Perennials for late-season color

Asters
Asters carry the border when summer starts to fade. Taller varieties make great back-of-bed accents or even container thrillers. Give them sun and regular moisture; cut back in early summer for bushier plants.

Chrysanthemums (Mums)
A fall staple with blooms from soft creams to jewel tones. Plant in full sun and well-drained soil; pinch lightly in early summer (if planting earlier in the year) to keep tidy mounds.

Stonecrop (Sedum), e.g., ‘Autumn Joy’
Dependable and drought-tolerant. Flowers age from pink to russet bronze—gorgeous with grasses. Leave seed heads for winter structure and pollinator interest.

Rudbeckias (Black-Eyed Susans)
Warm, golden color that partners beautifully with blues and purples. Deadhead for extended bloom; leave some seed for birds.

Goldenrods (Solidago)
A native workhorse with vivid yellow spires. Modern cultivars are compact and pollinator magnets—and no, they don’t cause allergies (ragweed does).

For structure & texture

Oakleaf Hydrangea (Hydrangea quercifolia)
Big, bold leaves turn burgundy and wine-red in fall; peeling cinnamon bark shines in winter. Works in part sun with decent drainage and consistent moisture.

Fountain Grass (Pennisetum)
Graceful, arching plumes catch fall light and add movement. Leave up for winter interest; shear back in early spring before new growth emerges.

Cool-season annuals & edible quick wins

Pansies & Snapdragons
Cold-tolerant color for beds and containers. Mix with evergreens and small grasses for easy, long-lasting displays.

Radishes, Spinach, Lettuce
Direct-sow for crisp, cool-weather harvests. Plant in succession every 1–2 weeks for a steady supply until hard freeze.

Fall bulbs to plant now for spring bloom

Hardy spring-bloomers go in the ground in fall so they can root before winter: tulip, crocus, daffodil, hyacinth, anemone, iris.

• Plant at a depth of 2–3× the bulb’s height in well-drained soil.

• Layer early, mid, and late varieties for a multi-week show.

Good to know: Don’t confuse hardy bulbs with tender bulbs (elephant’s ear, caladium, gladiolus, canna, dahlia). Those are planted in spring.

Plant now for spring (and beyond)

Lilies
Best planted mid-September through mid-October. Low-maintenance and dramatic. Site in sun with good drainage; avoid overly wet spots.

Hostas (Plantain Lily)
Great time to plant or divide in August into early fall. Morning sun/afternoon shade is ideal; keep evenly moist while establishing.

Peonies
Plant in early fall so feeder roots can form before freeze. Full sun to part sun; set the eyes just 1–2" below soil (deeper planting = fewer blooms).

Irises
Rhizomatous types thrive when planted in fall. Full sun (most types) with excellent drainage. Don’t bury rhizomes too deeply—let the tops peek out.

Ferns
Prefer shade and organic-rich, evenly moist soil. Loosen soil 12" deep, amend with leaf mold/compost, and space 15–24" apart depending on variety. Mulch with leaves or boughs for winter protection in exposed spots.

Ornamental Grasses
All shapes and sizes, generally low-maintenance, and bird-friendly. Most prefer sun and drainage; cut back in late winter/early spring.

Design quick wins (layer for a fall “tapestry”)

• Work in layers: Tall (trees/shrubs), middle (grasses/perennials), front (low edgers). Variegated dogwood + fountain grass + Japanese cedar + barberry creates depth against a canopy of katsura or maple.

• Think multiseason: Choose plants that earn their keep across seasons—viburnum (flowers + fruit), oakleaf hydrangea (fall color + bark), serviceberry, fothergilla, ninebark, dogwood.

• Stagger peak times: Love maples? Combine sugar maple (earlier color) with Japanese maple (later show) to stretch the display.

• Mix textures: Pair broad leaves (hosta, oakleaf hydrangea) with fine textures (grasses, ferns) for contrast.

Timing & planting tips

• When to plant: Aim for mid- to late-August through September for perennials and shrubs so roots establish before winter. Bulbs go in fall before the ground freezes.

• Right plant, right place: Match sun/shade, soil drainage, and mature size to the spot.

• Planting depth: Set root flare at or slightly above grade; don’t bury stems.

• Watering: Deep, infrequent soaks to keep soil evenly moist (not saturated). Cooler air + warmer soil = less evaporation, but newly planted roots still need water.

• Mulch: 2–3" over the root zone, pulled back from stems/trunks to avoid rot.

• Weeds & pests: Pressure drops in fall, making establishment easier and maintenance lighter.

A simple fall shopping list

• Late-season perennials: asters, mums, sedum, rudbeckia, goldenrod

• Structure plants: oakleaf hydrangea, fountain grass

• Cool-season color & harvest: pansies, snapdragons, radish, spinach, lettuce

• Spring promise: tulip, crocus, daffodil, hyacinth, anemone, iris

• Shade staples & showstoppers: hosta, fern, peony, lily, bearded iris

• Texture & wildlife: ornamental grasses (mix heights and bloom times)

Bottom line

Fall planting works with the season: warm soil for root growth, cool air to reduce stress, steadier moisture, fewer pests—and a head start you’ll see when everything wakes up strong in spring. Plant now, layer textures and bloom times, and your garden will look intentional through winter and exceptional next year.