5 Perennials to Plant This Fall
Fall planting perennials is a great way to add lasting color to your garden while giving roots time to establish before winter. In Arkansas, cooler fall temperatures can make planting more comfortable for both gardeners and plants, while many late-season varieties continue providing color and food for pollinators.
If you are looking for perennials to add this season, Goldenrod, Hardy Mums, Sedum, Coreopsis, and Rudbeckia are five colorful options to consider. Here are a few reasons each one deserves a spot in your fall garden.
5 Fall Planting Perennials to Consider
1. Golden Rod
This beauty is a major late-season pollinator attractor as it offers nectar and pollen when many other plants are already finished blooming! A great way to add a pop of color and height to your garden.
2. Hardy Mum
The Hardy Mum is not the same as a typical fall mum you might be picturing. These mums were bred by The University of Minnesota to survive winter and return year after year, unlike many florist mums. Introduced following a 1990 discovery, these large perennial varieties grow 3 to 4 feet across and produce thousands of flowers!
3. Sedums
Sedums are actually succulents, which makes them very drought tolerant as they are able to hold and store water in their leaves. They bloom in the late summer and fall, providing color after many other perennials have already faded. They are also quite pollinator friendly! There are lots of different Sedum species, but the one we are currently carrying is ‘Rock ‘N Round Pure Joy’ from Proven Winners.
4. Coreopsis
Coreopsis, otherwise known as “tickseed,” is another excellent fall perennial as it has a long bloom season, is drought tolerant, low maintenance, and still provides lots of fall color to your garden. Contrary to what the name might make you think, Coreopsis, or tickseed, doesn’t attract ticks (the name comes from the appearance of its seeds, which resemble tiny ticks), but it does attract butterflies and bees!
5. Rudbeckia
Rudbeckia, or Black-Eyed Susans, bloom for several weeks in the summer into the fall and are another great perennial for adding a pop of fun color, drawing some pollinators to your garden! Fun fact: The genus name, Rudbeckia, honors Swedish botanist Olaus Rudbeck, who was a professor of Carl Linnaeus, the botanist who developed the modern system of naming plants. Pretty neat!
Why Plant Perennials in the Fall?
Fall can be an excellent time to establish perennials because cooler air temperatures reduce some of the stress associated with summer planting. While growth above ground may begin to slow, the soil can remain warm enough for roots to continue developing before colder winter conditions arrive.
Planting in fall can also give perennials a head start before the following growing season. Once spring arrives, established plants can focus more of their energy on new growth rather than adjusting to a brand-new planting location.
Choosing Fall Perennials for Your Arkansas Garden
Not every perennial performs the same way in every location. Sun exposure, soil conditions, drainage, available space, and the mature size of the plant should all be considered before planting.
Goldenrod, Sedum, Coreopsis, Rudbeckia, and Hardy Mums can each bring something different to a fall landscape, from late-season flowers and drought tolerance to valuable nectar and pollen for bees and butterflies. Mixing plants with different colors, heights, and bloom times can also help create a garden that stays visually interesting as the seasons change.
If you are unsure which varieties will work best in your landscape, the team at Good Earth can help you choose plants based on your growing conditions and garden goals.
Find Fall Planting Perennials at The Good Earth Garden Center
Ready to add more color to your landscape? Visit Good Earth Garden Center to explore fall planting perennials, seasonal favorites, and other plants suited to your garden. Our team can help you choose options based on sunlight, space, and the look you want to create. Contact Good Earth or stop by to get started on your fall planting.