23 Perennial Plants For Fall Color

Fall is the perfect time to plant perennials. The weather is much cooler and they will be able to root into the ground before the winter cold sets in. Now let’s check out these 23 perennial plants with fall color for the garden!

Perennial Plants with Fall Color

1. Sugar maple (Acer saccharum): This tree is known for its brilliant fall foliage, which can range from yellow to orange to red. It is a fast-growing tree that can reach heights of up to 100 feet.
2. Crabapple (Malus spp.): This shrub or small tree is known for its fragrant white flowers in the spring and its colorful fall foliage. Crabapples come in a variety of colors, including red, orange, yellow, and purple.
3. Oakleaf hydrangea (Hydrangea quercifolia): This shrub is known for its large, oak-shaped leaves that turn shades of red, orange, and purple in the fall. Oakleaf hydrangeas are hardy in zones 4 to 9.
4. Witch hazel (Hamamelis virginiana): This shrub or small tree is known for its fragrant yellow flowers that bloom in the fall. Witch hazels are hardy in zones 4 to 8.
5. New England aster (Aster novae-angliae): This wildflower is known for its daisy-like flowers that bloom in shades of pink, purple, and white in the fall. New England asters are hardy in zones 3 to 8.
6. Autumn crocus (Colchicum autumnale): This bulb is known for its purple or white flowers that bloom in the fall. Autumn crocuses are hardy in zones 3 to 8.
7. Black-eyed Susan (Rudbeckia hirta): This wildflower is known for its bright yellow flowers with black centers that bloom in the summer and fall. Black-eyed Susans are hardy in zones 3 to 9.
8. Chrysanthemum (Chrysanthemum spp.): This genus of plants includes many varieties that bloom in the fall. Chrysanthemums come in a variety of colors, including yellow, orange, red, and purple. Be sure to get your Mums in the ground as early as possible they can take the longest to adjust
9. Autumn fern (Dryopteris erythrosora): This fern turns bright red, orange, and yellow in fall.
10. Barrenwort (Epimedium spp.): The leaves of this shade-loving perennial can turn yellow, orange, and red in fall.
11. Bloody geranium (Geranium sanguineum): This geranium has deep red fall foliage.
12. Bluestar (Amsonia hubrichtii): This perennial turns a stunning shade of golden yellow in fall.
13. Chinese plumbago (Ceratostigma plumbaginoides): This perennial turns deep blue-purple in fall.
14. Sedum (Sedum spp.): Many sedums have colorful fall foliage, including Sedum spurium ‘Dragon’s Blood’ (deep red), Sedum ‘Autumn Joy’ (red and orange), and Sedum ‘Angelina’ (gold).
15. Aster (Symphyotrichum spp.): Asters are a popular choice for fall gardens, and many varieties have colorful foliage, including New England aster (purple and white), New York aster (pink and purple), and purple coneflower (purple and yellow).
16. Bluestar (Amsonia spp.): Bluestar is a tall perennial with slender blue flowers in the summer. In the fall, its leaves turn a brilliant shade of golden yellow.
17. Coneflower (Echinacea spp.): Coneflowers are known for their daisy-like flowers in the summer. In the fall, their leaves often turn shades of red, orange, and purple.
18. Ferns (various spp.): Many ferns turn shades of red, orange, and yellow in the fall. Some good choices include autumn fern, sensitive fern, ostrich fern, and royal fern.
19. Heuchera (Coral Bells): Heuchera is a low-growing perennial with colorful leaves. In the fall, their leaves often turn shades of red, orange, and purple.
20. Ironweed (Vernonia spp.): Ironweed is a tall perennial with spikes of purple flowers in the summer. In the fall, its leaves turn a brilliant shade of red.
21. Leadwort (Ceratostigma spp.): Leadwort is a low-growing perennial with blue flowers in the summer. In the fall, its leaves turn a deep blue-purple color.
22. Ornamental grasses (various spp.): Many ornamental grasses turn shades of gold, red, and purple in the fall. Some good choices include little bluestem, miscanthus, and switchgrass.
23. Paper birch (Betula papyrifera): Paper birches are known for their white bark, but their fall foliage is also a beautiful sight. Leaves turn a bright yellow color, and some trees may also have streaks of orange or red.

Read 13 Fall garden tasks to get done before winter here!

These are just a few of the many perennial plants with fall color. When choosing plants for your fall garden, be sure to consider the colors you want, the amount of sun your garden gets, and the hardiness zone of your area.

Happy Gardening!