Fall Bloomers!

This is the time of year when my garden is looking a little (or a lot!) tired from the heat of summer and the end of the life cycle for the summer annuals.  So the last few years I've tried to add blooming plants that hit their peak in the fall!  Best of all, these choices are perennials or bulbs that naturalize in my zone 9 garden so they return every year.  Here are some of my favorites:

 Mexican sage (salvia leucantha) and Japanese anemone.  A stunning combination!

 Dahlias!  Spectacular in the garden and as cut flowers.

Salvia and bidens, love the contrast in color and height.

Tuberous begonias, fabulous in pots in the shade 

Sedum Autumn Joy, the flower heads last for weeks on the plant.

Japanese anemone planted in mass, note it likes to spread by underground runner

Pink Double Japanese Anemone

Cactus Dahlia

Happy Gardening!