Sadly, by the time September arrives, many blooms are past their peak, and garden beds can start to look a little tired. But when you plant an all-season garden design that includes fall favorites, the colorful displays are far from over.
According to horticultural experts, there are several plants that are built to bloom with cooler, shorter days. To help you choose the best, most beautiful options, we’ve rounded up several flowers and shrubs that bloom in September and beyond.
Kelly Funk, plant expert and CEO of direct-to-consumer nursery, Jackson & Perkins
Linda Vater, author of The Elegant and Edible Garden and a garden design expert for Encore Azalea and Southern Living Plants
Mary Phillips, head of native plant habitat strategy at the National Wildlife Federation
Gaillardia (Blanket Flower)
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Jackson & Perkins
Blanket flower (Gaillardia x grandiflora) is a hardy perennial with an incredibly long blooming period, producing stunning ombre-toned flowers well into the fall. The species is able to withstand late summer heat and thrives in full sun.
“Gaillardia ‘Arizona Sun’ is a perfect pick for September gardens, delivering weeks of brilliant orange and red blooms that keep going right into fall,” says Kelly Funk, the CEO of the direct-to-consumer nursery, Jackson & Perkins. “This award-winning blanket flower thrives in heat, drought, and poor soil, adding nonstop color when many other perennials are winding down.”
USDA Hardiness Zones: 3-10Care Requirements: Water regularly during the first growing season, then minimal watering after.
Coneflower
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Jackson & Perkins
Coneflowers (Echinacea spp.) are a popular, reliable perennial with large daisy-like flowers and a prominent central cone. There are several varieties that include shades of pink, purple, yellow, and white, and each will attract beneficial pollinators. Bloom time is typically from summer to fall; plant them in well-drained soil with full sun for the best results.
“Echinacea shines in September with nonstop magenta blooms that keep pollinators and songbirds coming right up until frost,” says Funk. “Coneflower adds vivid color to borders and containers, offering long-lasting cut flowers and reliable late-season garden interest.”
USDA Hardiness Zones: 3-9
Care Requirements: Water regularly, but allow the soil to dry between waterings.
Camellia
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Flowering shrubs are another way to incorporate color into a fall garden. Camellia (Camellia spp.) is a stunning evergreen shrub with glossy emerald foliage. There are several camellia varieties at the garden center, but for a better chance at early fall blooms, try Camellia sasanqua or Camellia japonica. Plant in partial sun to shade with slightly acidic, well-drained soil.
“Camellias are perfect for cool-season gardens, offering a stunning show of blooms as summer’s colors begin to fade,” says Linda Vater, author of The Elegant and Edible Garden and a garden design expert for Encore Azalea and Southern Living Plants. “From showy yellow centers to lush double blooms, camellia flowers come in a range of hues and forms, so there’s a camellia for every garden. And the best part? They make gorgeous additions to cut flower arrangements!”
USDA Hardiness Zones: 7-9, with select varieties cold-hardy to Zone 6 or heat-tolerant to Zone 10Care Requirements: Keep evenly moist, especially during establishment.
Azalea
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Azaleas (Rhododendron spp.) give even minimal landscapes vibrant color not just in spring, but again in summer and fall. With so many varieties, gardeners can pick from blooms in shades of pink, red, white, and purple. While many azaleas bloom in the fall, seek out those that do so earlier on, like Rhododendron prunifolium, then plant in full sun to partial shade in acidic, well-drained soil.
“Not only are these evergreens a terrific four-season shrub, but azaleas are a powerhouse in the fall garden,” says Vater. “The wave of color that arrives with their fall bloom looks stunning against the shifting seasonal foliage, piles of pumpkins, and chrysanthemums that take center stage in September. Compact and versatile, azaleas fit beautifully into borders, containers, or as foundation plantings.”
USDA Hardiness Zones: 6-10 (varies slightly by variety)Care Requirements: Water regularly until established; mulch to conserve moisture.
Goldenrod
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Goldenrod (Solidago spp.) is a pretty flowering perennial with a showy display of yellow, plume-like blooms. It’s known for its late-season flowers and is another vital source of nectar for pollinators from late summer through fall. This plant thrives in a range of conditions, from full sun to shade, but you should plant it in well-drained soil.
“Goldenrod is a keystone species that supports a thriving ecosystem and provides a crucial nectar source for migrating monarchs and other pollinators as other flowers begin to fade,” says Mary Phillips, head of native plant habitat strategy at the National Wildlife Federation. “It is also a larval host plant for many species of butterflies and moths, a nesting habitat for native bees, and provides seedheads for songbirds.”
USDA Hardiness Zones: 3-9Care Requirements: Goldenrod is drought-tolerant once established, so water sparingly.
To find a species appropriate for your Zip Code, Phillips says to use The National Wildlife Federation’s Native Plant Finder.
Asters
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Aji Ilham Pratama/Getty Images
Asters (Symphyotrichum spp.) are perennials with daisy-like blooms that come in shades of purple, blue, pink, and white. As one of the very last plants to flower in the fall, asters are another late-season favorite that feed various critters preparing for winter. They grow best in full sun to partial shade and prefer moist, well-drained soil.
“The cheery blooms of asters are a favorite among pollinators, and the seedheads provide a valuable food source for songbirds in fall and winter when other food sources may be scarce,” says Phillips. “It is also a larval host plant for several species of butterflies, including the Pearl Crescent and Checkerspot.”
USDA Hardiness Zones: 3-8Care Requirements: Some varieties are drought-tolerant once established, but keep the soil moist while the plant is in bloom.
Sedum
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Jackson & Perkins
Sedum (Sedum spp.) or stonecrop is a type of succulent that comes in a variety of colors and shapes. It’s best known for its late-season blooms that can last from late summer into fall. Pick a height and tone that complements your fall garden, then plant in well-drained soil with full sun to partial shade.
“Sedum ‘Angelina’ is great for September gardens as its bright chartreuse foliage begins transforming into rich red and orange tones, adding vibrant fall color to the garden,” says Funk. “This hardy, drought-tolerant groundcover thrives with minimal care, making it perfect for refreshing beds, borders, and containers just as autumn begins.”
USDA Hardiness Zones: 3-9Care Requirements: Sedum is drought-tolerant, so water sparingly.
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