7 Flowers to Plant in Late Summer for a Colorful Garden in the Fall (and Beyond)

Coneflowers

Coneflowers (Echinacea) do best when planted in late summer. "They prefer cooler temperatures," says Linda Langelo, a horticulture specialist at Colorado State University Extension. "They also need consistent moisture that doesn't exist in the early summer."

In fact, planting them too early in the summer can cause them to become stressed, and even wither.

• Zones: 3 to 8
• Size: 2 to 5 feet tall x 1 to 2 feet wide
• Care requirements: Partial shade to full sun

Beardtongue

These colorful blooms (Penstemon) are pollinator magnets and are perfect for a late summer garden. Planting them during this time "gives the plants time to establish before frost," adds Langelo.

This flower can bloom for a month, then rebloom later in the season.

• Zones: 3 to 8
• Size: 2 to 5 feet tall x 1 to 2 feet wide
• Care requirements: Full sun to part shade; moist, well-drained soil

Catmint

Catmint (Nepeta) is another pollinator favorite. "It's a tough plant with continued performance," says Kelly Funk, president and CEO of Jackson & Perkins.

Case in point, it's deer-resistant, so you won't have to worry about it becoming a snack. Funk recommends the Cat's Pajamas variety in particular.

• Zones: 4 to 8
• Size: 24 inches tall x 30 inches wide
• Care requirements: Full sun; dry soil

Hellebores

"If you start hellebores (Helleborus orientalis) from seed, planting them in late summer mimics their natural life cycle," says Langelo. "Having enough warm days for the seed to germinate and having the fall for good root development gets them ready for spring."

These idyllic blooms are easy to grow overall, and are also cold hardy.

Asters

Asters (Symphyotrichum) thrive in cooler temperatures, so it's wise to plant them later in the summer. When fall rolls around and temperatures drop, the colder weather will stimulate their root growth.

These colorful blooms are beautiful to behold and will also attract pollinators. "The asters in my landscape have been visited by many different butterflies," adds Langelo.

• Zones: 3 to 8
• Size: 1 to 3 feet tall x 1 to 3 feet wide
• Care requirements: Full sun; dry soil

Coral Bells

Planting coral bells (Huechera) in late summer lets them establish their roots before the cooler weather starts.

"[They] are resilient and worry-free, add dramatic texture, and add color to gardens or containers," says Funk. They are sensitive to extreme heat, though, so don't plant them until the temperatures start to dip.

• Zones: 4-9
• Size: 8 to 18 inches tall x 12 to 24 inches wide
• Care requirements: Partial to full sun; well-draining soil

Lungwort

The intense heat of early and mid summer will cause lungwort (Pulmonaria officinalis) to wilt, so it's a good idea to plant it later in the season when temperatures start to cool.

"Lungwort makes a great ground cover," adds Langelo. "I recommend using it because the spotted leaves of the lungwort plant give it added appeal in a shady location."

• Zones: 4 to 9
• Size: 6 to 12 inches tall x 12 to 18 inches wide
• Care requirements: Partial to full shade; average garden soil