3 plants with beautiful autumn blooms

Who says flowers only bloom till the end of summer? These three stunners will keep your garden blossoming until late fall.

1. Russian Sage (Perovskia atriplicifolia)
This late blooming perennial is as popular with pollinators as it is with people. Known for its lacy spikes of purple flowers and silvery green leaves, this plant will bloom from mid July to well into the fall. It grows to be very tall, so don’t plant it in front of anything you want to be able to see.

2. Purple Coneflower (Echinacea purpurea)
This type of Echinacea is native to eastern and central North America, making it ideal for attracting local birds and insects. Deadheading, or removing flowers as they fade or die, is necessary if you want to make sure your coneflower continues to bloom through fall.

3. Autumn Joy Stonecrop (Sedum ‘Autumn Joy’)
This plant is unassuming during the summer, but when other flowers are fading away, these ones are just beginning to blossom. Its spiky flowers change color over time, starting out white and gradually turning pink and then copper red.

When planning your fall flowers, make certain that they’ll bloom before the first frost. If you’re unsure what will work in your garden, check with your local nursery.