14 Best Fall Flowers to Grow

At the end of summer, the landscape tends to become barren, falling into decline as surely as a moldering stone statue in a decaying great house. Yet, fall brings with it its own set of perks: cozy sweaters, pumpkin-themed decorations and desserts, and an autumnal bounty of bronze-flushed leaves. Fall flowers aren’t as colorful as summer’s harvest, but they nevertheless shine in their own way – rustic and redoubtable. Here’s a few fall-blooming flowers (that aren’t petunias) that you can grow in your garden for one final show. 

Autumn Joy Sedum 

Many so-called autumn flowers tend to shrivel up as soon as the cold hits, but Autumn Joy sedum will soldier on, blooming into November. It’s a carefree succulent that provides a splash of florid color in the fall, its dense clusters mimicking the frothy appearance of more delicate plants. 

Zones: 3 – 9

Canna Lily 

If you’re tired of all these daylilies seen festooning every park and apartment corner, then look to its tropical cousin – the canna lily. Of all the varieties, the black variety is especially stunning: cloaked in velvety, undulating foliage, it unfurls to a spray of crimson blooms. Annual in all zones except 8 – 10, these lilies will have to be dug up and stored or grown in large containers that can be brought inside. 

Zones: 2 – 11, hardiness depends on variety  

American Blue Vervain  

Blue vervain is an attractive wildflower that adds height to the garden with its lavender-like spires. As all else withers, it stands tall, surpassing more brilliant blooms to become the most regal in the garden. Beauty aside, it is also grown for medicinal purposes; its panicles can be tied up into poultices to treat anxiety and other maladies. 

Zones: 3 – 9, a hardy plant 

Anemone x hybrida 'September Charm' 

There’s no reason not to plant these lovely blooms, which produce elegant, dainty flowers well-suited to perennial borders and cottage gardens. Japanese anemones are exceptionally well-lived, and their open-faced flowers are frequented by pollinators. 

Zones: 4 – 8; does not fare well in the deep South, where temperatures can reach scorching levels 

Reblooming Azalea 

Reblooming azaleas are vivacious bloomers that will flower in the spring like traditional azaleas, then re-bloom in the summer and fall. Plants are compact enough that they can be grown in containers. Often sold as Encore® azaleas, these azaleas favor slightly acidic soil and do well in areas underneath pine trees. 

Zones: 4 – 8; creeping varieties well suited for groundcover 

Leadwort 

Planted near slopes to combat erosion, leadwort is a charming groundcover that can tolerate poor soils as well as full sun and partial sun conditions. It bears diminutive flowers in shades of cornflower blue, adding a cooler complement to the brighter reds and yellows. 

Zones: Prefers 6 – 9 

Marigolds 

An oldie but goodie, marigolds are underrated performers that will always show up to the parade. With their enthusiastic appearances and ruffled petals, they don’t mind a bit of sun – they’re very drought-resistant and heat-resistant. They’re also grown as useful companion plants to ward off pests.  

Zones: 2 – 11 

 

Dahlias 

With blooms as big as dinner plates, dahlias can reach impressive heights up to six feet. Their sheer color and shape can seem infinite, but if want an earthy fall palette, look for peaches, reds, and maroons. Although dahlias have a reputation for flamboyance, some are surprisingly sparse, almost resembling daisies, such as Dahlia 'Mystic Enchantment.' Deadhead spent flowerheads using a sharp knife to promote growth and keep blooms tidy. 

Zones: 3 – 7; hardy in 8 – 10 

American Beautyberry 

American beautyberry is a low-maintenance shrub that is an all-round winner: it provides shelter for wildlife, shines from fall to winter, and attracts a variety of bird species. It’s distinguished by its signature clusters of berries, renowned for their brilliance as they cascade down their branches. During the colder months, birds will rely on the berries for sustenance, as well as other wildlife.  

Zones: 7 – 11, best when planted in groups 

Gregg’s Mistflower   

Gregg’s mistflower is a whimsical plant with a tough exterior, adapted to withstand the Texan heat. A must for pollinator gardens, it is immensely attractive to butterflies, particularly monarchs and queen butterflies, often attracting swarms to its ‘misty’ lavender blooms.

Zones: 7 – 10 

Pink Turtlehead 

Pink turtlehead is another flower that seems more appropriate for summer, with its clumps of tubular flowers shaped to resemble a turtle’s head. It’s an unusual flower that resembles a strange amalgamation of several different species – a closed lotus bud, snapdragons, and orchids. Keep plants well-watered using advanced watering equipment. 

Zones: 3 – 9, prefers moist, boggy conditions but adaptable to ordinary garden soil 

Asters

Asters are sprightly flowers that thrive on neglect. Boasting a child-like simplicity, asters come in many different colors, but the periwinkle lavender is especially popular and is great for offsetting the more traditional autumnal colors. When properly placed in the yard, they offer an abundance of color up through October. 

Zones: 3 – 8 

Nemesia

Commonly grown as bedding plants, nemesia are like sugar-spun confections – tidy in a way that verges on perfection. They’re ideal for gardeners who want to add scent without it being too overpowering or cloying. Nemesia ‘Wisley Vanilla’ is a pale variety that exudes a heavenly scent.  

Zones: 2 – 10  

Blanket Flower 

Blanket flowers are like daisies, but with more pizzaz. Draped in imperial reds and yellows, they’re the typical flowers that spring to mind when you think of fall. Standing out like pinwheels in the breeze, they embody the final effort before the inevitable. They are common to native prairies and rocky hillsides and can be bicolor or single-toned. 

Zones: 3 – 10  

Cleome 

Cleome is an old-fashioned plant that gives off the same energy as spidery cursive from a Victorian bride – wistfully intriguing, though not for everyone. It’s not the most pleasant of plants, boasting thorns and an odor that some have described as skunk-like, though newer varieties are mostly thornless and odorless. On the upside, it’s heat tolerant and long-lasting, preserving until frost. 

Zones: perennial in zones 10 – 11