Plants That Bloom in September | Nature Hills

While most gardeners are looking forward to seeing the leaves changing this season, a few are lucky enough to be in growing zones that have flowers in store for the first of the autumn months!

Many Perennials and a few shrubs rebloom in the fall, often flowering more if you’ve been deadheading religiously throughout the growing season. But either way, you will enjoy loads of blooms in this unlikely time of year!

Keep pollinators well-fed, support hummingbirds throughout their migration, and keep your vase bouquets brimming in blooms with fresh flowers by including these September flowering plants in your landscape!

September Flowering Plants For Northern Growing Zones

Cooler climates of USDA growing zones 2 to 7 are gearing up for the fall foliage display, but a few plants are just getting ready to flower a second time in the fall too!

September Flowering Trees

A few trees are gearing up for the fall with flowers or a rebloom! There’s nothing like seeing a typically spring-flowering tree in full bloom in the autumn.

Autumn Blooming Cherry
Some Native Witch Hazel are gearing up for flowering

September Flowering/Reblooming Shrubs

September is high time for reblooming flowering shrubs, and others that just aren’t ready to slow down until frost makes them in cooler climates! Why not have one of these new selections that not only blooms in spring but will also pump out another round of blooms in the new growth at this time of the year? Fantastic idea!

Abelia Bushes are late summer bloomers with a fall rebloom
Bluebeard Bushes are just coming into their glory
Butterfly Bushes continue to bloom if you have been deadheading
Clethra cultivars bloom from August and September depending on your climate
Reblooming Azaleas - Bloom-A-Thon®, Encore®, and the Girard's Crimson Azalea
Bloomerang® Lilacs and Flowerfesta® Lilacs have a fantastic rebloom this time of year
Hydrangeas hold their flowers from earlier in the season and are starting to show great fall color, but some cultivars rebloom with new flowers to enjoy as well.
Potentilla simply continues to produce a nice flower display
Sonic Bloom® Reblooming Weigela and some of the older varieties have some nice blooms on the new growth from this season in September.
Rose of Sharon bushes are at their peak flowering
Roses continue to bloom especially if you have been deadheading so they can continue right up until frost.
Spirea (S. japonica and Spirea x bumalda types) are fantastic rebloomers if you take the time to deadhead.

Temperatures and different climates will cause these reblooming plants to vary with their second flush of flowers. Remember to only prune these types of flowering shrubs immediately after they bloom in the spring because waiting too long will result in you taking off the second flush of flowers.

Perennials That Rebloom or Bloom In September

Many cool-climate perennials, like Asters and Sedum bloom at this time of year, while even more are continuing to rebloom if you’ve been regularly deadheading old blooms! Most of these are incredibly cold-hardy as well as many that handle warmer growing zones too!

Perennials That Flower In Fall

Japanese Anemone (Windflower)
Allium (Autumn Flowering)
Asters
Berry Timeless Coral Bells
Bugbane
Goldenrod
Ice Plant
Ironweed
Milkweed
Sedum
Tuscan Sun Sunflower/Autumn Gold Willowleaf Sunflower

Perennials Reblooming or Still Flowering In Fall

Anise Hyssop
Black Eyed Susan
Blanket Flower
Catmint/Catnip
Coneflowers
Cup Plant
Daylily
Dianthus
Geum
Hardy Rozanne and Tiny Monster Geranium
Hardy Hibiscus like the Luna series
Lavender
Liriope (Lilyturf)
Tall Garden Phlox (Phlox paniculata)
Red Hot Poker Plants
Russian Sage
Perennial Salvia
Sea Holly
Sneezeweed
Spiderwort
Veronica
Yarrow

September Flowering Plants In Warm Growing Zones

Now that things are cooling off in parts of the Southern US, many plants are gearing up for a second spring. Many of these shrubs are broadleaf evergreens so you’ll enjoy a green backdrop to the fall flowers.

September Flowering/Reblooming Trees

Try a fall flowering tree, in addition to the above Cool Climate trees of which many will also grow in warmer climates.

Crape Myrtle Trees
Dwarf Strawberry Tree
Franklin Tree
Lemon Guava Tree

Shrubs That Bloom or Rebloom In September

In addition to the cooler growing zones Shrubs which are long blooming flowering ornamentals still going in September and fall blooming shrubs that grow in the frost-free climates are just getting going.

Camellia
Crape Myrtle still has colorful bracts
Fragrant Tea Olive
Fringe Flower
Gardenias
Gibraltar Bush Clover
Gulf Tide Osmanthus
Pink Breath of Heaven
Pink Princess Escallonia
Rock Rose
Scarlet Bottlebrush
Soft Caress Mahonia

Perennials For September Flowers

In addition to many of the Perennials for Cooler Climates that can grow in warmer growing zones, these Warm-Climate Perennials will show off this September!

Agapanthus
Canary Feathers Corydalis
Coed Hebe
Fortnight Lily
Mexican Bush Sage

Showy Fall Flowering Vines

These vertically growing vines and flowering Vines take your September garden to new heights!

Clematis continues to rebloom
Honeysuckle Vines
Sweet Autumn Clematis
Trumpet Vines
Vinca Vines (Periwinkle

Useable as both climbing ornamentals, these vines can also be great groundcover too!

Plants With Showy Seeds & Fruit

Great for a wide range of growing zones, plants that have showy fruit or seed displays Mix in these showy shrubs and plants that have showy features in September and beyond!

Beautyberry - showy purple berries clustered at intervals along the entire stem
Ornamental Grass has a showy fall color and seed heads
Rugosa Roses with showy orange to red Rose Hips
Seven Sons Tree - shows off with red bracts

Don’t forget to check out Fruit Trees that are ripening in September too!

Get A Double Dose Of Fall Color This September!

Fall foliage, fall seed displays, and bountiful fall flowers can be enjoyed this September to breathe a last gasp of the growing season before the frost in cooler climates or just gearing up for a second spring in hotter climates.

September flowering and reflowering trees, shrubs, and perennial plants will add that unexpected burst of color when you least expect it and need it most. Head over to NatureHills.com today and get the most out of your autumn with fall flowering and fall reblooming plants today!

Happy Planting!

Autumn Blooming Cherry Tree

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Girard's Crimson Azalea

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Rating

(38)

(5)

Type

Tree

Shrub

Nature Hills Nursery

Flower Color

Pink
White

Growing Zone Range

5-8

Mature Height

20-30 ft

2-4 ft

Width

15-25 ft

3-4 ft

Price

$126⁰⁰

From $33⁸⁶

Frequently Asked Questions

What flowers bloom in september?

In USDA zones 2-7, September brings reblooming perennials and shrubs that flower a second time after spring. Key September bloomers include Bloomerang Lilacs, Encore Azaleas, Butterfly Bush, Bluebeard, and Clethra, along with select trees like Autumn Blooming Cherry and native Witch Hazel. Many of these plants produce more abundant fall blooms when deadheaded consistently throughout the growing season. Choose reblooming varieties specifically bred for fall performance to ensure reliable September color in your landscape.

What blooms in september?

Several plants bloom in September, particularly in USDA zones 2-7 where cooler temperatures trigger fall reblooming cycles. Trees like Autumn Blooming Cherry and Native Witch Hazel flower again, while shrubs including reblooming azaleas (Bloom-A-Thon® and Encore® varieties), Bloomerang® Lilacs, Butterfly Bushes, and Bluebeard reach peak bloom. Many of these plants produce more abundant September flowers if you've consistently deadheaded spent blooms throughout the growing season. Plant these varieties in spring to enjoy both their initial bloom period and spectacular fall encore performance.

Are flowers still blooming in september?

Yes, many plants produce beautiful blooms in September, especially in USDA zones 2-7 where cooler temperatures trigger a second flowering period. Reblooming shrubs like Bloomerang® Lilacs, Encore® Azaleas, and Butterfly Bushes flourish this month, while late-season bloomers such as Bluebeard and Clethra reach their peak. Regular deadheading throughout the growing season significantly increases September flower production. Plant reblooming varieties now to enjoy unexpected autumn color and support migrating pollinators.

Are flowers in bloom right now?

Yes, many flowers are blooming in September, especially if you're in USDA zones 2-7. Reblooming shrubs like Bloomerang Lilacs, Encore Azaleas, and Butterfly Bushes are hitting their second flush of the season, while late bloomers such as Bluebeard and Clethra are just reaching peak performance. Hydrangeas are also holding their blooms from earlier in the season while developing beautiful fall color. Keep deadheading spent flowers throughout the growing season to encourage these impressive fall reblooms.

Are alliums perennials?

Yes, alliums are perennials that return year after year from their bulbs. Most ornamental allium varieties are hardy in USDA zones 3-9, though specific hardiness varies by species. These bulbous perennials typically bloom in late spring to early summer, then go dormant in fall as their foliage dies back. Plant allium bulbs in fall about 4-6 inches deep in well-draining soil for reliable spring blooms.

Are pumpkin vines perennial?

No, pumpkin vines are annual plants that complete their entire life cycle in one growing season. They grow from seed in spring, produce vines and fruit through summer and fall, then die after the first hard frost. In most growing zones, you'll need to replant pumpkin seeds each year in late May through early June when soil temperatures reach 65°F. Save seeds from your best pumpkins in fall to plant the following spring, or purchase fresh seeds for reliable germination.

Which September-planted flowers will bloom by Christmas or early winter?

For September planting in zones 6-9, pansies and violas will reliably bloom by Christmas when planted from transplants, producing colorful 2-3 inch flowers throughout winter in milder areas. Cool-season annuals like snapdragons and sweet alyssum also establish quickly from September plantings and begin flowering within 6-8 weeks. In colder zones 3-5, focus on forcing spring bulbs indoors for winter blooms, as most outdoor plantings will remain dormant until spring. Plant pansies and violas immediately after your first light frost for best winter flowering results.

What is the best time in September to plant flower seeds and bulbs for spring blooms?

Plant spring-blooming bulbs like tulips, daffodils, and crocuses in mid to late September in zones 3-5, and early to mid-October in zones 6-7. The soil temperature should be consistently below 60°F for proper root development before winter dormancy. For flower seeds requiring cold stratification, such as poppies and larkspur, sow them in late September when nighttime temperatures drop below 50°F. Check your local frost dates and plant bulbs 6-8 weeks before hard frost for best establishment.

How deep should I plant flower seeds in September for optimal germination?

Plant most flower seeds at a depth 2-3 times their diameter, which typically ranges from 1/8 to 1/4 inch for common September bloomers like pansies, snapdragons, and sweet alyssum. In zones 8-10, plant seeds directly in garden beds during early September when soil temperatures have cooled to 60-70°F. For zones 6-7, start seeds indoors 6-8 weeks before your first expected frost date to ensure blooms before winter. Press seeds gently into prepared soil, water lightly, and maintain consistent moisture until germination occurs in 7-14 days.

What flowers should I plant in September for blooms this fall or next spring?

For immediate fall blooms, plant Bluebeard bushes, Abelia, and Clethra in zones 2-7, as these are hitting their peak flowering period in September. Reblooming varieties like Bloomerang Lilacs, Encore Azaleas, and Butterfly Bush will provide a second flush of flowers if you've been deadheading regularly throughout the growing season. For spring blooms, September is an excellent time to plant bulbs and establish perennials before winter dormancy. Focus on reblooming shrubs for instant fall color and reliable spring-blooming plants for next year's garden.

What to Plant for September Blooms!