Incorporate late summer flowers into your garden plans to maintain a vibrant display of blooms as fall approaches.
As the summer progresses, gardens can begin to lose their charm when early blooms fade. By adding resilient late summer flowers that thrive in warm weather, you can ensure your garden stays colorful and lively.
Planning for late summer flowers should start early. Whether starting from seeds or bulbs, they require sufficient time to establish before blooming.
Best Late Summer Flowers to Plant
There’s a stunning variety of late summer flowers to choose from.
“Including dependable perennials is an excellent way to begin,” suggests a horticulturist. “These plants will bloom throughout summer, and with a bit of maintenance like deadheading, they’ll last into fall. Remember to stake taller perennials to prevent them from toppling over in the wind.”
Here’s a selection of must-have blooms recommended by gardening experts.
1. Canna Lily
Canna lilies are fantastic for late summer flair, and their striking foliage is attractive even before the flowers appear. Since they aren’t frost-resistant, they need winter protection, explains a notable garden designer.
These tender perennials bring vibrant colors to borders or container gardens. Ensure they’re well-watered during dry spells, and deadhead to promote continued blooming.
They’re perfect if you're aiming for a tropical garden vibe.
2. Penstemon
Penstemon flowers are among the longest-lasting and most reliable perennials. With a variety of colors available, these flowers thrive in sunny, well-drained soil. Cut them back after frosts to encourage regrowth, advises the garden designer.
By dividing plants, you can increase your collection of these popular perennials.
3. Rudbeckia fulgida var. ‘Goldsturm’
Rudbeckias are late bloomers that add bright yellow to your garden. These hardy flowers attract bees and thrive in various conditions, making them a great addition to any garden, says a professional garden designer.
They flourish in sunny or partially shaded areas with fertile, moisture-retaining soil.
4. Jacob's Ladder – Polemonium caeruleum
Polemonium caeruleum, known as Jacob’s Ladder, offers stunning blue flowers that contrast beautifully in borders. This fuss-free plant thrives in various soils and can be grown from seed, producing blooms by its second year.
It prefers sunny to partially shaded locations with well-drained, moist soil and can flower from spring to late summer.
5. Pot Marigold – Calendula officinalis
Pot marigolds are not only vibrant but also beneficial for companion planting with vegetables. Their aroma helps deter pests, making them ideal near tomatoes, according to a garden writer.
This fast-growing annual or biennial blooms until the first frosts, so knowing when to plant marigolds is crucial for a long-lasting display.
6. Borage
Borage is a charming star flower that naturalizes easily and is great for kitchen gardens, attracting pollinators. Its flowers are edible, adding a refreshing flavor to salads and beverages, notes a garden expert.
Sow directly in spring, as they dislike root disturbance.
7. Cosmos
Cosmos produces an abundance of large, pink daisy-like blooms and can reach up to 1 meter in height. Once you learn how to grow cosmos, you’ll appreciate these cheerful annuals. Remember to deadhead for more flowers while allowing some to self-seed.
8. Annual Mallow – Malope trifida ‘Vulcan’
Malope offers striking magenta flowers, easily grown from seed with minimal effort. A hardy annual, it thrives in full sun and requires moist, well-drained soil. Picking some blooms encourages more to grow.
This flower will keep blooming into fall.
9. Dahlias
Understanding how to grow dahlias is essential due to their diverse varieties, which can be combined for stunning contrasts. Dahlia 'Thomas Edison' stands out with its vibrant magenta blooms, making it a fantastic cut flower, says a well-known garden designer.
Regular deadheading is key to prolonging their flowering period.
10. Anthemis 'Tetworth'
Anthemis produces daisy-like flowers throughout summer, serving well as an edging plant that supports neighboring plants, explains a garden designer.
This upright plant thrives in full sun and well-drained soil, making it a valuable addition to any garden.
11. Astrantia
Astrantia is celebrated for its many varieties. Astrantia ‘Large White’ is a resilient grower with attractive flowers from June to September. It benefits from deadheading to encourage further blooms, notes a prominent garden designer.
These flowers thrive in moisture-retentive soil and light shade.
12. Mexican Sunflower – Tithonia rotundifolia ‘Red Torch’
The Mexican sunflower grows up to 3 to 4 feet tall, producing large, vibrant orange-scarlet flowers from July to October. It flourishes in full sun, making it a versatile choice for various garden styles.
13. Agastache ‘Black Adder’
This hardy perennial produces edible flowers and thrives in various soil types. It’s a favorite among bees and butterflies, making it a great addition to any garden, according to a landscape architect.
Plant it in well-drained soil with plenty of sunshine.
14. Milk Parsley – Selinum wallichianum
With lovely starry flowers atop fern-like foliage, milk parsley is a delightful addition to any border. It attracts bees and thrives in full sun, blooming from mid-summer to fall.
15. Salvia 'Blue Monday'
Salvias are fantastic foliage plants that complement more vibrant blooms like dahlias and cosmos. Salvia viridis ‘Blue Monday’ is colorful and useful for edging paths, according to a plantswoman.
They’re easy to grow from seeds or direct sow for quick blooms.
16. Turkish Sage – Phlomis russeliana
This sage features cheerful yellow flowers and spreads to create a lush clump of soft leaves. It’s important to manage its growth to prevent invasiveness, advises a garden designer.
The soft colors blend well with many planting schemes, and the dried flower heads add winter interest.
What Flowers Thrive in Late Summer and Early Fall?
Many flowers shine during late summer and early fall. A horticulturist highlights favorites like coneflower, sunflowers, and sedum for their vibrant displays.
Which Flowers Last the Longest in Summer?
Geranium ‘Rozanne’ is noted for its long-lasting blooms, along with many late summer flowers mentioned above. These include milk parsley, borage, and Turkish sage.
