While spring and early summer offer a bounty of blooms, many gardens start looking tired by mid to late summer. The trick is choosing the right flowers that will keep your garden colorful right through the end of summer and into fall.
Certain hardy long-blooming flowers thrive in late summer’s warm temperatures and provide months of beauty. Here are 16 of the best late summer flowers to plant for continuous color
Coneflowers
Coneflowers like Echinacea and Rudbeckia are absolute powerhouses. They start blooming in early summer and flower right through fall frosts with little care needed. The daisy-like flowers attract pollinators and come in colors like purple, yellow, orange, white and more.
Sedum
Sedum is an underrated gem for late season interest. Varieties like ‘Autumn Joy’ and ‘Brilliant’ form large clusters of tiny star-shaped flowers that age to rosy shades. The succulent foliage remains attractive into winter. Great for borders and rock gardens.
Goldenrod
Despite the unfair reputation, goldenrods are incredibly valuable late summer flowers. They bloom prolifically with spiky yellow flowers that support bees, butterflies and other pollinators. Excellent for wildflower meadows or natural style plantings.
Chrysanthemums
Chrysanthemums or garden mums, are classics for fall and come in a rainbow of colors. Look for hardy perennial types that bloom from late summer through hard frosts. Pinch back in spring for bushier plants and more flowers.
Asters
Similar to daisies, asters bloom prolifically in shades of purple, pink, white, red and more. These rugged perennials grow 1-4 feet tall and pair nicely with grasses and other fall plants. Deadhead to encourage more flowering until frost.
Anemones
Japanese anemones produce delicate flowers with quivering petals over attractive foliage. They shine in late summer into fall and work beautifully in cottage gardens, borders or woodland settings. Part shade encourages longer blooming.
Agastache
Sometimes called hummingbird mint, the nectar-rich flowers of agastache are magnets for pollinators like hummingbirds, bees, and butterflies. Fragrant spikes bloom summer into fall in shades of purple, blue, pink, orange, yellow or white depending on variety.
Lantana
A heat and drought tolerant annual, lantana starts blooming in summer and lasts until frost. Clusters of brightly colored flowers attract butterflies. Best for full sun locations. Varied sizes fit in beds, borders or containers.
Cosmos
Easy to grow from seed, cosmos burst into bloom midsummer and flower until killing frosts. The daisy-like blooms come in pink, white, orange, red and rose shades. Taller types work well in back of borders while dwarf varieties suit containers.
Marigolds
A favorite annual, marigolds bloom abundantly from midsummer until a hard freeze arrives. Compact French marigolds edge beds nicely while large African marigolds make excellent cut flowers. Yellows, oranges, reds add vibrant pops of color.
Zinnias
If cared for properly, zinnias will supply color right up to frost. The pom-pom, dahlia or cactus flowered types are long blooming. Plant in full sun, water during dry spells and deadhead flowers to extend bloom time.
Verbena
Tough, heat-tolerant verbena blooms constantly from early summer through fall. The small flowers attract butterflies and come in bright shades like purple, pink, red and white. Works well in containers or edging garden beds and walks.
Salvia
Drought resistant salvias produce tapered flower spikes nonstop once they get going in early to mid summer all the way until a killing frost ends them. The tubular flowers come in blue, purple, red, pink, white and bicolors.
Petunias
A favorite annual, petunias bloom from spring to frost if properly cared for. Make sure to deadhead spent blooms. Grandiflora types offer large, showy flowers while spreading multifolds are great for hanging baskets.
Celosia
Celosia produces unique blooms that resemble coral, crested roosters, or flame-shaped plumes. It thrives in heat and keeps the color coming in late summer into fall. Plume types work well in dried flower arrangements too.
Sunflowers
While most associate sunflowers with summer, many bloom in late summer and into fall. Try dual-purpose varieties like ‘Sunflower Hoh Joo’ and ‘Autumn Beauty’ with edible seeds. Plant successions for late flowers.
By incorporating some of these tried and true picks, your garden will remain lively and colorful even as summer starts winding down. Experiment by mixing late bloomers with spring and early summer favorites for a dynamic, changing display.
Rudbeckia fulgida var. ‘Goldsturm’ (Image credit: Leigh Clapp)
Rudbeckias are the late comers to the garden party, bringing their bright yellow disco light to the garden in late summer. These late summer flowers are very tough and help bring one last dance to the garden before fall, says garden designer Lee Burkhill of The Garden Ninja.
They are fantastic as flowers that attract bees and pollinators with the pollen they contain. “They can grow almost anywhere,” says Lee. “They look great as a pop of color along a prairie-style border.”
Rudbekias thrive in sun or part shade, in fertile soil that holds moisture.
Canna lily (Image credit: Leigh clapp)
Canna are invaluable for late summer pizzazz and before they flower, their leaves are equally eye-catching. They are not hardy, so need protection in winter, explains award-winning garden designer Juliet Sargeant.
These tender perennials add color and interest to borders or as container gardening ideas. Water well in dry spells and deadhead to encourage further flowering.
They are a wonderful choice if you want to create a tropical garden feel.
13 Perennial Plants You’re Probably Not Growing, But Should Be For Vibrant Late Summer & Fall Color
FAQ
Is August too late to plant flowers?
What perennials bloom in late summer to fall?
What kind of flowers bloom in August and September?
Is late summer a good time to plant?
Which flowers are late blooming in summer?
You find late blooming summer flowers. If you need some pointers on which flowers can keep your home looking lovely during this transitional part of the year, here are a few to choose from. 1. Anise Hyssop Anise hyssop is a beautiful flower that has lush foliage, long stems, and clusters of purple blooms that form a dome shape.
What flowers are good for late summer?
There are many flowers that are good for late summer into early fall. Horticulturist Richard Wilson lists some of his favorites: ‘The coneflower is a veritable ray of sunshine in your border with dark eyes and stunning yellow petals. No garden is complete without a sunflower, space allowing.
When should you plant flowers in your garden?
As summer days cool and grow shorter, you might see a lot of green in your garden. It is important to stagger flower bloom times to keep the color coming throughout the gardening season. Planning ahead with species that show off in the late summer through autumn will ensure your garden looks good until the frost hits.
What to plant in July?
Here’s what perennials to plant in July, late summer flowers that will thrive in beds, and what vegetables to plant in July for a bumper crop come fall. Happy zinnias bring loads of color to summer beds and containers. They are great in a cutting garden.