8 Enchanting Fall Flowers To Plant This Season!
Summer may be over, but that doesn’t mean gardening season is. Autumn is a favorite time for many gardeners because there are still plenty of plants and flowers that can be added to your garden. I spoke with Lotte Berendsen, an expert help from PlantIn, an AI-based plant care app, for the best fall flowers to plant this season.
8 Fall Flowers to Add to Your Garden This Year
Whether you want to add an elegant touch to your garden or attract pollinators to your yard, these are Berendsen's top choices for fall flowers you should plant this year.
Coneflowers (Echinacea)
Photo by Melissa Burovac on Unsplash
Berendsen says that coneflowers are a popular perennial flower that can be found in many people’s fall gardens. “The blooms can reach up to 8 inches (20 cm) tall and feature brightly-colored petals in pink, red, orange, or yellow. They are a beautiful addition to any wildflower garden,” she says.
She recommends that you plant them at least 6 weeks before the first frost date to ensure they have enough time to establish their roots to survive the winter. “Choose a well-drained, fertile site. Apply mulch after the first frost to protect the roots. They need ample watering, but become drought-tolerant once established,” she advises.
2. Autumn Crocus (Colchicum autumnale)
Image by Annette Meyer from Pixabay
Although crocus flowers are usually seen as spring bloomers, Berendsen informs that other varieties can bloom during different periods of the year. “One of our favorites is the Autumn Crocus. With dashing shades of lilac and brightly yellow colored stamens, these little cuties will brighten up your fall garden easily,” she says.
She adds, “Crocus flowers prefer full sun and well-drained soil. They do not need lots of care, but do appreciate regular watering to keep the soil moist, which is required for germination. Autumn Crocuses do not like waterlogged soils and shady locations.”
3. Goldenrod (Solidago)
Photo by Jackie Best on Unsplash
If you are looking for the perfect fall flower that will attract bees and butterflies, then you should add Goldenrods to your autumn garden. “With dense foliage and bright-yellow flower spikes that can show up until the first frost, it is no surprise that Goldenrods are such a popular choice for fall gardeners. They are low-maintenance and known to attract beneficial pollinators, making them not only a great choice aesthetically but also environmentally,” Berendsen says.
She advises planting it in a location that receives partial sun and has good drainage so that it can grow strong and healthy. “They are not super picky about soil and will adapt to most soil types as long as drainage is adequate. After planting, water regularly to help the plant establish. They become drought-tolerant after that,” she informs.
4. Anise Hyssop (Agastache foeniculum)
Photo by Robert Bottman on Unsplash
Berendsen says that despite its name, Anise Hyssop is not related to Anise or Hyssop and is instead a member of the Mint family. However, the purple or blue flowers give off a scent that is similar to Anise, which the plant owes its name to. “The blooms appear from summer throughout fall in large quantities, adding not only a gentle aroma to your garden, but also a lovely pop of color. As a great bonus, both the leaves and blooms are entirely edible,” she informs.
“Anise Hyssop is straightforward to grow and will tolerate most soils, and can thrive in both shade and full sun. The soil should be well-drained; hence, we recommend adding amendments like pumice and grit prior to planting. They need little water once established.”
5. Japanese Anemone (Anemone x hybrida)
Photo by Lyricalcode Dusk on Unsplash
Japanese Anemone is a favorite fall flower that will add a whimsical touch to your autumn garden. Berendsen says these beauties feature colorful blooms in white, bright magenta, purple, or a soft baby pink. They can bloom all the way up until the first frost, and will continue to grow back for many years.
“Japanese Anemones are an excellent pick for borders, wild gardens, or even vegetable gardens. The fragrant blooms are known to attract pollinators and beneficial insects,” she says.
“They require very little maintenance and will grow in most soil types and light conditions. However, avoid waterlogging the soil, because this can rot the roots. They do not need lots of moisture or fertilizing, but a thin application of mulch can help keep the roots hydrated, warm, and strong.”
6. Autumn Dream Camellias (Sasanqua Camellia)
Image by JackieLou DL from Pixabay
These fabulous fall flowers will give your garden a dreamy feel throughout the season. “When most flowering garden plants begin to fade as fall approaches, Autumn Dream Camellias are only just starting to open up. They feature blooms that are slightly smaller than the traditional Japanese Camellia, and come in soft colors such as pink or white, and a sweet fragrance,” Berendsen informs.
She says you need to ensure you grow these evergreens in well-drained soil with a pH of 5.5-6.5 and provide partial shade. In cooler climates, they will be able to handle slightly more sunny conditions. Water regularly, as they are not drought-tolerant.
7. Petunias
Photo by Joydeep Sensarma on Unsplash
Berendsen says that if you love color, petunias might be the perfect fall flower for you. “This genus features small, trumpet-shaped blooms in white, pink, yellow, red, orange, purple, and even blue. When cared for well, you’ll enjoy these jolly flowers all throughout summer up until the first frost,” she informs.
She advises that you need to plant your petunias well before the first frost, because they need to establish their root system to survive the winter. “They require full sun and a soil that is well-drained but rich in organic matter. Amending the soil with organic compost before planting is recommended. Allow the soil to dry out partially before watering again, and you will be rewarded with a sea of color during the fall season,” she adds.
8. Hardy Fuchsia (Fuchsia magellanica)
Image by Jill Wellington from Pixabay
Add an elegant feel to your garden by planting Hardy Fuchsias. “As their name suggests, Hardy Fuchsias are the cold-tolerant variety of the well-known summer Fuchsias. This delicate blooming perennial has some of the most endearing dangling flowers you can find in any fall garden. In shades of pink, white, or red, Hardy Fuchsia might just be the perfect fall flower,” Berendsen says.
“Hardy Fuchsia is perfect for pairing with dark-colored shrubs or boring borders. As long as you provide partial sun and proper watering, this low-maintenance flower will thrive year after year. In winter, the foliage will die back, but will grow right back once temperatures rise in spring!”
Add these Fabulous Fall Flowers to Your Garden this Year!
Autumn may be a cozy time of year, but it’s also the perfect time to plant fall flowers that you can enjoy all season long. Plus, you can help pollinators by planting some of the fall flowers from this list and other nourishing plants—as if we needed another reason to add more gorgeous flowers to our autumn gardens. So, pick a few or all of these fall flowers and get to planting!
