10 Best Fall-Blooming Flowers for Your Garden

Home & Garden

By Emma Parker

10 Best Fall-Blooming Flowers for Your Garden

Many beautiful flowers bloom in fall and can fill your garden with color even after summer ends. These flowers come in many shapes, sizes, and colors.

Some need special care, while others grow easily with very little help. Below are ten great flowers that bloom in fall and work in different climates and gardens.

Chrysanthemums

Chrysanthemums
Pixabay / Creative Commons CC0 1.0 Universal

Chrysanthemums, often called mums, come in many colors such as white, yellow, pink, and purple. They grow best in USDA zones 5 to 9 and like soil that drains well and has organic material mixed in.

Plant them in full sunlight and water them regularly, allowing the soil to dry slightly between watering. Mums attract bees and butterflies, which helps support pollinators in your garden.

Asters

Asters
Agnieszka Kwiecień, Nova, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Asters bloom in shades of purple, pink, blue, and white. They prefer full sun but can grow in different types of soil as long as it drains well.

These dependable perennials bloom from late summer into fall. They are excellent for supporting wildlife, especially bees and butterflies, and help keep pollinator populations healthy.

Marigolds

Marigolds
Leon Brooks, via Wikimedia Commons

Marigolds show bright colors like yellow, orange, and red. They grow best in full sun and well-drained soil but are hardy enough to survive in different environments.

Marigolds are annuals, so they grow and finish their life cycle within one season. They are easy to care for, making them perfect for both new and experienced gardeners.

Pansies

Pansies
Susanne Neudecker, CC BY 3.0 via Wikimedia Commons

Pansies bloom in many colors including purple, blue, white, and yellow. They love cooler weather and are often seen blooming in early spring or fall.

They prefer well-draining soil with lots of organic matter. Pansies are simple to grow and need regular watering, especially during dry periods.

Ornamental Kale

Ornamental Kale
Alexxx1979, CC BY-SA 3.0

Ornamental kale grows in green, purple, and white shades and is known more for its colorful leaves than flowers. It grows well in full sun to light shade and prefers well-draining soil.

It is usually planted as an annual but may act like a perennial in some areas. It does not attract deer or rabbits, which makes it a great choice for gardens with wildlife problems.

Goldenrod

Goldenrod
Joshua Mayer from Madison, WI, USA, CC BY-SA 2.0

Goldenrod is easy to spot in late summer and early fall. It is a hardy perennial that attracts butterflies and bees, improving pollinator health.

Goldenrod grows best in full sun and well-drained soil. It needs only moderate water and can survive in many climates, especially in zones 3 through 9.

Dahlias

Dahlias
Ball Dahlia ‘Mary’s Jomanda’, Houghton (UK 2002, Sport of ‘Jomanda’); photographed in Kew Gardens, August 2005

Dahlias bloom in many colors from pale pastels to bold reds and purples. They need at least six hours of sunlight daily, so full sun is ideal.

They prefer fertile soil that drains well to prevent root rot. Dahlias need steady watering, especially when the weather is dry. They usually bloom from midsummer until frost, giving long-lasting color.

Japanese Anemones

Japanese Anemones
William Brockelsby, CC BY 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Japanese anemones bloom in soft shades of white, pink, and purple during late summer and fall. They are perennials that grow best in partial shade, making them perfect for woodland-style gardens. They like humus-rich soil that drains well. These plants are low-maintenance but benefit from consistent watering to grow deep, strong roots.

Helenium

Helenium
Dominicus Johannes Bergsma, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Helenium, often called sneezeweed, blooms from midsummer to early fall. The flowers are usually yellow, red, or orange and create a warm autumn look.

Helenium grows best in full sun and needs six to eight hours of light each day. This perennial attracts bees and butterflies while adding bright color to the garden.

Black-Eyed Susan

Black-Eyed Susan
Acabashi, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Black-eyed Susans bloom from summer into fall, showing yellow and orange petals with dark centers. They are hardy perennials that grow well in full sun and require very little water once established.

While they work in many soil types, they prefer well-drained soil. They attract bees and butterflies, making them an excellent flower for pollinator-friendly gardens.

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