Favorite Fall Perennials

Remember how I said I believe anyone can be a gardener? Well it’s true! These favorite fall perennials (they come back year after year) are a great place to start if you’re new to gardening. They are favorites because they are hardy, beautiful, and easy to grow in most growing zones.

Asters

Asters are some of the best fall perennials. They have beautiful purple and yellow flowers and provide some needed color in the fall when other plants are turning golden and red. The bees and butterflies love them too which is a great bonus. I love growing flowers that the good bugs and insects benefit from. They can do well with full or partial sun so they are a good versatile plant. I just barely planted some right outside my chicken coop this year. I can’t wait unit next year when I can enjoy their blooms from summer into fall and they’re more established.

Sedum

Sedum is a succulent which really means they have more of a waxy leaf than other plants. They are very low maintenance and can tolerate different soil types. Some can spread however so keep that in mind when choosing a location. Autumn Fire & Autumn Joy Sedum is a tall perennial that has beautiful red, pink or white flowers on top. They like a lot of sun and don’t need a lot of water. This plant is also called Stonecrop. The bees and butterflies also like them and their seed heads provide food for the birds in the winter. They’re a great addition to any garden or landscape.

Goldenrod

This plant has bright yellow flowers that attracts pollinators. It also goes by Solidago. If you deadhead the flowers (snip or pinch off the dead ones), it will have extra blooms that carry you into the fall. It is native to North America and is found in meadows and in nature. Goldenrod has medicinal properties as well but be sure to look those up before ingesting. It is easy to grow in full sun and tolerate different kinds of drier soil. It can spread easily so watch out for that in your garden.

Russian Sage

Russian Sage is a light purplish perennial that has spiky flowers. It can get rather large so keep that in mind. It is drought tolerant meaning it doesn’t need a lot of water. It starts blooming in the summer but will keep its flowers through the fall. It’s a great plant to add height and texture to your gardener landscape.

Echinacea or Coneflower

This might be one of my favorite perennials this year. I have been collecting colors I find at the stores and can’t wait until next year when I can see them all established. They’re really easy to grow and maintain and like full or partial sun. The purple color is the most popular but this year I found a deep coral one, a red one, white ones, and somehow a yellow one emerged this year that I don’t remember planting. They bloom in the summer and keep going through the fall. Their seeds provide food for birds in the winter and can also be used for medicinal purposes as well. Coneflowers do best when watered from the base of the plant and not on the leaves. This helps them stay free of mold and disease.

Purchasing Fall Perennials

A lot of my favorite fall perennials have been clearance plants at the big box stores. This is a great way to start gardening and save money at the same time. I look for perennials with green still on it or buds that look like new growth. In my small(ish) town we have Home Depot and Walmart but Lowes is my favorite for finding good clearance plants. Fall is the best time to get these great deals because the stores are trying to sell of their inventory before it gets too cold. Local nurserys are also great places to look. Their plants are usually better cared for and are generally healthier. Happy Planting!