15 Perennials to Make Your Autumn Garden Glow with Colorful Foliage

Autumn is a wonderful time to enjoy nature’s beauty, and perennials are a great way to add stunning fall foliage to your landscape. These plants return year after year, bringing a burst of vibrant colors to your yard as the leaves change.

If you’re looking for ways to brighten up your outdoor space as the season shifts, these perennials are sure to impress.

1. Helenium (Sneezeweed)

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As summer fades, you’ll notice the bright yellow and orange blooms of Helenium, also known as Sneezeweed. This perennial lights up your garden with its cheerful colors. In the fall, its leaves turn a lovely shade of golden yellow. 

You can find Helenium in USDA zones 3 to 9, making it a tough plant that thrives in many places. It loves full sun and adds a splash of color to your autumn garden.

2. Gaillardia (Blanket Flower)

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Imagine walking through your garden and seeing the warm reds and yellows of Gaillardia, or Blanket Flower. This perennial blooms in summer, but its vibrant leaves change to a rich burgundy in the fall, creating a cozy blanket of color. 

Gaillardia does well in USDA zones 3 to 10. It thrives in sunny spots and dry soil, making it a perfect choice for those sunny corners in your yard.

3. Amsonia (Blue Star)

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In the spring, Amsonia greets you with clusters of star-like blue flowers. As fall approaches, the leaves turn a stunning golden-yellow, glowing in the sunlight. This perennial is perfect for your garden if you live in USDA zones 3 to 9. 

Amsonia enjoys full sun to partial shade and adds a touch of elegance with its lovely fall foliage, reminding you of sunny days even as the weather cools.

4. Bergenia (Pigsqueak)

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Bergenia, known as Pigsqueak, is a perennial with big, glossy leaves. In fall, the leaves transform into rich shades of burgundy and deep green, creating a beautiful backdrop for your garden. 

This plant is hardy in USDA zones 3 to 8 and loves partial shade to full sun. When you gently rub the leaves, you’ll hear a squeaky sound, which is how it got its nickname!

5. Ceratostigma (Plumbago)

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Ceratostigma, or Plumbago, adds a splash of blue to your garden with its lovely blue flowers that bloom late in the season and are a joy to see. In the fall, the leaves change to a warm, reddish-brown hue, making the plant stand out even more. 

Ceratostigma thrives in USDA zones 6 to 9 and loves full sun to partial shade. Imagine how beautiful it looks against the autumn sky, brightening your garden when many other plants are winding down.

6. Eupatorium (Joe-Pye Weed)

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Eupatorium, or Joe-Pye Weed, is a tall perennial that brings beauty to your garden in both summer and fall. In the summer, it shows off purple-pink flowers, and as the days grow shorter, the leaves take on a stunning reddish hue. 

This plant thrives in USDA zones 4 to 9 and loves sunny or partially shady spots. Joe-Pye Weed attracts butterflies and makes your garden feel alive as the seasons change.

7. Tiarella (Foamflower)

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The delicate white flowers of Tiarella, also known as Foamflower, stand out above the leaves. As fall approaches, the heart-shaped leaves transform into stunning shades of red and burgundy. 

This perennial loves shady spots and is hardy in USDA zones 3 to 9. Tiarella creates a soft carpet of color, bringing a gentle charm to your garden as the days grow cooler.

8. Sedum (Stonecrop)

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Commonly known as Stonecrop, Sedum is a tough little plant that thrives in sunny spots. In late summer, it produces clusters of star-shaped flowers, but as fall arrives, its succulent leaves take on a rich red and purple tint. 

This hardy perennial is suitable for USDA zones 3 to 10 and is perfect for rock gardens or borders. You can’t help but admire how Sedum stands strong against the crisp autumn air, holding its colors beautifully throughout the season.

9. Athyrium (Japanese Painted Fern)

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Athyrium, or Japanese Painted Fern, is like a treasure in your shady garden. Its feathery fronds have a silvery-green hue with hints of purple. As fall comes, the colors deepen, adding drama and beauty to your garden. 

This fern is hardy in USDA zones 4 to 8 and thrives in partial to full shade. Imagine how the sunlight filters through the leaves, creating a magical atmosphere as the garden transitions into fall.

10. Geranium (Cranesbill)

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Also known as Cranesbill, this cheerful perennial brings life to your garden. In spring and summer, it blooms with vibrant flowers, but as fall approaches, the leaves turn into shades of orange and red, creating a beautiful carpet of color. 

Geranium thrives in USDA zones 3 to 8 and enjoys full sun to partial shade. Picture yourself strolling through your garden, where the colorful leaves of Geranium dance in the breeze, signaling the arrival of autumn.

11. Mukdenia (Crimson Fans)

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In the spring, Mukdenia greets you with its delicate white flowers and striking green leaves. But as fall arrives, the leaves turn a brilliant red, creating a stunning display. 

Mukdenia thrives in USDA zones 5 to 8 and enjoys partial shade. Picture how its crimson foliage brightens up those shady corners, making your garden feel warm and inviting as the weather cools.

12. Echinacea (Coneflower)

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Coneflowers stand tall in your garden with vibrant pink, purple, or white flowers that attract butterflies and bees. In the fall, the leaves may take on a golden hue, complementing the spent blooms beautifully. 

Coneflower is hardy in USDA zones 3 to 9 and loves full sun. Imagine the joyful scene in your garden as the coneflowers sway in the gentle breeze, reminding you of summer even as autumn unfolds.

13. Monarda (Beebalm)

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Monarda, or Beebalm, is a delightful perennial that brings color and fragrance to your garden. In the summer, its bright red, pink, or purple flowers attract hummingbirds and bees. As fall approaches, the leaves change to rich shades of burgundy and gold. 

Beebalm thrives in USDA zones 4 to 9 and enjoys full sun to partial shade. Picture standing in your garden, where the sweet scent of beebalm fills the air, drawing in a variety of pollinators as the seasons shift.

14. Chrysanthemum (Mum)

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More known as mum or chrysanths, this flowering plant is a classic fall favorite. As the weather cools, these cheerful flowers bloom in a variety of colors, including yellow, orange, red, and purple. 

The vibrant petals create a beautiful display that brightens your garden in late summer and fall. Mums are hardy in USDA zones 5 to 9 and thrive in full sun.

Imagine hosting a cozy autumn gathering in your yard, surrounded by the warm hues of your blooming mums, celebrating the beauty of the season.

15. Solidago (Goldenrod)

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Goldenrod is like a ray of sunshine in your garden as summer transitions to fall. This hardy perennial produces clusters of bright yellow flowers that bloom late in the season. These flowers attract bees and butterflies, making your garden a lively spot. 

Goldenrod is suitable for USDA zones 3 to 9 and thrives in full sun to partial shade. Picture yourself enjoying the golden glow of goldenrod as it sways in the autumn breeze, bringing a cheerful end to the growing season.

Each plant offers colorful foliage that makes your outdoor space a beautiful sight to enjoy as the seasons change. Make sure to choose plants that thrive in your area to ensure that your garden stays lively and colorful year after year.

nancy
Author & Editor | + posts

Nancy has been a plant person from an early age. That interest blossomed into a bachelor’s in biology from Elmira College and a master’s degree in horticulture and communications from the University of Kentucky. Nancy worked in plant taxonomy at the University of Florida and the L. H. Bailey Hortorium at Cornell University, and wrote and edited gardening books at Rodale Press in Emmaus, PA. Her interests are plant identification, gardening, hiking, and reading.