: June to mid-September.
Gaillardia’s vibrant blooms thrive in poor soil and can produce lovely flowers that live longer than many other plants.
21. Salvia
Salvia’s vibrant purple spikes bring a lot of vertical interest to the garden, especially in the fall when many plants start to fade. I love how it stands tall and proud, even when temperatures begin to drop. It’s also a magnet for pollinators, especially bees. Just give it plenty of sunlight, and it will reward you with blooms that last and last.
- USDA Zone: 3 through 10. (Varies by cultivar.)
- Crop Height: 1 to 4 feet.
- When To Plant: September to October.
- Flowering Schedule: May to October.
Salvia’s tall spikes create the perfect backdrop for shorter plants like petunias.
22. Bleeding Heart (Dicentra)
Bleeding hearts are as whimsical as they sound. Their heart-shaped pink and white flowers hang delicately from arching stems. They’re perfect for shady areas and add a romantic, old-fashioned charm to any garden. Plant them in the fall, and you’ll enjoy a lovely display in spring.
- USDA Zone: 3 through 9.
- Crop Height: 1 to 2 feet.
- When To Plant: September to October.
- Flowering Schedule: May to June.
Bleeding heart’s delicate, heart-shaped blooms dangle elegantly from arching stems.
23. Daffodil
Daffodils are some of the most straightforward bulbs to plant in autumn! They’ll reward you with cheerful yellow blooms in early spring. They’re deer-resistant, too. And once you’ve planted them, they return yearly. I love how they signal the start of warmer weather. They’re like little sunshine beacons after a long winter.
- USDA Zone: 3 through 9.
- Crop Height: 1 to 2 feet.
- When To Plant: September to November.
- Flowering Schedule: March to May.
Daffodils naturalize easily and create beautiful colonies that spread over time.
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Conclusion
Fall planting gives these hardy perennials time to establish robust root systems before winter. Hopefully, this ensures their vigorous emergence and readiness to bloom when spring arrives!
What about you?
- Which of these fall perennials are you most excited to add to your garden?
- Have you had success with fall planting before? What tips would you share?
- How do you plan your garden to ensure year-round interest in perennials?
- Are there any native fall perennials in your region that you particularly love?
- What’s your favorite way to combine these perennials for stunning autumn displays?
Thanks for reading.
Have a great day!