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Fantastic Fall Perennials

September 23, 2021

FLOWER POWER

Endless Garden Color

Flowers that power through fall are especially refreshing. Some, like the much-loved “Perosvskia atriplicifolia” Russain Sage, have been in full bloom throughout the season. Others, like the asters and “Rudbeckia” black-eyed Susans, are just getting going. But all will add reliable color, extending the show until late into the year.

Take a look at MVG’s list of best perennial plants that will deliver a fantastic show of vibrancy and interest until the first frost.

Anemone Hupehensis

Japanese Thimbleweed

Anemone hupehensis, commonly called Japanese anemone, is a fibrous-rooted, woody-based late summer to fall flowering herbaceous perennial of the buttercup family that typically grows to 2-2 ½’ tall. 

Easily grown in average, medium moisture, well-drained soils in full sun to part shade. Do not be surprised as the leaves blacken in the winter. Cut back in the fall if that is your preference. Mature plants will spread to fill in the available space. 

Feed late fall to late winter using an all-purpose fertilizer and/or compost.

Height: 2-2.5′
Spread: 1-1.5′
Space: 1.5-2.5′
Light: Full Sun to Part Shade
Deer Resistant
Attracts Butterflies

Japanese Thimbleweed
Ceratostigma plumbaginoides

Ceratostigma Plumbaginoides

Leadwort

Hardy Plumbago (Ceratostigma plumbaginoides) is one of the most versatile groundcovers for cold climates growing in both sun and shade and most soil types. A low mound of foliage is a nice cover especially over bulbs as it awakens very late in spring. Deep green foliage turns to red hues in fall. The brilliant blue, starry flowers of Plumbago in the late summer are captivating.

Height 6-8″
Spread 18″
Light: Full Sun
Attracts Butterflies

Chelone glabra

Chelone glabra plant

Turtlehead

Chelone glabra is a sturdy perennial with attractive glossy oblong leaves. Leaves are opposite and serrate with each pair of leaves arranged on the stem 90 degrees from the pair below.

The unique flower shape resembles the head of a turtle. Plants thrive in sunny moist or boggy sites or in frequently irrigated gardens. Floral displays begin in late summer and continue into autumn. The dense terminal flower spikes are white to pale pink. They are quite showy and are a valuable late season nectar source.

Height: 2-3′
Spread: 2′
Spacing: 3-4′
Deer Resistant
Attracts Butterflies, Pollinators & Hummingbirds

Chryanthemum

Mums

The chrysanthemum flowers range from dazzling whites to deep bronzes, and the hardy plants are highlighted with full, dark green leaves. Mums are heavy feeders and should be fertilized monthly. Sprinkle a balanced fertilizer (10-10-10) around the plant. Tip: Don’t cut back mums. The dead growth insulates the roots in winter.

Height: 1-3′
Width: 1-3′
Spacing: 18-36″
Light: Full Sun

Mums
Sweet Joe Pye Weed

Eupatorium purpureum

Sweet Joe Pye Weed

Sweet-scented joe-pye weed grows from 2-6 ft. Narrow, lance-shaped leaves are whorled along the erect stem. The large, domed flower head is composed of several branches bearing tiny, pale pinkish-lavender florets. This wildflower has showy blooms and provides erosion control. It can be used in cottage gardens, deer-resistant plantings, rain gardens, water-wise landscapes, low maintenance plantings, or perennial borders.

Height: 2-6′
Spread: 2-3′
Spacing: 4-6′
Light: Full to Part Sun
Attracts Butterflies, Songbirds & Pollinators

Chryanthemum

Sneezeweed

Like other members of the aster family, the 1-2 inch sneezeweed flower is composite—with large, showy ray flowers that look like petals, and smaller disk flowers making up the center.

Helenium autumnale is an upright clumping perennial wildflower. Plants have unique winged stems clothed in elongated bright green leaves. In autumn foliage is crowned by an abundance of golden daisy-like flower heads. The blooms are visited by throngs of pollinators.

Height: 3-5′
Spread: 2-3′
Spacing: 3-4′ Light:
Light: Full Sun to Part Shade
Attracts Butterflies, Songbirds & Pollinators 

Sneezeweed
Ox-eye Sunflower

Heliopsis helianthoides

Ox-eye Sunflower

A showy perennial with sunny yellow flowers that’s perfect for your sun garden! Forms a compact, upright habit with dark green leaves. Commonly called ox-eye sunflower or ox-eye daisy, it is easily grown in average, dry to medium, well-drained soil in full sun. Tolerates drought, but does best if regularly watered. Remove spent flowers to extend bloom season. Plant stems may be cut back by 1/3 to 1/2 in late May to reduce overall plant height.

Height: 24-32″
Spacing: 20-24″
Spread 20-24″
Light: Sun to Part Shade
Attracts Bees, & Butterflies

Hibiscus

Crimson-eyed Rose-mallow, Marshmallow Hibiscus

Hibiscus is a gorgeous plant that sports huge, bell-shaped flowers. Though tropical types are typically grown indoors, hardy hibiscus plants make exceptional specimens in the garden. Hardy hibiscus plants are surprisingly easy to grow as long as you provide them with well-drained soil and a spot in full sunlight. The secret to success is to water enough to keep the soil evenly moist. Don’t worry if your hardy hibiscus plants die to the ground after a hard frost in autumn. Just cut them down to a height of 4 or 5 inches (10-13 cm.), and then wait for the plants to regrow from the roots in spring once temps begin to warm back up again.

Height: 24-30″
Spread: 18-24″
Spacing 24-36″
Light: Sun

Hibiscus
Cardinal Flower

Lobelia cardinalis

Cardinal Flower

Lobelia cardinalis is a clump-forming perennial wildflower with toothed lance-shaped leaves. In late summer stems are topped by spiky racemes of vibrant scarlet florets. The blooms are irresistible to hummingbirds and butterflies. Plants prosper in filtered shade with moist soils or in wetter sunny sites.

Height: 2-5′
Spread: 1-2′
Spacing: 18-24″
Light: Sun to Part Shade
Attracts Hummingbirds & Butterflies

Monarda

Bee Balm

Bee balm flowers have an open, daisy-like shape, with tubular petals in shades of red, pink, purple, and white. Bee balm plants prefer moist, rich soil, and a sunny location. Bee balm will tolerate shade, particularly in hot-summer areas. Plant it in any protected spot that would benefit from a bright shot of color. If you want a bushier plant, pinch off the stem tips as new growth appears in the early spring.

Height: 10″-4′
Width: 2-3′
Light: Sun to Part Shade
Attracts Butterflies, Bees & Hummingbirds

balmy pink monarda
BLUE JEANS BABY RUSSIAN SAGE

Perovskia

Russian Sage

Fragrant silver leaves keep the animals at bay, while lavender blue flowers put on a show from mid summer into fall. Thrives in full sun and dryer soils and are salt spray and air pollution tolerant. Should be cut down in late winter to early spring to promote new growth.

Height: 3-5′
Spread: 2-4′
Spacing: 3-4′
Light: Sun
Attracts Butterflies

Rudbeckia fulgida v. fulgida

Black-eyed Susan

Rudbeckia fulgida var. fulgida is a low-maintenance and resilient wildflower with shiny deep green foliage. Striking summer and autumn flowers are beloved for their golden orange rays and chocolate brown cones. Butterflies flock to the blooms and songbirds relish the seeds in sunny sites with average soil.

Height: 2-3′
Spread: 1-2′
Spacing 2′
Light: Sun

Black-eyed Susan
Aster

Symphyotrichum novae angliae

New England Aster

New England Aster is a late bloomer like most Asters. Maturing to 5′ tall, it is rich with purple flowers with orange-yellow centers from late summer to October. Popular with pollinators, it thrives in full sun or light shade in all but the driest soils.

Height: 4-6′
Spread: 2-3′
Spacing: 18-24″
Attracts Birds, Butterflies, Pollinators, Host Plant, Deer Resistant

Tricyrtis formosana

Toad Lily

Tricyrtis (toad lilies) is a shade-loving perennial in the lily family whose small but beautiful and intricately designed orchid-like flowers stop people in their tracks. Grow in moist, but well-drained soil in partial to full shade. Mulch plants in cold climates with little snow cover, and sit late-blooming species in a sheltered location to protect blossoms from early frosts.

Height: 2-3′
Spread: 1-2′
Spacing: 24″
Attracts Butterflies

Help your bulbs grow!

Be sure add Espoma Bulb-tone® and Espoma Bone Meal fertilizer to the hole at the time of planting. When backfilling with soil, cover them up with a couple inches of Bumper Crop® Soil Builder to keep the soil loose and protect against hungry rodents.

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