Looking for some new and exciting additions to your fall garden? Look no further than these 10 stunning fall perennials that will add a pop of color and interest to your landscape. These beauties go beyond the usual mums, offering unique shapes, textures, and hues. From vibrant asters to delicate Japanese anemones, there’s something here for every garden style and preference. So why settle for the same old fall flowers when you can mix things up with these brilliant perennial picks?

We make an effort to keep our garden visually appealing throughout the year by incorporating a variety of fall perennial plants that bloom late into the season. Not only does this add color and diversity to our landscape, but it also helps support the local butterfly, bee, and pollinator insect populations. While mums are a popular choice for autumn flowers, there are plenty of other options worth exploring. In fact, many fall perennials offer more than just blooming flowers – their foliage can be equally attractive, if not more so.

Here are some reasons why planting fall-blooming perennials is a smart move:
– Late-blooming perennials provide essential food sources for pollinators who struggle to find sufficient nourishment after the summer flowers fade.
– Keeping your landscape vibrant and colorful throughout the fall months can boost your mood and mental health.
– Some perennials, like Sedum, retain their attractive foliage through the winter months, creating pockets of color in an otherwise drab landscape.

– Perennials require minimal maintenance and continue to return year after year.

To create a successful and attractive fall landscape, start early and ensure your plants have enough time to establish themselves. Deadheading spent flowers can extend the bloom time of most perennials. And if you’re looking for some new fall perennial plants to try out, here are our top 10 recommendations:
1. Stonecrop (Sedum sp.)
2. Japanese Anemone (Anemone x or Anemone hupehensis var.)
3. Turtle Heads (Chelone sp.)
4. Hardy Begonias (Begonia grandis)
5. Autumn Crocus (Colchicum sp.)
6. Joe Pye Weed (Eutrochium sp.)
7. Tickseed (Coreopsis sp.)
8. Witch Hazel (Hamamelis virginiana)
9. Anise Hyssop (Agastache foeniculum)

10. Sneezeweed (Helenium autumnale)

Selecting the perfect Sedum for your garden is an exciting adventure, with countless options to choose from. It’s important to do your research before making a decision, as Sedums vary in size, height, and blooming seasons. However, one thing that all Sedums have in common is their low-maintenance and carefree nature, making them a great addition to any garden. These perennials boast succulent leaves that range from glossy to fleshy and come in a variety of colors that change throughout the seasons. Stonecrop is disease-resistant, heat-tolerant, and not often bothered by deer or rabbits, making it a great option for attracting hummingbirds, bees, and butterflies. Our favorite fall-blooming Sedum varieties include “Autumn Joy,” “Beach Party,” “Cherry Truffle,” “Desert Red,” and “Matrona.” You can find seeds and plants on Amazon or Etsy.

In addition to Sedums, Japanese Anemones (Anemone x or Anemone hupehensis var.) are also a great option for your garden. These perennials bloom in late summer and fall and feature bright, delicate flowers in shades of pink, white, or purple. They grow well in full sun or partial shade and prefer moist, well-drained soil. Japanese Anemones can grow up to four feet tall and spread quickly, making them a great ground cover. You can find Japanese Anemones at your local nursery or online.

The Japanese Anemone is a charming fall-blooming perennial that adds a delightful touch to any landscape. Unlike most Anemone species, the Japanese variety blooms in the fall and includes a wide range of cultivars to choose from. These cultivars feature 4-6 petaled flowers in shades of pink, white, and purple, with some having semi-double or double blooms that are incredibly showy with over 30 petals. Each flower has a large golden-yellow center stamen that adds to its beauty. These lovely flowers bloom from late summer through to the fall and can last for up to eight weeks. The flowers grow on tall stems above dark-green foliage and sway gently in the breeze. The Japanese Anemone is hardy to zones 5-8 and is available in several outstanding cultivars, such as the Pocahontas, September Charm, Honorine Jobert, Konigin (Queen) Charlotte, and Bressingham Glow. Another great option for your garden is Turtle Heads (Chelone sp.).

The native eastern Turtle Head species has a peculiar resemblance to turtle heads poking out of their shells, with their two-lipped hooded flowers. These late-blooming fall perennials are easy to maintain and are less susceptible to insects and diseases. Additionally, they serve as essential food sources for butterflies and hummingbirds. The Turtlehead foliage stands 24-36″ tall on average, with dark-green, upright, and clumping leaves. There are three cultivated Turtlehead species: Pink Turtlehead (C.lyonii), which is hardy to zones 3-8 and has pink flowers; Twisted Shell Flower (C.obliqua), which has pinkish-purple flowers and is hardy to zones 5-9; and White Turtlehead (C.glabra), which is hardy to zones 3-8 and has white flowers. These unique and mostly unknown native perennial plants add charm to any garden.

An interesting fact about Turtlehead flowers is that they got their scientific name, Chelone, from a Greek myth. According to the tale, a nymph named Chelone insulted the gods by refusing to attend Zeus’ wedding and was turned into a turtle as punishment.

Another plant that you can add to your garden is the Hardy Begonia (Begonia grandis).

Begonia comes in a wide range of species, but most of them are annuals that cannot survive the winter in the United States. Nevertheless, there is a unique type called Hardy Begonia that can tolerate cold temperatures, and it’s perfect for perennial fall gardens. The leaves are shaped like large olive-green wings with red veins found on the underside, resembling angel wings. The pink four-petaled flowers of the Hardy Begonia are delicate with bright yellow pom-pom stamens sticking out from the center. The flowers hang from arching red stems just above the foliage, providing a charming addition to the garden. They bloom throughout the summer to late fall, adding sweetness to the surroundings. The Hardy Begonia thrives in partially shaded locations, and its large winged foliage makes it an attractive plant even when not in bloom. It’s hardy to zones 6-9.
5. Colchicum sp. (Autumn Crocus)

When we think of Crocus blooms, we usually associate them with the spring season. However, there is a flower that can bring the spirit of Crocus to your fall garden! Autumn Crocuses may not be real Crocuses, but they are just as lovely and cheerful. These flowers belong to the Colchicum/Lily family, unlike true Crocus flowers that belong to the Iris family. Autumn Crocus plants have dark-green leaves that look like tulip foliage, and their flowers are wide, goblet-shaped, and come in light pink or purple, or white. They grow 8-14 inches tall and bloom in early fall, producing 1-10 stalks per flower bulb. The clumping growth pattern makes it appear like a bouquet of flowers emerging from the ground. Although it might seem like the whole plant has died off when the leaves have withered, be patient! The flower stalks will soon follow. Hardy to zones 4-9.

However, common names can be misleading. There is another flower known as the true Autumn Crocus (Crocus sativa), which is also called the Saffron Crocus due to the culinary saffron it produces. This flower is hardy to zones 6-9 and has light purple flowers that bloom in the fall. It is also an excellent choice for a fall garden. You might even want to try harvesting some of that special saffron! Just make sure not to harvest the stamens of Colchicum species, as they can be very poisonous.

Another excellent option for a fall garden is the Joe Pye Weed (Eutrochium sp.).

The Joe Pye Weed is a strikingly tall flower that is native to the region, and it is a fantastic addition to any fall perennial garden. This plant produces exceptional dark purple or pink flowers that are massive, broad, and slightly rounded in shape, and they bloom from late summer through fall. The bees, butterflies, and other pollinators love the Joe Pye Weed because it is a crucial food source for them as they get ready to hibernate or migrate. This plant can grow up to 6-8 feet tall, making it an impressive garden feature that will undoubtedly catch everyone’s attention. The Joe Pye Weed is versatile enough to be used as a background plant, centerpiece, or planted along pathways to create a dramatic statement. Furthermore, this plant is hardly bothered by insects, pests, or disease, and deer usually leave it alone. As if that were not enough, the Joe Pye Weed emits a delightful vanilla fragrance. This perennial can thrive in zones 3-8.

Tickseed is a stunning fall-blooming plant that has hundreds of species and cultivated hybrids. The name comes from the seeds that look like ticks, but they don’t actually have any tick-fighting abilities. These plants are low-maintenance, drought-tolerant, and easy-going, making them loved by butterflies and bees. They come in a range of colors, including yellow, orange, red, bicolor, pink, and purple. Deadheading these plants is necessary to extend their blooming season. When choosing Tickseed, make sure that it’s a late-blooming perennial, and check the hardiness zone as it varies widely by species. Some of the best fall-blooming perennials include Mercury Rising, Red Chiffon, Dyer’s Tickseed, Threadleaf Coreopsis, Tall Tickseed, Pink Tickseed, Lobed Tickseed, and Witch Hazel.

The mesmerizing yellow blooms of Witch Hazel will make you question why all fireworks aren’t this color! This native shrub is a stunning fall-bloomer that produces flowers after all the leaves have fallen. The golden-yellow petals are thin and ribbon-like, with a crinkled and twisted appearance as if they’ve just burst from the branch. Witch Hazel grows in clusters along the bare branches, providing a breathtaking display of color that can last until December. It can grow up to 20 feet tall, so ensure you have enough space. For those interested, there are various native species of North America, including Ozark Witch Hazel with smaller orange flowers and which blooms from January to April. Additionally, two other Witch Hazel species originate from Japan and China, respectively. However, it’s best to choose a native species. Another fascinating plant is Anise Hyssop (Agastache foeniculum).

The Anise Hyssop is a stunning addition to any fall garden with its striking lavender flowers and sweet anise-like fragrance. The plant is a magnet for hummingbirds, bees, butterflies, and other pollinators that can’t resist swarming around it during blooming season. Standing at 24-36 inches tall, the Anise Hyssop boasts toothed muted green leaves and dense flower spikes covered with hundreds of little purple blooms. Although part of the mint family, it doesn’t have the same invasive tendencies as other mints. The plant blooms for months, from late summer through fall, making it a low-maintenance and deer-resistant option. Varieties like “Alabaster,” with its white flowers and light green foliage, “Blue Blazes,” a taller version with purple flowers, and “Black Adder,” with reddish-violet blooms, are also noteworthy. Hardy to zones 4-8, the Anise Hyssop is a must-have for any garden enthusiast.

Another great option for a fall garden is the Sneezeweed (Helenium autumnale).

If you’re searching for a way to brighten up the shorter days of autumn, look no further than the mass planting of Sneezeweed. Despite its name, this plant shouldn’t make you sneeze – it was actually used to make snuff from dried leaves. The flowers themselves are radiant and daisy-like, with a distinctive cone-shaped center disk. While classic Sneezeweed is a sunny golden yellow, there are countless cultivars available with stunning variations and variegation. Bicolored options with red, gold, copper, and burnt orange markings are especially eye-catching. Aside from their beautiful colors, Sneezeweed is also highly valued for its ability to bloom from late summer until the first frost. Hardy to zones 3-8, some of our favorite cultivars include “Helena Red Shades,” which feature a deep cabernet hue with yellow tips; “Mardi Gras,” whose blooms start yellow but mature to orange, red, and bronze; and “Moerheim Beauty,” with deep reddish-orange petals and a chocolate brown center. By adding fall perennials like Sneezeweed to your garden, you can create a vibrant and welcoming space that will attract pollinators and enhance your landscape all season long.