You know that sad feeling when your summer flowers start looking pitiful? I used to think my garden was doomed to look dreary until spring.
But let me tell you – I discovered some amazing flowers that keep my garden looking gorgeous well into fall, and I’m excited to share them with you!
Top 10 Fall-Blooming Flowers That’ll Make Your Neighbors Jealous
1. Sweet Alyssum
I absolutely adore these dainty little flowers! They remind me of delicate lace with their tiny pink or white blooms. They look absolutely gorgeous spilling over my container edges, and despite looking super fragile, they’re actually tough cookies that can handle a bit of frost.
2. Marigolds
These are my go-to flowers for fool-proof fall color. They’re such troopers – blooming their hearts out until the really cold weather hits. Here’s a money-saving tip I learned: save those dried seed heads and plant them next spring!
3. Asters
Just when everything else in my garden starts looking tired, these beauties burst into bloom. They come in the prettiest purples, blues, and pinks you can imagine. Plus, they bloom right alongside mums, creating the perfect fall combo.
4. Shrub Roses
Don’t let the fancy name scare you! These aren’t your grandmother’s fussy roses. My shrub roses are some of the easiest plants I’ve ever grown. They keep blooming well into fall, and the newer varieties barely get any diseases.
5. Black-Eyed Susans
These sunny flowers make me smile every time I look at them. With their bright golden petals and dark centers, they’re like little rays of sunshine in the garden. I have both annual and perennial varieties, and they bloom from mid-summer right through fall.
6. Coral Bells
Can we talk about these gorgeous plants for a minute? While they’re not grown for their flowers, their leaves come in the most amazing colors. From deep burgundy to bright lime green, they keep my garden colorful even after everything else has faded.
7. Helenium
Here’s a fun fact: these used to be used as snuff, which is why some folks call them sneezeweed! But don’t worry – they won’t make you sneeze. I plant these stunning red, orange, and yellow beauties at the back of my garden for amazing late-season color.
8. Pansies and Violas
I call these my “happy face flowers” because they always look like they’re smiling! These tough little plants actually prefer cooler weather. Mine keep blooming through light frosts, bringing cheerful colors to my fall garden.
9. Snapdragons
These are my secret weapon for fall containers! They stand tall and proud, blooming until the ground freezes solid. My kids love gently squeezing the flowers to make them “talk” like little dragons.
10. Chrysanthemums
No fall garden would be complete without mums! While they’re technically perennials, I usually treat them as annuals because they’re so affordable. Pro tip: if you want them to come back next year, plant them by mid-summer so they can get their roots established.
One of my favorite fall activities is combining these flowers with pumpkins and gourds to create cozy seasonal displays on my porch. It’s amazing how much longer you can enjoy your garden when you include these fall bloomers!