Fall gardening in Pennsylvania doesn’t have to mean the same old chrysanthemums year after year. With our state’s diverse growing conditions from Philadelphia to Pittsburgh, gardeners have plenty of options to create stunning autumn displays.
I’ve spent years experimenting with alternatives in my Harrisburg garden, discovering flowers that thrive in our cooling temperatures while offering unique textures and colors that stand up beautifully to our variable fall weather.
1. Asters
Late summer brings these daisy-like blooms to life just as other flowers start fading. In my Chester County garden, they’ve survived early frosts that killed other plants.
Plant in well-drained soil with plenty of organic matter. Pennsylvania’s clay-heavy soils benefit from amendment before planting these perennial beauties.
Pollinators absolutely adore asters, making them ecological powerhouses in autumn when food sources diminish. Their purple, pink and white blooms create perfect contrast against fall foliage.
2. Japanese Anemones
Elegant dancers on tall stems, these flowers bring graceful movement to autumn gardens. My patch near Lancaster sways beautifully during September breezes.
Hardy in Pennsylvania’s climate, they prefer partial shade and consistent moisture. Once established, they spread gently through underground rhizomes, creating naturalized colonies over years.
The delicate pink or white blooms appear fairy-like against autumn’s stronger colors. Plant them where afternoon sun won’t scorch their delicate petals—eastern exposures work wonderfully throughout our Pennsylvania growing zones.
3. Ornamental Kale
Frost actually improves these stunning plants, intensifying their purple, pink and white coloration. After the first cold snap in my Allentown garden, they transform from merely interesting to spectacular.
Growing them requires minimal effort—just rich soil and full sun. Their architectural rosette form provides structure when other plants begin looking ragged.
Unlike flowering plants, ornamental kale offers textural interest rather than blossoms. Their ruffled edges and colorful centers continue looking fresh even after light snow, extending Pennsylvania garden seasons well into November.
4. Toad Lilies
Shade gardens need not be dull in autumn! These speckled, orchid-like blooms thrive in woodland settings typical of Pennsylvania’s mature neighborhoods.
Growing beside my Pittsburgh home’s north wall, toad lilies reliably produce fascinating spotted flowers each September. Their exotic appearance belies their hardiness in our climate.
Plant them where you’ll view them up close—perhaps along a garden path or near a porch. Their intricate patterns deserve appreciation, and they’ll reward Pennsylvania gardeners with reliable blooms when most shade plants have finished for the season.
5. Sedum ‘Autumn Joy’
Drought-tolerant and deer-resistant, these succulents earn their keep in Pennsylvania landscapes. The flat-topped flower clusters transform from pale green to pink to russet as autumn progresses.
My specimens near Gettysburg have survived neglect, poor soil, and punishing summer heat. Their water-storing leaves and stems make them perfect for Pennsylvania’s increasingly unpredictable rainfall patterns.
Bees and butterflies flock to the nectar-rich blooms during September and October. After frost, the dried flower heads provide winter interest and food for small birds—making them true four-season performers.
6. Goldenrod
Unfairly blamed for allergies (that’s actually ragweed’s fault), native goldenrod creates spectacular golden waves in fall gardens. Several compact cultivars work beautifully in organized Pennsylvania landscapes.
Growing wild along my Erie property’s edge, goldenrod requires zero maintenance while supporting dozens of beneficial insect species. The sunny yellow plumes complement autumn’s reds and oranges perfectly.
Consider ‘Fireworks’ or ‘Little Lemon’ varieties if you want more controlled growth. These Pennsylvania natives evolved for our specific conditions, thriving without fertilizer or supplemental water once established.
7. Russian Sage
Silver-gray foliage and lavender-blue flower spikes continue performing well into Pennsylvania’s fall season. The aromatic leaves deter deer—a significant advantage in many suburban and rural gardens throughout the state.
Planted along my driveway in York County, these drought-tolerant perennials withstand reflected heat from asphalt while still looking fresh into October. Their airy texture contrasts beautifully with autumn’s more substantial plants.
Full sun and well-drained soil are essential requirements. Once established, Russian sage tolerates Pennsylvania’s occasional drought periods with remarkable resilience, making it perfect for low-maintenance fall displays.
8. Helenium
Commonly called sneezeweed (though it doesn’t cause sneezing), these native perennials produce daisy-like flowers in rich autumn hues. The copper, gold, and russet blooms perfectly complement Pennsylvania’s changing leaf colors.
My patch in Scranton begins flowering in August and continues into October. Deadheading extends the bloom period, ensuring continuous color throughout fall.
Moist soil and full sun produce the most abundant flowers. Their nectar-rich blooms attract late-season butterflies and bees, supporting Pennsylvania’s native pollinators when many other flowers have finished blooming.
9. Fountain Grass
Graceful plumes catching morning light create magical effects in autumn gardens. The purple-tinged variety ‘Hameln’ has thrived in my Reading landscape for years, requiring minimal care while providing maximum impact.
Plant in full sun and well-drained soil for best results. The feathery seed heads develop beautiful amber tones as Pennsylvania’s temperatures drop, creating movement and sound when autumn breezes stir.
Consider placement carefully—morning backlighting showcases the translucent quality of the plumes. Unlike mums, ornamental grasses maintain their structural integrity throughout winter, extending garden interest well beyond fall.
10. Coneflowers
Long after their summer peak, coneflowers continue offering architectural interest and bird food well into fall. The dried seed heads attract goldfinches to my Bethlehem garden throughout autumn.
Leave stems standing rather than cutting back. Beyond their wildlife value, the distinctive cones create striking silhouettes when frosted or snow-dusted during Pennsylvania’s early winter weather.
Newer varieties offer sunset colors that blend beautifully with fall palettes. ‘Cheyenne Spirit’ has been particularly successful in my clay-heavy soil, maintaining its structure and providing continuous blooms from summer through mid-autumn.
11. Pansies
Fall-planted pansies often survive Pennsylvania’s winters to bloom again in spring. Their cheerful faces bring unexpected color to autumn gardens when planted in September or early October.
My window boxes in Philadelphia overflow with these cool-season bloomers well into November. Choose yellow, purple, or orange varieties to complement traditional fall color schemes.
Plant in rich, well-draining soil where they’ll receive morning sun but afternoon shade. A layer of mulch helps protect roots during temperature fluctuations typical of Pennsylvania’s transitional seasons, extending their flowering period considerably.
12. Monkshood
Dramatic hooded blue-purple flowers appear when most gardens have finished blooming. Growing in my partially shaded Doylestown garden, monkshood creates vertical interest when other perennials have gone dormant.
All parts contain toxic compounds, so wear gloves when handling. This poisonous nature explains why deer and rabbits avoid it—a significant advantage in many Pennsylvania gardens where wildlife pressure is intense.
Plant in rich, moist soil with afternoon shade. The deep blue flowers appear almost luminous in autumn’s slanting light, creating stunning combinations with yellow or gold companion plants throughout Pennsylvania’s cooling fall season.
13. Sweet Autumn Clematis
Cascades of star-shaped white flowers transform fences and arbors from ordinary to extraordinary each September. My pergola near Hershey disappears under this vigorous climber’s fragrant blooms every fall.
Plant where you’ll enjoy the vanilla-like fragrance—perhaps near a patio or walkway. The vigorous growth requires sturdy support and occasional pruning to keep it in bounds.
After flowering, silvery seed heads create additional interest well into winter. This adaptable vine thrives throughout Pennsylvania’s diverse growing regions, tolerating urban conditions and rural settings equally well.
14. Reblooming Irises
Surprise fall flowers emerge from these specialized iris varieties after summer’s heat subsides. My collection in Williamsport reliably produces a second flush of blooms each September, creating conversation pieces when neighbors’ gardens have finished flowering.
Plant in well-drained soil with rhizomes partially exposed. ‘Immortality’ (pure white) and ‘Autumn Circus’ (purple and white bicolor) perform particularly well in Pennsylvania’s climate.
Light fertilization after spring blooming encourages the fall repeat performance. The vertical sword-like foliage provides structural contrast to mounded fall plants, adding textural diversity to autumn garden compositions.