17 Best Fall Perennials to Brighten Your Landscape
Fall perennials offer vibrant color and texture to your garden as summer fades away. These hardy plants bring life and warmth to the landscape, with blooms that last well into the cooler months.
Their rich hues and unique shapes create a stunning display, adding depth and variety to your outdoor space. Each plant is chosen for its resilience and beauty, providing a lively contrast to the changing seasons.
If you’re looking to spice up your garden beyond the usual choices, discover 17 beautiful options that will brighten your fall landscape.
Anise Hyssop (Agastache foeniculum)
Anise hyssop is a standout perennial that brings cool tones to your fall garden.
As summer fades, you’ll be enchanted by its tall spikes adorned with vibrant purple flowers, reaching up to 3 feet in height.
Beyond aesthetics, this hardy plant releases a delightful anise fragrance, naturally deterring deer from munching on it.
With minimal upkeep required, adding this unique variety can effortlessly enhance the depth and character of your landscape while keeping it fresh all season long.
Aster
Aster plants are vibrant additions to any garden, showcasing a spectrum of colors including purple, white, pink, and blue.
With their long slender petals radiating from a striking dark yellow center, these blooms resemble cheerful daisies.
Standing tall at around 4 feet, asters fit seamlessly into landscapes of varying dimensions while offering an eye-catching display throughout the fall season.
Autumn Crocus (Colchicum sp.)
Autumn crocus is a stunning perennial that adds vibrant colors to your landscape when summer fades.
Resembling its spring counterpart, this beauty belongs to the lily family and surprises you with large purple or pink blooms each fall.
Thick stems support these eye-catching flowers, making them a showstopper in any garden setting.
With just one bulb producing several blossoms, achieving a lush display becomes effortless—perfect for those who appreciate both beauty and simplicity in their outdoor spaces.
Blanket Flower ( Gaillardia aristata )
The blanket flower is a stunning perennial that brightens your landscape as summer transitions into fall.
Blooming from late August, it offers weeks of vibrant colors in shades of orange, yellow, and red.
Perfect for both planters and ground cover, this plant adds cheerful bursts to any garden setting without overwhelming the space—many varieties are compact at around 10 inches tall.
If you're looking to invigorate your outdoor area with striking hues during cooler months, the blanket flower stands ready to impress!
Cardinal Flower ( Lobelia cardinalis )
Cardinal flower captivates with its vibrant red blooms, adding a bold splash of color to your landscape.
These striking plants form dense clusters that create an impressive display in any garden setting.
Their extended blooming period delights not just you but also attracts bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds—nature’s perfect companions.
When choosing this beauty for your garden, ensure you select the perennial varieties to enjoy their stunning presence year after year.
Red Valerian (Centranthus ruber)
Red valerian, known scientifically as Centranthus ruber, is a striking perennial that brings a pop of vibrant red to your fall garden.
As summer fades, its star-shaped flowers bloom in dense clusters, painting your landscape with rich hues and creating an eye-catching display.
Typically reaching heights of around 3 feet, this plant adds vertical interest to smaller garden beds or containers effortlessly.
Adding red valerian not only enhances visual appeal but also invites pollinators into your outdoor space during the cooler months.
Leadwort (Ceratostigma plumbaginoides)
Leadwort, known scientifically as ceratostigma plumbaginoides, offers a fresh perspective for your autumn garden.
This petite plant surprises with stunning blue flowers that blanket the ground in vibrant hues.
As colder weather approaches, watch as its lush green leaves transition to fiery red tones, providing an eye-catching contrast amidst traditional fall colors.
Hardy Begonias (Begonia grandis)
Hardy begonias are remarkable plants that thrive even in chilly autumn and winter temperatures.
Their delicate pink flowers paired with vibrant green leaves create a stunning visual contrast, making them an unexpected delight for your garden.
Each leaf is adorned with striking red veins, infusing a burst of seasonal color into any landscape.
For borders or traditional beds, these resilient beauties will add depth and interest to your outdoor space throughout the fall months.
Sneezeweed (Helenium autumnale)
Sneezeweed, known scientifically as Helenium autumnale, is a stunning addition to any fall garden.
As the vibrant hues of spring and summer fade away, this perennial bursts forth with its eye-catching red, gold, and orange flowers that radiate warmth like no other.
The blooms persist until frost hits, ensuring your landscape remains lively for an extended period.
Strolling through your yard surrounded by such dazzling colors—it's sure to lift spirits during those cooler months!
Witch Hazel (Hamamelis virginiana)
Witch hazel, known scientifically as Hamamelis virginiana, offers a striking addition to your fall landscape.
Its stunning flowers feature dark centers and elongated petals that create a visual feast against the backdrop of golden autumn leaves.
Some varieties produce an eye-catching yellow hue that appears almost luminous in the crisp air.
With its potential height of up to 20 feet, this remarkable plant thrives best when given ample room to flourish amidst other seasonal beauties.
Japanese Anemone (Anemone x or Anemone hupehensis var.)
Japanese anemone is a stunning perennial that adds charm to your garden during the fall season.
Its delicate white flowers with yellow centers, along with variations in purple and pink, provide a refreshing contrast as other plants begin to wane.
The narrow dark-green leaves create an appealing backdrop throughout the year, enhancing any landscape design.
Thriving best in zones 5-8, this resilient beauty ensures your outdoor space remains vibrant well into autumn's embrace.
Turtle Heads (Chelone sp.)
Turtle heads are intriguing additions to any garden, bringing a touch of whimsy with their unique blooms.
Resembling the shell of a turtle, these flowers curve gracefully, inviting curiosity and admiration.
Standing tall at 2-3 feet, they thrive in various settings while requiring minimal upkeep.
Available in shades of purple, white, and pink, they can enhance your landscape's color palette beautifully throughout fall.
Stonecrop (Sedum sp.)
Stonecrop is an exceptional perennial that thrives in the fall, ideal for filling expansive spaces with its vibrant charm.
Large clusters of flowers emerge as temperatures cool, while variegated leaves shift hues throughout the seasons.
You can explore a delightful array of color options, making it easy to find one that complements your landscape beautifully.
Suitable for zones 4-9, this plant ensures your garden remains visually dynamic all year round.
Tickseed (Coreopsis sp)
Tickseed, also known as Coreopsis sp, is a striking perennial that brings vibrant blooms to your garden in the fall.
Its round flowers resemble a delightful mix of carnations and daisies, adding visual interest to any landscape.
Perfect for those with hectic schedules, this low-maintenance plant allows you to enjoy its beauty without constant care.
Pincushion Flower (Scabiosa columbaria)
The pincushion flower, known scientifically as Scabiosa columbaria, adds a distinctive touch to your fall landscape.
Its petals radiate from the center in an intricate design that forms charming little domes.
Standing at just about 12 inches tall, this perennial is perfect for those looking to enhance their garden without overwhelming it.
With its captivating structure and delicate beauty, you’ll find it’s a delightful addition amidst autumn's hues.
Ironweed (Vernonia)
Ironweed is an impressive perennial that adds striking visual interest to any landscape.
Ranging from compact versions at about 3 feet tall to towering varieties reaching up to 12 feet, this plant offers options for various garden spaces.
Its tall stems are adorned with vibrant clusters of spiky purple flowers, creating a stunning autumn display.
Not only does it thrive late into the season, but it also attracts butterflies, enriching your outdoor space with lively activity and color as fall unfolds.
Joe Pye Weed (Eutrochium sp.)
Joe Pye weed is a striking perennial that adds grandeur to any landscape with its towering height and vibrant purple blooms.
Reaching up to 8 feet, it commands attention in late summer and early fall, making your garden truly unforgettable.
Positioning this plant at the back of flower borders or along property edges guarantees an eye-catching display while attracting butterflies and bumblebees for added life.
If you're seeking a way to invigorate your outdoor space beyond traditional choices like mums, Joe Pye weed offers both beauty and ecological benefits!
