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25 Flowers And Plants That Thrive Going Into The Autumn Season
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As the summer heat fades and cooler temperatures approach, it’s time to think about transitioning your garden for autumn. Fall is a wonderful season for gardening, offering a variety of plants and flowers that thrive in cooler weather. From vibrant chrysanthemums to hardy ornamental kale, many plants can bring color and life to your autumn landscape. This guide explores 25 plants and flowers that do exceptionally well heading into the fall season. Discover how to keep your garden looking beautiful and vibrant throughout autumn.
Chrysanthemums (Mums)
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Chrysanthemums, commonly known as mums, are quintessential autumn flowers that bring vibrant color to gardens. They come in a variety of shades, including yellow, red, orange, and purple. Mums are hardy and can withstand cooler temperatures, making them perfect for fall planting. Their blooms can last several weeks, providing long-lasting beauty throughout the season.
Pansies
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Pansies are popular fall flowers known for their cheerful faces and wide range of colors. They thrive in cooler weather and can bloom from autumn through early spring. Pansies are versatile, perfect for garden beds, borders, and containers. Their hardy nature makes them a great choice for adding color to autumn landscapes.
Asters
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Asters are autumn-blooming perennials that bring a burst of color to fall gardens. They come in shades of blue, purple, pink, and white, and attract pollinators like bees and butterflies. Asters are hardy and can thrive in various soil types, making them easy to grow. Their star-shaped flowers add a charming touch to autumn landscapes.
Ornamental Kale and Cabbage
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Ornamental kale and cabbage are prized for their colorful and textured foliage, which intensifies with cooler temperatures. They come in shades of purple, pink, and white, and are often used in fall displays. These plants are hardy and can withstand frost, making them ideal for autumn gardens. Their vibrant leaves add visual interest and contrast to flower beds and containers.
Goldenrod
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Goldenrod is a late-blooming perennial that brings bright yellow flowers to autumn gardens. It is easy to grow and thrives in sunny locations with well-drained soil. Goldenrod attracts pollinators, making it a great addition to wildlife gardens. Its tall, arching stems add height and drama to fall landscapes.
Russian Sage
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Russian sage is a hardy perennial known for its silvery foliage and delicate blue flowers. It blooms from late summer into fall, adding a soft, airy texture to gardens. Russian sage thrives in full sun and well-drained soil, making it drought-tolerant and low-maintenance. Its fragrant foliage and long-lasting blooms make it a favorite for autumn landscapes.
Japanese Anemone
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Japanese anemones are elegant perennials that bloom in late summer and fall. They feature delicate, cup-shaped flowers in shades of white, pink, and purple. Japanese anemones prefer partial shade and moist, well-drained soil. Their graceful blooms and tall stems add a touch of sophistication to autumn gardens.
Helenium (Sneezeweed)
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Helenium, commonly known as sneezeweed, is a vibrant perennial that blooms in late summer and fall. It produces daisy-like flowers in shades of yellow, orange, and red. Helenium thrives in full sun and well-drained soil, making it a reliable choice for autumn gardens. Its bright blooms attract pollinators and add a splash of color to fall landscapes.
Marigolds
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Marigolds are hardy annuals that thrive in cooler fall weather. They come in bright shades of yellow, orange, and red, adding warmth to autumn gardens. Marigolds are easy to grow and can tolerate a variety of soil conditions. Their long-lasting blooms and pest-repellent properties make them a favorite for fall planting.
Snapdragons
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Snapdragons are cool-season annuals that bloom well into the fall. They come in a wide range of colors, including pink, red, yellow, and white. Snapdragons thrive in full sun and well-drained soil, and their tall spikes add vertical interest to gardens. These flowers are perfect for fall planting, providing bright color and fragrance to the landscape.
Heuchera (Coral Bells)
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Heuchera, also known as coral bells, is a perennial plant valued for its colorful foliage. The leaves come in shades of burgundy, bronze, purple, and green, providing year-round interest. Heuchera blooms in late spring and early summer, but its foliage remains attractive through the fall. It thrives in partial shade and well-drained soil, making it a versatile choice for autumn gardens.
Autumn Joy Sedum
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Autumn Joy sedum is a hardy perennial that blooms in late summer and fall. It produces large, flat clusters of pink flowers that deepen to a rich rust color as the season progresses. Autumn Joy sedum is drought-tolerant and thrives in full sun and well-drained soil. Its sturdy stems and long-lasting blooms make it a standout in autumn gardens.
Montauk Daisy
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Montauk daisy, also known as Nippon daisy, is a late-blooming perennial that thrives in autumn. It produces white daisy-like flowers with yellow centers, adding a fresh look to fall gardens. Montauk daisy prefers full sun and well-drained soil, and it is tolerant of coastal conditions. Its sturdy growth and abundant blooms make it a great addition to the autumn landscape.
Hardy Fuchsia
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Hardy fuchsia is a perennial plant known for its delicate, pendulous flowers that bloom from summer through fall. The flowers come in shades of pink, red, and purple, attracting hummingbirds and butterflies. Hardy fuchsia thrives in partial shade and well-drained soil, and it can tolerate cooler temperatures. Its long-lasting blooms and elegant form make it a favorite for autumn gardens.
Rudbeckia (Black-eyed Susan)
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Rudbeckia, commonly known as Black-eyed Susan, is a vibrant perennial that blooms from summer into fall. It produces bright yellow or orange flowers with dark centers, adding a sunny touch to gardens. Rudbeckia thrives in full sun and well-drained soil, and it is drought-tolerant and low-maintenance. Its cheerful blooms and tough nature make it a staple for autumn landscapes.
Hibiscus
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Hibiscus plants are known for their large, showy flowers that bloom from summer through fall. The flowers come in a variety of colors, including red, pink, yellow, and white. Hibiscus thrives in full sun and well-drained soil, and it can add a tropical feel to autumn gardens. Its striking blooms and lush foliage make it a standout in the fall landscape.
Monkshood
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Monkshood is a late-blooming perennial that produces striking blue or purple flowers in the fall. It thrives in partial shade and well-drained soil, and it is known for its tall, stately spikes. Monkshood is a low-maintenance plant that adds vertical interest and rich color to autumn gardens. Its unique flowers and robust growth make it a valuable addition to the fall landscape.
Joe Pye Weed
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Joe Pye weed is a tall perennial that blooms in late summer and fall, producing clusters of mauve or pink flowers. It thrives in full sun to partial shade and prefers moist, well-drained soil. Joe Pye weed attracts butterflies and other pollinators, making it a great choice for wildlife gardens. Its tall stature and late-season blooms add drama and color to autumn landscapes.
Fountain Grass
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Fountain grass is an ornamental grass that adds texture and movement to fall gardens. It produces feathery plumes that sway gracefully in the breeze, adding a dynamic element to the landscape. Fountain grass thrives in full sun and well-drained soil, and it is drought-tolerant and low-maintenance. Its striking plumes and arching foliage make it a standout in autumn plantings.
Witch Hazel
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Witch hazel is a deciduous shrub that produces fragrant, spidery flowers in late fall. The flowers come in shades of yellow, orange, and red, adding color to the garden when most other plants have faded. Witch hazel thrives in full sun to partial shade and well-drained soil. Its unique blooms and fall color make it a valuable addition to autumn landscapes.
Colchicum (Autumn Crocus)
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Colchicum, also known as autumn crocus, produces large, goblet-shaped flowers in shades of pink, purple, and white. These bulbs bloom in late summer and fall, adding unexpected color to the garden. Colchicum prefers full sun to partial shade and well-drained soil. Its striking blooms and ability to flower late in the season make it a cherished addition to autumn gardens.
Cyclamen
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Cyclamen is a delightful perennial that blooms in the cooler months of autumn and winter. Known for its beautiful, upswept petals and heart-shaped leaves, cyclamen comes in shades of pink, red, white, and purple. This plant thrives in partial shade and well-drained soil, making it ideal for garden beds and containers. Cyclamen’s vibrant flowers and attractive foliage add a touch of elegance to autumn gardens.
Calendula
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Calendula, also known as pot marigold, is a hardy annual that blooms well into the fall. It produces bright yellow and orange flowers that are both edible and medicinal. Calendula thrives in full sun and well-drained soil, making it easy to grow. Its cheerful blooms and long-lasting flowers make it a great choice for autumn gardens.
Crocosmia
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Crocosmia is a late-summer to fall blooming perennial that produces vibrant, trumpet-shaped flowers in shades of red, orange, and yellow. It thrives in full sun and well-drained soil, and its arching flower spikes add a dynamic element to gardens. Crocosmia attracts hummingbirds and butterflies, making it a great addition to wildlife gardens. Its bold color and striking form make it a standout in autumn landscapes.
Conclusion
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Autumn is a season of transformation, and with the right plants, your garden can be a vibrant showcase of this beautiful time of year. The 25 plants and flowers highlighted here are perfect for bringing color, texture, and life to your fall landscape. By choosing the right varieties, you can enjoy a garden that thrives well into the cooler months. Embrace the beauty of autumn by incorporating these hardy and stunning plants into your garden. With a little planning and care, your garden will be a stunning testament to the season’s charm.
