New York gardens don’t have to fade when autumn arrives—some plants are just getting started. These 15 bloomers keep the season alive with rich, lasting color.
I’ve grown a few myself, and they never fail to brighten up chilly days. Plant them this fall and enjoy a garden that stays vibrant right through the season.
1. Chrysanthemums
Nothing says autumn in New York quite like these classic fall favorites. Available in countless colors from bronze to deep purple, mums create instant impact in borders and containers.
They’re remarkably cold-tolerant and can survive light frosts. Plant them in well-draining soil where they’ll receive at least six hours of sunlight daily for the best show of blooms.
2. Asters
Star-shaped blooms in purples, pinks, and whites light up the New York autumn landscape from September until frost. These native perennials attract countless butterflies and bees with their nectar-rich centers.
Hardy and low-maintenance, asters prefer sunny spots but tolerate partial shade. They pair beautifully with ornamental grasses and goldenrod for a classic fall garden combination.
3. Japanese Anemone
Elegant dancers in the autumn breeze, these graceful plants produce pink or white flowers on tall, wiry stems. They begin blooming in late summer and continue well into fall across New York state.
Unlike many fall bloomers, Japanese anemones appreciate afternoon shade. Their ability to thrive in partial shade makes them perfect for woodland garden edges where they’ll gradually form impressive clumps.
4. Sedum
Drought-tolerant and virtually indestructible, sedums are perfect for busy New York gardeners. Their fleshy leaves provide interest all season before flat clusters of tiny star-shaped flowers appear in late summer.
The flower heads start green, then mature to pink or rusty red. Left standing through winter, they catch frost and snow, creating beautiful seasonal interest long after other plants have faded.
5. Toad Lily
Exotic-looking orchid-like blooms speckled with purple dots make toad lilies a conversation starter in New York shade gardens. These unusual perennials bloom just when most shade plants are finishing their show.
Perfectly suited to woodland settings, they appreciate rich, moist soil and protection from hot afternoon sun. Plant them where their intricate flowers can be appreciated up close along garden paths.
6. Goldenrod
Often mistakenly blamed for hay fever, these native beauties are actually insect-pollinated and won’t aggravate allergies. Their bright yellow plumes create dramatic sweeps of color in New York’s autumn landscape.
Goldenrod supports over 100 butterfly and moth species. The cultivated varieties are well-behaved garden plants, not the aggressive roadside types, and combine wonderfully with purple asters for a classic fall pairing.
7. Russian Sage
Clouds of lavender-blue flowers hover above silvery foliage, creating a misty effect in New York autumn gardens. This drought-tolerant perennial keeps blooming well into fall when many other plants have finished.
The aromatic foliage deters deer and rabbits, making it perfect for problem areas. Plant it where afternoon sun will backlight its airy structure, creating a gorgeous glowing effect in your fall garden.
8. Helenium
Commonly called sneezeweed (though it doesn’t cause sneezing), these daisy-like flowers bring fiery autumn colors to New York gardens. Their red, orange, and yellow blooms on tall stems dance above late-season foliage.
Butterflies adore helenium’s flat landing pad flowers. Plant these native perennials in full sun with adequate moisture, and deadhead spent blooms to extend their flowering period well into October.
9. Caryopteris
Known as bluebeard, this woody perennial bursts with true-blue flowers when most New York gardens are dominated by autumn yellows and oranges. The blue-purple blooms are irresistible to bees and butterflies.
Silver-gray foliage provides contrast even before flowering begins. Drought-tolerant once established, caryopteris performs beautifully in sunny borders and thrives in the variable conditions of New York’s changing seasons.
10. Autumn Crocus
Magical and unexpected, these bulbs send up leafless flowers in September and October, surprising New York gardeners with their sudden appearance. Unlike spring crocus, the leaves emerge in spring, then disappear before the fall blooms.
Plant these bulbs in summer for same-season flowers. They naturalize beautifully under deciduous trees where their pink, purple, or white goblet-shaped blooms create carpets of color against fallen leaves.
11. Joe-Pye Weed
Despite its humble name, this native plant creates majestic height in New York fall gardens. Huge dome-shaped clusters of tiny mauve flowers top stems that can reach six feet tall in late summer through fall.
Butterflies flock to these blooms in droves. Though it loves moisture, Joe-Pye weed adapts to average garden conditions and forms impressive clumps that become living landmarks in the autumn landscape.
12. Turtlehead
Aptly named for their turtle-head shaped flowers, these native perennials bloom reliably in New York gardens from August through October. The pink or white blooms appear on upright stems above glossy dark green foliage.
Unlike many fall bloomers, turtlehead thrives in partial shade and moist conditions. They’re perfect for rain gardens or stream edges and attract specialized native pollinators that have evolved to access their unique flowers.
13. Japanese Forest Grass
While not technically a flowering plant, this ornamental grass reaches peak color in autumn throughout New York gardens. Its arching, variegated foliage turns stunning shades of gold and burgundy as temperatures drop.
The cascading form creates movement in fall borders. It thrives in partial shade where many other grasses struggle and combines beautifully with late-blooming perennials like toad lilies for striking textural contrast.
14. Monkshood
Hooded blue-purple flowers give this plant its common name and provide dramatic late-season color in New York gardens. Blooming from September until frost, monkshood thrives where many other perennials struggle.
Tolerant of shade and deer-resistant, it’s perfect for woodland garden edges. All parts are poisonous, so wear gloves when handling, but this quality means pests leave it completely alone, ensuring pristine autumn blooms.
15. Witch Hazel
Saving the most unusual for last, fall-blooming witch hazels surprise New York gardeners with spidery yellow flowers just as leaves drop. The fragrant blooms appear on bare branches, often lasting into December.
Before flowering, the leaves turn brilliant gold and orange. These small trees or large shrubs need little maintenance once established and provide three-season interest with their distinctive branching pattern, fall color, and late blooms.