Fall is on the horizon, and it starts to feel like it's time to put your garden to rest. Not so fast! Do I have some ideas for you! There are still some flowers and plants that are the autumn jewels of the garden world. From flowers to grasses, there are always ways to add some late season interest to your landscape. Some of my favorites actually don't start blooming until the fall. If you read this article and failed to purchase them early in the season, don't fret! You can usually find these fun varieties grown in containers at your local garden center. Let's get started!
1. Dahlias
The dahlia is such a beautiful and unique flower, usually known for blooming around mid-summer. I love dahlias so much that I make sure to plant some early-blooming varieties as well as late-blooming varieties. When the rest of the garden is sleeping, these continue to wow well into the season! Even though I live in a colder climate, I've seen blooms as late as October!
Favorite Varieties - September Morn, David Howard, Show N Tell
2. Sunflowers
I'm the type of person that enjoys sunflowers so much that I grow them all year long. I grow small varieties right on my windowsill in a container all season. They are one of the easiest flowers to grow from seed, so I just pop some in and watch them go. All they really need is sun and a little bit of warmth. Depending on when you plant your seeds outside, they can bloom late summer or early fall. Here in New England, our springs can be chilly so they tend to bloom later. They are my favorite September flower to grow. There are many sunflower varieties you can plant that produce multiple blooms! When the weather starts to cool down, they will still be putting on a show!
Favorite Varieties: Aztec Sun, Beach Sunflower, Solar Flare
3. Chrysanthemums
Chrysanthemums are definitely a classic fall flower. You know fall has arrived when you see a bunch of mums and a few pretty pumpkins sitting on someone's front porch. They add some vibrance and cheer throughout a yard covered in fallen leaves. Some have petals that are so beautiful, they even look like dahlias! The best part about chrysanthemums is how readily available they are in the fall, which is key here in New England. If you can't find any other flowers, usually you can find some of these gorgeous blooms!
Favorite Varieties: Bradford Orange, Dark Weldon, Viking
4. Stonecrop
Over the years, I have really become fond of Autumn Sedum. I actually couldn't imagine my garden without some now. When you buy them, they are, of course, a lovely flower, but can be overshadowed by other, bigger blooms. As everything starts to die back, these really start to show their true colors. When they reach that peak bloom, you will be amazed! Other sedums might not bloom in the fall or winter, but their foliage will start to turn a gorgeous red or purple. It's such an easy way to add fall interest to your yard.
Favorite Varieties: Autumn Joy, Coral Reef, White Stonecrop
5. Ornamental Grass
Even though ornamental grasses don't technically bloom, they are my absolute favorite plant to add to any fall garden. I feel like they are underutilized, and can really add some texture to your containers, fall displays and gardens. The good news is, if you haven't purchased grasses in the spring, you can still plant some in the fall! They come in a wide variety of colors, textures and sizes. You are bound to find a plant that fits your exact vision! They truly are the star of every fall garden.
Favorite Varieties: Purple Fountain Grass, Karl Foerster, Pink Muhly Grass
Still Looking For More?
Can't get enough of great fall blooms? Here are 10 more varieties that are certain to wow you!
- Autumn Crocus
- Sneezeweed
- Russian Sage
- Golden Rod
- Japanese Anemone
- Balloon Flower
- Snakeroot
- New York Daisy
- New England Aster
- Joe Pye Weed
I hope this list of fall bloomers makes you look forward to the changing of seasons. It's easy for us summer lovers to dread it, but there really is so much to look forward to! You've got to admit that no mosquitoes, the thought of enjoying a slice of apple pie and all those pesky weeds that are in your garden dying back puts a smile on your face! I know it most certainly does for me. We will see you back here on September 12, when we will be sharing our favorite fall garden to table recipes with you. Can't wait to see you then!
Every 2nd and 4th Tuesday of the month, we will be sharing a themed Tuesday In The Garden post! We will be covering seasonal crops, herb gardening, growing flowers, DIY projects, garden gifts, harvesting tips, preserving, garden to table recipes and so much more. You can check out each of our posts to help you get inspired and give you some creative new ideas. Take a look at these great posts below!
29 Comments
justine
August 22, 2017 at 10:59 pmah! we just downsized to an apartment now that we’re living in DC. but when i lived in NC I had ALLLL the autumn flowers. mum’s were my favorite because they’re so hearty and i basically have a black thumb.
Liz
August 22, 2017 at 8:39 pmThese are all beautiful! And I needed to read this because my wedding next year will be in November! My favorite flowers are sunflowers so I may try to incorporate those into my wedding along with the burgundy color.
Ayana Pitterson
August 22, 2017 at 7:14 pmI wasn’t actually aware that there are fall blooms! I recently got into planting, and was thinking that my gardening days were coming to and end as the summer wrapped up. Thanks for sharing these tips. I am definitely hitting up my local nursery this weekend.
Thrifting Diva
http://www.thriftingdiva.com
Lee@A Guide to Northeastern Gardnening
August 22, 2017 at 6:26 pmNice post and you have some of my favorites! These beauties keep the garden going into fall.
Deborah Francisco
August 22, 2017 at 6:03 pmNooo! It can be Fall yet! Where did the summer go?! Ah well, these flowers definitely remind me of Fall. Especially sunflowers and the ornamental grass. Marigolds are also another good one.
Alicia Trautwein
August 22, 2017 at 4:31 pmMy favorite fall flowers are chrysanthemums! Every time I see any, it reminds me of pumpkin patches
Ruthie Ridley
August 22, 2017 at 4:02 pmOh these are some of my faves! great photos!
Shannon
August 22, 2017 at 3:43 pmSo pretty! I love sunflowers but I have never grown any of my own. We’ve had some flowers in our yard all summer that are still doing pretty well, but maybe I’ll have to add some of these next year!
Patti
August 22, 2017 at 3:37 pmHi Angie,
I’m getting ready to create a couple of fall planters for the front porch soon and love all your ideas. It’s especially nice that you have included your favorite varieties. Thanks for sharing.
Rachel Ritlop
August 22, 2017 at 3:34 pmSunflowers are definitely my favorite! I’d totally plant some if I had a small garden at home.
Shelly
August 22, 2017 at 2:47 pmDahlias were my grandparent’s favorite flower to grow and they grew a lot of them. I wish I had more full sun space in my garden to grow more flowers. I do enjoy your photos.
Jami
August 22, 2017 at 2:16 pmDahlias and sedum are my favorites! Most of the sunflowers are done by August here unless I grow the reblooming types for cutting flowers. They are such a happy flower, I always make room for them. Your photos are gorgeous as usual, Angie!
Lindsay
August 22, 2017 at 2:13 pmI know nothing about planting/gardening and have been researching this lately – your post came at the perfect time!
Belle
August 22, 2017 at 1:49 pmThese flowers are so pretty! I’d love to learn how to bloom them!
Belle | One Awesome Momma
Diane Williams
August 22, 2017 at 12:32 pmYou have some of my favorites in this post. I love autumn flowers.