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
katherines corner
September 16, 2017 at 11:13 pmThese are all beautiful blooms. Autumn usually brings colorful mums in our garden. But the super hot temperature this year has them confused. With one bush of mums already bloomed and seeded and the one next to it blooming now. Thank you for sharing at TFT,pinned and featured. xo
Lucy
September 11, 2017 at 9:35 pmThese flowers makes your garden attractive in fall season! I personally likes Dahlia flowers, it,s annual blooming plant.
bettyl - NZ
September 10, 2017 at 4:01 amGreat ideas. Some of these bloom most of the year in my garden and I love it!
Michelle Banks
September 9, 2017 at 11:46 pmHello Angie…wonderful photos… My asters, showy goldenrod, mist flower and iron weed are covered in bees as the last game in town…Great suggestions…thank you…Michelle
Jelica
September 9, 2017 at 6:28 pmThese are great ways to add colour in the fall, Angie. I agree with you about ornamental grasses, too. We have several dotting our backyard and our front. Several varieties have various shapes, textures and, yes, colour!! They really make a difference in our gardens 🙂
Kim~madeinaday
September 6, 2017 at 9:31 pmI always do Chrysanthemums but they usually do not last long.Nice post, sharing on Twitter. Thank you for sharing on Merry Monday! Hope to see ya next week!
Kim
image-in-ing: weekly photo linkup
September 5, 2017 at 6:41 pmAll gorgeous, but the dahlia is stunning!
Thanks for sharing at https://image-in-ing.blogspot.com/2017/09/inwardly-gazing-with-monochrome-eyes.html
Eileen
September 5, 2017 at 3:48 pmHello, the fall flowers are beautiful. Your photos are lovely. Great suggestions and post.
Enjoy the rest of your week!
Nic Wilson
September 4, 2017 at 12:44 pmSome of my favourite flowers here and great to include grasses which have so much to offer at this time of year 😊
Debbie-Dabble
September 3, 2017 at 6:25 pmGreat post!! I already bought my mums which are tri colored ones and will be planting them in the front yard next weekend!! Thanks so much for stopping by and for your kind words!!
Hugs,
Deb
Cameron - Lucky Orange Pants
August 28, 2017 at 5:29 pmGreat suggestions! I’m always looking for some color in my fall garden!
Michelle Marine
August 28, 2017 at 9:41 amI love all of these blooms! The great thing about sunflowers is you only have to plant them once. LOL! They come back year after year after year. 🙂 And sedum and mums are more favorites of mine. Actually, I just love everything you mentioned here, Angie!
CJ from Thirty30Courtney
August 25, 2017 at 5:24 amIronically enough, I received a plant and took it with me to my new job. So far we are two weeks in and going strong! I didnt know sunflowers could keep going. If I can manage to keep my hydrangea alive for more than a month I’d definitely be willing to branch out a bit.
Melanie @ Nutritious Eats
August 23, 2017 at 2:46 pmThank you for this because I have no idea what to plant when! We moved into a house with a huge yard so we have lots of room to plant.