Health
Top Fall Flowers Gardeners Recommend
Health Points
- Planting fall flowers enhances garden color and pollinator support late in the year.
- Choosing hardy varieties like pansies and lantana ensures thriving blooms in cooler months.
- Certain autumn plants, such as chamomile and calendula, offer additional wellness benefits.
Autumn is a wonderful opportunity to refresh your garden with flowers that flourish in cooler weather. Experts say fall planting helps extend your garden’s beauty and supports thriving landscapes year-round.
“They can survive frosts and even some freezes,” explains Gene Caballero, landscaping expert, describing the resilience of pansies.
Pansies stand out for their hardiness and vibrant hues, making them a favorite among gardeners for continuous color as temperatures dip. Their edible petals are also a delightful addition to seasonal recipes.
“Pansies—as well as violets—can be enjoyed raw or cooked in dishes, which is a bonus to them flourishing in cooler temperatures,” adds Shane Brill, campus garden director and permaculture expert.
Lantana boasts continuous clusters of colorful flowers, brightening landscapes from late spring until autumn’s first frosts. Its ability to attract butterflies and pollinators makes it perfect for adding life to rock gardens and trails.
Maximillian sunflowers offer tall, cheerful yellow blooms well into fall, infusing your yard with sunshine even as days grow shorter. Their impressive height and golden shades create striking backdrops for autumn displays.
“They can get really, really tall if you water them a lot!” notes gardening influencer @GardeningAddiction.
Mums are autumn icons, celebrated for their dense, vibrant flowers in rich yellows and oranges that brighten gardens and containers alike.
Michael Clarke, founder of Yardwork, says, “Their dense bloom structure provides vibrant, full displays in gardens and containers.”
Chamomile is a smart late-season pick, valued by pollinators and prized for its fragrant golden blossoms. Renowned for its calming effects, chamomile also supports digestive health and can be enjoyed as a soothing tea.
“Chamomile prefers cool and dry conditions and is cherished by pollinators,” says Shane Brill.
Gregg’s mistflower delivers clusters of fluffy lavender-blue blooms beloved by butterflies, contributing color and ecological value as autumn progresses.
Calendula, also known as pot marigold, offers long-lasting petals that brighten the garden through fall. Besides beauty, calendula serves as a companion plant, repels pests, and provides blossoms for soothing skin remedies.
Poppies, with their bold red blossoms, are easily started by simply sprinkling seeds over the soil, often resulting in a striking and spontaneous display—even in chillier climates.
Ready to revitalize your fall landscape? Select a few of these gardener-approved flowers for a rewarding, beautiful garden into the cooler months.