Early Fall is one of the loveliest times in the Pacific Northwest garden, as foliage begins to show spectacular color, fall flowers bloom, and certain summer plants just keep right on performing until frost.
Fall is a great time to garden, giving your new plants plenty of time to grow strong root systems before winter. Remember, all new plants - even drought-tolerant ones - need regular, deep watering for the first few years to become established. Water regularly, even in fall and winter unless there is considerable rainfall.
Heather (Calluna vulgaris)
Heather blooms summer to fall and many varieties have foliage with striking fall color. Look for a variety of bloom colors: white, bright pink, mauve, and more. Scotch Heathers prefer sandy, peaty soils and little to no fertilizer. Shear after blooming to help keep this evergreen shrub compact and bushy.
Full sun
Well-drained soil
4"-3' tall x 24" wide, depending on variety
Blooms late summer through fall
Helenium
With glowing gold, orange, and red blooms mid-summer through fall, Helenium is a standout in the garden. After the first big bloom in the summer, be sure to deadhead spent blossoms to encourage a second flush in September. This perennial grows about anywhere so it's a great plant for beds, borders, and containers. Excellent for cut flower arrangements. Combines well with Echinacea.
Full sun
Average, well-drained soil; low-water-use plant
12"-24" tall x 15"-18" wide, depending on variety
Blooms mid-summer through fall
Russian Sage (Perovskia atripicifolia)
Airy, lacy foliage and spires of lavender flowers make Russian sage a lovely addition to the garden. This tough plant is drought tolerant after it is established and is popular with the bees! Russian sage prefers a warm and sunny location. Remember to cut it back to the ground before new growth appears in the spring.
Full sun
Well-drained soil
3’-4’ tall x 3’ wide
Blooms mid-summer to fall
Chrysanthemum
Chrysanthemums (or mums, as they are commonly called) are the quintessential fall flower. These lovely, multi-petaled flowers come in a wide variety of colors and bloom from late summer through fall. Mums make a great cut flower as well.
Full sun
Rich, well-drained soil
12"-24" tall and wide, depending on variety
Blooms late summer through fall
Oriental Fountain Grass (Pennisetum orientalis ‘Karley Rose’)
Perfect for an urban meadow or a large container. Oriental Fountain grass has dark green blade-like foliage and feathery, smokey-rose flowers that seem to glow in the afternoon sun. The tufty blooms and foliage sway gently on the breeze.
Full sun
Well-drained soil
3’-4’ tall x 2’-3’ wide
Blooms June to October
Nandina
This outstanding shrub displays attractive foliage in all four seasons. New growth of Nandina ‘Gulf Stream’, shown above, is orangey-scarlet maturing to a blue-green color in summer. Hardy and virtually pest and disease free, Nandina also has the added bonus of beautiful fall color.
Sun to partial shade
Well-drained soil
3’-8' tall and 2’-6’ wide, depending on variety
Bright red fall foliage
Japanese Anemone
Japanese Anemones are a great choice for the late summer and fall garden. Snow-white or pink flowers bloom late summer to early fall. This plant needs little attention once it is established and spreads to a large clump. Look beautiful when combined with Miscanthus grass and silver-leaved shrubs.
Sun to part shade
Average to dry soil; low-water use plant
2'-4' tall and wide, depending on variety
Blooms late summer to early fall
Autumn Joy Sedum
The name says it all! This sturdy perennial is as tough and dependable as they come, with succulent foliage and massive pink flower clusters that gracefully age to rosy, coppery-red in the fall. Looks great when paired with grasses. Attracts pollinators and butterflies.
Full Sun
Well-drained soil; low water-use plant
18"-24" tall and wide
Blooms August to November
Escallonia
Escallonia is an excellent evergreen shrub for the PNW. It is generally a compact plant with glossy green foliage and flowers and deep pink flowers over a long period in the summer and fall. Once established, it is drought tolerant. Try ‘Pink Princess’ or ‘Mary’ for rose-pink flowers. ‘Gold Brian’ has stunning golden foliage and raspberry-colored flowers; it’s a great choice for shadier areas.
Full sun to part shade, depending on variety
Well-drained soil
2’-8’ tall and wide, depending on variety
Blooms June through October, depending on variety