As summer winds down, many gardeners wonder how to keep their landscapes vibrant and healthy through the shift into fall. Late August is a transition point: blooms are fading, leaves are hinting at colour, and your plants need a little extra care to prepare for cooler days.
Here are some of the top questions we hear this time of year, with answers to help your garden shine from now into autumn.
Q: Which plants keep blooming and give fall colour?
A: Some plants don’t stop when summer ends. They carry your garden into autumn with a mix of blooms and fiery foliage:
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Amsonia ‘Starstruck’: Blue summer flowers that turn to golden fall leaves.
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Rudbeckia (Black-Eyed Susan): Bright golden blooms into September, and a magnet for pollinators.
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Sedum ‘Autumn Joy’: Pink blossoms that deepen into bronze-red.
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Ninebark ‘Amber Jubilee’: Rich foliage that intensifies to red-orange in fall.
Q: What are the best late-season bloomers to plant now?
A: If you want fresh colour and pollinator activity well into September, consider:
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Coneflowers (Echinacea): Reliable, long-lasting blooms.
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Japanese Anemone: Delicate flowers that brighten borders.
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Asters: Fall classics in purple and pink, loved by bees.
Q: How do I care for hydrangeas in late summer?
A: Hydrangeas are showstoppers right now, and each type benefits from slightly different care as we head into fall:
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Bigleaf & Oakleaf Hydrangeas (bloom on old wood)
Don’t prune yet! Cutting back now will remove next year’s flower buds. Wait until early spring to tidy them up. -
Panicle & Smooth Hydrangeas (bloom on new wood)
These can be pruned in late fall or early spring, since they form buds on fresh growth. For now, just enjoy their showy blooms. -
All types
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Deadhead if you wish. Snip spent flowers to keep plants neat, or leave them on for lovely winter texture.
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Water deeply. Consistent moisture now helps strengthen roots before dormancy. Mulching around the base also helps retain soil moisture.
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💡 Tip: Healthy watering habits in late summer set your hydrangeas up for strong growth and blooms next year.
Q: When should I stop fertilizing flowers?
A: This is one of the most common late-summer questions:
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Annuals & perennials: Stop fertilizing by early September. Feeding too late encourages tender new growth that frost can damage.
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Shrubs & trees: Switch to fall-specific fertilizers that build root strength, not leafy growth.
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Lawns: Apply fall fertilizer in September to thicken grass and strengthen roots for spring.
With just a few late-summer tweaks, your garden can keep shining into fall. Visit Ritchie Feed & Seed to explore plant accessories, fertilizers, and expert tips tailored to this season.
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