September is the perfect month to get your Michigan garden ready for next year. Planting hardy perennials now gives them a head start before winter arrives.
With the right choices, your garden can be full of life and color come spring. Let’s explore some perennials that will thrive in Michigan’s fall conditions!
1. Coneflower
Native to Michigan’s prairies, these cheerful blooms attract butterflies all season long. Their distinctive cone-shaped centers stand tall through winter, providing visual interest and food for birds.
Michigan gardeners love coneflowers for their drought tolerance once established. They’ll flourish in sunny spots with minimal care, making them perfect for busy homeowners wanting reliable color year after year.
2. Sedum
Low-growing varieties create perfect ground covers in tough spots where other plants struggle. Their succulent leaves store water, making them incredibly drought-resistant throughout Michigan’s variable weather patterns.
Tall sedums like ‘Autumn Joy’ produce spectacular late-season blooms that transform from pink to copper. Michigan winters don’t faze these tough plants – they’ll return reliably each spring with minimal attention.
3. Black-Eyed Susan
Sunny golden petals surrounding dark centers brighten any Michigan landscape from midsummer through fall. These native wildflowers establish quickly when planted in September’s cooler soil.
Michigan gardeners appreciate their resilience during both drought and cold winters. Birds flock to the seed heads during winter months, adding wildlife interest to your garden even after blooming has finished.
4. Baptisia
False indigo develops a dramatic presence with its shrub-like habit and spires of blue, purple, or yellow flowers. The blue-green foliage looks fresh all season in Michigan gardens, even after blooming finishes in early summer.
Michigan’s cold winters actually help this prairie native thrive. Once established, its deep taproot makes it incredibly drought-tolerant and long-lived – plants can survive for decades with virtually no maintenance.
5. Daylily
Virtually indestructible, these reliable bloomers shrug off Michigan’s temperature swings with ease. Their strappy foliage forms attractive clumps that suppress weeds while their flowers bloom for weeks in summer.
Fall planting gives daylilies time to establish before Michigan’s winter arrives. With thousands of varieties available, Michigan gardeners can find colors ranging from subtle pastels to vibrant reds and purples to suit any landscape design.
6. Aster
Late-season stars that burst into bloom just when other flowers fade. Their daisy-like flowers in purples, pinks, and blues provide crucial nectar for migrating butterflies passing through Michigan in autumn.
Michigan’s native aster varieties are particularly well-adapted to local conditions. Plant in September for strongest establishment, and you’ll enjoy their reliable performance year after year in sunny to partially shaded spots.
7. Peony
Fall is actually the ideal time to plant these Michigan garden classics. Their extravagant spring blooms in white, pink, or red become more prolific each year as plants mature in your garden.
Michigan’s cold winters provide the chill period peonies need to bloom their best. With proper planting (not too deep!), these heirloom beauties will thrive for decades, potentially outliving the gardener who plants them.
8. Catmint
Clouds of lavender-blue flowers hover above aromatic gray-green foliage from late spring through summer. Trim back after first bloom and Michigan gardeners will enjoy a second flush of flowers in early fall.
Deer and rabbits typically avoid this drought-tolerant perennial, making it perfect for problem areas in Michigan landscapes. Its neat mounding habit works beautifully along pathways or softening the edges of Michigan garden beds.
9. Ornamental Grasses
Graceful movement and winter interest make these structural plants essential in modern Michigan gardens. September planting allows their roots to establish before winter, ensuring strong growth next spring.
Michigan’s native prairie grasses like little bluestem develop spectacular fall color. Their seed heads catch morning frost, creating magical winter scenes that persist until spring’s new growth begins to emerge.
10. Bleeding Heart
Heart-shaped blooms dangle from arching stems in spring, creating woodland magic in shady Michigan gardens. Their fernlike foliage provides beautiful texture even after flowering finishes in early summer.
Michigan’s climate is ideal for these shade-loving perennials. Plant in September to give roots time to establish before winter, and they’ll return reliably each spring, gradually forming impressive clumps that can be divided to share.
11. Iris
September is perfect for planting these classic beauties in Michigan gardens. Bearded varieties display ruffled blooms in virtually every color imaginable, while native blue flag iris thrives in moist areas.
Michigan winters provide the chill period iris rhizomes need for best flowering. Plant with the top of the rhizome exposed to prevent rot, and these easy-care perennials will reward Michigan gardeners with decades of spring blooms.
12. Russian Sage
Airy spires of lavender-blue flowers float above silvery foliage, creating a dreamy effect from midsummer through fall. Michigan’s hot summers intensify both the color and the aromatic sage scent of this drought-tolerant beauty.
Michigan winters rarely trouble this tough perennial. Its woody stems should be left standing until spring, providing winter interest and protection for the crown during freezing temperatures.
13. Coreopsis
Cheerful daisy-like blooms in gold, yellow, or bicolors brighten Michigan gardens from early summer until frost. Deadheading spent flowers encourages continuous blooming throughout the growing season.
Michigan gardeners appreciate coreopsis for its easy-care nature and resistance to deer browsing. September planting allows roots to establish before winter, ensuring stronger performance during next year’s growing season.
14. Hellebore
Often called Lenten rose, these shade-lovers bloom incredibly early – sometimes while snow still covers Michigan gardens. Their nodding flowers in shades of white, pink, purple, and green persist for months.
Michigan’s cold winters don’t faze these tough evergreen perennials. Plant in September to give them time to establish before the ground freezes, and they’ll reward you with decades of reliable early-season blooms.
15. Yarrow
Flat-topped flower clusters in yellow, white, pink or red hover above ferny, aromatic foliage. Michigan’s native yarrow species have adapted perfectly to local conditions, thriving in even poor, dry soils.
Michigan gardeners value yarrow for its drought tolerance and deer resistance. The flowers dry beautifully for arrangements, and many varieties develop stronger colors in Michigan’s cooler fall temperatures.
16. Dianthus
Sweet fragrance and charming fringed blooms make these cottage garden classics irresistible. Their blue-green foliage remains attractive all season in Michigan gardens, forming neat mounds that suppress weeds.
Michigan’s well-drained soils are perfect for these sun-loving perennials. September planting allows their shallow root systems to establish before winter freezes, ensuring stronger blooming performance next spring and summer.
17. Hosta
Shade garden superstars that thrive in Michigan’s woodland areas. Their varied foliage ranges from tiny to enormous, with colors spanning blue-green, chartreuse, variegated white, and gold.
Michigan’s climate provides the winter chill hostas need to perform their best. September planting gives them time to establish roots before dormancy, resulting in stronger spring growth and more impressive clumps in subsequent years.