Last week I rhapsodized on Joe Pye Weed. Today I thought I'd feature the whole line-up of fall blooming perennial flowers. Fall bloomers require some patience and pinching, as they hog space all summer, waiting for their cue. But they are often the most spectacular flowers, having had all summer to grow to majestic heights and set tons of buds. Late bloomers, like my favorite Heleniums, may be sleeping beauties most of the season, but they end the garden year with a bang.
If your garden is looking past its prime, check the fall sales at the nurseries or make a note to plant a few fall flowering perennials next spring. Here's my list of even more options for fall color.
Photo: © Marie Iannotti
Comments
i dont know if cosmos is a fall flower,but i cant seem to get them to start blooming till then. its september 2 and i hardly have any buds, and so far no blooms. i plant them as early as i can but they just get started blooming and the frost gets them. any tips to help me hurry them along?
I can’t say I’ve ever had that problem. They seem to like my sandy soil. They take about 60 – 70 days to start blooming and then never stop. If your plants are otherwise healthy, I wonder if your soil is too rich?
I seem to have better luck with plants that self-seeded from last years flowers. Things like cosmos, morning glories and tall verbena bloom earlier if I scatter the seeds in the fall.
we live in southeastern ohio. alot of things do overwinter ok, just never known cosmos to come back.were in zone 5, arent you farther north? im going to give that a try this year. i love the cosmos, pinks and oranges together, and the tithonia all blooming at once, but it hasnt happened for us in years. thanks for the tip! happy labor day!
It is my turn to contribute to our church flowering plants. I really want the autumn colors. Natch I should be choosing perennials (for church budget)–but I’m drawn to the coleus . How long before it will be finished for the winter?
Unfortunately coleus will be gone with the first frost. There should be plenty of other pretty foliage plants around for awhile, like oak leaf hydrangeas, Virginia creeper and even blueberry branches.