10 Top Flowers and Perennials You Should Plant This Fall

As someone who loves gardening, I know the excitement of prepping for spring starts long before the snow melts. Fall is the perfect time to lay the groundwork for a flourishing garden.

Planting flowers and perennials now ensures that when spring arrives, your garden is ready to burst into life with minimal effort. These are some of the best flowers and perennials to plant this fall, from the trusty hellebores that peek through the last frost to the cheerful mini daffodils that signal warmer days are coming.

Hellebore

Get a head start on spring with hellebores in your garden. These perennials are among the first to bloom, often showing their diverse range of colors and shapes by February. Whether their flowers face upward or dangle gracefully, hellebores are perfect for signaling the end of winter.

They thrive in full sun and well-drained soil, making them an easy choice for eager gardeners looking to kick off the growing season early.

Mini Daffodil

Mini daffodils are great for a splash of early spring color. Plant them in the fall, and they’ll be among the first flowers to greet you come spring. They’re compact enough to edge borders, fill out rock gardens, or brighten up containers. Plus, these little bulbs will multiply over the years, providing more blooms each season.

They’re also deer-resistant, so you can enjoy their cheerful yellow without any hassle. Put them in a spot with full to partial sun and well-drained soil to ensure they thrive.

Shasta Daisy

Imagine your garden filled with the cheerful faces of Shasta daisies! Planting them in the fall gives their roots a chance to dig deep, making them tough enough to handle less water and tougher conditions.

These bright, white daisies with their sunny yellow centers are not just pretty; they’re practically carefree. Just find them a sunny spot with good drainage, and they’ll happily bloom, bringing a classic charm to your garden every year.

Black-Eyed Susan

For a splash of sunshine that lasts from late spring to fall, consider the Black-eyed Susan. These are the kind of flowers that keep on giving without asking for much in return. Perfect for gardeners who want to enjoy their garden without the fuss, these yellow beauties thrive in full sun and handle most soil types like a champ. Plant them once, and you’ll see why they’re a favorite, lighting up your garden with minimal effort on your part.

Gaillardia Gallo Dark Bicolor

Get ready to see your garden burst into a riot of color next summer with Gaillardia Gallo Dark Bicolor, also known as Blanket Flower. This dynamo of a plant churns out stunning red-and-yellow daisy-like blooms that can handle just about anything the weather throws at them—be it intense heat or dry spells.

Its compact size, only about 10 to 12 inches tall, makes it perfect for smaller spaces. Plant it in a sunny spot with well-draining soil and watch it become a butterfly magnet, while deer and rabbits steer clear.

Garden Phlox Flame Series

This more petite version of the traditional tall phlox grows just 15 to 18 inches but doesn’t skimp on impact, offering a beautiful array of colors from red and coral to purple and white. Blooming from mid to late summer, these plants are also more resistant to mildew than their larger counterparts.

Set them in full sun to light shade in rich, slightly moist soil to keep them thriving. Another reason to love these is their knack for attracting hummingbirds and butterflies.

Russian Sage

Russian Sage, or Perovskia atriplicifolia, is a standout choice for any gardener looking to add a bit of drama and color to their landscape. Its striking silvery foliage and vivid blue-purple flowers create a stunning contrast, especially when paired with evergreen shrubs.

As spring rolls around, you’ll find it easy to manage—simply prune or divide its basal foliage to keep it looking its best. Make sure it’s planted in full sun and well-drained soil to truly thrive and bring those essential pollinators to your garden.

Coreopsis Leading Lady Charlize

Add a burst of sunny yellow to your garden with Coreopsis Leading Lady Charlize. This variety is a real trooper, braving both heat and cold while producing cheerful double flowers that keep coming from summer into fall.

Standing 18 to 24 inches tall, it’s not only a sight for sore eyes but also mildew-resistant and pretty undemanding. Just plant it in full sun and any kind of soil, and watch it grow without a fuss.

Coral Bells

Coral Bells are the perfect pick if you want your garden to keep its color all year round. They come in cool colors like chartreuse, silver, and deep orange. Their leaves stay vibrant even after their flowers fade.

Pop them in a shady spot with good soil, and watch them bring life to those quieter corners of your garden.

Coneflower

Looking for something tough but beautiful for your garden? Coneflower is your go-to. This plant is super low-maintenance and drought-resistant. Plant them this fall, and by next summer, they’ll be all set to attract butterflies and bees.

Plus, if you leave the dried seed heads over winter, they’ll feed the birds and even self-seed—giving you new blooms with zero effort.