18 Perennials to Plant in Fall for Spring and Summer Blooms

With cooler weather coming and plants slowing down for the year, autumn is the perfect time to get ahead of your gardening tasks and do some garden planning. Did some of your flower beds look a bit sparse during the growing season, or are you considering adding new plants to your garden to expand existing beds and incorporate more perennials?

If so, there are a number of stunning perennial plants and flowers that you can add to your garden in fall to improve the look of your space and fill out your beds too.

A gardener planting perennials in the fall — Planting perennials in the fall ensures that they are established and ready to get growing in the spring--with spring blooms soon to follow!

In this guide, you’ll find some of the most lovely perennials to plant in fall for spring and summer flowers. Getting these perennials in the garden before autumn frosts arrive will ensure these plants have plenty of time to adjust to your garden and set out roots before winter!

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18 colorful perennials to plant in fall

Perennial bleeding hearts planted in the fall — Time your fall planting according to the type and form of plant you are planting--tuber, bulb, bare root, or potted plant.

Perennial plants are generally sold as bulbs, bare roots, or potted plants. All three plant varieties work well with fall planting, but you’ll want to time your planting right to make sure your new perennials have time to grow in your garden. Amending your soil with a bit of compost and watering your perennials well after planting will speed up the acclimation process and help new perennials thrive.

1. Coneflowers (Echinacea purpurea)

Purple coneflower, aka echinacea, planted in fall — Plant fall echinacea four or more weeks before a fall frost so the roots can get well established before it goes dormant.

Plant name:	Coneflowers
Light requirements:	Full sun to part shade
Water requirements:	Moderate
Growing zone:	Zones 3 to 9

A staple plant in pollinator habitats and cottage gardens, too, coneflowers are hardy plants that are native to North America. Most people are familiar with purple coneflower, which has lavender-hued petals, but you can also find coneflowers with pink, orange, red, and yellow blooms. Among their many benefits, coneflowers can thrive in a range of soil types, and they produce large seed heads in autumn, which is always a treat for wild birds.

Coneflowers can be planted in either spring or fall, but for autumn plantings, you’ll want to get your coneflowers in the ground at least 4 to 6 weeks before frost is expected. This will give your plants plenty of time to acclimate and start growing roots before the cold weather hits. Established coneflowers can grow up to 3’ tall, they are generally quite drought resistant, and they can get by with minimal water.

2. Coral bells (Heuchera americana)

Colorful foliage on coral bells plants — Coral bells can be planted quite late into the fall, as long as the ground is not frozen solid.

Plant name:	Coral bells
Light requirements:	Part shade
Water requirements:	Moderate
Growing zone:	Zones 4 to 9

Also known as alumroot, coral bells are native to North America, and while these plants flower, they are mostly kept for their colorful leaves. Coral bell plants come in almost any color you could want, including purple, amber, gold, and chartreuse green. These plants are also adaptable enough to grow in shade gardens, although they can also handle full sun as long as they get enough water.

Like many other perennials, coral bells can be planted in spring or in late autumn before the ground freezes solid. These low-growing plants make a colorful border around flower gardens, but they can also be used as a groundcover or accent plant. When mature, coral bells grow to about 16” tall, and they bloom from late spring to mid-summer.

3. Russian sage (Perovskia atriplicifolia)

A monarch butterfly on purple flowering Russian sage — Russian sage can be planted in the fall up to four weeks before your last frost date.

Plant name:	Russian sage
Light requirements:	Full sun
Water requirements:	Moderate to low
Growing zone:	Zones 4 to 9

Russian sage is a top pollinator plant that’s much beloved by bees, hummingbirds, and butterflies. But while Russian sage can be useful in habitat gardens, it also looks right at home in ornamental beds where it forms a stunning and colorful backdrop to lower-growing perennials and annuals. Full-grown Russian sage plants can grow between 3 to 5’ tall, and their silver leaves and airy grown habit give these plants an ethereal and dreamy quality in flower beds.

Despite its name, Russian sage is not a true sage, but it does have richly fragranced leaves that can add even more charm to your outdoor space. When crushed, Russian sage leaves have a deep, menthol fragrance with notes of lavender. Russian sage plants can be planted in spring or in fall, up to 4 weeks before your first frost date.

4. Hellebores (Helleborus spp.)

Pinkish white hellebores in bloom — Plant Hellebores in the fall for a pleasant, late winter surprise. For winter/spring blossoms, they'll need to be in the ground in the autumn.

Plant name:	Hellebores
Light requirements:	Full sun to shade
Water requirements:	Moderate
Growing zone:	Zones 3 to 9

If you’re dreading the winter season ahead, plant some hellebores! Hellebores are some of the first plants to bloom in spring, and they can often be spotted poking up right through the snow. These plants typically bloom around Eastertime, which is how they earned their nickname, “Lenten roses.”

A close relative of buttercups, wolfsbane, and delphinium, hellebores are famed for their cup-shaped flowers, which come in unusual shades, including green, pale pink, purple, and near black. These plants are also cold hardy, and they can grow in shady areas in summer, although they prefer garden locations that receive sun in winter. Plant hellebores towards the end of the season -- anytime from September to when the ground freezes.

5. Bleeding hearts (Dicentra spp.)

Pink bleeding heart flowers — Bleeding hearts can be planted from nursery starts, but bare root plants are more affordable.

Plant name:	Bleeding hearts
Light requirements:	Part shade
Water requirements:	Moderate
Growing zone:	Zones 3 to 9

Bleeding hearts are springtime bloomers that are prized for their curious, heart-shaped flowers that dangle from the undersides of slender, arching stems. Most often, bleeding heart flowers come in a vivid pink color, but you can also find white, purple, yellow, or red bleeding heart cultivars. One of the best things about bleeding hearts is that these plants can thrive in shady areas, and they make a showy addition to shade gardens and forested landscapes.

Bleeding hearts can be grown from nursery-started plants, but you can also grow these plants from bare roots, which tends to be more budget-friendly. The best time to plant bleeding hearts is in spring or fall when the temperatures are mild. Working organic matter, like compost, into your soil before planting will give your bleeding hearts an advantage and help them settle in more readily.

6. Wolfsbane (Aconitum napellus)

Purple wolfsbane in flower — Wolfsbane should be fall planted or sown from seed so they have enough time to bloom in the coming season.

Plant name:	Wolfsbane
Light requirements:	Full sun to part shade
Water requirements:	Moderate
Growing zone:	Zones 3 to 8

Also known as monkshood, wolfsbane is a striking plant with palmate leaves and modified flower structures that come in shades of blue, purple, pink, and white. These plants earned their nickname “monkshood” due to their uniquely formed flowers, which are said to resemble the cowl of a monk’s habit. Like bleeding hearts, wolfsbane can tolerate shady spots, but it will also grow well in full sun as long as it is watered regularly.

One important thing to note about wolfsbane is that it is a very toxic plant, and it’s advised to wear gloves when handling it. If you have small children or curious pets, it’s wise to avoid this plant entirely. Wolfsbane can be grown either from nursery starts or seed, but you’ll want to sow these plants in fall so they have enough time to grow and flower by midsummer.

7. Columbine (Aquilegia spp.)

Magenta and white columbine flowers — For the best display, plant several color varieties of columbine and mix and match with other fall-planted perennials.

Plant name:	Columbine
Light requirements:	Full sun to part shade
Water requirements:	Moderate
Growing zone:	Zones 3 to 9

A short-lived perennial, columbines boast charming, nodding blooms that come in shades of purple, red, white, and other colors too. Another shade-loving plant, columbines are naturally found in semi-wooded areas and forest margins, but they’ll do well in flower gardens too. While these plants only live around 3 to 5 years, columbines are very good at self-sowing as long as you don’t deadhead the old blooms.

The best time to plant columbines is either in early spring or fall before the ground freezes. Give your columbines a boost by amending the soil with compost or aged manure before planting. For a showier display, plant several columbines together or combine columbines with other shade lovers, like hellebores and bleeding hearts.

8. Creeping phlox (Phlox subulata)

Pink creeping phlox in flower — Creeping phlox can be spring planted, but it will bloom better of it is planted in the fall.

Plant name:	Creeping phlox
Light requirements:	Full sun to part shade
Water requirements:	Moderate
Growing zone:	Zones 3 to 9

Creeping phlox is a spring-blooming flower that can form colorful carpets of white and pink flowers over garden beds and hillsides. In fact, you can use creeping phlox as a low-maintenance groundcover or to conceal low retaining walls; however, creeping phlox also looks stately in ornamental beds. Interestingly, the pink moon of April is named after this plant as creeping phlox begins to bloom in mid-spring.

While creeping phlox can be planted in spring, you’ll get more flowers if you plant your creeping phlox in fall. Mature plants only grow to about 6” tall, but they spread quickly, and a single plant can stretch over 2’ wide. If you want to create a dense display of creeping phlox plants, space individual plants about 15 to 18” apart in a mass planting.

9. Yarrow (Achillea millefolium)

White flowering yarrow — Yarrow is one of the easiest perennials you can grow. And it's very hardy.

Plant name:	Yarrow
Light requirements:	Full sun to part shade
Water requirements:	Moderate to low
Growing zone:	Zones 3 to 9

A top pollinator plant, yarrow is one of the most easygoing perennials you can grow. Whether you have sandy or clay-heavy soil, yarrow should grow just fine, and yarrow can even handle part shade! Most often, you’ll find yarrow with white blooms, but if you look around, you can usually find yarrow in shades of pink and yellow too.

Yarrow plants are usually sown in early spring or early fall, but you’ll get earlier blooms if you go with fall planting. These plants are long-season bloomers, and you can enjoy yarrow flowers from spring through autumn. While yarrow will add elegance and a touch of charm to garden beds, yarrow also makes a fantastic cut flower, and the blooms dry beautifully for preserved displays as well.

10. Virginia bluebells (Mertensia virginica)

Periwinkle colored Virginia bluebells — Early fall is the time to plant Virginia bluebells if you want flowers in the coming year.

Plant name:	Virginia bluebells
Light requirements:	Shade
Water requirements:	Moderate
Growing zone:	Zones 3 to 9

Virginia bluebells are what’s known as a “spring ephemeral,” which means they bloom early in the season, and then the plant goes dormant when temperatures rise. When in bloom, Virginia bluebells will liven up your garden with their color-changing, bell-shaped flowers that begin as pink buds and mature into periwinkle blue flowers. Since bluebells fade by summer, these plants work particularly well when they’re interplanted with summertime bloomers, like hostas and astilbe.

Virginia bluebells can be grown from nursery stock, or you can order bare roots of these plants online. Bare roots are usually less expensive, and they are just as easy to grow. Plant Virginia bluebells in rich soil in early fall if you want to get flowers the following year.

11. Asters (Aster spp.)

Purple flowering fall asters — Asters are the star of the fall garden. They are good perennials to plant in the fall.

Plant name:	Asters
Light requirements:	Full sun to part shade
Water requirements:	Moderate
Growing zone:	Zones 3 to 8

Asters are the stars of autumn gardens, and they produce an eye-catching display of pink, blue, purple, and white flowers long after most summertime plants fade. There are about 350 different types of asters in the world, and about half of those aster varieties are native to North America. While you can find different aster cultivars for your garden, New England asters are a particularly showy variety, and they’re always a hit with native bees.

Different varieties of asters can grow to different heights, but these plants generally range in size from 1 to 6’ tall. Larger aster varieties are ideal for planting towards the back of gardens, but they also look impressive when grown en masse with other autumn favorites, like goldenrods. Asters can be planted throughout the growing season, but for fall plantings, aim to get your asters planted at least 4 weeks before frost is expected.

12. Black-eyed Susan (Rudbeckia hirta)

Black eyed Susans in flower — Black eyed Susan pairs well with other plants on this list, like coneflower and yarrow.

Plant name:	Black-eyed Susan
Light requirements:	Full sun to part shade
Water requirements:	Moderate
Growing zone:	Zones 3 to 10

Black-eyed Susan is one of the most easy-to-grow perennials that you can find. With sunny yellow petals and an equally sunny disposition, black-eyed Susans can thrive in a range of conditions, and these plants naturally self-sow if you don’t deadhead the spent blooms. But to get your black-eyed Susan patch started, you’ll want to sow nursery starts or seeds in spring or early fall.

While black-eyed Susans make a colorful addition to ornamental beds, they are excellent pollinator plants, and their seedheads provide an important food source for birds in autumn. You can also use black-eyed Susans in cut flower arrangements or brew the flowers to make a homemade natural dye. For a charming and low-maintenance wildflower display, try pairing black-eyed Susan with yarrow and coneflowers.

13. Astilbe (Astilbe chinensis)

Pink flowering astilbe — Planting astilbe in the fall will give you a jump start on spring growth and blossoming.

Plant name:	Astilbe
Light requirements:	Full sun to part shade
Water requirements:	Moderate
Growing zone:	Zones 4 to 9

Also known as false goat’s beard, astilbe plants add interesting texture to garden landscapes with their sprays of upright, foamy flowers. Astilbe blooms come in pinks, purples, and white, and they make a fine complement to the plant’s dense and jagged leaves. When allowed to grow and spread, astilbe plants make an easygoing groundcover, but they can also be used as border plants or added to mixed ornamental beds.

Planting astilbe in fall, several weeks before frost is expected, will give you a jump start on the growing season ahead, although you can also sow astilbe in spring. Full-grown plants grow about 1 to 3’ tall, and they spread over 30” wide. While astilbe will grow in the sun, these plants also thrive in part shade along with other shade-loving perennials, like hellebores, ferns, and lily of the valley.

14. Shasta daisies (Leucanthemum × superbum)

Bright Shasta daisies in bloom — For root development, it's best to plant Shasta daisies in the earlier part of fall.

Plant name:	Shasta daisies
Light requirements:	Full sun to part shade
Water requirements:	Moderate
Growing zone:	Zones 5 to 9

Shasta daisies were first developed in the 1800s by crossing oxeye daisies with several other daisy species. The resulting plant was named “Shasta” after the snowy, white peaks of Mount Shasta in California. Beyond their distinct flowers, Shasta daisies are also noteworthy for their dark green, leathery leaves, which can stay evergreen in mild climates.

Typically, Shasta daisies are planted in spring, but they’ll do well with an autumn planting as long as you get them in the ground in early fall. Daisy plants that are sown too late in the year may not have enough time to develop roots before frost, and they can struggle to get established. In the garden, Shasta daisies will attract a host of pollinators, including butterflies, and these plants also make attractive cut flowers.

15. Pasque flower (Pulsatilla patens)

Purple Pasque flower — Plant Pasque flower in the fall so it is ready as an early food source for bees and pollinators in the spring.

Plant name:	Pasque flower
Light requirements:	Full sun
Water requirements:	Moderate
Growing zone:	Zones 4 to 8

A low-growing, clump-forming perennial plant, the Pasque flower is an early spring bloomer that provides nectar and pollen for bees before other plants emerge from their winter hibernation. After the long winter, it’s always exciting to see Pasque flowers bloom, which usually occurs around Eastertime. The plant’s name “Pasque” actually comes from its bloom time, as “Pasque” is the Old French word for Easter.

Pasque flowers are usually grown from bulbs, which can be planted in autumn, just like daffodils and tulips. As they mature, Pasque flowers naturally spread, but they only grow to about 12” tall. After their purple blooms fade, Pasque flowers usually go dormant in summer, but they regrow reliably even in areas as cool as Zone 4.

16. Spotted dead nettle (Lamium maculatum)

Purple spotted dead nettle flowers — Spotted dead nettle (which is not a stinging nettle), has a variety of uses and benefits.

Plant name:	Spotted dead nettle
Light requirements:	Shade
Water requirements:	Moderate
Growing zone:	Zones 3 to 8

Spotted dead nettle is a no-nonsense groundcover that can grow in shady spots where most other plants won’t take root. This fast-growing plant is a relative of mint, and like mint, it can grow aggressively in some areas. In fact, spotted dead nettle is listed as invasive in some spots, so you’ll want to take care when growing it.

In the garden, spotted dead nettle provides a lot of color from its purple flowers and deep green leaves that are accented with silvery spots. A magnet for bees, dead nettle gets its name from the fact that its leaves are stinger-free, unlike the notorious stinging nettle. Dead nettle plants will take off whether they’re planted in spring or fall, and the edible leaves can even be used as a culinary herb!

17. Cushion spurge (Euphorbia epithymoides)

Yellow colored Cushion spurge — Cushion spurge doesn't have true flowers; like poinsettias, it has colored bracts, or modified leaves.

Plant name:	Cushion spurge
Light requirements:	Full sun to part shade
Water requirements:	Moderate
Growing zone:	Zones 3 to 10

Cushion spurge is one of the flashiest border plants you can find, but it also looks at home in mixed beds and cottage gardens. This vibrant plant has modified leaf structures, known as bracts, which are a buttery yellow color that’s certain to draw the eye. Plants with colorful bracts are less commonly seen in gardens, but the poinsettia plant is another good example of a plant with colorful bract structures.

When planted in gardens, cushion spurge will develop an upright, mounding growth habit, which can be used to accentuate other perennial favorites, like Virginia bluebells and yarrow. This plant is native to the Middle East, but it can adapt to cooler areas, and it’s even deer and rabbit resistant. Loosen up your soil and mix compost into the top 12” of earth before planting your cushion spurge in fall.

18. Butterfly bush (Buddleja davidii)

Monarch butterfly on a butterfly bush — Plant butterfly bush in early fall to allow for enough time for roots to grow and establish.

Plant name:	Butterfly bush
Light requirements:	Full sun
Water requirements:	Moderate
Growing zone:	Zones 5 to 10

One of the absolute best plants to grow if you want to attract hummingbirds and butterflies to your garden, butterfly bushes are bold plants with long, clustered flowers in shades of purple, pink, and white. When they bloom from mid-summer to early fall, these plants emit a heady, honey-like fragrance that can make your head swim, and your garden feel like paradise. Plus, these plants are adaptable, and they can grow in average soil types, although they do crave lots of bright sun.

Mature butterfly bushes usually grow about 5 to 10’ tall, but you can also find dwarf cultivars that stay under 4’ in height. Beyond their colorful flowers, butterfly bushes also feature silvery-green leaves that can add an interesting contrast to garden beds. Plant butterfly bushes in spring or early fall to give these plants enough time to root before frost sets in.

Summary

Monarch butterfly feeding on a coneflower — Not only will fall planting give you a jump on spring foliage and blooms, but fall clearance sales may save you some money!

Planting perennials in autumn is always a hopeful experience that can make you look forward to the growing season ahead. Even as your garden is winding down for the year, fall-planted perennials promise springs and summers to come, as well as rich flowers all abuzz with bees. Beyond that, fall is also a great time to reflect on the past growing season and adapt your garden to your changing interests by adding new plants for extra color and extended bloom times.

Growing perennial plants that bloom at different times of the year is one of the best ways to keep your garden colorful throughout the changing seasons. While the plants we’ve covered today are ideal for fall plantings, if you’re looking for more flowers to plant in autumn, we have additional plant selections in this guide. You may also want to explore the best bulbs to plant in fall to get a head start on the year to come!

Comments

Demi

August 24, 2023 at 2:33 pm

Grow plants that are native to your area to help the pollinators in your area. Buddleia butterfly bush is invasive, and is like junk food for the bees and butterflies.

- Mary Ward
  
  August 25, 2023 at 9:56 am
  
  Thanks for voicing your opinion. Butterfly bush is considered invasive in some areas, but not all. It is not considered invasive where I live, for example, we almost never see it spread here. We do encourage people to check with their state, county, or country for invasive lists and yes, it's wise to see if butterfly bush is on it. While there are certainly reasons people might opt out of butterfly bush, especially by location, the opinion that the nectar and pollen are junk food is not, according to the University of Maryland Extension Service, one of them. They do note that their native caterpillars do not eat the foliage of the bush, and butterfly bush is listed as a noxious weed by the USDA.
  https://marylandgrows.umd.edu/2020/09/14/whats-the-deal-with-butterfly-bushes-good-or-bad-for-pollinators/
  
Heather

August 24, 2023 at 3:18 pm

It should be noted that butterfly bush is invasive, though it is beautiful, plant with care.

- Mary Ward
  
  August 25, 2023 at 9:55 am
  
  Thanks for voicing your opinion. Butterfly bush is considered invasive in some areas, but not all. It is not considered invasive where I live, for example, we almost never see it spread here. We do encourage people to check with their state, county, or country for invasive lists and yes, it's wise to see if butterfly bush is on it and planting with care is good advice.
  
Randi Lorah

August 24, 2023 at 3:54 pm

You should be promoting native plants. They are better for the insects and birds. Also Butterfly Bush is invasive and should not be promoted. Some states are looking into banning it.

- Mary Ward
  
  August 25, 2023 at 9:55 am
  
  Thanks for voicing your opinion. Butterfly bush is considered invasive in some areas, but not all. It is not considered invasive where I live, for example, and we almost never see it spread here. We do encourage people to check with their state, county, or country for invasive lists and yes, it's wise to see if butterfly bush is on it.
  
Susan Judge

August 25, 2023 at 4:15 am

Loved this article. Thank you