15 Native Plants You Should Sow In September

As we leave August behind, thoughts turn toward fall as we look forward to cooler days. Garden planning is underway, with another prime planting season upon us. From cool-season vegetables to trees and shrubs, fall is optimal for plants to establish strong root systems. When it comes to sowing native perennials, the season gives those that need cold stratification ample exposure to cold conditions for germination in the spring. 

While some of us may still be in the throes of late summer heat, others begin to experience a nip in the air as the days grow shorter. For cold-climate gardeners, September is made for direct sowing native perennials. In warm growing zones, wait until temperatures mellow later in fall.

The aim in sowing native perennials this month is for seeds to overwinter until conditions suit germination in spring. In frost-free zones or those with a late frost date, sowing now allows ample time for roots to establish before cold weather. Gauge sowing with your first frost date, the selection’s germination time, and the active growing season.

For a September sowing, rely on native perennials that naturally drop seeds this time of year. While cultivars of native species propagate best through division and cuttings, the straight species often produce seeds that are easy to collect and sow. The forgiving, durable species even handle sowing over the winter, including in snow.

Here are the top native perennials you can sow in September.

Coreopsis

	botanical name Coreopsis spp.
	sun requirements Full sun to partial shade
	height 2-5’
	hardiness zones 3-9

Coreopsis brings a sweep of sunny yellow blooms. It’s one of the first to show color in early spring and among the last to fade in fall. It reseeds readily for successional seasons, meaning you’ll only need to sow this native plant once in September.

The ray-petaled perennial is a favorite nectar and pollen source for bees, butterflies, and beneficial insects. Songbirds forage on the seeds through winter.

Lance-leaved coreopsis (Coreopsis lanceolata) has signature golden ray petals and yellow centers. The drought-tolerant wildflower forms clumps of pincushion basal leaves, with blooms rising above on slender stems.

Plains coreopsis (C. tinctoria) has yellow petals with deep red highlights and brown button central discs. Though considered an annual, a single plant may flower for two to three years.

To sow these native plants in September, scatter coreopsis seeds on a prepped surface and tamp them in lightly to secure them in place. There’s no need to cover them with soil, as they need light to germinate.

Rudbeckia

	botanical name Rudbeckia spp.
	sun requirements Full sun to partial shade
	height 1.5-2’
	hardiness zones 3-9

Rudbeckia is a native prairie wildflower with continual blooms from summer through frost. The golden ray flowers have chocolate button centers on thin stems above dark green basal leaves. Like coreopsis and so many of our favorite natives, their seedheads extend the seasonal interest and provide food for songbirds through winter. There are several species with ecological and ornamental value for the home landscape.

Black-eyed Susans are adaptable, thriving in heat, humidity, and drought. Cutleaf coneflower, R. laciniata, sends up sprays of large, sunny yellow flowers. The central discs leading the petals are green and sometimes brown. Mounding leaves are deeply cut and serrated. In dark green, they’re attractive and full. This is a larger species in terms of foliage and flowering, with stems that can reach up to nine feet.

R. hirta often grows as an annual, flowering in its first year, but may last beyond a single season. It also self-seeds readily for future color. R. fulgida brings the characteristic golden blooms on a durable, clumping form with an easy spread.

Brown-eyed Susan, R. triloba, is similar to R. hirta but with a later, longer bloom time and smaller flowers. The bright yellow blooms shine in late summer until hard frost. The short-lived perennials develop roots and leafy growth in the first year, and maybe a few flowers, with full flowering in the second year.

To direct sow these native plants in September, scatter seeds and lightly tamp them into place. Seeds need sunlight to germinate and don’t require much cover. Sow rudbeckia as late as two months before your first frost date. As clumping specimens, they also divide easily.

Columbine

	botanical name Aquilegia spp.
	sun requirements Full sun to partial shade
	height 3’
	hardiness zones 3-8

Columbine brings ornamental value to the arrangement with detailed nodding blooms and graceful compound leaves. Species range from vibrant red and yellow to rich blues, with cultivars in an array of colors.

Rocky Mountain blue columbine is an heirloom Western region wildflower with violet and white blooms with yellow stamens. Aquilegia corulea holds the Royal Horticultural Society’s Award of Garden Merit for its performance and ornamental value.

Eastern red columbine is another award winner, this one with a native range in Canada and the U.S. east of the Rockies. The red and yellow pendent blooms bob from the tips of stems. Red spurs point upward and provide nectar for hummingbirds and hawk moths, while yellow petals and prominent stamens droop below and supply pollen for bees.

Attractive compound leaves emerge quickly as temperatures warm, followed by nodding flowers. Hummingbirds appreciate the nectar from the tubular blooms, and birds feed on the seeds in the fall.

Columbine grows best in moderately moist, well-drained soils. It benefits from a cold period of 30 days (or more) to germinate. To sow these native plants in September, scatter seeds on the soil surface and cover lightly with soil to keep them in place.

Prairie Coneflower

	botanical name Ratibida columnifera
	sun requirements Full sun
	height 1-3’
	hardiness zones 4-9

Prairie coneflowers have red, yellow, or dark purple-red petals led by a prominent gold-brown disc. The shuttlecock blooms boast a long flowering season and offer easy, naturalistic beauty. The ray flowers rise on tall stems, beckoning pollinators and songbirds with nectar, pollen, and seeds as forage.

Prairie coneflower is fast-growing, drought-tolerant, and withstands competition from other plants. In its optimal growing conditions, it may overtake weaker specimens with its vigorous spread. Sow this native plant in September for cold stratification, with room to spread.

Milkweed

	botanical name Asclepias spp.
	sun requirements Full sun
	height 2-6’
	hardiness zones 3-10

Milkweed, with its many native species, naturally reseeds this time of year after flowering. The seeds benefit from cold and moist stratification. After blooming, collect the seeds or let them drop naturally to expand the colony (birds even use the silky seed tufts as nesting material). Share seeds with your gardening neighbors to increase the population.

Milkweed’s vibrant blooms and sweet nectar attract important pollinators like monarch butterflies and beneficial insects. The whole plant is valuable to monarchs throughout their life cycle. It’s a food source for monarch caterpillars, shelter for their chrysalis, and a nectar source for those migrating. 

Choose the best milkweed for your region to best support the butterflies. Scatter seeds generously to create large patches; monarchs rely on masses of reliably blooming milkweed in the summer.

Aster

	botanical name Symphyotrichum spp.
	sun requirements Full sun
	height 1-6’
	hardiness zones 3-9

Asters, with many species native to North America, are the stars of the fall garden. Their deep blue-purple ray flowers bring an infusion of color and support bees and other pollinators during the seasonal transition.

In mild climates, sow a round of the native plants in September for winter flowering. In colder zones, wait to sow until after spring’s final frost. 

Asters prefer moist, organically rich soils with good drainage. Allow plenty of air circulation with proper spacing to stave off fungal problems.

Anise Hyssop

	botanical name Agastache foeniculum
	sun requirements Full sun to partial shade
	height 2-4’
	hardiness zones 4-8

Anise hyssop is the showiest of the native mints. Its purple-blue bloom spikes rise above gray-green, aromatic leaves. Bridging the herb garden and perennial border, the leaves and flowers are edible and make refreshing hot or iced teas. The petite tubular blooms are a rich nectar source for bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds.

Anise hyssop flowers in the warm temperatures of summer through frost. Plant seeds shallowly, tamping them lightly for contact. They need light exposure and a short chill period to develop.

Penstemon

	botanical name Penstemon spp.
	sun requirements Full sun to partial shade
	height 2-3’
	hardiness zones 4-9

Many species of Penstemon are native to the U.S. and popular for their brilliant blooms and dark green leaves. Tubular blooms in shades from violet-blue to scarlet are irresistible to pollinators.

Rocky Mountain blue penstemon (Penstemon strictus) is a long-lived, reliable heirloom with striking violet-blue bloom spikes in early summer. Rocky Mountain blue tolerates varying soil conditions. Firecracker penstemon (P. eatonii) yields scarlet bell blooms on tall spikes in spring through summer. 

Penstemons are long-lived and tolerant of variable soil conditions and drought. They grow best in dry, light, well-drained soils. Seeds benefit from fall or winter sowing to allow exposure to cold temperatures and moisture.

Purple Coneflower

	botanical name Echinacea purpurea
	sun requirements Full sun
	height 1.5-5’
	hardiness zones 3-9

Coneflower is a favorite prairie wildflower with an easy show of purple ray flowers surrounding central orange florets. Echinacea provides a long bloom season with plenty of color and is a prime nectar source for beneficial insects. 

Purple coneflower flourishes in the summer heat in various soils, as long as they have good drainage. Stop any deadheading so late-season blooms go to seed. Seeds bring winter interest, food for foraging birds and wildlife, and expand the colony.

Wait until after fall’s first heavy frost to scatter seeds. They’ll benefit from a winter spent outdoors for successful sprouting.

Chelone

	botanical name Chelone spp.
	sun requirements Full sun to partial shade
	height 2-5’
	hardiness zones 3-9

Chelone, or turtlehead, has flowers that resemble a little turtle with an open mouth. As pretty as their common name is cute, turtlehead produces tubular two-lipped blooms (like snapdragons) in pink, red, and white. The flower-lined stalks appear late in the summer and into early fall. Foliage is dark green and shiny with a mounding form.

Chelone is native to North America and occurs naturally in bogs, swamps, and moist woodlands. It prefers moist, organically rich soils as a result.

Collect brown, dry seed pods after flowers fade. Scatter them on the surface, as they need light to germinate. They benefit from cold stratification, and germination can be slow and take over a few months.

Blanketflower

	botanical name Gaillardia spp.
	sun requirements Full sun
	height 1-4’
	hardiness zones 3-10

Blanketflower brightens with whirls of gold, orange, and red ray petals punctuated with brown discs. Blooming throughout the summer until frost, Gaillardia is carefree with good drought and heat tolerance. It grows in poor, sandy soils and adapts to various site conditions with ample drainage.

Blanketflower is a tough species. Sow these native plants in September in mild climates to establish before frost. Species like G. aristata require a cold period to germinate, but others do not.

Liatris

	botanical name Liatris spp.
	sun requirements Full sun to partial shade
	height 1-5’
	hardiness zones 3-9

Blazing star holds dense flowers in purples, pinks, and whites on tall, upright stems. Arching, fine-bladed foliage mounds and clumps beneath the leafy stems.

Liatris are native to North America, from Canada to Florida, depending on the species. Once established, blazing star is cold-hardy, withstands heat, and is drought-tolerant. It benefits from four to six weeks of cold and moist stratification from fall planting.

Lupine

	botanical name Lupinus spp.
	sun requirements Full sun to partial shade
	height 1-5’
	hardiness zones 3-8

Lupine charms with bell-shaped blooms in blue, purple, pink, white, red, and yellow. In the wild, they pop up in variable conditions from rocky slopes to disturbed sites to open meadows. The durable wildflowers grow across conditions, from hot to cold, dry to moist, and in lean soils. As legumes, they fix nitrogen and improve the surrounding soil nutrition.

Lupines perform well in cool climates as short-lived perennials. They take time to establish, usually blooming in their second year, but often reseed once they do. Lupine species are native to eastern North America, like Lupinus perennis (wild lupine), and western North America, like Lupinus polyphyllus (meadow lupine).

Sow lupine seeds by scattering them in fall or winter. They handle snow well, and it provides insulation for overwintering.

Wild Bergamot

	botanical name Monarda fistulosa
	sun requirements Full sun to partial shade
	height 2-4’
	hardiness zones 3-9

Wild bergamot is native east of the Rockies with a hardy nature and standout flared blooms. Dusky pink flowers cluster along the stems above minty foliage. The bloom season is long, lasting from early summer through frost, and the flowers are a hummingbird favorite.

Sow seeds in September, well before the first autumn frost, to see blooms before the cold comes in. This species doesn’t require cold stratification. Once established, monarda spreads by both seed and rhizome. It grows best in organically rich soils with consistent moisture and good air circulation.

Sweet Joe Pye Weed

	botanical name Eutrochium purpureum
	sun requirements Full sun to partial shade
	height 5-7’
	hardiness zones 4-9

Joe Pye weed is outstanding in a mass with large, domed flower clusters in rosy purple. The adaptable perennial isn’t weedy but does grow in challenging conditions, like along roadsides. With ornamental and ecological value, it’s one native plant to sow in September if you’ve got space at the back of the border or in naturalized areas.

It puts on a big display late in the season and draws all kinds of beneficial insects. In addition to the flowerheads are coarse, long leaves in dark green with purple-hued leaf nodes.