15 Best Fall Perennials to Plant Now for Blooms Every Year

They don’t call it "Autumn Joy" for nothing! This sun-loving sedum evolves from pale pink to deep burgundy as the temperatures drop, adding weeks of color to the garden. Leave the dried flower heads standing to feed birds and add texture through the winter.

• USDA Growing Zones: 3-9
• Bloom Window: August to October
• Sun Exposure: Full sun
• Soil Needs: Well-drained, moderately fertile to poor soil; tolerates dry conditions

Mums burst into bloom in late summer and fall with dense clusters of flowers in nearly every color you can imagine. They do best in full sun and well-drained soil and can be grown in the ground or in pots. Give them regular watering while they’re blooming, and you’ll have a bright display that lasts for weeks.

• USDA Growing Zones: 5-9
• Bloom Window: Late summer through fall
• Sun Exposure: Full sun
• Soil Needs: Moist but well-drained, fertile soil

Bee balm has shaggy, colorful flowers in shades of red, pink, purple, or white that bloom late into the season. It grows best in full sun with moist, well-drained soil and attracts bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds. Cut it back after flowering to encourage fresh growth and keep it looking tidy.

• USDA Growing Zones: 3-9
• Bloom Window: June to September
• Sun Exposure: Full sun to partial shade
• Soil Needs: Moist, rich, well-drained soil

Russian sage has tall, airy stems covered in small lavender-blue flowers that bloom from midsummer into fall. It thrives in full sun and dry soil, making it a great choice for low-maintenance gardens. The silvery foliage adds a soft texture that pairs well with brighter blooms.

• USDA Growing Zones: 4-9
• Bloom Window: July to October
• Sun Exposure: Full sun
• Soil Needs: Dry to moderately moist, well-drained soil

Russian sage has tall, airy stems covered in small lavender-blue flowers that bloom from midsummer into fall. It thrives in full sun and dry soil, making it a great choice for low-maintenance gardens. The silvery foliage adds a soft texture that pairs well with brighter blooms.

• USDA Growing Zones: 4-8
• Bloom Window: August to October
• Sun Exposure: Full sun to partial shade
• Soil Needs: Moist, fertile, well-drained soil

Helenium blooms in shades of red, orange, and yellow that look like little bursts of sunshine in the garden. It does best in full sun with moist, well-drained soil and flowers from late summer into fall. These cheerful blooms are also a favorite of bees and butterflies.

• USDA Growing Zones: 3-8
• Bloom Window: July to October
• Sun Exposure: Full sun
• Soil Needs: Moist, rich, well-drained soil

Joe Pye weed has tall stems topped with big clusters of soft pink or purple flowers. It thrives in full sun to partial shade and likes moist soil, making it great for wetter spots in the yard. The blooms are a magnet for butterflies well into the fall.

• USDA Growing Zones: 4-9
• Bloom Window: July to September
• Sun Exposure: Full sun to partial shade
• Soil Needs: Moist to wet, fertile soil

Goldenrod covers the garden in bright yellow flower spikes that appear in late summer and last through fall. It grows well in full sun and dry soil, and it’s both hardy and low-maintenance. Pollinators love it, and it mixes beautifully with other fall perennials.

• USDA Growing Zones: 3-9
• Bloom Window: August to October
• Sun Exposure: Full sun to partial shade
• Soil Needs: Well-drained soil; tolerates poor, dry soil

Asters produce masses of star-shaped flowers in shades of purple, pink, blue, or white. They like full sun and well-drained soil and bloom late in the season when much of the garden is winding down. Their nectar-rich flowers are a welcome food source for pollinators.

• USDA Growing Zones: 3-8
• Bloom Window: August to October
• Sun Exposure: Full sun
• Soil Needs: Moist, moderately fertile, well-drained soil

Toad lilies have orchid-like blooms speckled in purple, pink, or white that appear in early to mid-fall. They prefer partial to full shade and moist, well-drained soil. Their unusual flowers add a pop of interest to shady spots.

• USDA Growing Zones: 4-9
• Bloom Window: September to October
• Sun Exposure: Partial shade to full shade
• Soil Needs: Moist, humus-rich, well-drained soil

Black-eyed Susans have sunny yellow petals with dark centers that stand out in any garden. They grow easily in full sun and well-drained soil and will bloom from midsummer into fall. These hardy flowers also make great cut arrangements.

• USDA Growing Zones: 3-9
• Bloom Window: June to September
• Sun Exposure: Full sun to partial shade
• Soil Needs: Well-drained, moderately fertile soil; tolerates dry conditions once established

Montauk daisies bloom in the fall with white petals and bright yellow centers. They like full sun and well-drained soil and are drought-tolerant once established. Their crisp, fresh look is perfect for extending summer color into autumn.

• USDA Growing Zones: 5-9
• Bloom Window: September to November
• Sun Exposure: Full sun
• Soil Needs: Well-drained soil; tolerates dry conditions once established

Agastache has tall spikes of flowers in shades of purple, pink, orange, or blue that bloom late into the season. It grows best in full sun and dry soil and is loved by hummingbirds, bees, and butterflies. The aromatic foliage is an added bonus.

• USDA Growing Zones: 5-10, depending on species
• Bloom Window: June to September
• Sun Exposure: Full sun
• Soil Needs: Well-drained, average to dry soil; does not tolerate consistently wet conditions