Now that our spring blooms have long since faded and our summer annuals are peaking, it’s nice to have some consistent color throughout the end of the season with mid-to-late summer-blooming perennials. The milder temperatures of autumn give us a whole new variety of options for garden flowers, and there are some real standouts that are certainly worth adding into the mix.
For a seamless transition from summer to fall with no shortage of color or visual interest, check out our favorite mid-to-late summer-blooming perennials in the Metro Quad Cities.
Perennials That Bloom In August
Autumn may be just around the corner, but the fun doesn’t have to end! As summer starts winding down, these showstopping flowers will give your landscape a second wind, adding an explosion of color and vibrancy.
Salvia
With so many different colored varieties to choose from, you’ll have no trouble finding one that fits with your garden aesthetic. We particularly love the indigo blue salvias that stand tall amongst a sea of emerald green foliage. Their upright growth makes them a fabulous flower for mixed container arrangements when placed in the very center, with shorter, trailing plants around the edges.
Lobelia Cardinalis
Also called Cardinal Flower, this eye-catching native perennial is famous for its beautiful red flowers. With its signature color and tubular flowers, this summer bloomer is an absolute hummingbird magnet! As a native species, Lobelia cardinalis is exceptionally low-maintenance, and only needs watering during periods without rain.
Monarda
Also known as Bee Balm, this fun perennial is an absolute pollinator magnet. Each firework-shaped bloom is bursting with nectar and pollen, drawing bees, butterflies, hummingbirds, and many other beneficial critters from far and wide. There are many cultivars of monarda, and endless color variations, which make it a go-to for filling any sunny space in the garden. Once it’s established, it’s a highly independent plant—the only maintenance required is ensuring it doesn’t spread further than you’d like it to!
Rudbeckia
Another pollinator-friendly perennial, rudbeckia (also known as Black-Eyed Susan) are known for their dark centers and sunny yellow petals. These ultra-low-maintenance perennials need only full sun and well-draining soil, and they’ll happily bloom all summer. You can extend their season by removing blooms before they go to seed, so go ahead and cut a few for bouquets! Their sturdy stems are great for sitting elegantly in vases.
September Blooming Perennials
Cue up the Earth, Wind & Fire playlist, because this September will be brighter than ever with the addition of these fabulous summer to fall-blooming perennials.
Aster
A real favorite among monarch butterflies, this charming meadow flower usually has rich, jewel-toned purple petals, but there are some pink and white varieties as well. It grows densely in a mound, and it’s size is dependent on the variety chosen, ranging from 1–4 feet in height. Plant it in a spot with full sun for maximum color and growth, and make sure the soil is loose and draining well.
Chrysanthemums
The quintessential fall flower, these sunny blooms are everywhere once September rolls around, and we never seem to grow tired of them! And with literally thousands of different varieties to choose from, they’re anything but boring. From potted arrangements to windowboxes, borders and garden beds, these hardy perennials can be grown just about anywhere, provided they get around 6 hours of sun per day, and have loose, fertile soil.
Helenium
If you’re all about that autumn aesthetic and enjoy decorating with fall colors, you will absolutely love helenium. These daisy-like flowers range from warm gold to reddish-orange, sometimes with hints of rich berry tones. While they are often confused with the popular perennial gaillardia, there is a key difference between the two: gaillardia is drought tolerant, whereas helenium naturally grows in wetlands, so it prefers its soil to be more on the moist side. Frequent watering and full sun will help keep this flower bright and tall, and its sturdy stems won’t require any staking.
Joe Pye Weed
We love growing native species, because they’re perfectly adapted to survive in our climate with little to no intervention needed. Of course, when you first plant them, you should water them regularly to help them get established, but after a while you’ll find this tenacious plant develops quite quickly. You may want to keep an eye on it and cut it back if it gets a bit too unruly, as your other garden flowers may need to compete for space. The flowers of Joe Pye weed are a sweet, understated shade of dusty rose, and their delicious vanilla scent is always a delight. Take advantage of the fall to divide perennials before they begin to get crowded. This will also make extra plants spread throughout your landscape.
Want to pick up some new perennials to spruce up your yard for these last few months of the gardening season? We have so many ways for you to shop now! Place an order over the phone, and we can arrange for drive-in pickup, where we can load your plants into your vehicle, or you can request a direct home delivery. We’re also happy to offer personalized shopping over Skype or FaceTime, so our experts can find exactly what you need.