It may be the season of mists and mellow fruitfulness, and your garden might be winding things down for fall, but, if you plant more flowers that bloom in September, you can still stretch the gardening season out for longer. Promise.
Yes, while it’s all too easy to throw in the trowel (ha!) and admit defeat, you actually have an abundance of choices if you fancy adding some color to your autumn garden with fall blooming flowers – especially if you make a point of choosing those repeat bloomers and flowers in season during September.
From trusty perennials to striking annuals, a good flower garden should include a good mix of plants to ensure there’s something to hold interest all year long, not to mention provide a welcome source of nectar for buzzing pollinators and other local critters. So, which fall flowers to choose?
Grab Your Gardening Trowel!
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Striking Flowers That Bloom in September
When the leaves start to turn, many of us stop thinking about our gardens as a source of beauty and instead view them as hard work: fall garden prep will do that to you, especially as you’ll likely be cutting several flowering plants back in between mulchingraking, and setting out cold frames.
If you have a good grasp of USDA plant hardiness zones and native plants, however, you can ensure your backyard remains as striking as ever. And that’s why it’s well worth brushing up on those flowers that bloom in September, as they will merrily fill in gaps in the landscape and brighten up the shorter days to come. Without any further ado, then…
1. Begonia Grandis
(Image Credit: Nguyen Thi Nhu Quynh/Getty Images)
Hardy in USDA zones 6 to 9, and sometimes even zone 5 with added protection, this beautiful plant really comes into its own come fall. Which, yes, makes it a firm favorite on our list of flowers that bloom in September.
“This is a perennial begonia with pendent pink flowers which will bloom from September to October,” says Andrew Bunting, VP of Horticulture for the Pennsylvania Horticultural Society and author of The Plant Lover’s Guide To Magnolias (available on Amazon). “It grows best in partial shade.”
If you really want to make your borders pop, try buying Begonia Grandis in bulk from Walmart. It’s guaranteed to make an impact when the flowers shine bright over the autumn months.
2. Stonecrop
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When it comes to flowers that bloom in September, you can’t go wrong with this drought-tolerant plant! Hardy in USDA zones 3 through 9, this particular variety of stonecrop (Hylotelephium spectabile ‘Autumn Joy’) is a robust little beauty that promises plenty of late-season color.
It’s also a fantastic butterfly garden plantas pollinators are big fans of its rosy russet flowers. An extra good reason, then, to pick up some Perennial Farm Marketplace Sedum x ‘Autumn Joy’ (Stonecrop) from Amazonstat!
3. Ironweed
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Ironweed is an underrated but vivid addition to your garden. Despite its delicate appearance, Vernonia lettermanii ‘Iron Butterfly’ is hardy in USDA zones 4 through 9, and it blooms bright over the autumn months.
“I love this ironweed selection, and not just because it reaches 2 feet tall (60cm) with very fine foliage,” says Andrew, who points out that you’ll find it covered in an abundance a bright violet-purple flowers in September.
Gardeners in the know are fond of its fluffy blooms. It can be hard to track down in stores, but you can pick up Iron Butterfly Ironweed from Nature Hill if you want to introduce this pollinator magnet to your own backyard.
4. Chrysanthemums
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Chrysanthemums – or plain old mums, if you prefer – always make a big appearance in the fall, so of course they’re on our list of flowers that bloom in September. Generally hardy in USDA zones 5–9, they promise bold splashes of color in plenty of different shades and hues, and they’re brilliant as cut flowers, too.
You can pick up these decorative autumn flowers in pots or as seeds. Try something like Walmart’s Expert Gardener Red Mum Live Plant Autumn Garden Chrysanthemums in 1 Gallon Grower Pot if you fancy yours in a striking blaze of red.
5. Japanese Toad Lily
(Image credit: Rusana Fairclough / Shutterstock)
The Japanese toad lily (Tricyrtis hirta) is generally hardy in USDA zones 4 through 9. It is one of those flowers that bloom in September with serious gusto – whether you opt for a variety with star or bell-shaped flowerheads.
“It has skyward facing, orchid-like flowers that are spotted, and will thrive in partial shade conditions in the garden,” says Andrew, who is particularly fond of this shade-loving stalwart.
Despite their exotic appearance, most toad lilies are pleasantly low maintenance. Just be sure to plant yours in moist and well-draining soil if you want it to flourish like the star it is. You can pick up a Formosa Toad Lily from Amazon if you want yours quick-sharp!
6. Blue Wood Aster
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The blue wood aster (Symphyotrichum cordifolium) delights with pale blue flowers that bloom from August through to October. This means it’ll be well and truly hitting its stride come September.
Added bonus? It’s a native aster varietywhich means it’s easy to grow in USDA zones 3-8. In addition, it’s a valuable source of nectar for bees, butterflies, and other pollinating critters. “It is also one of the few asters to thrive in the shade,” adds Andrew.
You can purchase blue wood aster seeds from Walmart or you local garden center. Once you’ve done that, you can propagate these pretty perennials via division (which means more flowers for free). Alternatively, you could try a more traditional aster like ‘October Skies’ or ‘Raydon’s Favorite’.
“These fall-blooming fowers have quarter-sized lavender-purple flowers with a yellow centers, and they are a great late season source for pollinators,” promises Andrew.
7. Japanese Anemone
(Image credit: Ian_Redding / Getty Images)
Also known as Japanese thimbleweed, Japanese anemone (Anemone hupehensis) is a welcome addition to our list of flowers that bloom in September. These low-maintenance lovelies need little in terms of TLC.
They’re hardy in USDA zones 4-8, though it’s worth mulching them for added winterisation if you’re based in a colder part of the country. Try ‘September Charm’ Japanese Anemone from Nature Hills for the perfect addition to your fall flower display.
When it comes to flowers that bloom in September, there are plenty of options available. Just match the USDA hardiness zones of plants you are considering buying to your region. These flowers will be there to lift your spirits as summer ebbs away – so pick those plants that spark the most joy.
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