Memphis gardens have a special chance to help our buzzing friends thrive into fall. As summer winds down, bees start running low on food sources. That’s where autumn wildflower edges come in—they’re a lifeline when blooms are scarce.
Adding pollinator-friendly borders isn’t just good for the bees—it transforms your garden. These vibrant edges bring color and movement, even as other plants fade. Plus, they offer critical nutrition when most gardens have gone quiet.
I’ve seen firsthand how a few late-season wildflowers can keep bees coming back. It’s a simple, beautiful way to support local pollinators and keep your garden lively longer.
1. Golden Aster Clusters Along Fence Lines
Golden asters thrive in Memphis’s clay-heavy soils and continue blooming well into October. Their sunny yellow flowers become bee magnets when other plants have finished their show.
I’ve noticed bees practically fighting over these blooms in my east Memphis garden. They’re particularly valuable because they handle our unpredictable fall weather patterns without complaint.
Plant them in groups of five or more along your fence line for maximum impact. The clustering creates a beacon effect that draws pollinators from surprising distances.
2. Native Aster Patches For Late Season Nectar
The lavender-blue flowers of native asters appear just when most Memphis gardens start looking tired. Their star-shaped blooms offer critical late-season nectar from September through November.
Last fall, I counted five different bee species visiting the aster patch beside my driveway. They’re remarkably easy to establish in our Tennessee soil conditions.
Create informal patches rather than straight rows for a more natural look. The informal grouping mimics how these plants grow in the wild areas around Memphis.
3. Sunflower Borders That Feed Birds And Bees
Late-blooming sunflower varieties continue providing food into October in Memphis gardens. The smaller, multi-headed varieties work better in garden edges than their giant cousins.
Plant them in staggered rows to create depth and maximize space. When they finish blooming, leave the seed heads standing to feed birds through winter.
My neighbor on Southern Avenue uses these as a living fence each year. The bees work the flowers during the day, and goldfinches feast on the seeds as they ripen, creating a constant wildlife show.
4. Goldenrod Sweeps That Won’t Cause Allergies
Contrary to popular belief, goldenrod doesn’t cause fall allergies in Memphis (that’s ragweed’s fault). These golden plumes provide essential fall nutrition for honeybees stocking up for winter.
Plant them where they can catch afternoon sun but have some protection from our occasionally strong fall winds. They’ll form spectacular golden sweeps by their second year.
A client in Germantown added these along her property line last year. Now she enjoys watching bumblebees practically disappear into the pollen-rich flowers each September afternoon.
5. Purple Coneflower Clumps For Extended Blooms
While many Memphis gardeners know purple coneflowers for their summer show, with proper deadheading they’ll continue producing blooms into October. The distinctive seed heads also provide food for bees.
Group them in clumps of seven or more plants for the strongest visual impact. The dense planting creates a powerful draw for pollinators even from a distance.
During last year’s unseasonably warm October, my coneflowers along Walnut Grove Road attracted honeybees well into the month. Their drought tolerance makes them perfect for our unpredictable fall rainfall.
6. Joe-Pye Weed Stands For Butterfly-Bee Magnets
Joe-Pye weed’s mauve flower clusters stand tall in Memphis gardens through September. The nectar-rich blooms attract both butterflies and various bee species during crucial pre-migration and pre-winter feeding times.
Place these impressive plants at the back of borders where their height (4-6 feet) creates drama without overwhelming smaller companions. They prefer the moister areas common in many Memphis gardens.
When visiting Overton Park last fall, I noticed how the Joe-Pye plantings buzzed with activity even as other flowers had finished their season. The plant’s hollow stems also provide winter homes for native bees.
7. Blazing Star Spikes For Vertical Interest
The purple spikes of blazing stars (Liatris) provide both visual interest and bee food in Memphis fall gardens. Their unusual blooming pattern – from top to bottom – extends their feeding period for pollinators.
These drought-tolerant natives handle our Tennessee heat admirably. Even after the flowers fade, the textural seed heads add winter interest to garden edges.
My garden club friends in Midtown have created spectacular fall displays by combining blazing stars with shorter goldenrods. The color combination attracts photographer bees and humans alike during October garden walks.
8. Black-Eyed Susan Drifts For Reliable Color
Few plants match black-eyed Susans for reliable fall performance in Memphis gardens. Their cheerful yellow blooms persist through our first light frosts, providing crucial late-season pollen for bees.
Allow them to form natural drifts along garden edges for the most naturalistic effect. They’ll gradually expand each year, creating larger feeding areas for pollinators.
The teaching garden at Memphis Botanic Garden uses these extensively in their pollinator sections. Even in November last year, I spotted bees visiting the last few flowers during an unseasonably warm spell.
9. Ironweed Corners For Late-Season Purple
Ironweed’s intense purple flowers create spectacular corner plantings in Memphis gardens from August through October. These tough natives handle our clay soils and humidity without complaint.
Position them where they can reach their full height (4-5 feet) without blocking views. The deep purple color creates stunning contrast with fall’s yellows and oranges.
During last September’s garden tour in East Memphis, I watched countless bees working ironweed plantings despite the unseasonable heat. Their ability to withstand both drought and occasional flooding makes them perfect for our unpredictable climate.
10. Aromatic Aster Edging For Walkways
Aromatic aster’s compact growth habit makes it perfect for edging garden paths in Memphis. The lavender-blue flowers appear in October just when most gardens have stopped blooming.
Their subtle, pleasant fragrance is most noticeable on warm fall afternoons. This sensory element adds another dimension to fall garden enjoyment beyond just visual appeal.
The demonstration gardens at Shelby Farms showcase these along several walkways. Even after our first frost last year, I observed honeybees gathering the last available nectar from these hardy little plants.