Fall flowers are the perfect way to give your garden one last colorful hurrah before the year ends. To help you keep your yard looking vibrant, I’ve rounded up seven of the most popular fall bloomers, plus a little “insider tip” that I absolutely love.
[[plants]]
++Scotch Heather (Calluna vulgaris)
The colors of this low-maintenance heather fit the fall aesthetic perfectly. These compact, evergreen shrubs are incredibly hardy and can live for up to forty years! Unlike winter heath, Scotch heather starts its show in late August and keeps going well into November. You’ll see bell-shaped flowers in burgundy, white, pink, or purple packed tightly along the stems. If you want something extra durable, look for “bud-blooming” varieties—their buds never actually open, which means they stay colorful for months and can even handle the first few night frosts without breaking a sweat.
++Stonecrop / Showy Sedum (Sedum telephium)
Don’t let the name “Stonecrop” fool you—this plant is a total stunner. It grows in clumps up to 28 inches tall with thick, succulent leaves that look great all season. Come fall, it opens up into big, flat flower heads in shades of white, pink, or deep red. These are a magnet for pollinators, so expect plenty of butterflies and bees to stop by! Pro tip: don’t cut the dried flower heads back until spring. They look absolutely magical when covered in a layer of winter frost.
++Bluebeard (Caryopteris clandonensis)
If you’re looking for a pop of blue, Bluebeard is your best friend. This shrubby perennial reaches about three feet tall and features aromatic foliage that smells amazing when you brush past it. In most regions, it blooms from July through October. Make sure to plant this one in a sunny, sheltered spot, as it can be a little sensitive to heavy frosts.
++Autumn Monkshood (Aconitum carmichaelii ‘Arendsii’)
This violet-blue beauty is a real standout in the fall garden. Standing tall at nearly four feet, its uniquely shaped flowers tower over other perennials. The glossy, dark green leaves are hand-shaped, and the flowers themselves look like tiny little helmets. It’s also a fantastic cut flower that stays fresh in a vase for a long time. Just a heads-up: Monkshood is toxic, so handle it with care!
++Hardy Cyclamen (Cyclamen hederifolium)
This delicate little flower usually starts popping up in late August. Interestingly, the blossoms often appear before the beautifully patterned, ivy-like leaves. Once the flowers fade, the foliage sticks around all winter, creating a lovely green carpet. They only grow about 6 inches tall, making them perfect for planting under trees or shrubs. They love to spread out, so over time, you’ll have a gorgeous naturalized groundcover.
++Dahlia (Dahlia)
From mid-summer until the first frost, Dahlias are the undisputed stars of the show. There are thousands of varieties out there with wild shapes and colors—everything from “pompon” and “cactus” to “waterlily” types. Just remember that these beauties aren’t fans of the cold. Once the foliage dies back after the first frost, you’ll need to dig up the tubers and store them in a cool, dark place for the winter.
++Chrysanthemum (Chrysanthemum)
You can’t talk about fall without mentioning “mums.” They come in every fall shade imaginable—yellow, orange, red, and white. The flower shapes vary wildly too, from simple daisy-like petals to elaborate pompons. If you want your mums to last as long as possible, try to keep them in a slightly cooler spot; they’ll reward you with a much longer blooming period.
%%Japanese Anemone (Anemone hupehensis)
Here is my secret tip: the Japanese Anemone. When most other plants are starting to call it quits, these elegant flowers are just getting started. Their delicate white, pink, or carmine-red blooms sit on tall, graceful stems and sway beautifully in the wind. They can grow into quite large, impressive clumps over the years, making them a stunning focal point for any fall garden.