Best Flowers To Plant In Late Summer

The average homeowner rushes to plant as many flowers as possible during spring and early summer. However, that’s not the only time of the year that plants can take root, bloom, and thrive. So, what are the best flowers to plant in late summer?

The best flowers to plant in late summer are rudbeckias, canna lilies, bee balms, and balloon flowers. Other durable flowers that do well late in summer include penstemons, starflowers, dahlias, and cosmos. Mexican sunflowers and helenium can take root in late summer and survive the winter if you plant them at least 6-8 weeks before the first frost.

Make sure to research beforehand and confirm that a flower can survive the fall and winter in your climate zone. Follow along as we highlight the 10 best flowers to plant in late summer.

While you can plant rudbeckias in spring and early summer, they are the perfect flowers to plant in late summer. Rudbeckias can bloom quickly if you plant them in late July or early August. You can even plant rudbeckias in early fall with great results.

This cold-tolerant flower can withstand temperatures as low as -30 degrees Fahrenheit. While many homeowners plant rudbeckia in April or May, you should consider waiting until late summer or early fall. Your rudbeckias will be vibrant and colorful by the time spring comes around if you plant them later in the year.

Canna lilies are just as resilient as they are beautiful. While they thrive when you plant them in spring, canna lilies also grow quite well if you plant them in late summer. Some homeowners even plant them in early fall, but results vary based on climate zones.

You should have no problems planting canna lilies in late summer or early fall unless you live in an extremely cold climate. Canna lilies can tolerate temperatures down to 0 degrees Fahrenheit, but they won’t survive if it gets colder than that.

Planting bee balms in late summer is one of the best decisions any gardener or homeowner can make. These perennials will come back each year and they will attract pollinators to your yard. Planting bee balms in late summer or early fall ensures their root systems will be thriving by the following spring.

Bee palms also keep butterflies, bees, and hummingbirds around your garden for as long as possible each year. This will help pollinate the other plants in your garden and keep them coming back year after year.

Balloon flowers are among the best and most colorful flowers to plant in late summer. The blue flowers are instantly recognizable and add character to any garden. Many homeowners plant balloon flowers in late summer or early fall knowing they will bloom the following spring.

In rare cases, it can take two years for balloon flowers to bloom. However, the results are worthwhile, as they attract pollinators and are among the prettiest flowers that grow in most climate zones. Ideally, you should plant balloon flowers in a spot where they can get at least 8 hours of sunlight per day for optimal growth.

Many homeowners wait until fall or winter to plant penstemons. However, you can have better results when spring rolls around if you plant this flower in late summer instead. It only takes two weeks for penstemons to take root, and the roots will stay intact throughout fall and winter under the right conditions.

Make sure that your soil drains well, as the roots may erode during fall and winter when it rains and snows. These resilient flowers can thrive whether you put them in full sunlight or partial shade. However, they typically need at least 6 hours of sunlight per day on most days to grow to their full potential.

Starflowers, or borages, are among the best flowers to plant in late summer for a nice burst of color. Their white flowers are unique and stand out among other plants in your garden. They can tolerate shade if they are in a spot where they will get lots of sunlight in the morning.

Excessive sunlight can harm starflowers and discolor their flowers. Perfect in gardens as well as pots, starflowers are well-rounded and will look great by spring if you plant them in late summer. They will continue to grow and thrive year-round if you live in a climate without cold falls and winters.

Consider planting dahlias in late summer because they can flower until September in most climates. Once it cools down, your dahlias will slowly appear to die, but their root systems will remain intact. This will ensure that your dahlias will come back when the temperatures rise in the spring.

Planting dahlias in late July or early August will give them a head start to establish root systems before the temperatures drop. Dahlias are perennials in most climate zones, so it’s worthwhile to plant them when you plan a garden that you don’t want to have to overhaul each year.

The pink flowers that cosmos are known for make them appealing to any homeowner or gardener. That combined with how easy they are to take care of makes cosmos some of the best flowers to plant in late summer. You can plant them in early spring, but they will also thrive if you plant them later in the year.

Planting cosmos in late summer ensures they will take root before it gets cold. That way, they will pop up in April and you will simply need to resume your watering schedule. They require as much sunlight as possible, but you only need to water them once per week, as they are drought-tolerant.

Not only are Mexican sunflowers colorful and durable, but they can also thrive when you plant them at various times of the year. They most notably do well when you plant them in spring, but Mexican sunflowers do quite well when you plant them in August.

This gives them time to take root and flower before September. However, you should only plant Mexican sunflowers in late summer if you don’t expect a frost for at least two months. Otherwise, their roots may not survive the winter.

Helenium is a late summer bloomer that belongs in every garden. This colorful flower can bloom within 8 weeks under the right conditions. Try to plant helenium at least 8 weeks before the first frost of the year for the best results.

This plant requires full sunlight for optimal growth, but it only needs an inch of water per week unless there is a drought with extreme temperatures. They are perennials, so it’s worthwhile to plant helenium if you want to save yourself some trouble the following spring.

You should stop planting summer flowers by late August if you live in a climate with cold falls and winters. In some cases, you can plant flowers as late as September, even if you live in a cold climate. However, it’s important to do some research and find out how quickly a flower will take root.

Flowers must take root before the first frost of the year. Otherwise, they won’t survive the fall and winter or come back in spring. Look for cold-tolerant flowers if you plan to plant them late in the year, so that the roots won’t erode during colder temperatures.

Rudbeckias, canna lilies, bee balms, and balloon flowers are the best flowers to plant in late summer. You can also plant penstemons, starflowers, dahlias, and cosmos in late summer. Flowers like helenium and Mexican sunflowers can also thrive if you plant them in late July or early August.

Make sure to choose flowers that quickly bloom and take root when you plant them in the fall. Otherwise, their root systems won’t be able to survive the cold temperatures of the fall and winter. If possible, look for perennials like bee balms and dahlias, as they will bloom earlier each year if you initially plant them in late summer.