• September invites a variety of annuals and perennials to be planted for fall in Georgiapansy image by Aidairi from Fotolia.com
  
  Remember September for flowers that ignite Georgia’s outdoor gardens with color that lasts until the first frost. Whether it’s a showy bloom of annuals or the reliable encore of perennials, September is the month in Georgia when timing and temperature come together for a variety of blooms that thrive during Georgia’s transition from fall to winter.
  
  

Annuals

• Some annuals in Georgia reseed and pop up again next season.Flower garden image by MAXFX from Fotolia.com
  
  Getting the most out of September flowers in Georgia means planting the ones that bloom steadily through the fall and sometimes beyond. Annuals generally complete their life cycles in one season but some, such as pansies and snapdragons, are known to reseed and emerge again next season in some areas of Georgia.
  
  

Pansies

• pansies come in a variety of colors including yellow, orange, deep blue and purple, or white.pansy image by Aidairi from Fotolia.com
  
  Plant pansies in September for an initial burst of vibrant color that will bloom through October. During the winter months, pansies slow down, but spring back full force in the spring. According to Floriculture Research at North Carolina State University, pansies prefer an acidic pH and should be nourished with a low P, 21-5-20 fertilizer. Plant pansies in full sun, 4 to 6 inches apart, and 3 inches deep.
  
  

Snapdragons

• Snapdragons are not on the menu for Georgia's deer population.snapdragon flowers image by mefanti from Fotolia.com
  
  Like pansies, colorful snapdragons are planted where they will receive 5 to 6 hours of sunlight. They bloom through the fall, and often spring back with a vengeance after winter. However, planting snapdragons deeper than 3 inches might cause stem rot. Give them room to breathe, especially at the base of the stem, which should be very lightly covered with soil. Plant snapdragons 6 to 10 inches apart and fertilize them with a bloom booster, commonly available at home improvement retailers. With Georgia’s prevalent deer population, many flowers wind up ravaged, but not the snapdragon. According to the Department of Horticulture at the University of Georgia, deer rarely browse these blooming beauties.
  
  

Mums

• Mums are a classic fall favorite in Georgia.mums image by JLycke from Fotolia.com
  
  Mums are a favorite flower for the autumn season in Georgia and come in a variety of colors including magenta, yellow, white, soft pink, maroon, orange and purple. Mums need full sun, but a couple of hours of shade won’t halt blooming. Plant mums 1 to 2 feet apart and nourish them with a 4-12-8 fertilizer. Though they are annuals, mums can be left in the ground in Georgia for a return appearance every season. Mums have a tendency to become leggy and tattered looking unless they are cut back in July. Trimming them back 2 inches for every 4 inches of growth will allow them to display a hearty bloom of color for the next season.
  
  

Perennials

• Perennials are low maintenance in Georgia.bellis perennis image by Annett Goebel from Fotolia.com
  
  Perennials are nearly guaranteed to last at least three to four seasons, but in most cases, will thrive indefinitely and proliferate every year. September perennials in Georgia are low maintenance and come in a wide assortment of heights and colors to enhance the natural feel of an outdoor garden.
  
  

Daylilies

• Daylilies are abundant on Georgia's roadsides and thrive equally well in Georgia's gardens.Daylily image by jun zhou from Fotolia.com
  
  Daylilies are perhaps the most hearty of flowers available in Georgia and they come in an endless variety of shapes and colors. Beginner varieties such as the "happy return" and "rosy returns" do just what their names imply: They return each year with vibrant blooms. Daylilies can be planted any time of year, but September is the ideal month for planting as the heat of summer begins to subside. According to University of Georgia’s Extension Horticulturist, Mel Garber, daylilies prefer a mildly acidic soil and should be fed with a 5-10-15 fertilizer (moderate nitrogen, high phosphorus and potash) Daylilies can reach heights of up to 4 feet and should be planted in full sun, 2 feet apart to avoid crowding.
  
  

Black-Eyed Susans

• The black-eyed Susan tolerates Georgia's dry red clay.black eyed susan flower image by Jim Mills from Fotolia.com
  
  These easy care perennials bloom for weeks and require little to no maintenance once established. Plant the classic "goldsturm" variety for continued growth each season. Space black-eyed Susans 18 to 24 inches apart in full sun. These gold flowers with a deep brown center are known to withstand the elements of Georgia’s dry red clay; however, a 5-10-10 fertilizer will provide them with the slightly acidic soil they prefer. Black-eyed Susans can grow up to 5 feet tall, often providing a vibrant wall of gold blooms that flourish well into the fall.
  
  

Pineapple Sage

• The pineapple sage is extremely convenient; its aromatic leaves return every year and top themselves off with delicate bright red tubular blooms in September. Pineapple sage can be used as a garnish for everything from iced tea to baked chicken, and there’s usually enough to share with friends and neighbors as the perennial produces an abundance of leaves. Plant pineapple sage about 18 inches apart in full sun to partial shade. Water regularly if rain is scare; otherwise, this perennial herb requires no fertilizer and thrives happily if trimmed back in November after the first frost.