Fall isn’t just for leaves turning color; it’s also a great time for beautiful blooms! Here’s a list of 18 flowers that brighten up the autumn months.
From bold, vibrant hues to delicate pastels, these flowers will keep your garden looking stunning as the seasons change.
1. Chrysanthemums
Chrysanthemums, or mums, are the quintessential fall flower. Their blooms come in various colors, including yellow, orange, red, purple, and white. Mums typically start blooming in late summer and continue through the fall.
They thrive in USDA hardiness zones 5-9 and prefer full sun. Plant them in well-drained soil to avoid root rot. Mums look fantastic when paired with asters, ornamental grasses, or pansies. These companions add contrasting textures and colors to your garden.
2. Asters
Asters are another fall favorite, with star-shaped flowers in shades of purple, blue, pink, and white. They usually start blooming in late summer and can continue into the first frost.
They grow well in zones 3-8 and prefer full sun but can tolerate partial shade. Asters enjoy well-drained soil and regular watering. They make great companions with sedum, goldenrod, and ornamental grasses, creating a beautiful tapestry of autumn colors.
3. Sedum (Autumn Joy)
Sedum ‘Autumn Joy’ is a hardy perennial with large, flat clusters of tiny, star-shaped flowers. The blooms start as a pinkish color in late summer, gradually deepening to a rich rust-red in the fall.
This plant thrives in zones 3-9 and prefers full sun. It’s very drought-tolerant once established. Sedum looks stunning alongside asters, black-eyed Susans, and ornamental grasses, adding a rich, contrasting texture to your fall garden.
4. Japanese Anemone
Japanese Anemones bring elegance to the fall garden with their delicate, cup-shaped flowers in shades of white, pink, and rose. They bloom from late summer through fall.
These flowers grow best in zones 4-8 and prefer partial shade, especially in hot climates. They enjoy moist, well-drained soil. Pair them with hostas, ferns, and hydrangeas for a beautiful woodland garden look.
5. Helenium
Helenium, also known as sneezeweed, boasts daisy-like flowers in vibrant shades of yellow, orange, and red. These cheerful blooms appear from late summer into fall.
They thrive in zones 3-8 and prefer full sun. Helenium enjoys well-drained soil and regular watering. Companion plants include rudbeckia, asters, and ornamental grasses, creating a lively and colorful autumn garden.
6. Rudbeckia (Black-Eyed Susan)
Rudbeckia, or Black-Eyed Susan, is known for its bright yellow petals and dark brown centers. They bloom from mid-summer through fall, adding a splash of sunshine to your garden.
They are hardy in zones 3-9 and prefer full sun. Rudbeckia thrives in well-drained soil and is relatively drought-tolerant. Pair them with coneflowers, asters, and sedum for a vibrant, mixed border.
7. Goldenrod
Goldenrod features tall, arching stems topped with clusters of tiny, bright yellow flowers. These blooms appear from late summer through fall, attracting bees and butterflies.
Goldenrod grows well in zones 4-9 and prefers full sun but can tolerate partial shade. It enjoys well-drained soil and is drought-tolerant once established. Combine it with asters, purple coneflowers, and ornamental grasses for a striking fall display.
8. Toad Lily
Toad Lilies are unique fall bloomers with small, orchid-like flowers speckled with purple or blue. They bloom from late summer to fall, adding a touch of exotic beauty to shady spots.
These flowers grow best in zones 4-8 and prefer partial to full shade. They thrive in moist, well-drained soil. Pair them with hostas, ferns, and astilbes for a lush, woodland garden look.
9. Montauk Daisy
Montauk Daisies, or Nippon Daisies, have large, white, daisy-like flowers that bloom from late summer into fall. Their bright blooms bring a fresh look to the autumn garden.
They thrive in zones 5-9 and prefer full sun to partial shade. Montauk Daisies grow well in well-drained soil and are relatively drought-tolerant. Companion plants include asters, sedum, and ornamental grasses for a bright, cheerful garden.
10. Russian Sage
Russian Sage boasts tall spikes of small, lavender-blue flowers that bloom from mid-summer through fall. Its silvery foliage adds a lovely contrast to the garden.
This plant grows well in zones 4-9 and prefers full sun. Russian Sage is very drought-tolerant once established and thrives in well-drained soil. Pair it with coneflowers, black-eyed Susans, and ornamental grasses for a stunning fall garden.
11. Ornamental Kale
Ornamental Kale is known for its colorful, frilly leaves rather than flowers. Its rosettes come in shades of purple, pink, and white, and they look beautiful throughout the fall and into early winter.
Ornamental Kale thrives in zones 2-11 and prefers full sun to partial shade. It enjoys well-drained soil and regular watering. Pair it with pansies, violas, and ornamental grasses for a vibrant fall display.
12. Camellia Sasanqua
Camellia Sasanqua produces lovely, rose-like flowers in shades of white, pink, and red. These blooms appear from late fall into early winter, providing color when few other flowers are in bloom.
This shrub grows well in zones 7-9 and prefers partial shade to full sun. Camellias enjoy well-drained, slightly acidic soil. Pair them with azaleas, ferns, and hostas for a beautiful, multi-season garden.
13. Witch Hazel
Witch Hazel is a unique shrub with spidery yellow or orange flowers that bloom in late fall to early winter. Its fragrant blooms and interesting form make it a standout.
It thrives in zones 3-8 and prefers full sun to partial shade. Witch Hazel enjoys well-drained soil and regular watering. Companion plants include fothergilla, viburnum, and hellebores for a diverse and interesting garden.
14. Autumn Crocus
Autumn Crocus produces large, goblet-shaped flowers in shades of pink, purple, and white. These blooms appear in early fall, often surprising gardeners with their sudden arrival.
They grow well in zones 4-8 and prefer full sun to partial shade. Autumn Crocus thrives in well-drained soil. Pair them with asters, sedum, and ornamental grasses for a stunning fall display.
15. Turtlehead
Turtlehead, or Chelone, has unique, snapdragon-like flowers in shades of pink, white, and purple. These blooms appear from late summer through fall.
This plant thrives in zones 3-8 and prefers partial shade to full sun. Turtlehead enjoys moist, well-drained soil. Companion plants include hostas, ferns, and astilbes for a lush, woodland garden.
16. Mexican Sage
Mexican Sage, or Salvia leucantha, features velvety purple or white flower spikes that bloom from late summer through fall. Its gray-green foliage adds a lovely contrast.
It grows well in zones 8-10 and prefers full sun. Mexican Sage is drought-tolerant once established and thrives in well-drained soil. Pair it with lantana, verbena, and ornamental grasses for a vibrant, colorful garden.
17. Sweet Autumn Clematis
Sweet Autumn Clematis produces masses of small, fragrant white flowers that bloom in late summer through fall. Its vigorous growth and sweet scent make it a favorite.
This vine thrives in zones 5-9 and prefers full sun to partial shade. Sweet Autumn Clematis enjoys well-drained soil and regular watering. Pair it with climbing roses, honeysuckle, and trumpet vine for a beautiful, vertical garden display.
18. Cyclamen Hederifolium
Cyclamen Hederifolium, or Hardy Cyclamen, has charming, small flowers in shades of pink, white, and rose. These blooms appear in late summer and fall, with attractive marbled foliage.
It grows well in zones 5-9 and prefers partial shade. Hardy Cyclamen thrives in well-drained, humus-rich soil. Pair it with ferns, hostas, and hellebores for a beautiful, woodland garden look.
Last update on 2024-12-21 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API