26 Gorgeous Outdoor Plants That Thrive Between Summer and Fall

There are plenty of outdoor plants that bloom in early autumn, making the transition between summer and fall pretty and lively. These plants deliver colorful blooms during the summer-to-fall transition in September.

Each plant includes growing tips and the best time to plant. If you have a green thumb, you can plant seeds, but for beginners, opt for bulbs or seedlings to give you quicker, easier blooms. Seeds can be more difficult to grow and are more vulnerable to changes in soil conditions and weather.

Autumn Crocus (Colchicum autumnale)

Autumn Crocus 'Innocence'.
Chris Burrows/Getty Images

Autumn crocus, also known as naked lady and meadow saffron, isn't a true crocus but a type of small lily. If you want to grow them, you need to plan ahead—planting happens in the late summer, but you won't see blooms until fall of the next year. They do well in full sun and well-drained soil, and produce pink, white, or lavender flowers.

USDA Hardiness Zones: 5 through 9

Globemallow (Sphaeralcea)

Globemallow plants — Gerald Corsi/GETTY IMAGES

Several species of Globemallow can thrive in Western climates, says Steven Harriman, a gardener from Hydroponics Harmony. These plants have vibrant orange or red flowers and can tolerate dry conditions. They thrive in full sun and dry soil. They should be planted in the spring or fall to bloom in September and October.

USDA Hardiness Zones: 4 through 10

Virginia Creeper (Parthenocissus quinquefolia)

“Virginia Creeper is a vine plant that features beautiful red foliage in the fall. It’s low-maintenance and can tolerate a variety of soil conditions,” says Nevada gardener Steven Harriman. Virginia Creeper should be planted in the spring or fall to bloom in early autumn.

USDA Hardiness Zones: 3 through 9

Autumn Joy (Herbstfreude)

Pink flowers — Monica Photo/GETTY IMAGES

Autumn Joy performs well on the West Coast, including California, Oregon, and Washington. With their mild coastal climates, many areas on the West Coast experience a long growing season, allowing Autumn Joy to continue blooming into the fall, says Brock Ingham, the owner of Bigger Garden. Plant them in full sun areas in spring for an early autumn bloom.

USDA Hardiness Zones: 3 through 9

Coneflower (Echinacea)

Echinacea flowers — Mieneke Andeweg-van Rijn

This native wildflower boasts large, daisy-like flowers in captivating purple, pink, and yellow shades. “With its remarkable resilience to both drought and low-maintenance requirements, Coneflowers are perfect for gardens in hot, dry climates. Ensure planting in areas with full sun exposure and well-drained soil for optimal growth,” says Alabama gardening consultant Diana Cox.

USDA Hardiness Zones: 2 through 11

Black-Eyed Susan (Rudbeckia hirta)

Yellow flowers — Steve Cicero/GETTY IMAGES

“A well-known native wildflower, the Black-eyed Susan features bright yellow petals with charming dark brown centers. These beauties are not only drought-tolerant and low-maintenance but also attract an array of butterflies and other pollinators,” Cox says. Plant Black-Eyed Susans in areas with full sun exposure and well-drained soil to experience their full splendor.

USDA Hardiness Zones: 3 through 11

Cardinal Flower (Lobelia cardinalis)

\You can add a splash of red to your autumn with Cardinal Flower, says Anna Ohler, owner of Bright Lane Gardens Nursery in Michigan. These crimson perennial flowers bloom from late summer to early fall. They thrive on plenty of water and grow naturally along streambeds and riverbeds. In addition to the natural red variety, there are cultivars with white and rose-pink flowers. Plant cardinal flowers in spring or fall and keep them moist year-round.

USDA Hardiness Zones: 3 through 9

Tickseed (Coreopsis)

Tickseed is much more beautiful than their name implies, Ohler says, with stunning yellow daisy-like flowers that bloom from summer through fall. These low-maintenance plants come in over 80 varieties with varying foliage. They thrive in full sun and bloom in a variety of soil conditions. Plant your Tickseeds in spring to early fall in well-drained soil.

USDA Hardiness Zones: 2 through 10

Goldenrod (Solidago)

“Goldenrods boast captivating bright yellow flowers that bloom from late summer to early fall,” Cox says. “Their resilience to drought and low-maintenance nature make them ideal choices for any garden.” These perennials attract butterflies and pollinators. Grow Goldenrods in areas with full sun and well-drained soil, Cox advises. Plant them in spring or early summer to bloom in late summer through October.

USDA Hardiness Zones: 2 through 8

Joe Pye Weed (Eutrochium purpureum)

Joe Pye Weed is another native plant Ohler recommends. These hardy, elegant perennials have bright purple or pink flowers that bloom from late summer to early fall. Joe Pye Weed grows best in full sun or partial shade and is best to plant from potted nursery plants in the spring.

USDA Hardiness Zones: 4 through 9

Sweet Black-Eyed Susan (Rudbeckia tomentosa)

Rudbeckia flowers — Elena Petrachkova/GETTY IMAGES

“This classic summer-blooming plant is great for beginners because it is so easy to care for,” says Karen Musgrave, a New York State Certified Nursery and Landscape Professional and marketing associate for Hicks Nurseries. “It produces golden yellow flowers from summer through fall.” The Sweet Black-Eyed Susan grows 3 to 6 feet tall and requires well-drained soil and sun to light shade. Plant it in the spring, and it will rebloom in your garden for many summers and falls to come.

USDA Hardiness Zones: 4 through 8

New England Aster (Symphyotrichum novae-angliae)

New England Aster offers vibrant splashes of color, with purple or pinkish daisy-like flowers that bloom in late summer and early autumn. These perennials attract butterflies and prefer full to partial sun. Plant them in early spring or late summer for a brilliant bloom in September and October.

USDA Hardiness Zones: 4 through 8

Phlox Laura (Phlox paniculata)

Garden Phlox (Phlox paniculata) — R.Tsubin / Getty Images

A showy, fragrant flower, the Phlox Laura attracts butterflies, birds, and pollinators. The word "phlox" is Greek for flame, and the flowers on the Laura resemble bursting flames with a white center and color exploding outward. The blooms on the Laura come in a variety of colors, including purple, pink, red, blue, and white. They do best in full sunlight and medium-moisture soil. Phlox Lauras are prone to powdery mildew, so it's best to trim them to the ground once their blooming season is over.

USDA Hardiness Zones: 4 through 8

Sneezeweed (Helenium autumnale)

With flowers that look like sunbursts, the common sneezeweed is sure to perk up any autumn garden. They can grow three to four feet tall and between a foot and two feet wide, so you may need to plant stakes to help prop them up. They do best in full to dappled sun and moist, neutral soil and grow in red, orange, yellow, copper, and brown blooms.

USDA Hardiness Zones: 3a through 8b

Balloon Flower (Platycodon grandiflorus)

Balloon Flowers (Platycodon grandiflorus) — Daisuke Oka / Getty Images

The name "balloon flower" originates from the appearance of its unopened buds, which resemble hot air balloons. As they become more ready to bloom, the buds get puffier and seem to pop when they open. They do well in full or dappled sun and well-draining soil, and their blooms are pink, white, or a stunning lavender-blue.

USDA Hardiness Zones: 3a through 8b

Wild Bergamot (Monarda fistulosa) or Bee Balms

“This clumping monarda produces really interesting, non-traditional flowers that bloom late summer until fall,” Musgrave says. She explains that the purple or red flowers attract pollinators such as bees, hummingbirds, and butterflies. Wild Bergamot grows best in sunny locations with more dry than wet soil. The perennial is deer and drought-resistant, grows three to four feet tall, and will come back year after year. Plant your wild Bergamot seeds in spring or summer for a fall bloom.

USDA Hardiness Zones: 3 through 9

Boltonia (Boltonia asteroides)

Hoverfly on Boltonia Asteroides — Carole Cote / Getty Images

Also known as "false chamomile," Boltonia usually grows in the Eastern U.S. and is part of the daisy family—which is obvious if you've ever gotten a peek at the white and yellow flowers! They're on the bushy side and can grow up to four feet in diameter. Boltonia does well in full sun and well-drained soil, and they don't just produce white blooms; their flowers can also be pink or purple.

USDA Hardiness Zones: 3 through 10

Bengal Tiger Canna Lily (Canna americanallis)

Beautiful vibrant coloured Cannas - Canna Lily orange flowers — Jacky Parker Photography / Getty Images

Often called arrowroot, Bengal canna lilies have yellow and green striped leaves and a flower that's usually a shade of orange (red, orange, peach, pink, yellow, or variegated). They're showy flowers that grow up to eight feet tall and six feet wide, and people often plant them as hedges or property borders. Cannas thrive in rich, moist soil and full sun to dappled shade.

USDA Hardiness Zones: 8a through 11b

Dahlia

While they are stunning flowers, dahlias are poisonous to pets and other animals, so you should avoid them if you have dogs or other pets in your yard. They blossom in a wide array of colors, spanning the full spectrum of the rainbow, and grow as perennials in warm environments and annuals in others. If you're going to plant dahlias, be sure to do it in an area with full sun and loamy, well-draining soil.

USDA Hardiness Zones: 8 through 10

Bluebeard (Caryopteris x clandonensis)

Bluebeard flower — ffaber53/Getty Images

Also known as the blue mist shrub, Bluebeard is a low, mounding plant that produces brilliant blue flowers and attracts bumblebees and butterflies by the swarm. Cut it back in the late winter/early spring to maintain its shape and prevent any diseased or dying parts from spreading. This plant thrives in full sun and loose, well-drained soil.

USDA Hardiness Zones: 6a through 9b

Blanket Flower (Gaillardia aristata)

Close-up image of the Vibrant Gaillardia red and yellow flower also known as the Blanket Flower — Jacky Parker Photography / Getty Images

Part of the sunflower family, blanket flowers resemble daisies in shape but bloom with yellow tips surrounding a red base and look like flames. They don't live for very long, but they do grow quite fast, which is how they got their name—they tend to "blanket" an area. Blanket flowers thrive in hot, dry conditions, and are slightly toxic, so be mindful of where you plant them if you have pets or wildlife around.

USDA Hardiness Zones: 3a through 8b

Blue Pitcher Sage (Salvia azurea)

Another flower that bees and butterflies adore, blue sage grows between three and five feet tall and produces azure-colored flowers. To help blue sage thrive, cut it back by half in the late spring—the stems tend to bend with the weight of the flowers. Blue sage does best in full sun to dappled shade and sandy, well-draining soil.

USDA Hardiness Zones: 5a through 9b

Turtlehead (Chelone lyonii)

flowering rose turtlehead (Chelone obliqua) — Justus de Cuveland / Getty Images

This flower's native area is streams in Southern Appalachia, though it is easily adaptable to home gardens. Resembling snapdragons, the deep pink, gold, or purple flowers usually appear near the end of summer and cluster at the top of the stem. Turtleheads do well in damp conditions and partial shade and prefer cooler weather.

USDA Hardiness Zones: 3a through 8b

Japanese Anemone (Anemone x hybrida)

The Japanese anemone or Thimbleflower is an herbaceous perennial in the buttercup family that can grow up to three feet tall. Its unique blooms have five white or pink petals surrounding yellow stamens in the center, and they may need stakes to prevent them from flopping over. Japanese anemones do best in full sun and partial shade and need well-drained, fertile soil to thrive.

USDA Hardiness Zones: 4a through 8b

Sweet Autumn Clematis (Clematis paniculata)

Autumn Clematis, Clematis terniflora — Judy Darby / Getty Images

Though its flower is exquisite, Sweet Autumn Clematis grows quickly and aggressively and is considered an invasive species in parts of the U.S. Its white blooms are fragrant and sweet, and songbirds often use the stems as a nesting home. They do well in moist, well-draining soil and full to partial sun.

USDA Hardiness Zones: 3a through 8b

Mums (Chrysanthemum)

Nature: Chrysanthemum — shunyufan / Getty Images

Mums tend to pop up everywhere in the fall, and for good reason—their robust, striking flowers come in a wide variety of colors, including pink, yellow, white, orange, red, and purple. They can grow up to four feet tall in the wild and come in a range of varieties from hardy to exhibition quality. In gardens, plant them in full or partial sun in an area with well-draining soil.

USDA Hardiness Zones: 3a through 9b

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