I didn’t think I could still plant flowers this late—but guess what? Some tough bloomers are totally fine going into the ground this week in Pennsylvania.
I’ve tried it myself, and they still put on a colorful show! If you’ve been itching to plant just a little more, it’s not too late. Let’s squeeze in one last round of beauty before the season wraps up.
1. Marigolds
These golden beauties grow remarkably fast in Pennsylvania’s summer soil. Their bright colors emerge within weeks of planting, adding instant cheer to any garden bed.
Most varieties will continue flowering until frost, making them perfect for late-season planting. Their pest-repellent properties are an added bonus for Keystone State gardeners dealing with late summer insects.
2. Zinnias
Quick to germinate and bloom, zinnias are perfect for Pennsylvania gardeners looking for fast results. Their candy-colored blooms appear within weeks and continue until frost hits.
Plant them directly in your Keystone State garden soil now for a brilliant late summer show. These heat-lovers actually prefer the warm conditions we’re experiencing right now across Pennsylvania.
3. Sunflowers
Fast-growing dwarf varieties can bloom just 60 days after planting, perfect for late summer starts. Their cheerful faces will brighten any Pennsylvania garden space through early fall.
Choose shorter varieties like ‘Teddy Bear’ or ‘Sunspot’ for quicker results in your Keystone State landscape. Their sturdy stems stand up well to our state’s unpredictable late summer weather patterns.
4. Cosmos
Feathery foliage and daisy-like blooms make cosmos a delightful addition to any Pennsylvania garden. They germinate quickly and typically flower within 7 weeks of planting.
These drought-tolerant beauties thrive in our state’s sometimes unpredictable late summer conditions. Their airy stems dance in the Pennsylvania breeze, creating movement and whimsy in borders and meadow gardens.
5. Nasturtiums
Both leaves and flowers are edible, adding peppery flavor to Pennsylvania summer salads. Their jewel-toned blooms appear quickly, often within 35-52 days of planting seeds.
They prefer the slightly cooler nights that start to arrive in our state this time of year. Trailing varieties look spectacular cascading from Pennsylvania porch containers or hanging baskets as autumn approaches.
6. Snapdragons
Cool weather lovers that perform beautifully when planted now for fall blooms in Pennsylvania gardens. Their unique dragon-mouth flowers come in nearly every color imaginable, lasting well into autumn.
They actually prefer the cooler nights beginning to arrive across our state. Pennsylvania gardeners can enjoy their vertical interest and cutting-quality blooms well past the first light frosts.
7. Calendula
Often called pot marigold, these bright orange and yellow blooms germinate quickly in Pennsylvania’s warm soil. Their edible petals add color to salads while their medicinal properties have been valued for centuries.
They’ll continue flowering through our state’s first light frosts, extending your garden’s color season. Pennsylvania gardeners appreciate their ability to self-seed gently for reliable returns year after year.
8. Sweet Alyssum
Tiny, fragrant blooms form a delicate carpet that can fill Pennsylvania gardens with honey scent within weeks. Their low-growing habit makes them perfect for edging beds or spilling from containers.
They thrive in our state’s cooling late summer temperatures. Pennsylvania gardeners can expect continuous flowering through fall if spent blooms are trimmed occasionally.
9. Pansies
Plant now for fall blooms that will often survive Pennsylvania’s winter to rebloom in spring. Their cheerful “faces” in purples, yellows and whites brighten cooling autumn days.
They absolutely love our state’s cooler fall temperatures and will often continue flowering until hard frost. Pennsylvania gardeners consider them essential for extending the garden season as other flowers fade away.
10. Morning Glories
Fast-growing vines that can quickly cover Pennsylvania fences or trellises before frost. Their trumpet-shaped blooms open fresh each morning in shades of blue, purple, pink or white.
Soak seeds overnight for faster germination in our state’s late summer soil. Pennsylvania gardeners love how quickly they can transform bare spaces into flowering vertical features.
11. Dianthus
These spicy-scented blooms with fringed petals establish quickly in Pennsylvania’s late summer garden. Their compact growth habit makes them perfect for borders, containers, or rock gardens across our state.
Many varieties will continue flowering through Pennsylvania’s cooler fall temperatures. Their silvery-blue foliage provides attractive texture even when not in bloom, extending their garden interest.
12. Cornflowers
Also called bachelor’s buttons, these true-blue blooms germinate rapidly in Pennsylvania gardens. Their classic blue flowers (though pink and white varieties exist) appear within 7-8 weeks of planting.
They prefer our state’s cooling temperatures as summer transitions to fall. Pennsylvania gardeners appreciate their excellent cutting quality for bringing late-season bouquets indoors.
13. Celosia
Feathery plumes or crested cockscomb forms add dramatic texture to Pennsylvania fall gardens. Their fiery colors intensify as our state’s temperatures begin to cool down in late summer.
They grow remarkably quickly from seed, often blooming within 8 weeks. Pennsylvania gardeners can enjoy their architectural presence until frost, then dry the blooms for winter arrangements.
14. Sweet Peas
Fall-planted sweet peas often produce stronger root systems in Pennsylvania gardens. Their fragrant, ruffled blooms will appear next spring on more robust vines than spring-planted ones.
Plant now in our state’s cooling soil for an early show next year. Pennsylvania gardeners can give them a head start now while enjoying their intoxicating scent months earlier next season.
15. Petunias
Late-season plantings of these reliable bloomers provide instant color in Pennsylvania gardens. Choose wave varieties for fastest spreading and maximum impact in our state’s beds and containers.
Their trumpet-shaped flowers in countless colors will continue until frost hits the Keystone State. Pennsylvania gardeners appreciate their ability to bounce back quickly from summer storms.
16. Verbena
Heat-loving and drought-tolerant once established in Pennsylvania’s summer gardens. Their clustered blooms in purples, pinks, reds and whites attract butterflies throughout our state.
Many varieties will continue flowering until hard frost hits the Keystone State. Pennsylvania gardeners value their low-maintenance nature and ability to withstand late summer dry spells.
17. Rudbeckia
Black-eyed Susans and their relatives grow quickly from seed in Pennsylvania’s warm soil. Their daisy-like golden blooms with dark centers are quintessential late summer flowers across our state.
They’ll continue flowering well into fall, sometimes surviving Pennsylvania’s first light frosts. Their native adaptability makes them perfect for meadow gardens and naturalized areas throughout the Keystone State.
18. California Poppies
These quick-growing annuals can bloom within 60 days of planting in Pennsylvania gardens. Their silky, cup-shaped flowers in orange, yellow and pink close at night and open with the sun.
They prefer our state’s well-drained soils and will often self-seed gently. Pennsylvania gardeners appreciate their drought tolerance once established in late summer beds.