You know fall is creeping in once summer blossoms begin to wilt and cool weather sets in. Feeling down? No need to—you can still make your green space look vibrant and inviting. Read on to discover our top blooms to help you prep your fall garden for a great season.
Petunias
These easy-to-grow fall annuals are a top choice for sprinkling some color into your flower beds or containers. Their signature funnel-shaped blooms come in multiple hues. With a long blossom time, petunias will delight you with a floral show from spring right up to the first frost. Some varieties also boast a pleasant smell, so you’ll end up with double joy for your senses.
Hydrangeas
Hydrangeas are real stunners with their large, vibrant flowers, featuring purple, pink, white, and blue shades. Some varieties can even change color over time. Take the panicle hydrangea (Hydrangea paniculata) as an example. You’ll be surprised to see how its cone-shaped white or lime green blooms become red or pink as the plant matures. Quite adaptable to diverse growing conditions, hydrangeas often continue to flaunt their stunning hues deep into fall.
Chrysanthemums
Chrysanthemums, or simply mums, are a true fall classic. These bold, gorgeous flowers start to open up as early as August and thrive throughout September and October. Known for their diversity of colors and a sweet, spicy scent, mums will bring lively vibes and make your fall landscape look incredible. Full sunlight and consistent watering are key to good growth. And don’t forget to trim the buds as they wilt to encourage profuse blooming.
Pansies
Pansies are probably the most cheerful flowers out there. Their distinct, heart-shaped, mottled petals resemble a smiling face and will add a pop of color and happiness to any green space. When planted at the end of summer, pansies will keep blooming up to a hard frost. Just remember that they’re heavy feeders and enjoy partial shade rather than full sun.
African Daisies
A spectacular mix of colors makes these South African natives a good fit for gardeners seeking variety. What truly distinguishes African daisies from the classic daisy is their vivid hues. They’ll put on a good show of blooms late into fall as long as temperatures are mild. A surprise frost won’t do a lot of harm, but they won’t survive multiple frosts.
African daisies also need full sun and nutrient-rich soil to thrive. And keep in mind that they’ll take a break from flowering during the hottest months.
Roses
There are plenty of cultivars and wild varieties of roses that continue to produce beautiful, scented blossoms well into fall. While they aren’t the easiest plants to care for, you can get your roses to shine even when temperatures drop.
Water regularly, fertilize correctly, provide the right amount of sun, and remove spent blooms and old foliage for a neat and thriving shrub. Finally, take care to prepare your roses properly for winter so they come back strong next year.
Zinnias
Zinnias are perfect low-maintenance flowers. They come in different shapes, sizes, and colors, so there’s a zinnia for every garden. These annuals sprout easily from seed and thrive in a sunny spot with well-draining soil. Although drought-tolerant, they may require watering during dry spells. Prune dead flowers to prevent diseases and encourage new growth.
Pick chrysanthemums, petunias, hydrangeas, roses, or any other blooms from our list to make your garden come alive with color even in a cooler season. And don’t forget to check the USDA hardiness zones and growth needs in your plant’s profile to know when to plant and how to care for it properly.
