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Fall Flowers You Should Plant Now In Pennsylvania

Fall Flowers You Should Plant Now In Pennsylvania

Fall gardening in Pennsylvania is a chance to savor late blooms and prep your landscape for spring. As the summer heat fades and crisp air rolls in, cooler temps help many flowers truly shine. Plus, the state’s rich soil gives roots a solid start before winter sets in.

I’ve found that planting in September or October works beautifully. Flowers settle in with less stress, avoiding the burn of summer. You’ll get bursts of autumn color now—and stronger, happier plants when spring comes calling.

Whether you’re chasing blooms through the first frost or laying down perennials for next year, these fall flowers are a smart pick for Pennsylvania gardeners. They’ll reward your effort with color, beauty, and resilience

1. Pansies

© Gardener’s Path

Cold weather brings out the best in these cheerful bloomers. When most gardeners are packing away their tools, pansies are just hitting their stride in Pennsylvania gardens.

Plant them in borders or containers where you’ll see them daily. The cool nights actually intensify their colors, making them more vibrant as temperatures drop.

My Pennsylvania neighbors often joke that pansies are the only flowers tough enough to smile through our early frosts. Give them well-drained soil and they’ll likely survive winter to bloom again in spring.

2. Japanese Anemones

© JTSOP Farms

Late September brings the graceful dance of these elegant perennials to life. Their delicate pink or white blooms sway on tall stems above maple-like foliage, creating movement in the autumn garden.

Give them a partially shaded spot with protection from harsh winds. These beauties spread slowly over time, making them perfect for Pennsylvania woodland gardens where they can naturalize.

Last fall, I planted a small cluster near my front walk. Now they greet visitors with their ethereal presence when most other flowers have faded away.

3. Chrysanthemums

© Stacy Ling

Nothing says Pennsylvania autumn quite like mounds of colorful mums. Garden centers across the state overflow with these seasonal favorites, offering instant color for porches and borders.

Choose varieties labeled as ‘hardy’ or ‘garden mums’ for better chances of winter survival. Plant them immediately after purchase, giving roots time to establish before freezing temperatures arrive.

Rather than treating mums as disposable decorations, I’ve had success incorporating them into perennial beds where they return year after year with proper care and mulching.

4. Asters

© Reddit

Native to Pennsylvania’s meadows, asters bring waves of purple, blue, and pink starry blooms from late summer through fall. Their daisy-like flowers attract the season’s last butterflies, adding movement to the autumn garden.

Plant them in full sun where they can stretch their roots deep before winter. Many varieties grow quite tall, so position them toward the back of borders or provide light staking.

During a late October walk through my neighborhood in central Pennsylvania, I noticed asters still blooming beautifully after other perennials had surrendered to frost.

5. Sedum ‘Autumn Joy’

© North Creek Nurseries

Watching this succulent transform through the seasons is like having three plants in one. Green broccoli-like buds develop in summer, then open to pink blooms that gradually deepen to rusty red by late fall.

Extremely drought-tolerant once established, these plants thrive in Pennsylvania’s variable autumn weather. The sturdy stems stand through early snows, providing winter interest and food for birds.

After years of gardening in Pennsylvania’s limestone-rich soil, I’ve found few plants as reliable and low-maintenance as ‘Autumn Joy’ sedum for extending the garden season.

6. Toad Lilies

© andrusgardens

Mysterious and exotic-looking, toad lilies bring unexpected beauty to shady Pennsylvania gardens when most flowers have finished. Their orchid-like spotted blooms appear along arching stems in September and October.

Plant them where you can appreciate their intricate details – perhaps along a garden path or near a seating area. They prefer rich, moist soil with protection from afternoon sun.

During a garden tour in Philadelphia last fall, I discovered these unusual flowers tucked beneath mature trees, proving that shade gardens can shine in autumn too.

7. Russian Sage

© Sugar Creek Gardens

Silver-gray foliage and lavender-blue flower spikes continue providing structure and color well into Pennsylvania’s fall season. The aromatic leaves release a pleasant scent when brushed against, adding sensory appeal to autumn gardens.

Absolutely drought-tolerant once established, Russian sage thrives in the well-drained soils common in many parts of the state. Plant it where its airy habit can contrast with more substantial fall bloomers.

Even after frost has claimed most flowers in my Harrisburg garden, Russian sage maintains its architectural presence, especially beautiful when backlit by low autumn sunlight.

8. Helenium

© Reddit

Often called sneezeweed (though it doesn’t cause sneezing), this native perennial brings fiery colors to the autumn garden. The daisy-like flowers in red, orange, and gold seem to capture the essence of fall foliage in bloom form.

Growing 3-5 feet tall, helenium makes a statement in the middle or back of perennial borders. Pennsylvania gardeners appreciate its resistance to deer browsing – a significant advantage in many parts of the state.

A stand of these cheerful flowers has become the backbone of my fall garden, attracting countless pollinators during September when many nectar sources have disappeared.

9. Goldenrod

© Reddit

Unfairly blamed for hay fever (ragweed is the actual culprit), goldenrod deserves a place in Pennsylvania fall gardens. The newer cultivated varieties are well-behaved, unlike their wild roadside cousins that can spread aggressively.

Plumes of bright yellow flowers attract beneficial insects and provide late-season nectar for migrating butterflies. Plant in full sun where their golden color can complement purple asters or blue salvias.

Walking through Longwood Gardens last October, I was struck by how designers used goldenrod to create brilliant sweeps of autumn color without a hint of the wildness many associate with these native plants.

10. Coreopsis ‘Autumn Blush’

© Garden Center Marketing

Unlike spring-blooming coreopsis varieties, this special cultivar saves its best performance for fall in Pennsylvania gardens. The flowers transition from pale yellow to pink and red as temperatures cool, creating an evolving display.

Compact and well-behaved, ‘Autumn Blush’ fits perfectly in front borders or containers. The fine-textured foliage stays attractive even when not in bloom, providing good garden structure.

After discovering this variety at a local nursery three years ago, I’ve made it a staple in my Lancaster County garden, where it reliably flowers until the first hard freeze.

11. Autumn Crocus

© portland_botanical

Magical and unexpected, these bulbs push up leafless flowers in September and October, earning their nickname ‘naked ladies.’ The goblet-shaped blooms in lavender, pink, or white appear seemingly overnight from bare soil.

Plant the corms in August for same-season blooms, tucking them between perennials that can hide the bare spots earlier in the season. The foliage will emerge next spring, then die back in summer.

During a particularly mild Pennsylvania autumn last year, my patch of autumn crocus bloomed well into November, providing a final splash of color before winter set in.

12. Black-Eyed Susan

© Reddit

Rugged and reliable, these native favorites continue blooming well into fall across Pennsylvania. Their golden-yellow petals surrounding dark centers brighten gardens just as autumn leaves begin to turn.

Deadhead regularly to encourage continued flowering through September and even October. Their drought tolerance makes them perfect for unpredictable fall weather patterns in the Keystone State.

In my experience gardening in Pennsylvania’s variable climate, few perennials match black-eyed Susans for sheer flowering persistence from summer through the first light frosts of autumn.

13. Monkshood

© Reddit

Mysterious blue-purple hooded flowers give this plant its common name and provide rare true-blue color in the autumn garden. The tall spires bloom in September and October when few other plants offer such rich color.

Perfectly suited to Pennsylvania’s cooler fall temperatures, monkshood thrives in partial shade and moist soil. Remember that all parts are poisonous, so wear gloves when handling and keep away from children and pets.

Along the shaded edge of my woodland garden near Pittsburgh, monkshood creates a dramatic backdrop for fall-blooming anemones, its deep color intensifying as nights grow cooler.

14. Turtlehead

© Reddit

Named for their uniquely shaped flowers resembling turtle heads, these native perennials bloom from late summer into fall. The pink or white blossoms appear on upright stems above glossy dark green foliage.

Naturally found in moist areas throughout Pennsylvania, turtlehead makes an excellent addition to rain gardens or stream-side plantings. They attract butterflies while being resistant to deer browsing.

The pink variety has flourished in the damp corner of my Allentown garden where many other plants struggle. Even after light frosts, the flowers continue to open and provide nectar for late-season pollinators.

15. Hardy Cyclamen

© arborcrest_gardens

Diminutive yet tough, hardy cyclamen produce charming swept-back flowers in shades of pink and white just as Pennsylvania’s fall season begins. Their marbled, heart-shaped leaves form an attractive carpet beneath deciduous trees.

Plant the tubers in late summer, setting them just below the soil surface where fallen leaves will provide natural winter protection. They prefer dappled shade and well-drained soil.

Under a grove of mature oaks in my Chester County garden, these little gems have gradually spread to create a magical autumn groundcover that returns more abundantly each year.

16. Joe-Pye Weed

© Reddit

Despite its unfortunate common name, this native plant brings architectural drama to Pennsylvania fall gardens. The mauve-pink flower clusters atop 5-7 foot stems create vertical interest when many other perennials have finished blooming.

Naturally found in moist meadows throughout the state, Joe-Pye weed attracts numerous butterflies and beneficial insects. Newer compact varieties fit more easily into home gardens while maintaining the wildlife benefits.

Along the edge of my property where it transitions to a natural area, Joe-Pye weed creates a magnificent late-season display that bridges the cultivated and wild landscapes.

17. Heuchera (Coral Bells)

© Reddit

Though grown primarily for their colorful foliage, many heuchera varieties take on enhanced vibrancy as Pennsylvania temperatures cool in fall. Their leaves in shades of purple, caramel, silver, and green provide lasting color when flowers fade.

Fall planting allows these perennials to establish roots before winter dormancy. Position them where their colorful leaves can brighten shady spots or containers on the porch.

The caramel-colored variety in my front border looks particularly stunning against the blue-green needles of dwarf conifers, creating a combination that carries visual interest well into Pennsylvania’s winter months.