Autumn marks the season when gardens begin to slow down before resting through the winter months. While outdoor spaces may appear a little worn by the end of summer, a variety of perennials still put on a colorful show in fall, adding fresh charm to the landscape.
When selecting fall-blooming perennials, it’s essential to choose varieties that are suited to your climate, ensuring they return year after year. Gardeners in cooler regions should plant these perennials earlier in the season to give them enough time to establish strong roots.
Pairing fall perennials with shrubs, trees, or other plants that showcase vibrant foliage, seed heads, or late-season fruits can create a striking display. These combinations bring lasting beauty and highlight the charm of flowers that bloom in September, ensuring your garden continues to shine as the season winds down.
Flowers That Bloom in September
Autumn Crocus
Autumn crocus (Colchicum autumnale) is planted from bulbs in late summer and puts on its floral display the following fall. The blossoms usually last two to three weeks before fading away. In spring, long green leaves emerge, only to die back once the heat of summer sets in. The plant rests through the summer months and then reappears with fresh blooms in early autumn. Each flower measures about four inches across, and a single plant can produce clusters of up to four blossoms.
Chrysanthemums
Chrysanthemums have long been a symbol of autumn gardens. These hardy flowers tolerate a touch of frost and come in a variety of vibrant colors. Although they are technically perennials, they may not return the following year unless planted by mid to late summer, giving them enough time to develop strong roots before winter arrives. Even if planted late, they’re affordable enough to enjoy for a single season, and with luck, some may surprise you by coming back the next year.
Calibrachoa
Calibrachoa is a cheerful annual that blooms continuously until the first frost. It grows well in full sun but can also handle partial shade, making it a versatile option for containers and garden beds. Known as a self-cleaning flower, it naturally drops its faded blooms, keeping the plant looking fresh without extra effort. This quality makes it an easy choice for gardeners who want nonstop color from summer into fall.
Petunia
Petunias bring bright color to gardens and containers right up until the first frost. They’re simple to grow and maintain, making them a popular choice for creating cheerful seasonal displays, especially around entryways or patios in autumn. Their steady blooms keep the garden lively even as other plants begin to fade.
Autumn Joy Sedum
Autumn Joy sedum (Hylotelephium) is one of those reliable plants that delivers beauty season after season. It keeps an attractive look throughout the year, needs very little attention, and rarely suffers from pests or diseases. The only drawback is that it isn’t deer-proof so that protection may be necessary in some areas. Cutting it back in early July encourages fuller, sturdier growth, helping the plant look even better in fall.
Balloon Flower
Balloon flower (Platycodon grandiflorus) is best known for its summertime blooms, but with regular deadheading, it can continue flowering into autumn. The buds form like small puffs or bubbles before bursting open into star-shaped blossoms. These plants bloom generously, spreading at a slow pace that fills in spaces without becoming invasive. Aside from trimming them back in spring or fall, they demand almost no extra care.
Coral Bells
Coral bells, also known as heuchera, are grown mainly for their vibrant foliage rather than flowers. This hardy perennial tolerates cooler weather and comes in a variety of hues, from deep burgundy to golden lime. Its ruffled leaves provide a striking contrast in the garden and extend seasonal interest well into fall, long after many annuals have disappeared.
Blue Mist Shrub
The blue mist shrub (Caryopteris) comes to life in late summer and keeps blooming into fall. Its clusters of delicate blue flowers gradually open, drawing in butterflies and bees. The gray-green foliage stays attractive throughout the season, adding texture even when the plant isn’t in bloom. Since it flowers on new wood, pruning in early spring keeps the plant well-shaped and promotes healthy growth.
Canna Lilies
Canna lilies may look like tropical flowers, but they actually thrive from late August well into autumn. They love sunshine, so placing them in a bright spot ensures strong growth and long-lasting blooms that add bold color to the garden.
Japanese Anemone
Japanese anemone (Anemone x hybrida) begins flowering in late summer and continues right up until the first frost. Its delicate, paper-like blossoms—white or soft pink with golden centers—stand out beautifully and often attract butterflies. Once established, these perennials need very little care, though taller plants may need staking. In colder regions, a thin layer of mulch in late fall helps protect their roots through the winter.
Leadwort
Leadwort (Ceratostigma plumbaginoides) is a hardy ground cover that produces brilliant blue flowers paired with bronzy-red foliage in fall. It spreads easily thanks to its strong root system, yet it isn’t invasive. This perennial thrives in sunny, rocky spots and should be spaced about 10 to 16 inches apart when planted. In cooler climates, adding a thin layer of mulch helps it survive through winter.
Asters
Asters are classic fall perennials that burst into bloom just as many other flowers begin to fade. Available in shades of lavender, pink, blue, and purple, they often appear around the same time as chrysanthemums, filling the garden with fresh color and attracting pollinators late in the season.
Perennial Sunflower
While most people picture towering annual sunflowers with huge blooms, there are also perennial varieties of Helianthus that brighten gardens in fall. These perennials typically produce smaller, daisy-like blossoms, but they appear in much greater numbers. Different species, such as H. simulans, H. schweinitzii, H. divaricatus, and H. angustifolius, bring late-season beauty and extend the sunflower family’s charm well beyond summer.
Black-eyed Susan
Black-eyed Susans light up autumn gardens with their golden-yellow petals and deep brown centers. They bloom steadily from midsummer through mid-fall, offering months of dependable color. Available in both annual and perennial forms, they’re a versatile choice—just check plant details before buying to know which type you’re bringing home.
Sweet Alyssum
Sweet alyssum (Lobularia maritima) creates a soft carpet of tiny, fragrant blooms that’s easy to grow from either seeds or young plants. This cool-season flower may slow down during hot weather, but it often revives with fresh blooms as autumn approaches. Depending on the region, it can thrive as an annual or perennial, and it works beautifully as a border, container filler, or ground cover.
