Perennials That Shine Into Fall

As August arrives in Connecticut, many early summer flowers begin to slow down, but your garden doesn’t have to. Plenty of dependable perennials continue blooming through late summer and into fall, providing weeks of beautiful color while supplying valuable nectar for bees, butterflies, hummingbirds, and other beneficial pollinators.

By adding a mix of long-blooming perennials, you can keep your landscape vibrant while supporting local wildlife throughout the changing seasons.

Coneflower (Echinacea)

Coneflowers are one of the best-performing perennials for late-season color.

They offer:

• Weeks of colorful blooms
• Excellent drought tolerance
• Seed heads that attract songbirds
• Outstanding pollinator value

Available in shades of purple, white, pink, orange, and yellow, they’re a favorite in sunny Connecticut gardens.

Rudbeckia (Black-Eyed Susan)

Nothing says late summer quite like cheerful Black-Eyed Susans.

They provide:

• Bright golden blooms
• Long flowering periods
• Excellent heat tolerance
• Nectar for bees and butterflies

Their sunny flowers pair beautifully with ornamental grasses and other late-season perennials.

Sedum (Stonecrop)

Sedum begins putting on its best show just as many summer flowers begin fading.

Benefits include:

• Attractive succulent foliage
• Clusters of late-season blooms
• Outstanding drought tolerance
• Pollinator-friendly flowers
• Winter interest after blooming

It’s one of the easiest perennials to grow.

Salvia

Many Salvia varieties continue blooming well into late summer with regular deadheading.

Salvia provides:

• Colorful flower spikes
• Excellent heat tolerance
• Long-lasting blooms
• Nectar for hummingbirds and bees

Its upright habit adds beautiful texture and contrast to garden beds.

Coreopsis

Coreopsis delivers cheerful daisy-like flowers for much of the growing season.

With occasional deadheading, it continues blooming while providing an excellent nectar source for pollinators.

Asters

As autumn approaches, asters become one of the stars of the garden.

These native favorites offer:

• Purple, pink, blue, and white blooms
• Important late-season nectar
• Beautiful companions for ornamental grasses
• Outstanding fall color

They’re among the last major food sources for pollinators before winter.

Ornamental Grasses

Ornamental grasses add beauty long after many flowers have faded.

They provide:

• Graceful movement
• Decorative seed heads
• Rich fall color
• Winter interest

Combined with flowering perennials, they create stunning late-season landscapes.

Plant with Pollinators in Mind

Late-blooming perennials do more than add color. They provide valuable nectar when pollinators are preparing for the seasons ahead.

A garden filled with coneflowers, rudbeckia, asters, sedum, salvia, coreopsis, and ornamental grasses helps support:

• Bees
• Butterflies
• Hummingbirds
• Beneficial insects

Your landscape will stay beautiful while providing an important habitat for local wildlife.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which perennial blooms the longest?

Coneflowers, Coreopsis, and many Salvia varieties continue blooming for weeks with regular deadheading.

Are these plants good for pollinators?

Absolutely! They provide valuable nectar throughout late summer when bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds are especially active.

Do ornamental grasses require much care?

Very little. Most varieties only need to be cut back in late winter or early spring before new growth begins.

Can I plant perennials in August?

Yes! August and early fall are excellent times to plant many perennials, allowing roots to establish before winter.

Which plants attract butterflies?

Coneflowers, asters, salvia, rudbeckia, bee balm, and sedum are all excellent choices for attracting butterflies and other beneficial pollinators.

Visit Us

Looking to extend the beauty of your garden through late summer and into fall? Cropley’s Garden Center offers a wonderful selection of flowering perennials, ornamental grasses, pollinator-friendly plants, and expert advice to help your Connecticut landscape thrive.

Cropley’s Garden Center
1262 Boston Turnpike
Bolton, CT 06043

Phone: (860) 649-6364

Summer Hours
Monday-Friday: 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Saturday: 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Sunday: 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM

Visit us today and let our knowledgeable team help you choose beautiful perennials that will keep your garden blooming for weeks to come.