Many perennials give good color into mid-fall. Below are twelve of our favorite perennials for interest in August- October!

Aster: A compact, rounded cultivar small enough for containers and small gardens; the fragrant periwinkle-blue flowers are showy and plentiful; attracts butterflies and hummingbirds to your garden

Beardtongue: Husker Red Beard Tongue has masses of beautiful spikes of white tubular flowers rising above the foliage from early to mid-summer, which are most effective when planted in groupings. The flowers are excellent for cutting. Its attractive narrow leaves emerge burgundy in spring, turning dark green in color with distinctive deep purple edges throughout the season. The deep purple stems are very colorful and add to the overall interest of the plant.

Bee Balm: Coral pink flowers with dark brown buttons over lush dark green foliage that has an excellent resistance to powdery mildew; a fascinating addition to the summer garden; attracts pollinators

Black Eyed Susan: This vigorous variety produces large, 3" wide, golden-yellow daisies with dark brown eyes; deadhead for re-blooming; drought tolerant once established; wonderful along borders or in containers

Chrysanthemums (perennial varieties): Herbaceous perennials that can be tricked into flowering in fall by pinching by their stems in early July. Love full sun and deer-resistant

Coneflower: A perfect choice for planting in groups, along border edges, or in containers; great for flower arrangements, attracts pollinators

Coral Bells: Dainty spikes of ivory white bells rise from a compact mound of brightly colored foliage; amazing contrast to other plants, great versatility; keep soil moist in the heat of summer and keep in part sun or shade locations

Coreopsis: The flowers are excellent for cutting. Its ferny leaves remain emerald green in color throughout the season. Tolerant of pests and drier soils; thriving in sandy and rocky areas; visually stunning in patio containers or along border edges. It is a good choice for attracting butterflies to your yard, but is not particularly attractive to deer who tend to leave it alone in favor of tastier treats

Echibeckia: An intergeneric cross featuring the appearance of Rudbeckia, with the hardiness of Echinacea; has a long blooming season; excellent for borders or containers; high disease resistance

Mexican Blanket Flower: A stunning perennial that is full of blooms from summer until mid-fall; prefers moist, rich sites but will adapt to dry sites; deadhead to promote re-blooming; good for naturalizing; great cut flower

Perennial Salvia: This perennial has masses of beautiful spikes of indigo flowers which are most effective when planted in groupings. The flowers are excellent for cutting. Its fragrant narrow leaves remain green in color throughout the season. The purple stems are very colorful and add to the overall interest of the plant

Stonecrop: A highly desirable and popular perennial, forming a dense mound completely covered in broccoli-like salmon-pink flowers that fade to red in early fall, succulent dusty-green foliage is prominent the rest of the season; needs a dry and sunny location

This non-exhaustive list gives several options for perennial blooms in late summer to fall. Please ask us any questions at the garden center; we hope to see you soon, picking up some of these beauties for your own garden!