September is one of the most rewarding months in the landscape. The days cool down, the colors start to deepen, and plants with late-season flowers, striking foliage, and strong form step into the spotlight. Whether you’re planning a new garden project, adding structure to a yard, or simply refreshing your plant palette, this is the perfect time to take advantage of selections that shine in early fall. To help you choose, we’ve rounded up our Top 11 Plants for September – a mix of trees, shrubs, and ornamentals that deliver beauty, function, and seasonal interest right when you need it most.
Explore Our Top 11 September Picks
Apollo® Sugar Maple
(Acer saccharum ‘Barrett Cole’)
A true columnar sugar maple with dense branching and heat‑tolerant, dark green leaves that turn rich gold‑orange in fall. Perfect where you want classic maple fall color but have limited width.
- Typical Size: ~30′ tall × ~10′ wide
- Form: Very narrow/columnar
- Zone: 4–8
- Great for: Small yards, narrow side lots, street/drive strips, formal rows, vertical accents.
Armstrong Gold® Maple
(Acer rubrum ‘JFS‑KW78’)
A refined selection of red maple with tighter branching than ‘Armstrong’ and dependable golden to orange fall color. Fast to establish, with minimal litter and unobtrusive spring flowers.
- Typical Size: ~40′ tall × ~12′ wide
- Form: Strongly upright/columnar
- Zone: 4–9
- Great for: Tight streetscapes, screening tall views, alleys, and modern designs.
Red Jewel™ Crabapple
(Malus ‘Red Jewel’)
Masses of single white blossoms in spring are followed by vivid, cherry‑red fruit that hangs through winter. Compact size and strong disease resistance make it a reliable ornamental crabapple.
- Typical Size: 12–15′ tall × 8–12′ wide
- Form: Upright pyramidal
- Zone: 4-8
- Fruit: ½” bright red, very persistent
- Great for: Four‑season interest, wildlife food, foundation accents, small lawns.
Adirondack Crabapple
(Malus ‘Adirondack’)
One of the most floriferous crabapples: deep pink buds open to waxy white, fragrant flowers, followed by abundant bronze‑red mini “cherries” that persist into winter.
- Typical Size: 12–18′ tall × 6–10′ wide
- Form: Upright/vaselike, compact
- Zone: 4-8
- Great for: Tight spaces, entry accents, pollinator support, small gardens.
Redmond Linden
(Tilia americana ‘Redmond’)
A handsome American linden selection with slightly smaller leaves than the species, strongly pyramidal form, and sweetly fragrant early‑summer flowers that hum with bees. Tolerates brief drought once established.
- Typical Size: 40–60′ tall × 30–45′ wide
- Form: Uniform pyramidal
- Zone: 4-8
- Bloom: Fragrant, pale yellow in June
- Great for: Shade, large yards, parks, pollinator (bee) support, street/parkway where space allows.
Greenspire® Linden
(Tilia cordata ‘Greenspire’)
The benchmark littleleaf linden—neat, tidy structure; fragrant yellowish flowers in early summer; glossy heart‑shaped leaves turning golden in fall. Not fussy about soil and tolerant of urban conditions.
- Typical Size: ~40–50′ tall × ~25–30′ wide
- Form: Very uniform pyramidal with a strong central leader
- Zone: 4–7
- Great for: Streets/parkways, shade, formal avenues, tough urban sites.
White Fringe Tree
(Chionanthus virginicus)
A beloved native with fleecy, strap‑petaled white flowers and glossy leaves. Males bloom more richly; females set blue fruit (birds love them) when a male is nearby. Adapts to sun or part shade.
- Typical Size: 12–20′ tall and wide
- Form: Multi‑stem shrub or small tree
- Zone: 3-9
- Bloom: Showy, fragrant “fringe” in late spring
- Great for: Specimen near patios/windows, native plantings, wildlife gardens.
Seven‑Son Flower
(Heptacodium miconioides)
Glossy foliage and clusters of fragrant, creamy‑white flowers arrive just when the garden is winding down. After bloom, the calyces turn deep pink‑red, extending the display well into fall.
- Typical Size: 15–20′ tall × ~10′ wide
- Form: Fountain‑shaped, multi‑stem shrub/small tree
- Zone: 5–9
- Season: Flowers late summer; showy rosy bracts in fall; exfoliating tan bark in winter
- Great for: Four‑season interest, pollinators, specimen near high‑traffic views.
Baby Blue Spruce
(Picea pungens ‘Baby Blue’ / seed‑grown selections)
A compact Colorado blue spruce type chosen for uniform shape and strong blue color in a smaller package. Slow growing and very hardy; prefers full sun and well‑drained soil.
- Typical Size: Usually under ~25′ tall (often 15–25′) × ~10–15′ wide
- Form: Dense, pyramidal
- Zone: 3-8
- Foliage: Silvery to steely blue needles
- Great for: Year‑round structure, privacy groupings, windbreaks, specimen evergreens.
Mt. Airy Fothergilla
(Fothergilla x int ‘Mount Airy)
A compact, upright-growing shrub. White bottlebrush flowers in Spring, attractive Summer foliage, and incredible Fall color. Slow growing. Adaptable to both Sun or Shade.
- Typical Size: Usually under ~5’ tall × ~4-5’ wide
- Form: Upright, rounded
- Bloom: Fragrant white in Spring
- Zone: 4–8
- Foliage: Green with fall colors of orange. red, and purple
- Great for: Year‑round interest, mixed borders, as a small specimen, naturalized areas
Fernleaf Fullmoon Maple
(Acer japonica ‘Aconitifolium’)
An exceptional Japanese maple prized for its delicate, deeply lobed foliage and brilliant scarlet and crimson fall color. Slow-growing but highly ornamental, especially as a specimen in a protected site.
- Typical Size: 8’ × 8’
- Form: Deeply cut, delicate fern-like green
- Zone: 5-7
- Great for: Specimen planting, shade gardens, Asian inspired landscapes
Planting for Success This Fall
Planting & Watering Guide
Once you’ve chosen the right tree or shrub, proper planting and care are the keys to long-term success. On our website, you’ll find our Planting and Watering Guide, which walks you through everything from preparing the planting hole to setting the right watering schedule. September is a great month to plant—cooler temperatures reduce stress on new roots, and warm soil helps them establish quickly. Following these best practices ensures your new additions will thrive for seasons to come.
Lurvey Installation Services
If you’d like extra help bringing your landscape vision to life, our team also offers Installation Services. From delivery to professional installation, we handle the heavy lifting so you can enjoy a worry-free experience. Our experts make sure each plant is positioned correctly, planted to the right depth, and set up for success with proper soil prep and aftercare. Whether you’re adding a single specimen tree or refreshing an entire landscape, our planting service provides peace of mind and lasting results.
From the fiery hues of maples to the fragrant blooms of fringe trees and the year-round presence of evergreens, these featured plants prove that September is far from the end of the growing season. Each offers its own blend of charm, adaptability, and standout appeal—making them excellent choices for landscapes large or small. Explore these nine favorites, and you’ll see how the right plants can keep your outdoor spaces looking vibrant and engaging well into fall and beyond.
