Autumn is not only about colorful leaves. it’s also about flowers. It is a good time for planting, the soil is still not too cold, as temperatures begin to decrease but are still mild. The soil has the ability to maintain the temperature a few degrees above ambient temperature, the atmospheric humidity is already higher, which allows the plants not to dry as easily as in the summer. Here are 10 best fall flowers for a perfect autumn garden:
In this article
1. Pansy (Viola × wittrockiana)
Lifecycle: Annual or biennial
Flowering time: Autumn and winter
Flowering color: Purple, yellow, blue, white
Height: Up to 15 cm
Minimum planting distance: 0,15 m
How to plant: Full sun. Neutral or slightly acidic soils with enough organic matter; the planting mix should have a good percentage of organic matter (eg humus).
Use: In borders and flowerpots.
Follow the link for more pansy planting details.
2. Aster (Aster Sp.)
Lifecycle: Perennial
Flowering time: Autumn-Winter
Flower colors: Pink, white, red, purple, etc.
Height: 20-30 cm
Minimum planting distance: 20 cm
Growing conditions: Sun or partial shade, like moist soils and some organic matter. It does not grow well in very windy areas.
Use: Borders, flowerbeds, rock gardens.
Maintenance: Prune gently after flowering.
3. Heather (Calluna Sp.)
Lifecycle: Perennial
Flowering time: Autumn-Winter
Flower color: White, pink, red
Height: Up to 40 cm
Minimum planting distance: 30 cm
Growing conditions: Sunny, acid soils with good drainage, rich in organic matter.
Maintenance: No special maintenance care, just cleaning flowers, leaves and dry branches.
4. Cyclamen (Cyclamen Sp.)
Life cycle: Perennial, sometimes loses foliage in summer and back to grow in autumn.
Flowering time: Autumn, winter and spring.
Flowering color: Pink, purple, white, red
Height: Up to 20 cm
Minimum planting distance: 20 cm
Plant in well drained soils rich in organic matter. Partial shade.
Use as indoor plant, or outside potted, in borders and under trees.
Maintenance: Frequent watering. The flower stems should be plucked at the end of flowering.
Follow the link for cyclamen planting guide.
5. Sweet Alyssum (Lobularia maritima)
Life cycle: Perennial.
Flowering time: Summer and Autumn.
Flowering color: white
Height: Up to 50 cm
Plant in full sun in well drained soils rich in organic matter.
Use in flower borders and beds or potted in terraces or patio gardens.
Maintenance: Cut back at the end of flowering.
6. Chrysanthemums (Chrysanthemum)
Life cycle: Half-hardy perennial
Flowering season: Late summer / early autumn.
Flowering color: yellow, pink, purple, red, white.
Height: 1.5m
Plant in full sun in well drained soils rich in organic matter.
Use in borders and as cut flowers.
Follow the link to read the Chrysanthemum planting guide.
7. Sedum (Hylotelephium sp.)
Life cycle: Perennial.
Flowering season: Summer, Autumn.
Flowering color: pink.
Height: 1m.
Plant in full sun, well drained neutral soil. Drought tolerant.
Use in borders, informal gardens and rock gardens.
Maintenance: Cut back after flowering to maintain shape.
8. Japanese anemone (Anemone japonica)
Life cycle: herbaceous perennials.
Flowering season: Summer, Autumn.
Flowering color: pink.
Height: 1m to 1.5m.
Plant in full sun or partial shade position in well drained soil.
Use in flower borders and beds in informal gardens.
Maintenance: Anemone is a low maintenance plant. Cut back in late autumn.
9. Rudbeckia fulgida (Black-eyed Susan)
Life cycle: annuals, biennials or herbaceous perennials.
Flowering season: Summer, Autumn.
Flowering color: yellow.
Height: 1m.
Plant in full sun or partial shade position in moist but well drained soil.
Use in flower borders and wildflowers meadows.
Maintenance: Cut back in late autumn.
10. Silver leaf (Leucophyllum frutenscens)
Life cycle: Evergreen shrub
Flowering season: Summer and autumn
Flowering color: Lilac
Height: Up to 1.5 m
Minimum planting distance: 50 cm
Growing conditions: Full sun. Sandy soils. It resists the sea air. It reacts well to frequent pruning.
Use in borders, hedges, pots and rock gardens.
Maintenance: Very rustic plant, tolerates periods of drought. Prune after flowering. It can withstand drought periods and can be watered in the summer once a week.
Is there any plant missing in this 10 best fall flowers list? Maybe it should be 11 or 12… Let us know in the comments section.
