Late Summer and Fall Blooming Perennials

 As the weather starts to change so does the garden.  There are a number of perennials that can add beauty and interest to the late summer-fall landscape.  When designing I always take into consideration what the garden will look like throughout all the seasons so I plan accordingly.   Late summer to Fall blooming perennials can add color, texture and movement to your outdoor space and extend your garden's prime time.  Through experience these are a few of the favorites that have proven to be hardy and dependable in my zone 7 Long Island garden.  

(Black Eyed Susan)

                             Rudbeckia 'Goldstrum'                         

Rudbeckia or "Black Eyed Susan" blooms July-September on 24-32 " high stalks.  They are characterized by the distinctive brown "eye " at the center surrounded by vibrant orange-yellow flowers.   This perennial prefers full sun but will also thrive in partial shade in a moist but well-drained soil in zones 4-9.  Rudbeckia is an aggressive grower and will spread so alot sufficient space.  Rudbeckia looks lovely in informal perennial borders, mass plantings and cottage gardens.

Coneflower 

                  Echinacea Purpurea 'Kim's Knee High'

Echinacea displays lovely rosy pink flowers from June-September on 18-24 " high stalks.  Echinacea prefers to be grown in full sun and is hardy in zones 4-9.  There are many varieties and colors to choose from and butterflies are attracted to them.  Echinacea (Coneflower) serves nicely in perennial borders, cottage gardens and mass plantings along with Rudbeckia and grasses.

 Balloon Flower

  Platycodon

Platycodon (also known as Balloon flower) blooms July-September on 24-36" high stalks.   Flowers are vibrant blue and balloon-shaped and create a quite the conversation piece in the garden.  Pinch stalks back in early July to create a fuller more compact plant.  Balloon flower serves nicely as a single piece and brings much interest to the late summer-Fall garden in zones 3-8.

Liriope

    Liriope muscari 'Variegata'

Liriope produces purple spiked flowers on 10-12 " high variegated foliage followed by berries in Fall.   This perennial blooms in late summer (August-October) and can be grown in a range of conditions from full sun to full shade.  It is hardy in zones 4-10 and prefers a rich but well-drained acidic soil.  Liriope provides interest all season long as a lovely addition of texture to the garden and the late summer blooms just add an extra punch!

 Montauk Daisy

 Nipponanthemum

Nipponanthemum (Montauk Daisy) displays full white flowers with yellow centers on 2-5' stalks.  It blooms in late summer through Fall (September-November) in zones 5-9.  Montauk Daisy prefers to be grown in full sun in a well-drained soil.   These perennials serve nicely in perennial borders, mass plantings or in a cottage or seaside garden. Pinch back stalks before budding in mid-late summer to produce a fuller plant.

Aster 

                           Aster 'Professor kippenberg'

There are many varieties of Aster to choose from ranging in color and size.  This particular cultivar produces Blue-lavender flowers on 12-15" stalks that bloom September-October.  Asters prefer to be grown in full sun and are hardy in zones 3-9. They serve nicely in a perennial border and can also add late summer color to any formal or informal garden.

Dwarf Fountain Grass

                              Pennisetum alopecuroides 'Hameln'                         
Ornamental grasses can add much interest to the late summer-Fall garden as well as throughout the entire season.  On this variety, delicate plumes emerge on 2-3' blades in late summer through Fall (August-November).  Fountain grasses prefer to be grown in full sun in a well-drained soil and are hardy in USDA zones 4-9.  There are a number of sizes and selections of ornamental grasses available and they can add interesting texture and movement to any garden.

Sedum

                                            Sedum 'Brilliant'                                         

Sedum produces rose colored blooms on 18" high stalks in late August-September and adds some nice color to the Fall garden. It prefers to be grown in full sun and in a well-drained soil and is hardy in zones 3-9. Sedum serves nicely as an accent in either a formal or informal garden and when grown next to grasses complements them beautifully. There are a number of varieties of sedum ranging in size from a ground cover to 24 inches in height.

Russian Sage

                            Perovskia atriplicifola                               Perovskia atriplicifola (Russian Sage) which blooms in mid-summer through fall is hardy in USDA zones 4-9. Mildly fragrant violet-blue blooms are produced on gray-green 3-4 foot tall stalks that are 2-3 feet wide. Russian Sage prefers to be grown in full sun in a well-drained soil and is drought tolerant once established. This perennial's loose and open habit makes it an excellent filler in the back of a perennial border and it goes well with sedum, echinacea and rudbeckia.

If you are looking to add late season interest to your landscape then be sure to add one or more of these lovely perennials to your gardening list and enjoy the fall benefits!

Visit my Author Page and Books on Amazon:

A Guide to Northeastern Gardening: Journeys of a Garden Designer Zones 3-9 
Landscape Design Combinations

Dream, Garden, Grow!

                                                      As Always...Happy Gardening!

Author: Lee@A Guide To Northeastern Gardening, Copyright 2012 & Updated 2014 All rights reserved