Flowers to Plant in the Summer for Fall

The aster is a popular perennial that blooms in the fall.

During the height of summer --- when the outdoor garden is bursting with blooms --- many a gardener wonders if there's a way to keep the color on display through the cooler days and nights of autumn. Fortunately, some of the most colorful fall flowers can be planted in the heat of summer. A mix of annuals and perennials, these hardy bloomers prove that fall color isn't just about the turning of the leaves.

Aster

Asters are daisylike perennials that display blue, purple, red, pink or white blossoms in summer and fall --- although the blue variety is the most prevalent. These easy-to-maintain plants need a sunny location and well-drained soil. Cutting the plant back in early summer encourages more compact growth and late-season flowering. With more than 250 varieties, ranging in height from 1 to 6 feet, you're sure to find an aster to brighten your fall garden. Asters can be planted any time during the growing season.

Chrysanthemums

Chrysanthemums, or mums, can be grown as perennials, but are often planted as annuals. They grow best in full sun with well-drained soil and produce clumps of pink, red, purple, yellow, gold, bronze or white flowers in the summer and fall. Mums can be moved while in full bloom, a handy feature for the gardener who can move the flowers anywhere for a pop of fall color. Frequent pinching back of the flowers during the growing season keeps the plants compact. With about 20 varieties to choose from, it's easy to find the perfect mum for your garden palette.

Impatiens

The most common annual bedding plant in America, impatiens can be planted from spring through summer for dependable flowering until the first fall frost. These low-growing flowers are ideal for borders and grow best in shady or partial-shade conditions in moist, well-drained soil. Available in a rainbow of colors --- including pink, rose, red, lilac, purple, orange, white and bicolor --- these easy-care plants require no fertilization or deadheading.

Sedum

Sedum is a hardy, perennial flower that thrives in full sun with well-drained soil. The broccoli-shaped flower heads sit atop fleshy leaves and sprout light green in the midsummer. The flowers gradually turn pink, red or white in late summer --- blooming all the way until the first frost. Popular varieties are Stonecrop and Autumn Joy.

Yarrow

Yarrow is a fragrant perennial noted for its flat-topped clusters of small white, pink, red or yellow flowers that sit atop fernlike foliage. This plant likes full sun and, depending on the variety, grows from 1 to 5 feet. The yarrow produces colorful blooms all summer into early fall.

Coreopsis

Coreopsis are virtually maintenance-free perennials that thrive in poor soil with little water. This relative of the sunflower sports bright yellow flowers from spring through fall. Varieties grow from 6 inches to 3 feet tall and tend to spread rapidly. Removing spent flowers prolongs the bloom time.

Coneflowers

Like coreopsis, coneflowers aren't picky about their surroundings. These perennials grow best in sun to partial shade in average soil with moderate water. The Rudbeckia variety displays yellow flowers all summer through fall and grows from 4 to 6 feet tall.

References

• Oregon State University Extension; Plant These Perennial Flowers for Late Summer and Fall Color; Carol Savonen
• "Birds & Blooms": Top 10 Fall Color Plants
• Weekend Gardener; Fall Flowers and Fall Flowering Perennials Plants; Hilary Rinaldi
• Missouri Botanical Garden Plant Finder: Impatiens walleriana