Plant Fall Perennial Flowers to Add Color to the Garden

Every spring I can’t wait to get outside and start planting. I water, fertilize, and do all the things all summer long. But by the time August rolls around, the heat has taken its toll. Most of my flowers are struggling, the mosquitoes are winning, and honestly—I start to wonder why I bought so many plants back in the spring.

But just when I think my garden is about done for the year, fall shows up and surprises me. Cooler days and a little more rain mean it’s the perfect time to plant perennials. They give your garden a second wind, and their bright colors are such a welcome sight when you thought the show was over.

Fall gardening is quickly becoming my favorite time of the year, especially after the last few summers we have experienced.  The cooler temps and extra moisture mean less stress on your plants and more energy for root growth. By planting now, your perennials get a head start before winter. When spring rolls back around, they’ll be healthier, stronger, and ready to put on a bigger show.

When you think fall flowers, chrysanthemums are usually the first to come to mind—and for me, they hold a special place. They were one of my late Dad’s favorites, so I always stop and admire the rows of mums in every color lined up at the garden centers this time of year. His birthday is in September, and they always decorate his grave at the National Cemetary in Chattanooga.

But mums aren’t the only choice. Here are a few more to add to your list:

• Asters – Daisy-like blooms in pink, purple, and blue that pollinators love.

• Sedum (Stonecrop) – Hardy with clusters of star-shaped flowers. Tough and dependable, even in less-than-perfect soil.

• Goldenrod – Bright yellow plumes (and no, it’s not the cause of your allergies—that’s usually ragweed). Pollinators can’t resist it.

• Helenium (Sneezeweed) – Warm, daisy-like flowers in yellows, oranges, and reds.

• Russian Sage – Lavender-blue blooms that stretch into fall. A favorite for bees and butterflies.

• Hellebores (Lenten Rose) – Early fall bloomers in shades of pink, purple, and white.

• Rudbeckia (Black-Eyed Susan) – Cheerful yellow or orange petals with a dark center. A classic late-summer-to-fall favorite.

 

Planning Before You Buy

Here’s where it’s easy to get in trouble—you walk into the garden center, see all the colors, and want to load up your cart. (Been there, done that!) To save yourself from impulse planting, take a few minutes before you go:

• Walk your yard and note sunlight, shade, and open spots.

• Check your soil—some plants like it well-drained, others want a bit more moisture.

• Read those tags at the nursery. They’ll tell you what each plant really needs.

• Think about design—colors, heights, and bloom times. Grouping plants with similar needs makes caring for them so much easier.

• Keep water in mind—it’s a whole lot easier if your new bed isn’t halfway across the yard from the hose.

• Know where you are going to plant them– I have a new area beside my greenhouse that will get a new planting soon.

And don’t forget about maintenance. If you want something low-key, skip the high-maintenance plants and pick hardy, reliable bloomers.

Fall gives us a break from the humidity, heat, and mosquitoes—so grab your list, head to the nursery, and have some fun planting. Your spring self will thank you when those perennials wake up healthy and strong next year.

 

Happy Gardening!

Karen