The Best Fall Garden Flowers
Looking for ways to add curb appeal to your home this autumn? Plant these fall garden flowers for the prettiest landscape on the block!
Ah, autumn—the season of cozy sweaters, pumpkin spice everything, and of course, the stunning fall garden flowers!
While summer might be winding down, your garden doesn’t have to follow suit.
In fact, with the right plant choices, you can keep those vibrant colors popping through the fall as the foliage changes.
So, let’s chat about some of the most delightful fall blooms that will keep your garden lively well into the season.
Wait until you see all of the beautiful garden flowers you can grow in fall!
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The Best Fall Garden Flowers
While not a complete list, these fall garden flowers will level up your garden spaces to bring an autumn color palette to life.
With autumn around the corner, these blooms are bold and bright while the foliage changes and falls.
Fall is such a beautiful season and the best time to garden. Wait until you see how many beautiful options of flowers there are to grow!
And if you need some garden design tips for planting your fall garden, click here.
Dahlias
I mean, how spectacular are dahlias?
While not on my list of easy-care flowers, dahlias are so gorgeous and really fun to grow if you want to put in the work in.
These flamboyant flowers come in a variety of shapes and colors, making them the true divas of the fall garden.
They start blooming in summer and keep the party going until the first frost. Whether you prefer bright and bold or soft and romantic, there’s a dahlia for every taste.
Dahlias are considered to be tender in certain zones like my gardening zone 6a New Jersey garden. If you want them to return next year without purchasing new tubers, you’ll need to dig them up in fall and overwinter them indoors until spring.
Not sure how to lift and overwinter dahlia tubers and other tender perennials? Click here.
Hydrangeas
Hydrangeas might be associated with summer, but some varieties extend their blooming period well into fall.
The mophead and lace-cap hydrangeas are particularly famous for their ability to retain their blooms as the weather cools. The changing colors of their flowers can be quite a spectacle to see.
As those changing colors fade, you can easily dry the flowers to use as home decor or make a DIY wreath.
If your hydrangea did not bloom this year, follow these tips for fixing the flowers for next year.
I’ve enjoyed cutting the flowers for bouquets inside all summer long. So now, I’m looking forward to using them as part of my fall home decor.
Do you like to do that too?
Beautyberry
One of my favorite shrubs is callicarpa, aka beautyberry. Although it doesn’t flower in fall, it produces these amazing, bright purple berries that are just stunning in the fall garden.
The beautyberry bush, with its stunning violet-purple berries, steals the spotlight in fall. Not only do the berries add visual interest, but they also serve as a valuable food source for birds. So, it’s a win-win for both gardeners and wildlife!
I first fell in love with beautyberry when I was walking Freylinghuysen Arboretum many years ago when I was in the Master Gardener Program with Rutgers Cooperative Extension.
When I first saw it in those gardens, I knew I had to have it. So I planted it in my former garden and loved how it complimented my limelight hydrangea.
Isn’t that a gorgeous fall plant combination?
I need to plant some here in my new gardens this fall. I’ll add a list of my garden tours here at the new house at the end of this post if you’d like to kick around and see more flowers.
Sedum Autumn Joy
One of my favorite fall garden flowers is sedum autumn joy.
Do you have any in your garden?
They are one of the best plants for the fall garden because they are super easy to care for, propagate with ease, and do so much in the garden.
To me, they are a four-season plant. Here’s why:
- When it breaks ground in spring it adds lushness to the growing garden.
- In summer, it produces chartreuse flower heads that brighten up summer borders, adding color, texture and dimension.
- As summer transitions to fall, sedum autumn joy flower heads slowly open to a light pink and deepen in color as the fall season progresses.
- After the blooms dry out in fall, the flower heads can be used in planters for winter. And if left in the garden, look amazing with snow sitting on them.
Asters
Another one of my favorite fall garden flowers is asters.
They are like the grand finale of the summer-to-fall transition. These daisy-like flowers come in shades of blue, purple, pink, and white, and they provide essential late-season nectar for butterflies and other pollinators.
Don’t you just love that shade of purple?
I have a few and need to divide them this year so I can tuck a few more around the gardens.
Garden Tip for Growing Asters: Keep the plant cut back halfway until July 4 to encourage a bushy habit.
Without cutting it back, asters get very leggy.
Pansies
Pansies flowers are annuals that look so pretty in both spring and fall. They come in lots of fun colors and bring vibrant color to gardens while the temps are a bit cooler.
Did you know that when you plant them in the fall they will bounce back and bloom again in spring in some growing zones?
YES!
If you’ve never tried it before, give it a shot and see if it works in your hardiness zone. I am in Zone 6a and they return every spring.
It is one of my best tips for saving money in the garden. I very rarely buy pansies in spring anymore.
Chrysanthemums
No fall garden is complete without chrysanthemums, commonly known as mums. These classic autumn beauties come in a vast array of colors and shapes, ranging from daisy-like singles to fluffy pompons. They are reliable bloomers and can withstand chilly temperatures.
I’m not the biggest fan of garden mums, but they do have their place in the fall garden and other living spaces.
Don’t get me wrong, they are gorgeous!
But they are so short-lived and fussy that I use them for a very limited purpose.
I know they are considered perennial and can return the following year. But I’ve probably had a 50% success rate with that. So to me, it’s not worth wasting my garden space or the energy to dig them in.
That said though, they bring the fall feels to any garden or living space.
I LOVE how they looked a few years ago on my front porch.
And I also tucked them in here and there in small doses just to add pops of autumn to my outside fall decor.
In addition to my gardens, I added a few garden mums with some pansies and pumpkins to my outdoor living spaces too.
And I even tuck a few on my potting bench.
My husband built this bench for me for Mother’s Day using wood scraps from the yard.
Ornamental Grass
While not exactly flowers, ornamental grasses deserve a spot on this list for their role in adding texture and movement to the fall garden.
Their feathery plumes and changing foliage hues create a captivating backdrop for other fall blooms.
I had some pretty varieties like zebra and fountain grasses in my former garden. Here in my newer gardens, I’ve got some Japanese fountain grass which is a bit invasive so I’m hoping to get them out over the next year or so.
Celosia
Celosia, also known as cockscomb, is a real show-off in the fall. Its unique flame-shaped flowers come in brilliant shades of red, orange, and yellow, creating a fiery display that adds warmth to your garden as the days get cooler.
I started growing it several easier and found it very easy-care with minimal maintenance. When we moved here, I was surprised to see it growing in the front porch gardens last year as I hadn’t planted it myself.
I learned the former homeowners filled the bed with it and it must have reseeded itself. It couldn’t have been a more gorgeous surprise!
Marigold
Marigolds are like loyal friends of the garden. They bloom tirelessly throughout the summer and well into fall, keeping your beds bright and cheerful.
Plus, their strong scent can help deter pests, making them a fantastic companion plant. I plant them in my vegetable garden, which is more commonly known as the potager garden here.
While they are considered to be more of something you plant in spring for summer blooms, don’t overlook marigolds as a fall garden flower.
And if you want to save yourself some money in the long run, plant them in spring so you don’t have to replant in fall.
Snapdragons
Snapdragons are charming flowers that bring vertical interest to the fall garden. Their delightful spikes of blooms come in a plethora of colors, and they have a unique way of opening and closing like little dragon mouths—hence the name!
While you can find them at the nursery, you’ll have a much greater selection if you start them from seed during winter.
They slow down their bloom production in summer when the weather is hot, but wow do they put on quite a show in spring and fall.
Not to mention they make great additions to any cottage garden or cut flower garden. I enjoy cutting them to make flower arrangements all season long!
Zinnias
Zinnias are happy-go-lucky flowers that refuse to fade away. They start blooming in summer and last well into fall.
So these colorful and low-maintenance blooms add a touch of whimsy to your autumn garden. They’re also great for cutting and bringing indoors to brighten up your home.
To help zinnia flowers last longer in a vase, follow these simple tips.
While you can purchase zinnias at the nursery, you’ll get a much better selection if you start them from seed. And they couldn’t be easier to grow!
Start them indoors 4-6 weeks before your last frost date, harden them off, and plant them in your garden after all danger of frost has passed.
But you can also direct sow them in the garden too.
Rudbeckia
Rudbeckia, commonly known as black-eyed Susans, are a true symbol of late summer and fall.
Their golden-yellow flowers with dark centers attract butterflies and bees, ensuring your garden remains a hub of activity even as the temperatures drop.
I’ve been growing them since moving to our first home and LOVE that we have so many here in our new-to-us gardens.
They are perennial, couldn’t be easier to grow, and are a staple in any late summer to fall garden.
Tithonia
Tithonia, or Mexican sunflowers, bring a burst of orange hues to the fall garden. These tall and vigorous plants create a stunning visual impact and are a magnet for butterflies and hummingbirds.
I’m pretty new to growing them but let me tell you, they are gorgeous and so easy to grow.
They get pretty tall so you may want to give them additional support so they don’t topple over after a storm or other inclement weather.
I’ve not seen these sold at nurseries, but you can easily start them from seed like you would sunflowers.
Tithonia starts blooming in the summer and goes well into fall. It’s a fall garden must-have.
Japanese Anemone
Japanese anemones are elegant, graceful, and oh-so-chic. Their simple yet charming blooms dance in the breeze, providing a serene and sophisticated touch to the fall garden.
Pollinators love them and they couldn’t be easier to grow.
I first started growing them several years ago when a neighbor posted on Facebook that they wanted to give away some divisions.
Of course, I jumped on that one and loved that plant until the day we moved. I have big regrets about not digging it up to bring it here with me.
Huecheras (Coral Bells)
Huecheras are a group of perennial plants known for their stunning, ever-changing foliage colors.
While they do produce delicate, bell-shaped flowers in late spring or early summer, it’s their foliage that steals the show, especially in the fall.
So it’s totally worth adding these to your fall garden. I love to decorate with them in pots and then transplant them to the ground before winter.
Strawflowers
Last but not least, strawflowers are everlasting blooms that preserve their colors even after they’ve dried.
They come in vibrant shades of pink, orange, yellow, and white, making them perfect for both fresh arrangements and dried floral crafts.
While I’ve found some at the nursery, strawflowers are so easy to start from seed. They get pretty tall in the garden and might need staking so they don’t fall over.
Best Fall Garden Flowers for Pots
This year, I designed a gorgeous container garden for fall with some of the coolest fall garden flowers.
You can check out the fall planter recipe here.
But here’s a quick list of plants I love to use in container gardens for fall.
- millet
- ornamental grass
- garden mums
- pansies
- ornamental kale and cabbage
- salvia
- celosia
- creeping jenny
- ivy
- ornamental peppers
- rudbeckia
- sedums
So there you have it, a delightful array of fall garden flowers that will keep your outdoor space vibrant and cheerful as the seasons change.
From sedum autumn joy to strawflowers, these blooms are the real MVPs of the autumn landscape.
So, grab your gardening gloves and get ready to enjoy a riot of colors in your fall garden!
Remember to plan ahead and choose a mix of these flowers to ensure continuous blooming from summer to fall.
Happy gardening! 🌼🍁🍂
More About the Best Fall Garden Flowers
Do you have a fall garden flowers you love? I would love to know more in the comments below.
And don’t miss joining my Gardening DIY and Decorating Community on Facebook for more chatter. And follow along there and on Instagram as well. There are behind-the-scenes daily things that I share on Instagram that don’t make it to the blog. Would love to see you there too!
If you prefer to binge-watch Bricks ’n Blooms on TV, we go more in-depth with tours and posts on my YouTube channel. Would love to hang out with you there!
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Garden Supplies I Use
I’m often asked about the garden supplies and tools that I use most. From pruners to deer repellents, here are some of my favorites in no particular order.
- I like to use a good-quality garden soil, compost, and perlite when planting.
- I have used this deer repellent with great success. But now, I’m all about this deer repellent that is systemic instead of topical. This means the plant takes it in as opposed to it just smelling bad.
- Hands down this is my favorite hand-weeding tool. You can use to get underneath roots, loosen soil, and it cuts down on the weeding time because you work much faster.
- But I also love this long, stand-up weeding tool to really get around roses from afar.
- I like to use THIS ORGANIC FERTILIZER for roses because the blooms are more prolific and it’s organic.
- You’ll need a sharp set of pruners when working with plants and flowers. I buy a few so I can stash them around.
- Where pest and disease problems are concerned, I generally use this insecticidal soap or neem oil to help control infestations depending on the issue.
- This is my favorite set-and-forget slow-release fertilizer for houseplants, annuals, and container gardens.
- Whenever I stake my peonies or other plants, I generally use these grow through garden supports because they work really well and keep the blooms upright.
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I’m thrilled to be joining my good friends in the Fabulous Fall Garden Tour today!
If you stopped by from Cecilia’s over at the My Thrift Store Addiction welcome to my garden.
She is such a great friend and has the most beautiful home and garden!
Be sure and stop by my good friend Kim’s at Shiplap and Shells who is the next stop on the Fabulous Fall Garden Tour!
Wait until you see these gorgeous fall garden tips, tricks, home decor and DIY inspiration!
Click on the names below to check out these amazing garden ideas and inspiration!
Because I have so many blooms right now, I cut a few to see if the flowers would dry well.
And I’m happy to report they look amazing while they are drying!
So I am planning to cut all the blooms just before the first frost and dry the flowers to use in my decor.
In the meantime though, I’m going to cut a few to enjoy indoors while they are still blooming.
These are my cafe au lait dahlias and I NEED to grow these again next year.
They started blooming in early August and still look amazing now!
Since everything still looks pretty amazing, my fall garden flowers are at their peak.
But you’ve got to see the limelight hydrangeas that I planted last fall!
They did really well this year and are putting on quite a show in my cutting garden.
Don’t they look gorgeous with the plumes of zebra grass and sedum autumn joy?
These hydrangea blooms are perfect for drying right now too!
Because sedum autumn joy is so easy to divide, I started the shed garden with several plant divisions and have it in every garden.
As an aside, I am really glad I gave this garden shed a makeover in spring.
Wait until you see what it looked like before.
This garden looks so much better now.
Thanks so much for stopping by the garden today!
I hope you got some good planting ideas for your fall garden.