September often feels like the gentle closing of summer’s curtain. The air cools, daylight softens, and your garden begins its slow retreat from the riot of colors it displayed just weeks ago. But for savvy gardeners, this is not the time to pack away tools—it’s a prime planting season.
Planting perennials in September allows roots to establish before winter’s chill sets in, ensuring a healthier, more vigorous bloom when spring and summer arrive. The soil is still warm, the sun is kinder, and autumn rains help plants settle in naturally.
So, which perennials should you give a home to this September? Let’s explore fifteen resilient, beautiful, and rewarding options that will bring your garden to life year after year.
1. Peonies – The Spring Showstoppers
Peonies may not bloom in autumn, but planting them now sets the stage for a dazzling spring display. With their large, fragrant blossoms and lush foliage, they’re garden royalty.
Planting Tip: Place peony roots shallowly, with “eyes” facing upward, and give them full sun for best results.
2. Coneflowers (Echinacea) – Pollinator Magnets
Sturdy, drought-tolerant, and endlessly charming, coneflowers are a September planting favorite. Bees and butterflies adore them, and their seed heads provide food for birds through winter.
Why September? Cooler weather minimizes transplant shock, and plants focus on root growth instead of flowers.
3. Hostas – The Shade Garden’s Best Friend
If you have shady spots, hostas bring texture and beauty with their lush leaves in a variety of greens, blues, and variegated patterns.
Care Tip: Water well during dry autumn weeks to help roots settle before the ground freezes.
4. Black-eyed Susans (Rudbeckia) – Bold Late Bloomers
These cheerful, golden-petaled flowers thrive in sunny spots and often bloom into autumn, even after planting in September.
Bonus: They self-seed, creating even more blooms for future seasons.
5. Daylilies – The Low-Maintenance Wonders
Tough, adaptable, and available in countless colors, daylilies reward you with effortless beauty.
September Advantage: Cooler weather encourages root establishment for an even stronger display next summer.
6. Lupines – Cottage Garden Classics
With tall spires of blue, pink, purple, and white, lupines bring vertical drama to your flower beds.
Pro Tip: They love well-drained soil, so avoid overly wet spots.
7. Sedum (Stonecrop) – Autumn’s Star
Sedum thrives in poor soil and dry conditions, making it a low-maintenance gem. Many varieties bloom late, adding bursts of color just when your garden needs them.
Why Now? Root systems grow quickly in September’s mild temperatures, ensuring a lush display next year.
8. Shasta Daisies – Cheerful and Reliable
Shasta daisies add brightness to any border, and planting them in September means you’ll be greeted with a sea of white blooms next summer.
Planting Tip: Deadhead faded flowers in their blooming season to encourage more blooms.
9. Coral Bells (Heuchera) – Foliage that Steals the Show
While their delicate flowers are lovely, coral bells are best known for their vibrant leaves in shades of deep purple, bronze, lime green, and even peach.
Why September Works: Their roots establish quickly, and the cooler weather enhances foliage color.
10. Bee Balm (Monarda) – A Hummingbird Favorite
Bee balm’s bright red, pink, or purple blooms are irresistible to hummingbirds and bees.
September Benefit: By planting now, you’ll encourage healthier, bushier plants in the coming year.
11. Phlox – Sweetly Scented Blooms
Garden phlox offers clusters of fragrant flowers that last for weeks in summer.
Tip: Plant in well-drained, fertile soil and provide good air circulation to prevent mildew.
12. Russian Sage – Wispy, Silvery Beauty
This tall perennial produces airy spikes of lavender-blue flowers, perfect for adding texture to your garden.
September Planting Perk: Roots settle in before frost, leading to stronger growth and fuller blooms next year.
13. Yarrow – The Drought-Tolerant Healer
With flat-topped clusters of flowers in yellow, pink, or white, yarrow is as tough as it is beautiful.
Why Plant Now? Yarrow grows strong roots in fall, ensuring an early summer bloom and a plant that can handle even poor soil.
14. Japanese Anemones – Late Season Elegance
These delicate, pastel blooms appear in late summer and early fall, dancing in the breeze on tall, graceful stems.
Pro Tip: Plant in part shade and keep the soil consistently moist for best results.
15. Lavender – Fragrance and Function
Lavender not only perfumes your garden but also attracts pollinators and deters pests.
September Advantage: Cool conditions reduce transplant stress, and plants can still establish before winter.
How to Give Your September Perennials the Best Start
1. Choose the Right Spot
Match each plant’s sunlight, soil, and moisture needs to its planting location.
2. Prepare the Soil
Loosen the soil, remove weeds, and add compost to boost nutrients.
3. Plant at the Right Depth
Follow specific depth guidelines for each perennial to avoid rot or poor growth.
4. Water Well
Deep watering after planting helps settle the soil and hydrate roots.
5. Mulch for Protection
A light layer of mulch keeps moisture in and protects roots from sudden temperature changes.