Late Season Perennials
Helenium 'Sahin's Early Flowerer'
Deciduous perennial with daisy like blooms blending orange, amber, and copper tones. Forms a sturdy upright habit and grows 4 to 5 feet tall. Ideal for borders, prairie plantings, and cutting gardens. Zones: 3 to 8.
Late season blooming perennials extend color and interest into the garden as summer begins to fade and autumn approaches. Their flowers range from soft whites and pinks to rich purples, blues, reds, and golden tones, often appearing when many earlier bloomers have slowed or finished. These plants add texture and movement to borders and garden beds while creating a space that feels warm, inviting, and full throughout the changing season, helping carry the landscape into fall with fresh color and renewed interest.
WINDFLOWER (Anemone)
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Fall blooming windflowers extend the garden season with graceful flowers that rise on slender stems just as many summer perennials begin to fade. Anemone ‘Royal Blush’ (shown here) is grown for its soft blush-pink blooms with layered petals and warm centers, creating an elegant display from late summer into fall. Its airy stems sway above deeply divided foliage, bringing movement and a lighter texture to autumn plantings.
A beautiful addition to borders, woodland edges, or mixed perennial gardens, these perennials provide welcome color late in the season. Anemone x hybrida ‘Honorine Jobert’ offers crisp white flowers with golden centers, while Anemone hupehensis ‘Bressingham Glow’ contributes rich rose-pink blooms with a fuller appearance. Together, these selections provide soft color, graceful form, and a refined presence in the fall garden.
BLANKET FLOWER (Gaillardia)
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Blanket flowers carry fiery color producing bold daisy-like blooms that brighten the fall garden. Gaillardia aristata SpinTop ‘Copper Sun’ is grown for its glowing flowers with rich copper-red centers blending outward into golden yellow petal tips, creating a warm, sunset-like display above compact green foliage. Its long flowering period helps sustain strong seasonal color while adding energy and movement to planting combinations.
A bright addition to borders and pollinator gardens, these perennials provide lasting bloom and distinctive flower patterns as autumn approaches. Gaillardia aristata SpinTop ‘Mariachi Copper Sun’ adds unusual layered petals in warm copper, orange, and yellow tones that create a more textured appearance, while Gaillardia aristata SpinTop ‘Red Sky’ offers saturated red flowers with subtle orange highlights and prominent central cones.
TICKSEED (Coreopsis)
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Coreopsis carries warm color into late season, producing cheerful flowers that continue brightening the garden through late summer and fall. Coreopsis NOVA ‘Opal’ (shown here) is grown for its soft creamy-white flowers brushed with pale yellow tones, creating a lighter display that stands out against finely textured foliage. Its long bloom period and airy habit help maintain seasonal color.
A dependable addition to borders, pollinator gardens, or mixed perennial plantings, these perennials provide extended bloom and varied flower colors as autumn approaches. Coreopsis verticillata ‘Zagreb’ offers golden-yellow flowers above thread-like foliage, while Coreopsis ‘Enchanted Eve’ adds rich rosy-pink blooms with deeper centers for added contrast. Together, these selections provide soft texture, prolonged color, and a spirited presence in the fall garden.
Related: Explore All Tickseed ➔
ASTER
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Fall blooming asters carry rich color into the garden when many other perennials are beginning to slow down, producing masses of daisy-like flowers through late summer and fall. Aster x frikartii ‘Monch’ (shown here) is grown for its lavender-blue blooms with golden centers, creating a soft yet abundant display that continues for an extended season. Its mounded habit and freely branching stems provide a full appearance while adding movement and late-season color.
A colorful addition to borders, cottage gardens, or pollinator plantings, these perennials provide valuable color and texture during autumn. Aster ageratoides ‘Starshine’ offers crisp white flowers with yellow centers, while Aster novi-belgii ‘Baldco’ provides soft lavender-pink blooms with rosy centers that create a gentle wash of color later in the season. Together, these selections provide varied flower tones, extended bloom, and a dynamic presence in the fall garden.
DAHLIA
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Dahlias sustain the garden with bold flower displays that continue delivering color and fullness from late summer into fall. Dahlia ‘Nicholas’ is grown for its large blooms in warm peach and apricot tones with softly blended shading, creating a long-lasting display above dark green foliage. Its strong stems and substantial flowers help maintain seasonal interest while adding structure to mixed plantings.
A colorful addition to borders, cutting gardens, or mixed perennial plantings, these perennials provide color and texture as autumn approaches. Dahlia ‘Show ’N’ Tell’ offers oversized red blooms with yellow petal tips, while Dahlia ‘BJ’s Rival’ adds warm peach, rose, and golden tones. Together, these selections provide warm color, substantial flower forms, and a refined presence in the fall garden.
Related: Explore All Dahlias ➔
GARDEN MUM (Chrysanthemum)
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Fall blooming mums bring a burst of seasonal color just as the garden begins shifting toward autumn, producing dense flower displays that carry through late summer and fall. Chrysanthemum ‘Apricot’ (shown here) is grown for its warm apricot-toned blooms that create a soft display of color above compact mounds of foliage. Its abundant flowering habit adds fullness and helps extend interest well into the later part of the season.
A welcome addition to borders, containers, or mixed perennial plantings, these perennials provide reliable bloom when many summer flowers begin fading. Chrysanthemum x morifolium ‘Plumberry Purple’ offers rich plum-purple flowers that deepen the fall color palette while adding texture and seasonal contrast. Together, these selections provide layered color, extended bloom, and a fresh presence in the fall garden.
GAURA
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Gaura extends color into the later part of the season, producing abundant flowers on slender stems from summer into fall. Gaura lindheimeri ‘Bantam Pink’ (shown here) is grown for its rosy pink blooms held above compact green foliage, creating a light, open display that adds texture without overwhelming surrounding plants. Its long flowering period helps maintain seasonal interest while blending easily into mixed plantings.
A versatile addition to borders, cottage gardens, or mixed perennial plantings, these perennials provide color and texture as autumn approaches. Gaura lindheimeri ‘Steffi Dark Rose Improved’ offers deeper rose-pink flowers, while Oenothera lindheimeri ‘Whirling Butterflies’ adds delicate white blooms held along wiry stems. Together, these selections provide soft color transitions, airy flower forms, and a refined presence in the fall garden.
SNEEZEWEED (Helenium)
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Sneezeweed carries rich color into the final stretch of the growing season, producing abundant daisy-like flowers from late summer through fall. Helenium ‘Sahin’s Early Flowerer’ (shown here) is grown for its warm blend of amber, orange, copper, and golden tones that gradually shift with age, creating a multicolored display above sturdy green foliage. Its extended bloom period helps maintain seasonal interest while adding strong color to mixed plantings.
A reliable addition to borders, prairie-style gardens, or mixed perennial plantings, these perennials provide color and texture as autumn approaches. Helenium autumnale ‘Mardi Gras’ offers layered golden-yellow flowers with darker centers, while Helenium autumnale ‘Potter’s Wheel’ adds fiery red blooms with narrow, twisted petals and golden tips. Together, these selections provide warm color transitions, distinctive flower forms, and a bold presence in the fall garden.
CONEFLOWER (Echinacea)
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Coneflowers sustain the garden well into fall, producing prominent daisy-like blooms with raised centers. Echinacea purpurea (shown here) is grown for its rosy-purple flowers with distinctive coppery-orange cones, creating a long-lasting display above sturdy stems and coarse green foliage. Its upright habit and persistent blooms provide structure while extending seasonal interest into autumn.
A natural addition to borders, prairie-style plantings, or mixed perennial gardens, these perennials offer both distinctive flower forms and prolonged seasonal appeal. Echinacea purpurea ‘Green Twister’ features unusual petals that blend lime green and rosy-pink tones, while Echinacea ‘Kismet White’ adds crisp white blooms with prominent central cones. Together, these selections provide varied color, bold flower detail, and a colorful presence in the fall garden.
Related: Explore All Coneflowers ➔
HYLOTELEPHIUM
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Hylotelephium extends seasonal color with broad flower clusters that become increasingly prominent as summer transitions into fall. Hylotelephium spectabile ‘Autumn Joy’ (shown here) is grown for its large, flattened flower heads that emerge soft pink and gradually deepen to rosy copper tones above succulent blue-green foliage. Its sturdy stems and substantial form help maintain strong structure while adding lasting interest to mixed plantings.
A dependable addition to borders, pollinator gardens, or mixed perennial plantings, these perennials provide color and texture as autumn approaches. Hylotelephium spectabile ‘Class Act’ offers rosy-pink flower clusters with rich purple stems and blue-green foliage, while Hylotelephium ‘TNSEDECF’ adds saturated raspberry-red blooms held above dark chocolate foliage. Together, these selections provide evolving color, substantial flower forms, and a refined presence in the fall garden.
GARDEN PHLOX (Phlox)
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Garden phlox extends the flowering season with large clusters of blooms that continue bringing color and fullness to the garden from late summer into fall. Phlox paniculata ‘Blue Paradise’ (shown here) is grown for its violet-blue flowers that deepen in cooler temperatures and changing light, creating a noticeable display above upright green foliage. Its dense flower heads and sturdy habit help maintain seasonal interest while adding structure to mixed plantings.
A colorful addition to borders, cottage gardens, or mixed perennial plantings, these perennials provide color as autumn approaches. Phlox paniculata ‘Nora Leigh’ offers white flowers with bright pink centers paired with cream and green variegated foliage, while Phlox paniculata ‘Barthirtythree’ adds rich magenta-purple blooms with crisp white centers for stronger contrast later in the season. Together, these selections provide layered color and substantial flower clusters in the fall garden.
GUERNSEY LILY (Nerine)
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Guernsey lilies provide an unexpected burst of color late in the season, producing clusters of narrow, wavy-petaled flowers as many other perennials begin fading. Nerine bowdenii is grown for its soft pink blooms held in rounded clusters above leafless stems, creating a clean and distinctive display in early to mid-fall. Its upright flower stalks and unusual petal form help maintain seasonal interest while adding texture to mixed plantings.
A distinctive addition to borders, rock gardens, or mixed perennial plantings, these perennials provide color and texture as autumn approaches. Nerine bowdenii ‘Pink Triumph’ (shown here) offers larger, richer pink flowers with a fuller appearance and pronounced petal detail. Together, these selections provide late-season color, distinctive flower forms, and a refined presence in the fall garden.
BLACK-EYED SUSAN (Rudbeckia)
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Black-eyed Susans bring bold color and strong flower form to the late-season garden, producing daisy-like blooms that continue brightening borders from late summer into fall. Rudbeckia fulgida var. sullivantii ‘Goldsturm’ (shown here) is grown for its golden-yellow petals surrounding dark central cones, creating a long-lasting display above sturdy green foliage. Its dependable flowering habit and upright form help maintain seasonal interest while adding structure to mixed plantings.
A colorful addition to borders, prairie-style gardens, or mixed perennial plantings, these perennials provide color and texture as autumn approaches. Rudbeckia hirta ‘Laura’ offers warm yellow flowers with lighter centers, while Rudbeckia hirta Sunbeckia ‘Luna’ adds oversized golden blooms with dark centers for stronger contrast later in the season. Together, these selections provide warm color, substantial flower forms, and a refined presence in the fall garden.
NEW ENGLAND ASTER (Symphyotrichum)
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New England asters extend the garden season with masses of daisy-like flowers that continue bringing color and fullness from late summer into fall. Symphyotrichum novae-angliae ‘Violetta’ (shown here) is grown for its rich violet-purple blooms with warm golden centers, creating a long-lasting display above sturdy green foliage. Its upright branching habit and abundant flowering help maintain seasonal interest while adding structure to mixed plantings.
A colorful addition to borders, prairie-style gardens, or mixed perennial plantings, these perennials provide color and texture as autumn approaches. Symphyotrichum novae-angliae ‘Purple Dome’ offers dense mounds of deep purple flowers with bright yellow centers, creating a fuller appearance later in the season. Together, these selections provide rich color, abundant flower clusters, and a refined presence in the fall garden.
FEATHER REED GRASS (Calamagrostis)
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Feather reed grasses bring texture and seasonal structure to the late garden, producing upright plumes that become increasingly prominent from late summer into fall. Calamagrostis brachytricha (shown here) is grown for its soft pink-tinged flower plumes that gradually mature to silvery tan tones above arching green foliage. Its upright habit and long-lasting seed heads help maintain seasonal interest while adding movement and structure to mixed plantings.
A versatile addition to borders, prairie-style gardens, or mixed perennial plantings, these grasses provide texture and form as autumn approaches. Calamagrostis x acutiflora ‘Karl Foerster’ offers narrow vertical plumes held on strongly upright stems, creating a more architectural appearance later in the season. Together, these selections provide soft texture, lasting seasonal interest, and a refined presence in the fall garden.
CAPE FUCHSIA (Phygelius)
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Cape fuchsia extends seasonal color with arching stems lined with tubular flowers that continue blooming from late summer into fall. Phygelius capensis (shown here) is grown for its dangling trumpet-shaped flowers in shades of warm red to orange, creating a long-lasting display above upright green foliage. Its extended flowering period and branching habit help maintain seasonal interest while adding structure to mixed plantings.
A colorful addition to borders, cottage gardens, or mixed perennial plantings, these perennials provide color and texture as autumn approaches. Phygelius ‘Candy Drops Cream’ offers soft creamy-yellow flowers with a gentler appearance that brightens late-season combinations. Together, these selections provide prolonged bloom, distinctive flower forms, and a refined presence in the fall garden.