10 Fall-Blooming Perennials That Will Add Color To Your Autumn Garden
Chrysanthemums and mums are perennials despite being disposable decorations. In the southeast, not all mothers return annually.
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1. Hardy Chrysanthemum
This native perennial blooms violet-blue to purple in September–October. Pollinators enjoy the flowers' nectar until autumn, when songbirds eat the seeds.
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2. Smooth Aster
Autumn gardens glow with narrowleaf sunflowers. October brings sunny yellow blooms. Small seed heads after blooms attract songbirds.
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3. Narrowleaf Sunflower
Fall sage blooms intermittently from spring to fall, despite its name. It's named for its stunning late-season display. Many cultivars have pale yellow, orange, fuchsia, purple, red-violet, burgundy, and white flowers.
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4. Autumn Sage
Rose verbena blooms from May to fall, providing months of color. Bright pink, purple, or white flowers attract butterflies and hummingbirds to the garden.
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5. Rose Verbena
First autumn rains bring red spider lily, or equinox flower, to bloom. One- to two-foot stems hold vibrant red blooms. Each flower stalk has 4–6 2-inch blooms.
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6. Red Spider Lily
This late summer and early fall cardinal flower relative attracts hummingbirds and butterflies with light to dark blue tubular flowers. Flowering spikes reach three feet.
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7. Great Blue Lobelia
Toad lily's orchid-like blooms are exotic. Plant this garden gem near paths to see its unique white-to-lavender blooms with rich purple speckles.
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8. Toad Lily
Though ugly, Sneezeweed is a native beauty without allergies. With its brilliant gold, orange, and red blooms, sneezeweed belongs in the fall garden.
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9. Sneezeweed
'Autumn Joy' sedum is common in fall gardens. Late-season bees and butterflies feed on 'Autumn Joy's pink flower buds and deep rose-red flower heads.