26 Vibrant Late Summer Flowers to Plant Now for Stunning Fall Color

Hardy annuals that thrive in late-summer heat, zinnias come in a wide range of colors and bloom quickly, often within a few weeks of planting, while also attracting butterflies.

Known for their bright, sunny colors, marigolds help repel pests, making them a great companion plant for vegetables, and can bloom well into the fall.

Tall, airy flowers with delicate, daisy-like blooms in pink, white, and purple, cosmos are drought-tolerant and thrive in poor soil, adding height with little maintenance.

Dwarf varieties are particularly suited to late planting and will produce cheerful blooms that last until the first frost.

Tough, drought-resistant perennials with bright yellow flowers and dark centers, they bloom from late summer into fall and thrive in almost any soil.

Hardy perennials with large, daisy-like blooms in pink, purple, and white that attract pollinators like bees and butterflies, blooming from late summer into early fall.

A versatile, drought-tolerant perennial producing clusters of small, star-shaped flowers in pink, red, and yellow, thriving in poor soil.

Synonymous with fall, mums can be planted in late summer in a wide range of colors to extend your garden's blooming season as the weather cools.

Hardy perennials producing masses of small, star-shaped flowers in purple, blue, pink, and white, blooming from late summer into fall.

Also known as tickseed, this cheerful, drought-tolerant perennial produces masses of bright yellow flowers and thrives in poor soil.

A hardy, drought-tolerant perennial with bold, daisy-like flowers in red, orange, and yellow that will continue blooming until the first frost.

A tough, drought-tolerant perennial with spikes of small, lavender-blue flowers that adds height, texture, and a touch of blue to your late-season garden.

Elegant perennials with delicate, cup-shaped flowers in pink, white, and red that prefer partial shade and moist, well-drained soil.

Also called sneezeweed, this hardy perennial produces masses of bright, daisy-like flowers in yellow, orange, and red, attractive to pollinators.

A versatile perennial with spikes of blue, purple, red, and pink flowers that bloom from late summer into fall and are attractive to pollinators.

Showy perennials with large, colorful flowers in a wide range of shapes and sizes, preferring full sun and well-drained soil, and can be dug up and stored over winter for replanting.

A long-blooming, heat-tolerant, drought-resistant annual with clusters of small, colorful flowers that will bloom until the first frost.

Also known as Egyptian star cluster, this heat-tolerant annual produces star-shaped flowers attractive to butterflies and hummingbirds.

A trailing annual producing masses of small, petunia-like flowers, perfect for hanging baskets, window boxes, and containers.

Classic, heat-tolerant annuals with large, trumpet-shaped flowers, perfect for containers, hanging baskets, and flower beds.

A low-growing annual with masses of tiny, sweet-smelling flowers in white, pink, and purple, perfect for edging, rock gardens, and containers.

A tall, heat-tolerant annual with large, airy flower clusters in pink, white, and purple that adds height and drama to your garden.

Hardy annuals with bright, funnel-shaped, edible flowers that can add a splash of color to salads and help repel pests through companion planting.

Classic, heat-tolerant annuals with tall spikes of flowers in a wide range of colors, adding height and texture to your garden.

A heat-tolerant annual producing clusters of small, brightly colored flowers attractive to butterflies and hummingbirds, blooming until the first frost.

Versatile annuals with large, colorful flowers, perfect for containers, hanging baskets, and flower beds, preferring partial shade and moist, well-drained soil.

Late summer planting is an opportunity to refresh your garden and extend the blooming season well into the fall. With these 26 flowers, you can add a last-minute burst of color to your garden, ensuring it remains vibrant and beautiful as the seasons change, whether you prefer annuals or perennials, there's a pick on this list for every gardener.