Are you looking to add some color and life to your garden next spring? Fall is the perfect time to plant perennials that will reward you with beautiful blooms year after year.
By planting in the fall, you give your perennials a chance to establish strong roots before the winter sets in, setting them up for success in the spring.
Plus, many garden centers offer great deals on perennials in the fall. Here are 15 perennials you should consider planting this autumn.
1. Hydrangeas (Hydrangea spp.)
Hydrangeas are classic shrubs that produce large, showy blooms in shades of pink, blue, and white, depending on the variety and soil pH.
With proper care, these stunning perennials can live for decades, providing your garden with reliable beauty year after year. Some popular varieties include ‘Endless Summer’, ‘Limelight’, and ‘Annabelle’.
- Prefer partial shade and moist, well-draining soil
- Space plants 3-5 feet apart, depending on variety
- Prune in late winter or early spring
2. Alliums (Allium spp.)
Alliums, also known as ornamental onions, are unique bulbs that produce spherical blooms in shades of purple, pink, and white atop tall, slender stems. These deer and rabbit resistant perennials are a great choice for gardens prone to critter damage.
- Plant bulbs in well-draining soil and full sun
- Plant bulbs 2-3 times their diameter deep
- Space bulbs 6-8 inches apart
- Water well after planting
3. Tulips (Tulipa spp.)
Tulips are cheerful spring bulbs that come in a wide array of colors, from soft pastels to bold primary hues. While some tulip varieties are more reliable perennials than others, planting a mix of tulips each fall ensures a stunning display year after year.
- Plant bulbs in well-draining soil and full sun
- Plant bulbs 6-8 inches deep
- Space bulbs 4-6 inches apart
- Protect from hungry critters with wire cages or repellents
4. Lenten Rose (Helleborus spp.)
Lenten roses, or hellebores, are one of the earliest perennials to bloom in the spring, producing delicate, cup-shaped flowers in shades of white, pink, and purple. These evergreen plants prefer partial to full shade and rich, moist soil and are deer and rabbit resistant.
- Prefer partial to full shade and rich, moist soil
- Space plants 12-18 inches apart
- Mulch well to retain moisture and suppress weeds
5. Pink Muhly Grass (Muhlenbergia capillaris)
Pink muhly grass is a stunning ornamental grass that produces a haze of pink plumes in the fall. This native, low-maintenance grass is tolerant of poor soil and drought and attracts birds in the fall and winter.
- Plant in full sun to partial shade and well-draining soil
- Space plants 2-3 feet apart
- Cut back to 6 inches in late winter or early spring
- Divide clumps every 3-4 years to maintain vigor
6. Purple Coneflower (Echinacea purpurea)
Purple coneflowers are beloved native wildflowers that bloom from mid-summer through fall, producing large, daisy-like flowers in shades of purple and pink. These hardy, low-maintenance perennials grow best in full sun and well-draining soil and attract butterflies in the summer and seed-eating birds in the fall.
- Prefer full sun and well-draining soil
- Space plants 18-24 inches apart
- Deadhead spent blooms to encourage continuous flowering
7. Coral Bells (Heuchera spp.)
Coral bells, or heuchera, are grown primarily for their stunning foliage that comes in a range of colors including purple, silver, and chartreuse. They also produce delicate, bell-shaped flowers in the spring and summer and are great for borders, containers, and even living walls.
- Prefer rich, well-draining soil and partial shade
- Space plants 12-18 inches apart
- Divide clumps every 3-4 years to maintain vigor
8. Butterfly Bush (Buddleja davidii)
Butterfly bushes are fast-growing shrubs that produce fragrant spikes of flowers in the late summer and fall, attracting a variety of pollinators. They come in a range of colors including purple, pink, and white and can be grown in borders or containers.
- Plant in full sun and well-draining soil
- Space plants 5-6 feet apart
- Prune back to 12 inches in late winter or early spring
- Drought tolerant once established
9. Russian Sage (Perovskia atriplicifolia)
Russian sage is a tough, drought-tolerant perennial that produces airy spikes of lavender-blue flowers in the late summer and fall. Its silvery foliage is also highly ornamental, making it a great addition to xeriscapes and rock gardens.
- Plant in full sun and well-draining soil
- Space plants 2-3 feet apart
- Cut back to 6 inches in late winter or early spring
10. Tickseed (Coreopsis spp.)
Tickseed, or coreopsis, is a native perennial that produces cheerful, daisy-like flowers in shades of yellow, orange, and red from summer through fall. This drought-tolerant and low-maintenance plant grows best in full sun and well-draining soil.
- Prefer full sun and well-draining soil
- Space plants 12-18 inches apart
- Deadhead spent blooms to encourage continuous flowering
11. Dahlias (Dahlia spp.)
Dahlias are show-stopping perennials that bloom from mid-summer until the first frost, producing a dazzling array of colors and shapes, from simple single blooms to complex pom-poms and dinner plates. In colder zones, dig up the tubers in the fall and store them indoors over the winter.
- Plant tubers in rich, well-draining soil and full sun
- Space plants 18-24 inches apart
- Stake taller varieties to prevent toppling
- Dig up tubers in fall and store indoors in colder zones
12. Sneezeweed (Helenium autumnale)
Sneezeweed, or helenium, is a sun-loving perennial that produces masses of daisy-like flowers in shades of yellow, orange, and red in the late summer and fall. It is a great choice for adding late-season color to borders and meadow gardens.
- Plant in full sun and moist, well-draining soil
- Space plants 18-24 inches apart
- Deadhead spent blooms to encourage continuous flowering
- Divide clumps every 3-4 years to maintain vigor
13. Chrysanthemums (Chrysanthemum × morifolium)
Chrysanthemums, or mums for short, are the quintessential fall flower, producing a wide range of colors including yellow, orange, red, purple, and white. They are great for borders, containers, and cut flowers.
- Plant in full sun and well-draining soil
- Space plants 18-24 inches apart
- Pinch back in early summer to encourage bushiness
- Protect from early frosts with frost cloth or mulch
14. Asters (Symphyotrichum spp.)
Asters are another fall favorite, producing masses of star-shaped flowers in shades of purple, pink, and white. They are a great source of late-season nectar for pollinators and make a great addition to fall borders and wildflower gardens.
- Plant in full sun to partial shade and moist, well-draining soil
- Space plants 12-18 inches apart
- Pinch back in early summer to encourage bushiness
- Divide clumps every 3-4 years to maintain vigor
15. Sedum (Sedum spp.)
Sedum, also known as stonecrop, is a tough, drought-tolerant perennial that produces clusters of star-shaped flowers in shades of pink, red, and yellow in the late summer and fall. It is great for rock gardens, green roofs, and xeriscapes.
- Plant in full sun and well-draining soil
- Space plants 12-18 inches apart
- Avoid overwatering, as sedum is prone to rot in soggy soil
- Divide clumps every 3-4 years to maintain vigor
Fall is the perfect time to plant a variety of stunning perennials that will bring color and life to your garden year after year. From classic favorites like hydrangeas and tulips to native beauties like purple coneflowers and asters, there is a perennial for every garden style and climate.
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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.