Which Fall-Blooming Perennials Bloom The Latest?

To the dismay of many gardening enthusiasts, fall signals the close of peak growing seasons. The vibrant greens of summer may be fading quickly, but that doesn't mean you have to let your garden space turn dull and drab just yet! Plenty of flowers will bloom in your garden in late fall, displaying beautiful colors in your yard well into the season. What's more, opting for low-maintenance perennials can ensure you enjoy blooms as long as possible — and even a colorful return next year. Some of the latest-blooming fall flowers include Asteraceae family members like mums, asters, and dahlias, which can continue producing well into November, depending on your local climate. These are very popular plants in fall, admired for their bold color and hardiness, but if you're looking for something more unique, there are plenty of other low-maintenance perennials to choose from. If you want to enjoy blooms as late as possible, consider planting coreopsis, sneezeweed, snapdragons, and goldenrod, just to name a few! 

Proper care and maintenance will also help to prolong your fall garden's blooming period. Depending on where you live and the flowers you choose, you may even be able to enjoy blooms into the early winter! Here are some brilliant perennial flowers to grow in the late fall, plus tips on planting fall-blooming perennials, extending the life of your blooms, and ensuring their colorful return next year.

Arguably the most famous genus in the Asteraceae family, chrysanthemums can do well in USDA zones 4 through 9, depending on the variety. Many other popular go-to fall perennials are plants in the Asteraceae family, including dahlias, Montauk daisies, black-eyed Susan, sneezeweed, and goldenrod. These plants are native to North America, naturally bloom throughout the fall season, and can be encouraged to go even longer in the right environment. Most of these classic Asteraceae members will bring rich, autumnal colors to your yard, but one popular bloom stands out from the crowd: fall aster (Symphyotrichum cordifolium). With petals in shades of pink, purple, and periwinkle, Fall Aster is a perfect late-blooming perennial for those who prefer a cooler, softer color palette in their garden. 

Asteraceae flowers may rule in most fall gardens, but there are plenty of other fall-blooming options for those desiring something more unique. Many coreopsis species, such as fringeleaf tickseed (Coreopsis integrifolia), will also grow in USDA zones 5 through 9, thrive in late fall, and can even withstand light frosts. Snapdragons (Antirrhinum) are another cold-hardy flower, so you can achieve vibrant snapdragons all autumn long and even into the first winter frosts. For more fun fall options, consider giant hyssop (Agastache), Mexican bush sage, or even garlic chives. Japanese anemones, also called windflowers, are another commonly recommended fall flower, but gardeners should use caution, as they spread quickly through rhizomes and can become invasive if they're not frequently culled back. 

Each of these plants will have its own care requirements, but in general, you should aim to plant your perennials in late summer or early fall to ensure they'll take root and bloom just as the autumn season is ending. If you live in a very hot climate, planting later in the season can keep your perennials from burning to a crisp, but be sure to plant at least a month before the first frost. Whether you grow in containers or a garden bed, ensure your plants will receive at least six hours of sunlight in their location, especially as the autumn days grow shorter.

Compared to bursting spring gardens, fall gardens may seem relatively low-maintenance, but good care habits are crucial if you want to encourage repeat blooming. Applying a gentle all-purpose fertilizer at the start of fall can give your plants the nutrients they need to sustain blooms all season. If you're growing your flowers in containers, repotting with fresh soil is also one the best ways to bring your dying mums back to life and keep them healthy for as long as possible. Deadheading the old, shriveled blooms is undoubtedly one of the most crucial tasks to keep up with, allowing the plant to focus its energy on sprouting new flowers. To do this, you can use handheld shears or scissors or make the process easier with a wearable tool like the E-TING gardening silicon thumb knives. Many people treat fall-blooming flowers like temporary, seasonal décor, but these perennials can return even stronger next year if they're overwintered properly, with light mulching and reduced watering as colder temperatures set in.