Last Updated on April 16, 2024 by Real Men Sow
Spring is well-known for its fields of tulips and daffodil flowers. However, autumn is full of activities in the garden as well. Autumn is an excellent time to grow annuals, perennials, and evergreen shrubs. Popular autumn bloomers include dahlias and pansies, as well as mums and even sunflowers.
Many of these autumn bloomers reach their peak in mid-summer and will continue to bloom through autumn. However, some others will not be in full bloom until the first hard freeze. We can help you to understand the needs of each autumn flower if you’re a beginner gardener. With a little planning, you can plant a garden full of autumn blooms with some guidance.
Autumn Bloomers
Asters
These perennials are able to kick into high gear as soon as everything else is starting to fade. They are available in a variety of colors, including purple, pink, lavender, and pink.
Autumn Sedum
Stonecrop, also known as Sedum, adds nice vertical interest to your garden. This plant is loved by butterflies and provides late-season food for many pollinators. Cut flowers can last up to weeks in a vase.
Beautyberry
These shrubs can be beautiful at any time of the year. Some boast dark purple foliage. Beautyberry flowers are available in spring and summer. The pretty purple berries that appear in autumn and winter are also available.
Black-eyed Susan
These flowers are great for autumn gardens. Black-eyed Susans bloom in mid-summer through mid-autumn, providing months of consistent color. There are both annual and perennial varieties, so make sure you read the description or plant tag to find out what kind of plants you are buying.
Chrysanthemums
Mums are the best among the autumn bloomers! They are sturdy and can withstand light frost. Technically, they’re perennials. They won’t return if they aren’t planted in the ground by the middle to late summer. This is because their root systems need to be established before the ground freezes. They are affordable enough to be enjoyed for one season and they do sometimes return even if they were planted late.
Coral Bells
Coral bells are a cold-tolerant perennial grown primarily for their vibrant foliage. It comes in every color from deepest burgundy, lime green, and everything in between. These stunning, frilly leaves bring out pops of color even after other annuals have died.
False Sunflower
These sturdy plants with yellow petals and brown centers resemble their namesakes, but they are perennials instead of annuals. This plant is a favorite of butterflies and bees.
Fountain Grass
Fountain grass is a great accent to most autumn bloomers, even though it’s not technically a plant. Any landscaping will benefit from tall, elegant spikes.
Goldenrod
This perennial that forms clumps will bring a little sunshine and brightness to your yard. They are easy to grow and provide late-season nectar for butterflies and bees.
Helenium
Helenium was once snuffed, giving it the nickname “sneezeweed”. This flower is available in deeply saturated shades of yellow, orange, and red and blooms from the end of summer until autumn. This plant is loved by butterflies. It can be placed at the back of your borders to add color in the late season.
Japanese Anemone
These stunning perennial flowers last for several weeks, from late summer through autumn. It is available in many colors, including hot pink to white, and spreads slowly via underground rhizomes.
Lobelia
Lobelia is a beautiful, graceful form that can be used in hanging baskets or pots. For a striking combination of planting, combine it with the bright oranges and autumn colors. It likes cooler temperatures so if it has faded from planting earlier in the season, you can trim it back to encourage branching and autumn bloomers.
Marigold
These annuals are hardy and can withstand cold nights. You get lots of flower power from the moment they are planted until they freeze hard. After they have dried, you can take the seed heads and dry them so that you can plant them next spring.
Pansy and Viola
These brightly colored, cheerful flowers are tolerant of cooler temperatures. There are many beautiful colors to choose from, including pastels and deep, saturated reds.
Shrub Rose
Roses, despite their reputation as being fussy plants, are resilient plants that need less care than you might think. Landscape roses, also known as shrubs, bloom all year long and continue to flower well into autumn, providing color even on cool days. The newer varieties are more resistant to disease.
Snapdragon
This upright annual is great for vertical interest in mixed containers. Some varieties are trailing. Snapdragons can be found in nearly every color. They are tolerant to cold temperatures and will bloom until a hard freeze.
Sweet Alyssum
Sweet Alyssum’s delicate pink or white flowers look stunning dangling over containers and spilling onto walls. It is a delicate plant, but it is very hardy and can tolerate light frost.
Russian Sage
Russian sage is a small, purple flower with silvery-green leaves that blooms from midsummer through autumn. It can even thrive in dry climates. It is a hardy perennial that can tolerate even the most difficult soils. It’s a favorite of hummingbirds!
