You can feel fall in the air, but the garden is far from slowing down. September is one of the loveliest times in the Pacific Northwest, when late-blooming flowers are still putting on a show and foliage is just beginning to take on its fall color. Here are a few of our favorite plants for carrying the garden beautifully from summer into fall.
Japanese Anemone
Japanese Anemones are a wonderful choice to brighten the garden, with graceful white or pink flowers blooming from late summer into early fall. Once established, they need little attention and will gradually spread into a generous clump. They look especially beautiful paired with Miscanthus grasses and silver-leaved shrubs.
Sun to partial shade
Average, well-drained soil*
24”-48” tall and wide, depending on variety
Blooms late summer through fall
Autumn Joy Sedum
This sturdy perennial is as tough and dependable as they come. Clusters of pink flowers gradually deepen to rosy, coppery-red as fall progresses, while fleshy, succulent foliage adds texture. Autumn Joy Sedum pairs well with ornamental grasses and is a pollinator favorite.
Full Sun
Average, well-drained soil; low-water-use plant*
18"-30" tall and wide
Blooms late summer to fall
Helenium
With glowing shades of gold, orange, and red from mid-summer through fall, Helenium is a standout in the late-season garden. This adaptable perennial works beautifully in beds, borders, and containers, and its cheerful blooms are excellent for cut-flower arrangements. Try pairing it with Echinacea and Gaura for a colorful, long-blooming combination.
Full sun
Average, well-drained soil*
12"-36" tall x 12"-24” wide, depending on variety
Blooms mid-summer through fall
Heather (Calluna vulgaris)
Heather brings color and texture to the garden from summer into fall, and many varieties also develop striking foliage color as the season changes. Flowers range from white and bright pink to mauve and deeper shades. Heathers prefer well-drained soil and require little to no fertilizer. Shear plants lightly after blooming to help keep this evergreen shrub compact and bushy.
Full sun
Acidic, well-drained soil*
4"-24” tall x 18"-30” wide, depending on variety
Blooms summer through fall
Karley Rose Fountain Grass (Pennisetum orientale)
Fountain grass adds wonderful movement and texture to the garden. ‘Karley Rose’ features dark green, blade-like foliage topped with feathery, smoky-rose flower plumes that seem to glow in the afternoon sun. Perfect for an urban meadow, mixed border, or large container.
Full sun
Average, well-drained soil*
36”-48” tall x 24”-36” wide
Blooms summer through fall
Pansy
Cheerful colors and a long bloom season make pansies a favorite. Tuck them around taller plants to quickly refresh containers and garden beds with bright color. Deadheading spent flowers will encourage even more blooms. Pansies prefer the cooler weather of spring and fall.
Sun to partial shade (dislikes hot sun in summer)
Average to rich, well-drained soil*
3"-8" tall and wide, depending on variety
Blooms late summer through spring; can continue blooming in summer if given shade and adequate water
Whirling Butterflies (Gaura lindheimeri)
As its name suggests, Gaura’s delicate pink or white flowers look like a multitude of tiny butterflies dancing in the breeze. This drought-tolerant perennial has a long flowering season and works beautifully in rock gardens, mixed borders, and containers. Its airy blooms are also a favorite of butterflies and hummingbirds.
Full sun
Average, well-drained soil*
12”-48” tall and 16”-48” wide, depending on variety
Blooms summer through fall
Chrysanthemum
Chrysanthemums—or mums, as they’re affectionately called—are one of the quintessential flowers of fall. Their abundant, multi-petaled blooms come in a wide range of colors and brighten the garden from late summer through frost. Mums also make excellent cut flowers for bringing a little fall color indoors.
Full sun to partial shade
Rich, well-drained soil*
12"-24" tall x 18”-36” wide, depending on variety
Blooms late summer through frost
Russian Sage (Perovskia atripicifolia)
Lacy silvery foliage and tall spires of lavender flowers make Russian sage a lovely addition to the garden. Once established, this tough perennial is drought-tolerant and popular with bees and other pollinators. Give it a warm, sunny location and cut it back to the ground in spring before new growth begins.
Full sun
Average, well-drained soil; low-water-use plant*
24”-48” tall x 24”-36” wide, depending on variety
Blooms mid-summer to fall
Dahlia
Dahlias begin flowering in mid-summer and keep on going right into the depths of fall. In September, expect a multitude of beautiful blooms, ranging from small 2” spherical pom-poms to the aptly named “Dinner Plate Dahlia” with flowers spanning 8 inches or more across. To protect the tubers from cold, soggy winter soil, either dig and store them or grow them in very well-drained soil, cutting them to the ground and mulching in late fall (learn more on our blog).
Note: Dahlia tubers are available for sale beginning in early spring. Potted dahlias are available in summer.
Full sun
Rich, well-drained soil*
12”-60” tall x 18”-36” wide, depending on variety
Blooms mid-summer through fall
*A note about soil: most plants listed above prefer well-drained soil. Amend the soil with compost to help break up heavy clay soils and improve water retention in sandy soils. Even low-water-use plants (aka drought-tolerant plants) need consistent, deep watering while they become established.