Last Updated on April 11, 2024 by Real Men Sow
What are the best autumn garden plants to grow? If you want to keep your garden colorful through the fall, there are plenty of ways to go about it. Regardless of which option you choose, though, remember that these are seasonal plants whose time will come and go. As always, don’t be afraid to try out new things in your garden—that’s how we learn!
The arrival of autumn does not depend on a month. Autumn is here when blackberries and holly berries start appearing on bushes, the first tint of color on elders, and the migration of swallows. Traditional views of autumn also indicate that it is the time when the garden color fades and the garden turns over. You can still add color to your borders and containers by using bedding plants, trees, and shrubs that produce late-season color.
Best Autumn Garden Plants
Here are the best plants to have in autumn:
Acer Palmatum
Acer palmatum (Japanese maple) is a small deciduous tree that has been grown in Japan for hundreds of years. There are many varieties that produce beautiful autumn colours, including leaves in different shades of orange, green, and burnt red. These plants are great for containers, as they grow slowly over time.
Chrysanthemum indicum or frutescens
Indicum and frutescens are both hardy Chrysanthemum varieties that add a splash of autumn colour to your garden. Garden Mums look stunning when they overflow in large pots. You can make sure that more blooms continue to come in the coming season by removing any faded ones.
Cyclamen
You can use cyclamen to add color to a shaded area in the garden, or to plant in containers closer to the house. They are available in shades of pink, red, and white to give your garden a lift in autumn.
Leucothoe
Leucothoe is an evergreen shrub that provides year-round color. They are simple and lance-shaped, so they add a mottled colour to borders and beds. They are great for small gardens and cottage gardens. The new growth emerges in spring in vibrant shades of pink or red.
Liquidambar
Liquidambar trees produce exceptional, long-lasting fall foliage. The maple-like leaves create fiery colors of orange, red, and yellow that brighten the garden. Liquidambar can reach 12 meters in full maturity.
Malus
The deciduous tree Malus, also known as crab apples or malus, produces edible and ornamental fruits in autumn. There are many varieties that produce different sizes and colors of fruits. Malus domestica “Scrumptious” will produce lovely pale pink flowers and red fruits. These fruit have a sweet, fragrant flavor that makes for a beautiful autumn garden.
Pansies and Violas
All autumn color is provided by pansies and violets. They can be planted in borders and beds to create bright color all the way through the spring. How do you know which one is which? The four petals of pansies are pointed up and one down. Violas, on the other hand, have three petals that point upward and two that point downward.
Pieris japonica
Pieris is a spring-flowering shrub that has great evergreen leaves. Many varieties of autumn leaves have striking variegated leaves and a glossy, deep-green appearance. Pieris can thrive in shade or full sun, and they love sheltered places.
Sarcococca confusa
Sarcococca is a compact shrub with evergreen glossy leaves. You can plant Sarcococca in a protected spot to enjoy the autumn green leaves and the fragrant white flowers in the winter. This flower has a sweet fragrance, hence its common name “sweet box”.
Conclusion
To sum up, the best autumn garden plants can be cheap and easy to grow. They are also a great way to keep your garden colorful through the fall. From green-leaved annuals like coleus and petunias to herbaceous perennials such as sedum and heuchera, you can get plenty of color from your garden. Plus, there’s always the option of adding some ornamental grasses, ornamental kales, or ferns. Regardless of which approach you take, though, remember that these are seasonal plants whose time will come and go. As always, don’t be afraid to try out new things in your garden—that’s how we learn!
