The 18 Best Fall Flowers to Plant in Your Garden

purple aster fall flower

Looking for some ideas on which flowers to plant in your garden this fall? Look no further than the list below, which contains 18 of the best fall flowers to plant in your garden. From annuals and perennials to shrubs, we’ve got them all here in one easy-to-read list. Get a gorgeous fall garden in no time!

Best Fall Flowers: Annuals to Plant for Fall Gardens

Belgian Chrysanthemums

Belgian Mums are extremely easy to grow. And most varieties even thrive in colder climates. They bloom later in fall, so they’re great for extending your bloom season after most annuals have passed their prime. And while you might think of them as flowers more suited for your porch or front yard, these plants are also great for containers! Their showy blooms not only look amazing in any garden, but they attract beneficial insects to your space.

Ornamental Cabbage

Ornamental Cabbage is a brilliant addition to any fall garden. Decorative cabbage is one of those plants that blooms for a few weeks early in spring. But you can also expect beautiful purple flowers to bloom mid-summer through autumn. With dark purple leaves and burgundy undertones, it’s an excellent choice for adding color and texture to your fall garden.

Ornamental Kale

One of our favorite fall-flowering plants is Ornamental Kale. This plant is gorgeous and very easy to grow. It produces, both, white and vibrant purple flowers. You’ll love its unique look. It will add a stunning touch to your garden while also providing an excellent spot for butterflies and other insects to rest!

Lobularia

Lobularia is an annual flowering plant that’s ideal for anyone looking to add an early pop of color to their garden. This resilient, drought-tolerant annual blooms in shades of purple and white throughout spring, summer, and fall. Those new to gardening will appreciate how easy it is to grow Lobularia.

Marigold

Marigolds are best grown in full sun and are great fall plants for your garden. They are native to Mexico and Central America but have become popular with home gardeners across North America due to their brilliant colors and easy-to-grow nature. Try mixing them with chrysanthemums; together they produce vibrant colors that will last well into fall.

Dusty Miller

Dusty Miller is an annual flower that lasts into late summer and early fall. It’s great for butterflies because it thrives through August, September, and October. Its color scheme pairs well with many other flowers, so it is a great addition to any garden. It will grow to around 24 inches tall depending on how sunny or shady your area gets. When planting Dusty Miller be sure to place it in rich soil that does not contain excessive nitrogen. If the soil is high in nitrogen it can cause the leaves to become dark green and its blooms lighter than they should be.

Best Fall Flowers: Perennials to Plant for Fall Gardens

Aster

Aster plants and flowers are relatively easy to grow and long-blooming. They come in a variety of colors, including yellow, white, lavender, purple and red. Many also attract butterflies. Asters tend to thrive in full sun or part shade but will tolerate low light situations as well. Be sure to choose varieties that you can grow in your climate zone so you can enjoy them longer. If you want a mix of colors and textures to add sparkle to your garden during autumn and fall blooms, aster is a great choice.

Rudbeckia

This is a traditional favorite in fall gardens. Not only are Rudbeckia plants extremely easy to grow, they’re also long-lasting and available in an array of sizes. They range anywhere from 18 inches to 4 feet tall. They like full sun and well-drained soil and generally flower from July to September. If you’re interested in bees and butterflies, Rudbeckia is worth growing. It attracts both pollinators with its nectar and birds with its seeds.

Echinacea

With a wide range of colors, heights, and blooming times, Echinacea is a great choice for a fall garden. It features purple, red, yellow, and orange flowers that bloom from July to September. Echinacea is also known as coneflower because it produces cone-shaped seed pods. Consider pairing it with an annual flower, such as Zinnia, for a colorful and long-lasting border.

Coreopsis

Coreopsis are flowering plants commonly known as tickseed. They’re normally found in dry open woods and prairies. When autumn rolls around, you can find your Coreopsis blooming their little hearts out. It’s important that you select hardy varieties that will adapt well to your growing region. And when fall arrives in full force, these perennials will make an impressive display throughout your yard.

Gaillardia

This flower is a perennial plant that blooms in shades of red, orange, and yellow. Gaillardia flowers grow on upright stems that range from 12 to 24 inches tall. The flowers will begin to bloom in mid-summer and continue through fall. They are easy to care for and will attract butterflies with their vibrant colors.

Platycodon

Also known as balloon flower, Platycodon is lovely to have in your garden. It can be planted both in early spring and fall to produce long lasting blooms. It typically grows up to 12 inches tall, making it perfect for rock gardens or pots on patios. Platycodon are popular garden plants because they don’t need too much care or watering. Plus there are many varieties you can choose from if you want more color variation within your garden.

Eupatorium

If you’re looking for plants for your fall garden that will provide continuous blooms, consider Eupatorium. Not only is it easy to grow in most conditions, but its height also makes it a great border plant. Plus, when its flowers bloom in September and October they come in gorgeous shades of pink, white, and purple. Eupatorium isn’t fussy about light or soil type but does need full sun exposure. Make sure you dig up any root bound plants so they have space to grow once transplanted into your fall garden.

Perovskia

A classic pick for any fall garden is perovskia. Perovskia plants are popular for several reasons: they’re tough, fast-growing, and produce wonderful white flowers that bloom throughout autumn. These plants can get large (some getting up to 4 feet tall), so make sure you have enough space in your garden. Plant perovskia in full sun. They like well-drained soil and don’t need much watering after they’ve taken root. After planting, you can clip off some of their leaves during late summer to encourage more blooms.

Heuchera

This spreading groundcover with bold leaves is an excellent choice for your fall garden. Also known as coral bells, Heucheras are hardy perennials. Their foliage that can vary in color but is commonly red, green, or purple. It grows to be about 18 inches tall and spreads up to 2 feet wide so it doesn’t take up too much space in your garden. This plant grows quickly so you should have blooms by early fall. When planting heuchera, opt for spring or fall because you’ll have plenty of time to get them established before winter. A great part about these plants is that they prefer dry soils so they’re good choices for xeriscaping.

Clematis

Clematis is one of our favorite flowers for late summer and fall planting. Its blooms are among some of most colorful, adding pizazz to your garden with their variety of hues in pink, purple and white. And they’re hardy—even cold-hardy, which makes them a great option for colder climates or those that are expecting a cold snap during warmer months. Not only do clematis flowers look great; they smell wonderful, too. As a bonus, clematis is also a magnet for butterflies and hummingbirds

Best Fall Flowers: Bushes and Shrubs to Plant for Fall Gardens

Shrub Roses

If you’re looking for a low-maintenance, hardy shrub that will grow well in your garden, there are few better options than Shrub Roses. Perfect for growing near walkways or doorways of your home, these shrubs bring great blooms all fall long. You can plant them in full sun or partial shade—but be aware that they may get leggy if left out in too much sunlight during summer months. If your area receives frost in early spring, you’ll want to cover these plants at night with blankets to protect them from any potential damage.

Euonymus

Euonymus is a great choice for an informal border in your garden. This perennial has attractive fall foliage with vibrant reds and oranges that will brighten up your garden when everything else is going dormant. The best part about Euonymus is that it’s a self-pruning shrub, which means it can be left on its own to grow into a nice, tight hedge. It’s a great plant for someone who wants to decorate their yard without much maintenance.

You Might Also Like

No Comments

Leave a Comment