As the vibrant colors of summer fade, you can still keep your garden alive with the right selection of fall-blooming flowers. Here are seven must-have flowers to brighten up your outdoor space during autumn.
1. Asters: The Stars of Autumn
Asters are known for their radiant colors and abundant blooms that light up any garden in fall. These easy-to-care-for perennials come in several varieties, including:
- Aster novi-belgii (New Belgium Aster)
- Aster novae-angliae (New England Aster)
- Aster alpinus (Alpine Aster)
They thrive in sunny spots with well-drained soil, adding bursts of purple, pink, and white to your landscape.
2. Japanese Anemones: A Touch of Elegance
Japanese anemones add a refined elegance to gardens with their delicate pink, white, or red flowers. They bloom from late August until the first frost, filling the garden with soft, elegant color. These perennials prefer cool, humus-rich soil and do best in partially shaded areas.
3. Chrysanthemums: The Queens of Autumn
No fall garden is complete without chrysanthemums, the true stars of the season. Their bright colors and late blooming make them a perfect addition to any autumn landscape. Popular varieties include:
- Chrysanthemum indicum (Indian Chrysanthemum)
- Chrysanthemum morifolium (Large-flowered Chrysanthemum)
They thrive in fertile, well-drained soil and love soaking up the sun, adding pops of orange, red, and yellow.
4. Rudbeckias: The Suns of Autumn
Rudbeckias, also known as black-eyed Susans, bring a burst of golden yellow or deep orange to the garden. Common varieties like:
- Rudbeckia fulgida (Brilliant Rudbeckia)
- Rudbeckia hirta (Ruffled Rudbeckia)
Flourish in light, well-drained soils and prefer full sun exposure, resembling mini suns in your garden as summer turns to fall.
5. Sedums: Sturdy Succulents
Sedums, also called stonecrops, are hardy succulent plants that stand out for their thick, fleshy foliage and autumn blooms. Sedum spectabile (Remarkable Stonecrop) is a favorite for its striking pink or white flowers. These tough plants are perfect for dry, well-drained soils and love the sun.
6. Helenias: Bright Fall Perennials
Helenias, or yellow coneflowers, offer bright, bold blooms ranging from yellow to red-brown shades in autumn. These perennials are easy to care for and prefer light, fresh, and well-drained soils. They do well in both sunny and partially shaded areas, bringing warmth to your garden even as temperatures drop.
7. Dahlias: Colorful and Generous Blooms
Dahlias are tuberous plants that come in a variety of vibrant colors and shapes, making them a popular choice for late-season gardens. Their large, showy flowers thrive in rich, well-drained soil with plenty of sunlight, adding cheer and brightness to your garden until the first frost.
With these seven essential flowers, your garden will stay colorful and vibrant throughout the fall. Mix and match different colors, heights, and shapes to create a beautiful and harmonious landscape that will shine all season long.