Gardening Plants & Flowers Flowers

40 Best Fall Flowers to Plant for Autumnal Color

Annual and Perennial Flowers and Flowering Shrubs for Adding Fall Interest

red salvia and fall flowers

The Spruce / Margot Cavin 

Fall flowers are colorful additions to your garden after your summer blooms fade and the weather begins to cool. While trees with colorful fall foliage are a prized part of the autumn scene, selecting hardy annual and perennial flowers and flowering shrubs adds extra interest. Fall flowers come in an array of colors, shapes, and sizes suitable for any garden style. And, if you're a fan of container gardening, there are plenty of fall flowers for pots you can grow on your front porch. Make smart selections to find flowers that bloom throughout the entire fall season in your area until the first freeze of winter.

Mums, sunflowers, hydrangeas, dahlias, violas, and black-eyed Susans are popular fall-blooming flowers, but they aren't the only options. Here are 40 fall flowers to keep your landscape blooming into autumn.

Tip

Mid- to late-August is often an excellent time to plant fall flowers, as long as the weather isn't still so hot that the plants will suffer heat stress. But don't wait too late to plant, or you'll have a very short window to enjoy your flowers. Check the USDA hardiness zones and growing requirements for each species to establish planting times and ensure you can offer them the conditions they need to thrive.

  • 01 of 40

    Mums (Chrysanthemum spp.)

    Chrysanthemum plant with orange and yellow flowers in sunlight

    The Spruce / Evgeniya Vlasova

    Mums are quintessential fall flowers. They start blooming in September and last until frost. And the many species come in various bloom shapes and colors. When selecting mums for fall planting, look for a plant that isn’t in full bloom yet. It will struggle less with transplanting. Make sure to keep the soil moist but not soggy for the best flowering.

    • USDA Growing Zones: 5 to 9
    • Color Varieties: Yellow, orange, white, red, purple, bicolors
    • Bloom Time: Late summer to mid fall
    • Sun Exposure: Full
    • Soil Needs: Rich, humusy, moist, well-drained
  • 02 of 40

    Pot Marigold (Calendula officinalis)

    Pot marigold plant with orange daily-like flowers in sunlight

    The Spruce / Evgeniya Vlasova

    Marigolds will first bloom in the late spring to early summer. And if you continuously deadhead your plants (remove the spent blooms), they can stay in bloom through fall, though flowering might slow in the peak heat of the summer. These plants feature daisy-like flowers that typically come in yellow or orange. They are typically grown as annuals but might self-seed in your garden. 

    • USDA Growing Zones: 2 to 11 (annual)
    • Color Varieties: Yellow, orange, cream, pink
    • Bloom Time: Late spring to fall frosts
    • Sun Exposure: Full, partial
    • Soil Needs: Average, well-drained
  • 03 of 40

    Red Salvia (Salvia splendens)

    Red salvia plant with bright red flower spikes

    The Spruce / Evgeniya Vlasova

    Also called scarlet sage, this flower is a tender fall perennial often grown as an annual outside of its hardiness zones. Its bright red flowers stretch around 2 inches long and grow in clusters on erect stems above the foliage. It can bloom from June until the first fall frost. Plants can be potted in the fall for overwintering indoors.

    • USDA Growing Zones: 10 to 11
    • Color Varieties: Red
    • Bloom Time: Early summer to fall frosts
    • Sun Exposure: Full, partial
    • Soil Needs: Moist, well-drained
  • 04 of 40

    Sweet Alyssum (Lobularia maritima)

    Sweet alyssum with white flower clusters on lance-shaped stems

    The Spruce / Evgeniya Vlasova

    Sweet alyssum spreads with mounds of gray-green, lance-shaped foliage. Its clusters of small, four-petal, sweet-scented flowers first bloom in the spring. Then, the plant will often decline in the heat of summer. Cut it back by half at this point. Once cool temperatures return in the fall, its foliage should perk up again, and it often repeat blooms. You also can plant seeds in August for fall flowers.

    • USDA Growing Zones: 5 to 9
    • Color Varieties: White
    • Bloom Time: Late spring to fall frosts
    • Sun Exposure: Full, partial
    • Soil Needs: Average, well-drained
    Continue to 5 of 40 below
  • 05 of 40

    Nasturtium (Tropaeolum spp.)

    Nasturtium plant with rounded leaves and small yellow flowers

    The Spruce / Evgeniya Vlasova

    Nasturtium species can be annuals or perennials with different shapes, including bushy, climbing, and trailing growth habits. Most plants in the genus feature brightly colored flowers. In general, they flower from May to September, though the exact timing depends on the species and climate. These are typically low-maintenance plants, appreciating watering during periods of drought.

    • USDA Growing Zones: 2 to 11 (annual)
    • Color Varieties: Red, orange, pink, yellow, cream
    • Bloom Time: Early summer to early fall
    • Sun Exposure: Full
    • Soil Needs: Moist, well-drained
  • 06 of 40

    Violet (Viola spp.)

    Violet plant with small five-petaled purple flowers on thin stems

    The Spruce / Evgeniya Vlasova

    There are hundreds of species in the Viola genus. In general, violet refers to the low-growing, mounding plants that spread readily in the garden. Many species struggle in the summer but will revive and bloom in the fall with their showy five-petal flowers. Use a slow-release fertilizer in late summer to encourage fall flowers. 

    • USDA Growing Zones: 3 to 8
    • Color Varieties: Blue, purple, white
    • Bloom Time: Late spring to fall frosts
    • Sun Exposure: Full
    • Soil Needs: Rich, moist, well-drained
  • 07 of 40

    Snapdragon (Antirrhinum majus)

    Snapdragon plant with tall pink flower spikes and buds closeup

    The Spruce / Evgeniya Vlasova

    Snapdragons are tender perennials that are also grown as annuals. They can flower from spring to frost in the fall in cool climates. In climates with hot summers, they often slow down in the heat but pick up with their blooming when cool weather returns. The plants get their common name because the tubular flowers somewhat appear like a dragon's head.

    • USDA Growing Zones: 7 to 10
    • Color Varieties: White, yellow, red, orange, pink, purple
    • Bloom Time: Early spring to fall frosts
    • Sun Exposure: Full
    • Soil Needs: Rich, moist, well-drained
  • 08 of 40

    Cockscomb (Celosia argentea)

    Cockscomb plant with bright red feather flowers surrounded with red foliage

    The Spruce / Evgeniya Vlasova

    Cockscomb flower heads have a feathery appearance in a rainbow of bright yellow, warm orange, scarlet red, and deep burgundy or purple accents for fabulous fall color. This annual stretches 4 to 10 inches long with densely packed blooms on upright stems. You can start seeds indoors roughly six to eight weeks before your area’s projected last frost date in the spring for earlier bloom.

    • USDA Growing Zones: 2 to 11 (annual)
    • Color Varieties: Red
    • Bloom Time: Mid-summer to fall frosts
    • Sun Exposure: Full
    • Soil Needs: Moist, well-drained
    Continue to 9 of 40 below
  • 09 of 40

    New England Asters (Symphyotrichum novae-angliae)

    New England aster plant with white daisy-like flowers and butterfly on top

    The Spruce / Evgeniya Vlasova

    New England asters offer vivid fall color with their showy flowers. The flowers have a daisy-like look, stretching almost 2 inches across. Pink to purple petals extend out from bright golden centers. They can be planted all season, from spring to fall. Plants will often self-seed if you leave the spent flower heads on; otherwise, you can cut the plants to the ground for a tidier look.

    • USDA Growing Zones: 4 to 8
    • Color Varieties: Pink-purple, purple
    • Bloom Time: Late summer to early fall
    • Sun Exposure: Full
    • Soil Needs: Average, well-drained
  • 10 of 40

    Nippon Daisy (Nipponanthemum nipponicum)

    Nipponanthemum nipponicum
    igaguri_1 / Getty Images

    The flowers on the Nippon daisy, also known as the Montauk daisy, feature white petals and green centers. They form on long stems and stretch around 2 to 3 inches across. They tend to make long-lasting cut flowers. To encourage continued blooming, deadhead the spent flowers. Plant it in the early spring or fall.

    • USDA Growing Zones: 5 to 9
    • Color Varieties: White
    • Bloom Time: Late summer to early fall
    • Sun Exposure: Full
    • Soil Needs: Average, well-drained
  • 11 of 40

    Goldenrod (Solidago spp.)

    Goldenrod plant with tiny yellow clusters on upright stems

    The Spruce / Evgeniya Vlasova

    Goldenrod is a perennial wildflower with tiny yellow blooms that form in clusters on upright stems. They are pretty attractive to butterflies and bees. Remove the spent flower clusters to prolong blooming. It is usually planted in the spring or fall.

    • USDA Growing Zones: 3 to 8
    • Color Varieties: Yellow
    • Bloom Time: Mid-summer to fall
    • Sun Exposure: Full
    • Soil Needs: Average, well-drained
  • 12 of 40

    Joe Pye Weed (Eutrochium purpureum)

    Joe Pye weed with tall stems and pink flower clusters

    The Spruce / Evgeniya Vlasova

    Joe Pye weed is another perennial wildflower that grows in upright clumps. The domed clusters of tiny flowers offer delicate fall interest, and the blooms have a pleasant vanilla scent. Cut your plants to the ground in the winter to maintain vigorous growth. And don't be put off by the name. This North American native isn't classed as invasive.

    • USDA Growing Zones: 4 to 9
    • Color Varieties: Mauve, white
    • Bloom Time: Mid-summer to early fall
    • Sun Exposure: Full, partial
    • Soil Needs: Moist, well-drained
    Continue to 13 of 40 below
  • 13 of 40

    Bluebeard (Caryopteris × clandonensis)

    Bluebeard plant with tiny purple flower clusters closeup

    The Spruce / Evgeniya Vlasova

    Bluebeard, also known as blue mist, blooms roughly from July to September. It’s a small, mounded shrub with aromatic foliage. The flowers come in tiny clusters that resemble clouds of blue mist on the plant, hence its common name. Ensure your plant has good soil drainage; it does not tolerate soggy soil.

    • USDA Growing Zones: 5 to 9
    • Color Varieties: Blue, purple, pink
    • Bloom Time: Early summer to early fall
    • Sun Exposure: Full
    • Soil Needs: Average, medium moisture, well-drained
  • 14 of 40

    Autumn Joy Stonecrop (Hylotelephium telephium 'Herbstfreude' (‘Autumn Joy’)

    'Autumn Joy' stonecrop plant with dense pink flower clusters on tall stems

    The Spruce / Evgeniya Vlasova

    'Autumn Joy' stonecrop is a hardy, low-maintenance plant that can thrive in many different growing conditions. It prefers soil with sharp drainage. The plant blooms with small, star-shaped flowers that start pink but darken to red in the fall. Pinch the plant back in the spring to encourage bushier growth. It's best planted in the spring to deliver fall garden splendor.

    • USDA Growing Zones: 3 to 9
    • Color Varieties: Pink, red
    • Bloom Time: Late summer to fall frosts
    • Sun Exposure: Full
    • Soil Needs: Sandy, well-drained
  • 15 of 40

    Autumn Crocus (Colchicum autumnale)

    Autumn crocus plant with light purple blooms in sunlight

    The Spruce / Evgeniya Vlasova

    The autumn crocus grows from a bulb that you must plant in well-drained soil. Plant it in the late summer for fall bloom. The bulb sends up foliage only in the spring, which dies back by summer. Fall flowers rise on bare stems. 

    • USDA Growing Zones: 4 to 8
    • Color Varieties: Lavender-pink, lilac-pink
    • Bloom Time: Early fall to fall frosts
    • Sun Exposure: Full, partial
    • Soil Needs: Rich, medium moisture, well-drained
  • 16 of 40

    Russian Sage (Perovskia atriplicifolia)

    Russian sage plant with dense stems full of tiny purple tubular flowers

    The Spruce / Evgeniya Vlasova

    Russian sage is a woody long-blooming perennial with gray-green foliage that is aromatic when crushed. The small, tubular flowers thrive in a sunny spot. While Russian sage can tolerate a bit of shade, the stems might flop over without enough sun, and flowering will likely be diminished. Cut plants back in the early spring for renewed growth.

    • USDA Growing Zones: 5 to 9
    • Color Varieties: Blue, lavender
    • Bloom Time: Mid-summer to fall frosts
    • Sun Exposure: Full
    • Soil Needs: Average, dry to medium moisture, well-drained
    Continue to 17 of 40 below
  • 17 of 40

    Sunflower (Helianthus annuus)

    Sunflower plant with large radiating yellow petals on tall stems

    The Spruce / Evgeniya Vlasova

    Sunflowers are show-stopping annuals that make a great addition to any garden, and they're also lovely for fall flower arrangements. Their blooms can stretch 3 to 6 inches wide atop tall stems. And they typically feature yellow petals with brown centers. Different sunflower varieties bloom at different times. Many stretch their bloom season into fall. Consider harvesting seeds from the flower heads to plant the following growing season. 

    • USDA Growing Zones: 2 to 11 (annual)
    • Color Varieties: Yellow, red, brown
    • Bloom Time: Mid-summer to fall frosts
    • Sun Exposure: Full
    • Soil Needs: Average, moist, well-drained
  • 18 of 40

    Sneezeweed (Helenium autumnale)

    Sneezeweed plant with clump-forming yellow flowers in sunlight

    The Spruce / Evgeniya Vlasova

    Helenium, or sneezeweed, is a clump-forming perennial wildflower with a long blooming period. The daisy-like blooms stretch around 2 inches across and have domed centers. Cut back the plants at least six weeks before blooming begins. Pruning will encourage more branching and, thus, more flowers.

    • USDA Growing Zones: 3 to 8
    • Color Varieties: Red, yellow, orange, gold, copper
    • Bloom Time: Late summer to fall frosts
    • Sun Exposure: Full
    • Soil Needs: Rich, moist, well-drained
  • 19 of 40

    Petunia (Petunia spp.)

    Petunia plant with light pink and purple funnel-shaped flowers

    The Spruce / Evgeniya Vlasova

    Petunias are tender perennials commonly grown as fall annuals in most climates. The flowers are generally large and funnel-shaped, coming in various colors. Although they can bloom from spring to fall, flowering might slow down in the summer heat. If your petunias decline in the summertime, cut them back. Trimming will encourage them to bloom again in the fall.  

    • USDA Growing Zones: 10 to 11
    • Color Varieties: Red, yellow, orange, pink, purple, white, green
    • Bloom Time: Late spring to fall frosts
    • Sun Exposure: Full, partial
    • Soil Needs: Rich, moist, well-drained
  • 20 of 40

    Blanket Flower (Gaillardia x Grandiflora)

    Blanket flower with red and yellow daisy-like flowers in sunlight

    The Spruce / Evgeniya Vlasova

    Blanket flowers are short-lived, fast-growing perennial flowers. The bright, showy, daisy-like flowers can stretch 3 to 4 inches across, and they form above the foliage on upright stems. If flowering slows in the summer, cut back the plants to encourage fall flowers. 

    • USDA Growing Zones: 3 to 10
    • Color Varieties: Red, yellow, orange
    • Bloom Time: Early spring to fall frosts
    • Sun Exposure: Full
    • Soil Needs: Average, medium moisture, well-drained
    Continue to 21 of 40 below
  • 21 of 40

    Floss Flower (Ageratum houstonianum)

    Close up of the blue flowers of the floss flower

    The Spruce / Autumn Wood

    Looking for a long-lasting swathe of color to cover your landscape? Why not pick a plant from the Argeratum genus? There are over 40 species to choose from, but the most popular species to grow in North America is the annual floss flower (Ageratum houstonianum). Providing you can offer the bright and moist spot these plants appreciate, you'll be rewarded with a mass of purplish-blue flowers for much of the year, well into fall.

    • USDA Growing Zones: 2 to 11 (grown as a true annual)
    • Color Varieties: Purplish blue; pink and white cultivars are also available
    • Bloom Time: Late spring through the first frost
    • Sun Exposure: Full, partial
    • Soil Needs:  Moist, well-drained soil
  • 22 of 40

    Hydrangeas (Hydrangea spp.)

    Close up of a purple hydrangea bloom

    The Spruce / Claire Cohen Bates

    There's a reason hydrangeas are amongst the most popular ornamental shrubs. The large, colorful flower heads make a statement in any garden. Fast-growing, versatile, and diverse, there are many hydrangea types to choose from. And they often continue to produce those beautiful blooms well into the fall. Some varieties can handle light shade, but many plants bloom best in full sun and rich soil.

    • USDA Growing Zones: 5 to 9
    • Color Varieties: White, blue, pink, red, purple, green
    • Bloom Time: Early summer to late fall
    • Sun Exposure: Full, partial
    • Soil Needs: Moist, well-drained
  • 23 of 40

    Calibrachoa

    Cluster of yellow million bell flowers

    The Spruce / Evgeniya Vlasova

    Calibrachoa, also known as million bells, is a perfect choice when you're looking to fill your deck or porch with some bright fall flowers. These plants come in a wide range of colors and are known for being prolific bloomers well into fall—providing you top-up on fertilizer and cut them back towards the end of the summer. You can plant them in the ground, but they also thrive in containers. And as a bonus, these self-cleaning plants don't need deadheading.

    • USDA Growing Zones: 9 to 11
    • Color Varieties: Coral, yellow, orange, red, pink, blue, purple, burgundy, lavender, cream
    • Bloom Time: Late spring to mid fall
    • Sun Exposure: Full, partial
    • Soil Needs: Moist, rich, well-drained
  • 24 of 40

    Black-Eyed Susan (Rudbeckia hirta)

    Cluster of yellow black-eyed Susans

    The Spruce / Adrienne Legault 

    Low-maintenance, hardy, dependable native wildflowers are the perfect addition to cottage and meadow gardens. Daisy-like, bright black-eyed Susans will keep pollinators topped up on nectar from early summer to late fall, when adequate nutrient levels are extra important for overwintering. Pop them in a sunny spot and watch them thrive.

    • USDA Growing Zones: 3 to 9
    • Color Varieties: Yellow, orange, red
    • Bloom Time: Early summer to fall frosts
    • Sun Exposure: Full
    • Soil Needs: Moist, well-drained
    Continue to 25 of 40 below
  • 25 of 40

    Strawflower (Xerochrysum bracteatum)

    Close up of varied-colored strawflowers

    The Spruce / Autumn Wood

    Select stunning strawflowers if you want a species you can add to your cut flower arrangements from late spring to fall. And these plants don't just hold their shape and look great for a long time in a vase. These long-blooming but short-lived perennials add vivid color to your landscape, providing you deadhead them throughout their growing season.

    • USDA Growing Zones: 8 to 11
    • Color Varieties: Yellow, orange, red, white, pink
    • Bloom Time: Late spring until fall frosts
    • Sun Exposure: Full, partial
    • Soil Needs: Well-drained
  • 26 of 40

    Cosmos (Cosmos sulphureus, Cosmos bipinnatus)

    Close up of pink cosmos flowers

    The Spruce / Letí­cia Almeida

    Cosmos flowers are ideal when you simply want to sprinkle some seeds in the spring, after the danger of frost has passed, and then let them do their thing. These fast-blooming annuals are cottage garden favorites and magnets for pollinators. As long as you can offer a sunny spot, they'll keep blooming well into the fall with little to no interference, no matter the conditions.

    • USDA Growing Zones: 2 to 11
    • Color Varieties: Golden yellow, white, pink, magenta, orange, yellow, red, chocolate
    • Bloom Time: Early summer to fall frosts
    • Sun Exposure: Full
    • Soil Needs: Well-drained
  • 27 of 40

    Fuchsias

    Close up of the pink flowers of the fuschia shrub

    The Spruce / Kara Riley

    Shrubby, evergreen fuschias are the perfect fall spillers for your container gardens. The bright teardrop-shaped blooms are hummingbird favorites, and these part shade-loving flowers are ideal for warm-weather yards that don't see a lot of intense sun as the seasons progress. Fuschias are cold-sensitive species, and they aren't exactly low maintenance. However, if you can offer the right moisture and humidity levels along with a high-quality soil, these stunning plants are worth the extra effort.

    • USDA Growing Zones: 10 to 11
    • Color Varieties: Red, pink, white, violet, purple
    • Bloom Time: Early summer to fall frosts
    • Sun Exposure: Part
    • Soil Needs: Moist, well-drained
  • 28 of 40

    Dahlia (Dahlia spp.)

    Close up of a orange-red dahlia flower

    The Spruce / Letícia Almeida

    Late-season flowers don't come much brighter, bigger or more beautiful than dahlias. There are lots of types of dahlias to choose from, and the large blooms on these upright warm-weather plants make them an ideal thriller plant in mixed containers or flower borders. To see the best blooms, pick a sunny spot and water regularly. Keep these flowers out of reach of your dog or cat as they are toxic to pets.

    • USDA Growing Zones: 8 to 10
    • Color Varieties: Red, Pink, Orange, Yellow, Purple, White
    • Bloom Time: Mid-summer to fall frosts
    • Sun Exposure: Full
    • Soil Needs: Loamy, well-drained
    Continue to 29 of 40 below
  • 29 of 40

    Canna Lily (Canna spp.)

    Close up of the orange blooms of a canna lily

    The Spruce / Adrienne Legault

    If you love the tropical vibe, even after the summer ends, consider the Canna lily as a warm-weather fall garden addition. Despite their exotic-looking appearance, these tall flowers are easy to grow in a full sun position, providing you offer a moist soil and adequate space. And, unlike true lilies, these plants are pet-friendly.

    • USDA Growing Zones: 8 to 10
    • Color Varieties: Red, orange, yellow, pink, cream, white; solid color or with contrasting spots
    • Bloom Time: Early summer to fall frosts
    • Sun Exposure: Full
    • Soil Needs: Rich, moist, well-draining
  • 30 of 40

    Sedum (Sedum spp.)

    The purple flowers and green foliage of a cluster of sedum

    The Spruce / Adrienne Legault

    Try planting hardy, drought-tolerant sedum as a colorful, low-maintenance ground cover in gardens that don't see much rain in fall. The tiny flowers attract pollinators and are a popular choice for xeriscape landscapes. Most sedum varieties are non-invasive, deer-resistant plants that you can't go wrong with, providing you don't overwater or plant them in soil that isn't well-drained.

    • USDA Growing Zones: 3 to 10
    • Color Varieties: Red, pink, yellow, white
    • Bloom Time: Midsummer to fall frosts
    • Sun Exposure: Full, partial
    • Soil Needs: Sandy, loamy, well-drained
  • 31 of 40

    Roses (Rosa spp.)

    Cluster of pink rose flowers

    The Spruce / Leticia Almeida

    Everyone loves a rose, and there are many cultivars and wild types of roses to choose from that continue to produce beautiful, fragrant blooms well into fall. These aren't the most low-maintenance shrubs, and you'll need a careful watering and fertilizing schedule, the right amount of sun, and good deadheading and pruning habits to see your rose bush bloom into fall. But, the effort is worth it with these long-lived classics. As fall blooms fade, prep your roses well for winter so they flourish again the next year.

    • USDA Growing Zones: 2 to 11, depending on type
    • Color Varieties: White, red, pink, yellow, orange
    • Bloom Time: Late spring to early fall
    • Sun Exposure: Full
    • Soil Needs: Loamy, well-drained
  • 32 of 40

    African Daisies (Osteospermum spp.)

    Purple and yellow African daisies on a wooden deck

    The Spruce / Kara Riley

    The bright colors of African daisies are what sets them apart from other daisy-like flowers, and these tender perennials will bloom well into fall when temperatures are mild enough. While they bloom from late spring, be aware they take a blooming break in the hottest part of the summer. These plants can tolerate partial shade, but a full sun position in an organically rich soil is best for most prolific blooming.

    • USDA Growing Zones: 10 to 11
    • Color Varieties: Purple, pink, yellow, orange, white
    • Bloom Time: Late spring to early fall
    • Sun Exposure: Full
    • Soil Needs: Moist, well-drained
    Continue to 33 of 40 below
  • 33 of 40

    Begonia (Begonia spp.)

    Pink and white blooms of a begonia

    The Spruce / Jayme Burrows

    There are so many species of begonia to choose from that there is bound to be one with a color, shape, and size right for your garden. These shade-loving plants continue to bloom with less sun than many other fall flowers. And it's not just the blooms that begonias are grown for. Their foliage adds additional textural interest. Begonias are relatively low-maintenance, as long as you can provide the shady, warm, evenly moist conditions they love.

    • USDA Growing Zones: 6 to 10 (depending on variety)
    • Color Varieties: Pink, red, white, yellow, orange
    • Bloom Time: Early summer to fall frosts
    • Sun Exposure: Part, shade
    • Soil Needs: Moist, rich
  • 34 of 40

    Pansies (Pansies spp.)

    Close up of the delicate pink-purple flowers of pansies

    The Spruce / Kara Riley

    Fast-growing, colorful pansies are favorites for fall flower beds and containers. The distinctive, delicate, heart-shaped, overlapping petals brighten gardens almost year-round when temperatures are mild enough. A part shade rather than full sun position is best to help the blooms retain their vigor, and these long bloomers are heavy feeders.

    • USDA Growing Zones: 7 to 11
    • Color Varieties: White, yellow, purple, blue, red, pink
    • Bloom Time: Early spring to fall or winter frosts
    • Sun Exposure: Full, partial
    • Soil Needs: Well-drained
  • 35 of 40

    Zinnias (Zinnia spp.)

    Close up of a vibrant pink zinnia flower

    The Spruce / Letícia Almeida

    Similar in structure to dahlias but less particular about care and conditions, zinnias are perfect fall flowers for low-maintenance gardens. These annual flowers are easy to start from seed, and there are many zinnia varieties to choose from. Popular, tall Zinnia elegans is a drought-tolerant favourite for the back of fall borders, provided you can offer a sunny spot and well-draining soil.

    • USDA Growing Zones: 3 to 10
    • Color Varieties: Pink, purple, yellow, orange, white, red, green
    • Bloom Time: Late spring to fall frosts
    • Sun Exposure: Full
    • Soil Needs: Well-drained
  • 36 of 40

    Marguerite or Oxeye Daisy (Leucanthemum vulgare)

    Cluster of white marguerite daisies

    The Spruce / Evgeniya Vlasova

    This cheerful, drought-tolerant perennial wildflower grows freely in informal meadow gardens, and butterflies and other pollinators love it. It's easy to grow from seed and just needs a sunny spot to thrive. However, it's such a vigorous grower that it's classed as an invasive species in some parts of the United States. Only plant this sweet species if your region permits it.

    • USDA Growing Zones: 3 to 8
    • Color Varieties: White with gold-yellow centers
    • Bloom Time: Late spring to early fall
    • Sun Exposure: Full, part
    • Soil Needs: Well-drained
    Continue to 37 of 40 below
  • 37 of 40

    Bidens (Bidens spp.)

    Cluster of yellow flowering bidens

    The Spruce / Kara Riley

    The long-lasting blooms of these bright tender perennials provide a splash of color in your garden from late spring well into fall when conditions are right. Bidens love fertile soil and full sun position. But other than that, they are low-maintenance, drought-tolerant plants. Although they are grown as annuals in regions with cold winters, they are pretty easy to grow from seeds.

    • USDA Growing Zones: 8 to 11
    • Color Varieties: Yellow, gold, white, pink, orange
    • Bloom Time: Late spring to mid fall
    • Sun Exposure: Full
    • Soil Needs: Well-drained
  • 38 of 40

    Amaranth (Amaranthus spp.)

    Close up of the red flower of the amaranthus

    The Spruce / Loren Probish

    If you're a fan of attractive edible landscaping plants, try introducing annual amaranths to your fall flowers collection. The single, large reddish flowers on the end of the tall plants are striking, but the foliage with prominent veining also adds interest. You can harvest the leaves, but the seeds are most prized and are a popular addition for a warming fall morning porridge. Provide ample air circulation and good drainage to see them thrive.

    • USDA Growing Zones: 2 to 11
    • Color Varieties: Red
    • Bloom Time: Mid-summer to first frosts
    • Sun Exposure: Full, part
    • Soil Needs: Moist, well-drained
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    Sumac (Rhus spp.)

    Orange fall leaves of the fragrant sumac

    The Spruce / Autumn Wood 

    There are around 35 species in the easy-to-grow and adaptable Rhus genus of flowering shrubs or small trees. While their fall-blooming flowers aren't always the most spectacular, they have earned a spot on this list because their fall foliage is typically a bright red, yellow or orange. And their bright late fall fruits (drupes) add extra color and are a great food source for wild birds visiting your garden.

    If you're planting one of these shrubs or trees, watch out you don't accidentally opt for a poison sumac (Toxicodendron vernix) which is toxic to people and pets.

    • USDA Growing Zones: 3 to 9
    • Color Varieties: Yellow flowers and red drupes
    • Bloom Time: Spring flowers, but the drupes appear in fall
    • Sun Exposure: Full, part
    • Soil Needs: Well-drained
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    Dusty Miller (Jacobaea maritima)

    Close up of the silvery-green leaves of the Dusty Miller

    The Spruce / Kara Riley

    Dusty Miller is a herbaceous tender perennial celebrated for its striking silvery, woolly foliage. It also produces tiny yellow or cream daisy-like flowers that bloom from spring right through to fall. The flowers contrast well against the foliage. However, some gardeners choose to remove the blooms to direct all the energy to growing the fantastic foliage, which continues to add color until the fall frosts arrive.

    These easy to grow plants are drought-tolerant and pest-free, but keep them away from kids, kitties, and canines. Dusty Miller plants are toxic to people and pets.

    • USDA Growing Zones: 7 to 11
    • Color Varieties: Cream, yellow
    • Bloom Time: Late spring to fall frosts
    • Sun Exposure: Full, part
    • Soil Needs: Well-drained

When to Plant Fall Flowers

When you plant fall flowers depends on their USDA hardiness zone and the temperatures in your region. In warmer states, you can usually plant fall flowers in mid-to-late fall and they may continue blooming into winter. In colder regions, many fall flowers should be planted in mid-to-late summer to let the plants establish before the colder weather arrives.

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  1. DahliaASPCA Animal Poison Control.

  2. Oxeye daisy: leucanthemum vulgare (Asterales: asteraceae): invasive plant atlas of the united states.

  3. Jacobaea maritima (Dusty miller, silver ragwort) | north carolina extension gardener plant toolbox.