The 10 Best Fall Blooming Perennials for Autumn Beauty
Your Hand-Picked Guide to the Best Perennial Plants for Fall
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In fall, the landscape world is awash with color, putting on a spectacular show before everything goes dormant for the winter. Brilliant reds, warm golds, and blazing oranges steal the spotlight, and while trees and shrubs tend to get most of the credit, they aren’t the only stars of the season!
Most people think first of maples, dogwoods, and gingkos when dreaming up that iconic fall garden look. But did you know there’s an entire lineup of fall blooming perennials that deliver just as much color and interest, right at ground level? These fall plants bring blooms, texture, and pollinator food just when your garden needs it the most.
Incorporating fall blooming perennials into garden beds, foundations, woodland edges, and side yards is a designer’s trick for extending the season. Add these fall plants to patio gardens, around fire pits, and to containers to keep the floral show going well into the crisp months of autumn.
When you weave these fall plants throughout your landscape, you will stretch your garden’s bloom time by weeks - sometimes months - and enjoy bursts of color long after summer blooms have faded.
Before You Plant: Fall Perennial Basics
First, a quick lesson for anyone new to gardening with perennial plants: a perennial is a plant that lives for more than two years. Unlike annuals, which complete their life cycle in one growing season, perennials grow back year after year from their roots.
In autumn, it’s normal for their leaves to turn brown, dry up, and drop off. They’re not dead; they are simply going dormant and resting underground until springtime.
Many of the best fall blooming perennials take their time waking up in the spring, so be patient and don’t be too quick to assume they’re goners and dig them up before they’ve had a chance to reemerge!
Always pay close attention to zone and light requirements when choosing which perennial plants for fall will work best in your landscape. If you don’t know which gardening zone you are in, you can find it on the USDA Hardiness Zone Map.
For light levels, it’s helpful to remember these definitions:
Watering is crucial, especially for newly planted perennials and also during autumn heatwaves. Keep plants hydrated until they drop their leaves and check local drought updates with the US Drought Monitor map.
And when you’re clearing leaves away, be gentle! Blasting perennials with a leaf blower can damage tender stems and flowers. Shake leaves off by hand or carefully rake them away.
Now that you’re ready with the basics and a few helpful reminders, it’s time for the fun part - choosing which plants to add! Let’s take a closer look at some of my favorite plants to design with, and my top choices for the best fall blooming perennials to help you fill your garden with flowers well into autumn.
1. Japanese Anemone
Anemone x hybrida
Zones: 4 - 8
Light: Full sun to part shade
Size: 1 - 3 feet tall and wide; taller when in bloom (differs by variety)
Deer Resistant: Yes
One of the most elegant choices among the best fall blooming perennials is the Japanese anemone. With its graceful, airy blooms dancing above a mound of foliage, this plant lives up to its nickname “windflower.”
Anemone ‘Pretty Lady Susan’. Image courtesy of Pleasant View Gardens via Proven Winners, provenwinners.com.
Native to Asia and related to the buttercup family, Japanese anemones thrive in full sun to part shade and love moist, fertile, well-drained soil. They’re especially happy with a bit of afternoon shade in the hot southern zones and appreciate heavy mulching for winter protection in colder climates. Patience is key - they’re slow to establish at first, but once they settle in, they can spread enthusiastically.
Anemone Fall in Love® Sweetly. Image courtesy of Proven Winners, provenwinners.com.
Design-wise, these flowers bring an ethereal quality to the fall garden. Delicate, tall flowers float on wiry stems above the attractive dark green leaves. You’ll find many cultivars available at the garden center, with flowers in shades of white, pink, and soft rose.
Heirloom varieties like ‘Honorine Jobert’ and ‘Whirlwind’ deliver classic white flowers, while ‘Pretty Lady Susan’ has charming pink blooms with sunny yellow centers.
Anemone ‘Honorine Jobert’. Image courtesy of Walters Gardens, Inc.
In the landscape, Japanese anemones shine when massed together. Try them in garden beds and borders, or plant them along the base of a stone wall to soften harsh edges.
They’re lovely in cottage gardens, at the woodland’s edge, or in front of a picket fence, but just be mindful of their spreading habit. Companion plants like asters, goldenrod, and ornamental grasses make perfect partners to complete your perennial plants for fall combo.
Even when it’s not flowering, Anemone ‘Honorine Jobert’ adds beauty with its lush, attractive foliage. Image courtesy of Walters Gardens, Inc.
2. Garden Mums
Chrysanthemum x
Zones: 6 - 11, depending on the variety
Light: Full sun to part shade
Size: 1 - 3 feet high and wide
Deer Resistant: Yes
No list of the best fall blooming perennials would be complete without the classic garden mum. Chances are you’ve grabbed a pot or two at the grocery store or big box retailer to pop into a container by the front door - and for good reason!
Garden mums are easy, affordable, and incredibly vibrant. Did you know they can be grown as true perennials in zones 7 - 9? They just need pinching back throughout the growing season to stay full and bushy.
Clockwise from left: Flamingo Pineapple Pink Garden Mum, Efanthia Wood Spurge, Gigi™ Gold Garden Mum, and Icterina Golden Leaf Sage. Image courtesy of Proven Winners, provenwinners.com.
Garden mums thrive in full sun to part shade and have average water requirements. Just remember - containers dry out faster than garden beds, so keep an eye on moisture levels.
Mums come in several different colors: crisp whites, warm yellows, rich reds, rusty oranges, golds, and even pinks. They’re the quintessential fall flower and make any autumn display pop, whether flanking your entryway, grouped with pumpkins and hay bales, or tucked into mixed garden beds.
‘Hot Spot Bronze’ Garden Mum. Image courtesy of Ball Horticultural Company.
Try planting mums at the front of a border, in containers on porches and patios, or mixed with other perennial plants for fall for a layered, colorful look. They play beautifully with ornamental kale, asters, and decorative grasses for a complete fall tableau.
If you live in a zone where your mums are hardy, try repurposing the ones from your Halloween container displays by planting them directly into garden beds - it’s an easy, budget-friendly way to fill empty spots and stretch your fall decorating dollars.
Clockwise from left: Superbells® Blue Callibrachoa, Gigi™ Orange Garden Mum, Goldilocks Creeping Jenny. Image courtesy of Proven Winners, provenwinners.com.
3. Showy Stonecrop
Hylotelephium spectabile (formerly Sedum spectabile) and hybrids
Zones: 3 - 9
Light: Full sun
Size: 1 - 2 feet high and wide
Deer Resistant: Yes
Showy stonecrop earns its place on the list of best fall blooming perennials for its unique texture and late-season color. This clumping, succulent perennial plant is native to China and Korea and loves full sun and well-draining soil.
Autumn Fire Showy Stonecrop. Image courtesy of Walters Gardens, Inc.
Rich, moist soil isn’t ideal for this succulent perennial. Stonecrop actually thrives in average to poor soil and struggles when conditions are too wet or overly fertile.
Design-wise, showy stonecrop stands out with its broccoli-like clusters of green flower buds that open into flat-topped, rosy pink blooms, deepening to red as temperatures cool down.
A bold autumn trio: Autumn Joy Stonecrop, Threadleaf Bluestar, and Diablo Ninebark in full fall color.
Well-known cultivars include ‘Autumn Joy’, an enduring classic; ‘Autumn Fire’, a compact, tighter version; and ‘Neon’, with vivid lime green leaves and bright pink flowers.
Dark-leaved hybrids like ‘Back in Black’ will add another layer of drama to your fall perennial plant palette, and for something different ‘Lemongrow’ has pale yellow to peach colored flowers and a compact, mounding habit.
‘Neon’ Stonecrop. Image courtesy of Ball Horticultural Company.
Plant stonecrop in borders, pollinator gardens, water-wise garden beds, and containers. Its sturdy stems and fleshy leaves contrast beautifully with switchgrass, threadleaf bluestar, Russian sage, coneflowers, and black-eyed Susans.
It’s a pollinator favorite and an easy-care performer that will bring structure and interest to any fall garden!
Rock’N Grow® Lemonjade Stonecrop. Image courtesy of Walters Gardens, Inc.
4. Black-Eyed Susan
Rudbeckia species
Zones: 4 - 9
Light: Full sun to part shade
Size: 2 - 4 feet high and 1 - 2 feet wide (differs by variety)
Deer Resistant: Yes
Black-eyed Susan is another must-have when planning your best fall blooming perennials lineup. This cheerful native perennial is as versatile as it is eye-catching, thriving in full sun to part shade and tolerating a wide range of soil types, including clay.
It doesn’t need rich soil and can handle shady spots where other flowering plants struggle - just avoid planting it right up against a heavily fertilized lawn, since too much fertilizer will cause weak, flopping stems.
A skipper butterfly makes a quick stop on the sunny blooms of an American Goldrush black-eyed Susan.
Black-eyed Susans start blooming in early to midsummer, bringing weeks of bright golden color to the garden. However, not all varieties will keep on flowering into fall; for example, the popular ‘Goldsturm’ cultivar finishes flowering in late summer.
Before you choose a variety, take a moment to check North Creek Nurseries’ helpful bloom time chart to be sure you’re picking the right black-eyed Susan variety for fall flowers.
‘American Gold Rush’ Black-Eyed Susan. Image courtesy of Walters Gardens, Inc.
With its iconic daisy-like flowers comprised of golden yellow petals and dark centers, black-eyed Susan pairs beautifully with other perennial plants for fall like purple coneflowers, liatris, and ornamental grasses.
Plant this lively perennial in native plant gardens, borders, pollinator beds, along woodland edges, or massed in island beds and mailbox gardens. Black-eyed Susans are a bright, reliable staple for meadow-inspired plantings too, freely self-seeding when happy and filling in gaps with golden cheer.
The Henry Eilers sweet black-eyed Susan has unique quill-shaped flower petals.
5. White Wood Aster
Eurybia divaricata
Zones: 3 - 8
Light: Part shade to full shade
Size: 1 - 3 feet high and wide
Deer Resistant: Yes
If you have dry shade, the white wood aster might become your new favorite fall blooming perennial.
Native to the eastern United States, this tough plant tolerates clay, dry spots, and even occasional wet soil. It has a low, mounding habit and spreads by rhizomes, forming a dense carpet of bright white flowers from late summer into fall.
The dainty fall flowers of white wood aster.
These dainty blooms are beloved by bees and butterflies, while birds and small mammals like to eat the seeds. White wood aster’s flower centers shift from yellow to red once pollinated, adding a subtle touch of visual interest.
This fall blooming native excels as a ground cover for problem areas like the dry shade underneath tall trees or tricky shaded slopes. It brings fall flowers to the woodland’s edge, fully shaded landscapes, irregularly shaped beds and side yards where nothing seems to grow.
Try pairing white wood aster with companion plants like Allegheny spurge, Japanese forest grass, or glossy dark green evergreens like European wild ginger and Himalayan sweet box. It’s a fantastic choice for pollinator gardens and native plantings that need a tough, fall-blooming perennial plant to fill tricky spots.
Read more about this problem solving fall perennial in “Struggling with Dry Shade? Hello, White Wood Aster”.
White wood aster can be used as a ground cover in dry, shaded areas.
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6. Goldenrod
Solidago species
Zones: 2 - 8
Light: Full sun
Size: 1 - 8 feet tall and 1 - 4 feet wide (differs by variety)
Deer Resistant: Yes
Little Lemon Goldenrod. Image courtesy of Ball Horticultural Company.
Okay, it’s time to finally give goldenrod the credit it deserves! Too often confused with allergy-causing ragweed, goldenrod is actually a pollinator hero and a standout among the best fall blooming perennials.
This North American native prefers full sun and moist, well-drained soil but can tolerate short dry spells once established. Size varies greatly depending on the variety - from tiny dwarfs like ‘Little Lemon,’ perfect for small gardens at just 14 inches tall, to showier cultivars like ‘Fireworks,’ which grows 2-3 feet tall with a more refined shape.
Its plume-like yellow flowers are a welcome nectar source for late-season pollinators and look striking when planted alongside purple New England asters.
Add goldenrod to a pollinator patch, stylized meadow, native garden, or a deer-resistant border. It thrives in rain gardens and provides a wonderful color and texture contrast when paired with ornamental grasses.
It’s also a great choice for planting in coastal gardens, since it’s highly salt-tolerant and can handle salt spray. If you’re planning a garden that features perennial plants for fall, goldenrod definitely deserves a spot!
7. New England Aster
Symphotrichum novae-anglia, formerly known as Aster novae-angliae
Zones: 3 - 8
Light: Full sun to part shade
Size: 2 - 6 feet tall and 1 - 3 feet wide (differs by variety)
Deer Resistant: Yes
New England Aster is another classic for vibrant fall color and pollinator appeal, growing in full sun to part shade and feeding late-season butterflies, including migrating monarchs. These perennial plants have bright, daisy-like blooms in shades of pink to purple, with sunny orange to yellow centers.
Rich, evenly moist soil is ideal for these fall perennials, and it’s wise to give the plant some elbow room for good airflow to prevent powdery mildew. Pinch the tips off in late spring to early summer to encourage a bushier shape.
‘Grape Crush’ New England Aster. Image courtesy of Walters Gardens, Inc.
The straight species of New England aster reaches up to six feet tall, and newer cultivars come in a more compact size and shape that’s easier to tuck into small gardens.
The popular varieties ‘Purple Dome’ and ‘Grape Crush’ have intense purple flowers; ‘Harrington’s Pink’ has soft rose-colored flowers, and ‘Pink Crush’ has intense pink blooms.
New England aster pairs beautifully with goldenrod, ornamental grasses, and cranesbill, bringing a pop of fall color to the front of the garden border. Plant this fall bloomer in mixed borders, cottage gardens, naturalized drifts, native beds, pollinator gardens, or deer-resistant landscapes.
It’s one of the best fall blooming perennials for closing out the gardening season with a burst of color while providing pollinators with vital late-season food.
‘Pink Crush’ New England Aster. Image courtesy of Walters Gardens, Inc.
8. Turtlehead
Chelone species
Zones: 3 - 8
Light: Full sun to part shade
Size: 2 - 4 feet high and 1 - 3 feet wide (differs by variety)
Deer Resistant: Yes
‘Tiny Tortuga’ Turtlehead. Image courtesy of Bailey Nurseries.
If you have a damp corner in the yard that’s always tricky to plant, turtlehead may be the perfect solution. This unique fall blooming perennial, with turtle head-shaped flowers resembling snapdragons, loves part shade and moist to wet soil.
Native to North America, turtlehead comes in several different species and hybrid cultivars. Popular picks include ‘Hot Lips’ with bright pink flowers, ‘Alba’ with white flowers, and the dwarf ‘Tiny Tortuga,’ perfect for smaller gardens.
With its dark green foliage, turtlehead looks lush all season long, and blooms every year from August through October. It’s deer resistant, attracts hummingbirds, and serves as a host plant for the larvae of the Baltimore checkerspot butterfly.
Use turtlehead in rain gardens, at the end of downspouts, along the woodland’s edge, near creeks and ponds, or in any low spot that stays damp. It’s also perfect for butterfly gardens, native beds, and shaded borders where a splash of late-season color is welcome.
9. Russian Sage
Salvia yangii, formerly Perovskia atriplicifolia,
Zones: 5 - 9
Light: Full sun to part shade
Size: 2 - 4 feet tall and wide (differs by variety)
Deer Resistant: Yes
Russian sage is a stalwart performer that brings a soft, airy texture to fall beds. Though technically blooming from midsummer through fall, its lavender-blue flowers peak just as many other perennials fade, earning it a place among the best fall blooming perennials.
Native to parts of central Asia, Russian sage thrives in full sun and dry, poor soils. Good drainage is a must!
Straight species Russian Sage (Perovskia atriplicifolia). Image courtesy of Walters Gardens, Inc.
Russian sage grows 2 - 4 feet tall and wide, depending on the variety. The straight species is generously sized and has a sprawling, open habit, while cultivars like ‘Denim ‘n Lace’ and ‘Little Spire’ offer a smaller, more upright form and deeper purple hues.
Russian sage is deer and rabbit resistant, tolerates drought and clay soil, and is a late-season favorite of bumblebees - so fun for kids to watch bumblebees buzzing from one flower to the next.
Denim’N’Lace Russian Sage. Image courtesy of Walters Gardens, Inc.
Try using Russian sage in the front of the house, in foundation plantings, on island beds, in pollinator patches, or lining hot driveways and walkways. Its silvery foliage looks stunning with a white coneflower like White Swan. Pair it with Autumn Fire stonecrop and Shenandoah switchgrass to make a dreamy combo of perennial plants for fall.
Are you confusing Russian sage with catmint? Read this full comparison of Catmint vs Russian Sage and learn what the differences are.
Russian sage brings a lacy, ethereal look to the garden, shimmering beautifully in the light.
10. Joe Pye Weed
Eutrochium maculatum
Zones: 4 - 8
Light: Full sun to part shade
Last but not least in this roundup of the best fall blooming perennials is Joe Pye weed - a tall, statuesque native perennial plant with mauve-pink, vanilla-scented blooms that butterflies absolutely adore!
Native to eastern and central North America, Joe Pye weed thrives in full sun to part shade and loves moist, rich soil. Tall varieties like ‘Gateway’ can tower 5-7 feet high, adding instant vertical interest, while compact cultivars like ‘Little Joe’ are great for smaller yards.
Joe Pye Weed and Threadleaf Bluestar
The soft, dusky blooms of Joe Pye weed pair beautifully with ornamental grasses, coneflowers, and soft-textured plants like threadleaf bluestar. Joe Pye weed is deer resistant, can handle both clay and wet soils, and works beautifully in rain gardens, naturalized plantings, and stylized meadows.
You may see it listed under its older botanical name, Eupatorium, or its updated genus, Eutrochium - either way, it’s a must-have for any pollinator garden.
Joe Pye Weed Flowers
Plant Joe Pye weed at the back of borders, along fences, or to soften structures and screen views. It’s great for screening ugly sheds and chain link fences from late spring through fall. Joe Pye weed is a true wildlife magnet and a showstopper to anchor your fall garden design. Read more about Joe Pye Weed.
Joe Pye Weed and Big Bluestem (Andropogon gerardii)
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