10 Festive and Flavorful Plants to Grow in September

Late summer or early fall is an excellent time to plant mums, one of the symbolic flowers of the season. Practically any time in September that strikes your fancy is a good bet, so long as it's at least six weeks before the year's first frost. These vibrant blossoms thrive best in USDA Hardiness Zones 5–9 but can also fare well in Zone 4 with a little extra tending to.

Now's the perfect time to start thinking about your spring bounty. Radishes are a great choice to plant in September across the country, as they thrive well in USDA Hardiness Zones 3–10.

While chamomile is actually an herb, it has delicate, daisy-like blooms and brings a fragrant, soothing element to any garden. Plant these now so they can grow strong before winter for a lovely spring treat. Chamomile does best in USDA Hardiness Zones 2–9.

Those living in USDA Hardiness Zones 3–9 should consider planting some spinach this month to reap garden-fresh salads and verdant grounds within two months. For those living in areas that experience mild winters, this plant will thrive through the winter but needs to be planted toward the end of the month as the average soil temperature cools.

Ah, the peony, one of our all-time favorite flowers. Getting gorgeous spring blooms starts with planting in the latter half of September—at the very end if you live in a warmer climate. USDA Hardiness Zones 3–9 are the best for growing this flower in an array of pretty pastels.

Sage is a popular choice for planting in spring, but this fragrant culinary herb can be planted in the fall as well, so long as it's at least two weeks before the first frost of the year. This plant acts as a perennial for those living in USDA Hardiness Zones 5–8, but those living in Zone 9 or warmer will need to treat sage as an annual because it doesn't like extreme summer temperatures.

September is an excellent month to plant asters as the temperatures grow mild and they can be well-established by winter frosts. These beautiful blooms are the month's birth flower, making for an extra-special addition to the garden. These thrive best in USDA Hardiness Zones 3–8.

There's something about blueberries and their accompanying flowers that makes a garden feel extra-special. This superfood can be planted in early fall for those in milder climates (USDA Hardiness Zones 7–9), and those in Zones 5–6 can still try on the earlier side of the month.

Enliven your garden through the year's first frost with fast-growing zinnias. These flowers can bloom just a month after sowing and are best planted once the summer temperatures start to wane. Zinnias are most likely to thrive when planted in USDA Hardiness Zones 6–11 and often attract pollinators such as butterflies.

Also known as "rocket," this peppery leafy green offers quick rewards when planted late in the summer or early fall. Gardeners will reap a late fall or early winter harvest, just in time for adding to cozy, seasonal dishes. Arugula is pretty weather-hardy and fares well in USDA Hardiness Zones 3–11.