15 Fall-Blooming Perennials for North Texas Gardens

As fall settles into North Texas, (and the heat subsides) resilient Texas gardens transform with a vibrant display of hardy flowing perennials– that not only tolerate the region’s heavy clay soils but also provide nectar for migrating Monarch butterflies and other pollinators! Each are VERY easy to grow, especially for those newer to Texas Gardening… who just might be discouraged from the challenges of past few summers. Here are 15 of our favorite must-have fall-blooming perennials, ALL chosen for their beauty, resilience, and ecological benefits. Each in stock now and ready to plant!

 

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1. Fall Aster (Symphyotrichum oblongifolium)

With its dazzling purple blooms, Fall Aster is a magnet for butterflies, particularly Monarchs in their migratory fall journey. Its dense mounds of flowers create a stunning display into winter, making it an essential plant for any fall garden. Plus, it’s highly adaptable to the clay soils of North Texas.

• Mature size: 2-3 feet tall and wide
• Bloom color: Lavender-purple
• Bloom season: Late summer to winter
• Wildlife benefits: Nectar for butterflies, particularly Monarchs, bees
• USDA zone: 4-9
• Type: Semi-evergreen

 

2. Gregg’s Blue Mistflower (Conoclinium greggii)

Known for its fluffy clusters of lavender-blue flowers, Gregg’s Blue Mistflower is a Monarch favorite during the fall migration. It thrives in dry, clay soils and spreads quickly, creating a lush ground cover.

• Mature size: 1.5-2.5 feet tall and wide
• Bloom color: Lavender-blue
• Bloom season: Late summer to fall
• Wildlife benefits: Monarch butterfly nectar plant, as well as dozens of other pollinators
• USDA zone: 7-10
• Type: Deciduous

 

3. Goldenrod ‘Fireworks’ (Solidago rugosa ‘Fireworks’)

Despite its unfair FALSE reputation for causing allergies, Goldenrod is a crucial late-season nectar source for butterflies, including Monarchs. ‘Fireworks’ offers brilliant, arching sprays of golden-yellow flowers and thrives in tough, clay soils.

• Mature size: 3-4 feet tall and wide
• Bloom color: Yellow
• Bloom season: Late summer to fall
• Wildlife benefits: Nectar for pollinators, especially butterflies
• USDA zone: 4-9
• Type: Deciduous

 

4. Lantana ‘Texas’ (Lantana urticoides)

Lantana thrives in the harshest conditions, blooming profusely in the fall with clusters of orange, red, and yellow flowers. It’s a tough plant for clay soils, offering nectar for Monarchs and other butterflies.

• Mature size: 3-5 feet tall and wide
• Bloom color: Orange, red, yellow
• Bloom season: Summer to frost
• Wildlife benefits: Nectar for butterflies and bees
• USDA zone: 7-11
• Type: Deciduous

 

5. Salvia ‘Henry Duelberg’ (Salvia farinacea ‘Henry Duelberg’)

This striking Texas native is known for its tall spikes of blue flowers, which appear from spring to fall. It’s heat- and drought-tolerant, thriving in heavy clay soils and providing nectar for Monarchs and other pollinators.

• Mature size: 2-3 feet tall and wide
• Bloom color: Blue
• Bloom season: Spring to fall
• Wildlife benefits: Nectar for butterflies, bumblebees, and hummingbirds
• USDA zone: 7-9
• Type: Deciduous

 

6. Autumn Sage (Salvia greggii)

Autumn Sage is a drought-tolerant Texas native that blooms profusely in the fall with red, pink, or purple flowers. It attracts hummingbirds and butterflies, adding lively movement to the garden.

• Mature size: 2-3 feet tall and wide
• Bloom color: Red, pink, or purple
• Bloom season: Spring to fall
• Wildlife benefits: Nectar for butterflies and hummingbirds
• USDA zone: 7-10
• Type: Semi-evergreen

 

7. White Mistflower (Ageratina havanensis)

This Texas native is beloved for its clusters of fragrant white flowers that bloom in fall, drawing in Monarchs and other butterflies. It thrives in tough clay soils and is drought-tolerant once established.

• Mature size: 3-4 feet tall and wide
• Bloom color: White
• Bloom season: Fall
• Wildlife benefits: Nectar for butterflies, especially Monarchs, and dozens of polliators
• USDA zone: 7-11
• Type: Semi-evergreen

 

8. Wild Bergamot (Monarda fistulosa)

Monarda, also known as Bee Balm, is an excellent plant for attracting butterflies, bees, and hummingbirds. This species is particularly valued for its large, pink to lavender  blooms that appear from spring through fall.

• Mature size: 2-3 feet tall and wide
• Bloom color: Pink
• Bloom season: Spring to fall
• Wildlife benefits: Nectar for hummingbirds, bees, and butterflies
• USDA zone: 4-9
• Type: Deciduous

 

9. Lanceleaf Coreopsis (Coreopsis lanceolata)

Bright, cheerful yellow blooms cover this low-maintenance perennial in late spring and again in fall. It thrives in poor, clay soils and is a favorite among pollinators.

• Mature size: 1-2 feet tall and wide
• Bloom color: Yellow
• Bloom season: Late spring to fall
• Wildlife benefits: Nectar for butterflies and bees
• USDA zone: 4-9
• Type: Semi-evergreen

 

10. Flame Acanthus (Anisacanthus quadrifidus var. wrightii)

Also called Hummingbird Bush, Flame Acanthus is known for its fiery red or orange flowers that persist from summer into fall. This heat-loving, clay-tolerant plant provides nectar for hummingbirds and butterflies.

• Mature size: 3-4 feet tall and wide
• Bloom color: Red-orange
• Bloom season: Summer to fall
• Wildlife benefits: Nectar for hummingbirds and butterflies
• USDA zone: 7-9
• Type: Deciduous

 

11. Zexmenia (Wedelia texana)

Zexmenia is a hardy Texas native with bright yellow, daisy-like flowers that bloom from late spring into fall. This drought-tolerant plant attracts butterflies and bees and performs well in clay soils.

• Mature size: 1-2 feet tall and wide
• Bloom color: Yellow
• Bloom season: Late spring to fall
• Wildlife benefits: Nectar for butterflies and bees
• USDA zone: 7-9
• Type: Deciduous

 

12. Turk’s Cap (Malvaviscus arboreus var. drummondii)

This resilient Texas native is known for its bright red, hibiscus-like blooms that provide nectar for hummingbirds and butterflies. Turk’s Cap thrives in partial shade and tolerates the heavy clay soils found in North Texas.

• Mature size: 3-4 feet tall and wide
• Bloom color: Red
• Bloom season: Summer to fall
• Wildlife benefits: Nectar for hummingbirds and butterflies
• USDA zone: 7-11
• Type: Deciduous

 

13. Wine Cup (Callirhoe involucrata)

This low-growing Texas native produces cup-shaped, magenta flowers from spring to fall. It’s a tough, drought-tolerant plant that thrives in clay soils and provides nectar for butterflies.

• Mature size: 6-12 inches tall, 2-3 feet wide
• Bloom color: Magenta
• Bloom season: Spring to fall
• Wildlife benefits: Nectar for butterflies
• USDA zone: 4-8
• Type: Deciduous

 

14. Blackfoot Daisy (Melampodium leucanthum)

This Texas native is a true workhorse in the garden. Its delicate, daisy-like white flowers bloom prolifically from spring through fall. Blackfoot Daisy prefers well-draining soils and provides nectar for bees and butterflies.

• Mature size: 1 foot tall and 1-2 feet wide
• Bloom color: White with yellow centers
• Bloom season: Spring to fall
• Wildlife benefits: Nectar for butterflies and bees
• USDA zone: 5-9
• Type: Deciduous

 

15. Mexican Bush Sage (Salvia leucantha)

The soft, velvety purple and white flower spikes of Mexican Bush Sage add a tropical touch to fall gardens. This plant is heat-tolerant, thrives in poor soils, and attracts pollinators, including migrating Monarchs.

• Mature size: 3-4 feet tall and wide
• Bloom color: Purple and white
• Bloom season: Summer to frost
• Wildlife benefits: Nectar for butterflies and hummingbirds
• USDA zone: 7b-11
• Type: Semi-evergreen