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Our 7 Favorite Late Summer Flowers

Beautiful flowers are one of the best parts of the growing season, but many start blooming in spring or early summer and fade away fast. But if you’re looking to add some color to your late summer gardenscape, you’re in luck! There are plenty of late summer flowers that bloom during the tail end of the season and often last well into fall. Incorporating a few of these late summer flowers into your gardening plan will ensure that you’ll be able to enjoy colorful blooms throughout season, rather than just at the beginning or in the middle of summer. Not sure where to start? We’ve rounded up some of our favorite late summer flowers to inspire you! Check out our picks — which include traditional flowers as well as flowering shrubs and trees — below!

 #1 Rose of Sharon 

Rose of Sharon
Image Credit: Kristin Chapman via birdsandblooms.com

Rose of Sharon (Hibiscus syriacus) offers some of our favorite late summer flowers. Bonus? The stunning, trumpet-shaped blooms typically last through mid-autumn. Just be aware that Rose of Sharon plants can grow up to 10 ft. high, so you’ll want to be sure to give them enough space to flourish. Rose of Sharon prefers moist, well-draining soil and is hardy in Zones 5 – 9.   

#2 Turtlehead 

Turtlehead
Image Credit: iStock.com/Mindstyle

Turtlehead (Chelone) does well in shade gardens but can also thrive in partial shade or full sun, making it a truly versatile option. It features hooded flowers in hues of red, rose, pink, and violet that bloom from late summer to fall. Turtlehead does best in moist soil and is hardy in Zones 3 - 8.

#3 Little Lime Hydrangea 

Little Lime Hydrangea
Image Credit: www.baucomsnursery.com

Little Lime Hydrangea (Hydrangea Paniculata) features pretty green blooms that change to light pink in late summer. It grows just 3 - 5 ft. tall, making it the perfect size for smaller yards. Little Lime Hydrangea is hardy in Zones 4 – 8.

#4 Tianshan Seven-Son Flower 

Tianshan Seven-Son Flower 
Image Credit: via birdsandblooms.com

Tianshan Seven-Son Flower (Heptacodium miconioides ‘Minhep’) offers year-round beauty, including pretty white flowers that bloom in clusters of seven in late summer, which are then followed by rose-purple sepals. Tianshan Seven-Son Flower is hardy in Zones 5 – 8. 

#5 Sweet Pea 

Sweet Pea
Image Credit: Sherry Cole via birdsandblooms.com

In most cases, Sweet Pea (Lathyrus odoratus) blooms in spring through early summer before gradually declining as the heat intensifies. However, a few cultivars like ‘Royal’ and ‘Old Spice’ are heat-tolerant and will bloom well into late summer, making them a great option if you’re looking for some gorgeous late-season flowers! This annual is a great way to add beauty to your flowerbeds, and as a bonus, the cut flowers work quite well in bouquets, too.

#6 Autumn Crocus 

Autumn Crocus
Image Credit: James Lenfield via birdsandblooms.com

Looking for something that will bloom even later in the season? Autumn Crocus (Colchicum) bulbs can be planted in late summer or early fall and will flower soon after. These perennials will then sprout leaves the following spring, which will die back until more leafless flowers bloom again in the late summer and early fall. Hardiness varies with the species you choose, but Autumn Crocuses are generally hardy in Zones 5 – 9.

#7 Stewartia 

Stewartia
iStock.com/KenWiedemann

Stewartia (Stewartia pseudocamellia) offers dark green leaves and pretty white flowers in late summer. Then in fall, the leaves on this flowering tree turn gorgeous shades of red, orange, and yellow. Stewartia does best in full sun and moist, well-draining soil. Keep space in mind, as some varieties of this tree can grow up to 40 ft. tall. It’s hardy in Zones 5 – 8.

Happy Growing!