Flowering Plants That Bloom In The Fall

Tom Gaffey
by Tom Gaffey

Spring is the season most synonymous with blooming flowers, but it certainly isn’t the only season full of color. Most blooms continue on through the summer, and fall is known for stunning foliage throughout many parts of the world. But leaves are not the only colors of fall. There are several beautiful plant species that bloom in the fall, and all the way up until the first frost.


Some quintessential plants that bloom in the fall include chrysanthemums, sunflowers, black-eyed Susans, roses, and marigolds. All of these species bloom earlier in the year as well but are hearty enough to last well into the fall months. Other colorful fall-blooming plants include Japanese anemones, Swiss giant pansies, and Russian sage. For fall-blooming shrubs, consider the encore azalea or the panicle hydrangea.


If you live somewhere with four seasons, it is crucial to plan a garden that looks stunning not only in the spring and summer but also in the fall and winter months. The best way to ensure a beautiful blooming garden for all four seasons is to plant a variety of plants that bloom at varying times. Below is a list of the top most beautiful flowers that bloom and thrive in the fall.


1. Chrysanthemums

The chrysanthemum is often considered the ultimate fall flower and with good reason. These flowering plants are incredibly hearty. They are so resilient that they can even tolerate a mild frost. This is why these flowers are commonly seen in floral shops well into late fall. They are relatively easy to maintain and add lovely fall colors to your late-season garden.


2. Sunflower

Sunflowers are another symbol of late summer and early fall. They are synonymous with scarecrows and even Halloween. This is because the large-stalked colorful blooms last well into the fall. What’s great, is these flowers start blooming in the middle of the summer, and they can last all the way into October, which gives gardeners a great return on their investment.


3. Japanese Anemone

Japanese anemone is a lesser-known but stunning fall plant that is great for anyone looking to add a pop of color to their autumn garden bed. These plants have saucer-like flowers in all sorts of pastel colors and hues. They usually bloom in mid- to late-summer and last until October or even November, depending on your climate. These light and lovely flowers add some life to any fall garden.


4. Black-Eyed Susan

Black-eyed Susans are a popular garden plant, as they offer a lovely orange and black tone to the garden with their bold blooms. These lovely orange flowers come in both annual and perennial varieties. If you want that stunning orange color in your fall garden, plant the type of Black-eyed Susan that will bloom late in the season for the best results.


5. Swiss Giant Pansy

Pansies are a fun and playful flower to plant in your garden beds, or in outdoor pots. There are lots of pansy varieties, and most of them enjoy cooler temperatures found in the spring and fall months. If you are looking for a lovely pansy variety that blooms in the fall months, consider the Swiss giant pansy, as these tend to hold up in cooler fall weather.


6. Sweet Alyssum

Sweet Alyssums are lovely lilac-looking cluster flowers. They come in all sorts of colors, like pink, yellow, white, and lilac, so you can choose a color that will best complement your fall garden. These flowers bloom into the late fall, with many of them blooming once in the spring and then a second time in the late summer or early fall.


7. Russian Sage

If you are less concerned with flowers and more interested in color over all else, consider the lovely and resilient Russian sage. Russian sage has silvery branches and purple leaves. It also has a lovely earthy fragrance. This makes for a lovely color scheme as your garden enters the cooler months of the year.


8. Encore Azalea

Azaleas are a great plant to have in the garden. They are plentiful shrubs that flower. There are even some types of azalea that bloom multiple times a year, including in the fall. Encore azaleas are a great plant for those looking for a hearty shrub that will bloom throughout the year. These bushes will lay dormant in the winter but will provide great shrub cover and flowers in the spring, summer, and fall.


9. Panicle Hydrangea

Hydrangeas are always a favorite flowering plant. These flowers are particular about their climate, but the good news is many species of this plant actually prefer cooler climates. Some even grow well into the fall. In fact, this variety will have blooms that vary in color based on the temperatures. Be sure to plant these in full sun for best results.


10. Shrub Roses

If you are looking for hedges, or hearty blossoms that yield flowers throughout the year, consider shrub roses. Shrub roses are a particularly hearty and disease-resistant species of rose. Many roses are capable of flowering well into fall, but shrub roses are particularly resilient in the post-summer months.


11. Goldenrod

If you are looking for a nice yellow color that gives off a rustic fall aesthetic, consider planting some goldenrod in strategic locations. This is a late summer and early fall blooming plant that gives you yellow floral stalks. This is sometimes considered a weed, and some people are allergic to its pollen. But if you aren’t allergic, this is a likely plant to give your yard a bit of autumn splendor.


12. Marigold

Marigolds are a wildly popular flower throughout the world. Not only do they bloom all over, but they are also resilient well into the cooler months. If you plant these flowers in late summer, then you are bound to have blooms that last throughout the fall. These flowers come in various patterns and colors, but the classic is a vibrant orange, which looks great as the seasons change from summer to fall. In fact, some of these flowers are likely to last until the first freeze closer to winter.


13. Asters

Asters are a a lovely purple flowering plant that bloom in fall when planted in the spring. They produce lots of vibrant purple flowers, and they are a great option for those who like colorful flowers well into October. Some aster species are known to start blooming just as other plants are starting to fade. This makes them a great choice for those just looking for a bit of color in their garden later in the season.


14. Snap Dragon

Snapdragons are a fun and colorful addition to any garden. They come in lots of colors and provide height and unique stalked flowers for your flower bed. They bloom throughout the year but prefer cooler months like spring and fall. This means you can have these stunning flowers at both the beginning and end of your gardening year.


15. Salvia

Lastly, salvia is definitely worth considering if you want to add some flowers to your late fall garden. This shrub has beautiful stalks of purple flowers that spring up above its greenery. These blooms usually begin showing in the summer but can last well into the fall. Salvia is so hearty that these blooms are often seen up until the first hard frost of the year. So if you need a pop of purple in your fall garden, consider the resilient salvia shrub.


Wrapping Up Plants That Bloom In The Fall

If you want to make sure your garden looks lively and beautiful throughout the year, consider planting some flowers that bloom in the fall. Spring and summer might be the most popular months for flowers, but there are several popular species, including roses, marigolds, chrysanthemums, sunflowers, and black-eyed Susans that bloom well into the fall. You can also consider less-popular but equally beautiful plants like Swiss giant pansies, encore azaleas, and Japanese anemones.


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Tom Gaffey
Tom Gaffey

Tom Gaffey is an expert writer who currently resides in Washington D.C. Tom has a passion for real estate and home improvement writing, as well as travel and lifestyle writing. He lived the last twelve years in Hawaii where he worked closely with luxury resorts and event planners, mastering his knowledge of aesthetics and luxury products. This is where he found his passion for home improvement and a keen interest in DIY projects. Currently, Tom resides in Washington D.C, and also working on his debut fiction novel.

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