Fall Blooming Annuals
The spring and summer months are not the only time of the year to fill your gardens with beautiful flower blooms, the fall months also present the opportunity to give your landscapes and gardens area that color pop. Although with much cleanup from falling leaves which indicates the winter months that are just ahead, you can still have a garden that’s filled with colors that’s made possible by planting these late-season bloomers.
These flowering beauties will help to extend the season while enhancing the beauty of your garden they will also assist pollinators which I think is a win-win as we help to give nature a helping hand.
However, before installing annual flowering plants consider your growing zone first, and your region’s first frost. While it may be possible for some growers to install annuals that are tender for a fall display if the region you’re living in has an early frost date you may need to think again and consider annuals that are hardy or tolerant to some cold conditions.
7 Beautiful Annuals that Will Add Color to Your Fall Garden
1. Pansies
Pansies are late-season bloomers that have a soft texture and come in so many colors, pansies bring that wow as it gives that color pop that is so amazing. Pansies are fast-growing and can be installed not only in garden flower beds but can be used in container gardening. I have worked with these garden beauties on many projects.
Pansies can bring that color pop to your garden and landscapes for most of the year-round, The USDA Zones 7 to 11, lighting conditions are full sun to partial shade. The soil requirements are well-drained, and the bloom period for pansies is early spring to fall or winter frost. Pansies will give a long bloom period but keep in mind that pansies are heavy feeders Pansies come in a variety of colors from red, purple, white, blue, pink, yellow, and multi-color or mixed.
2. Dahlia
I consider dahlia to be a show stopper, these garden beauties will highlight your fall garden with their large flower blooms, and extending the season with dahlias will keep your garden colorful. Because of the large varieties, there are so many to choose from. What I found to be so amazing about these flowering plants is dahlias are perennials that can be grown as annuals.
Dahlias can be installed in flower borders or mixed containers, these plants are easy to grow, the USDA growing Zones 8 to 10. Dahlia loves the full sun, the soil requirement is loamy to well drained. The bloom time is mid-summer to fall frost, the color varieties are white, pink, red, yellow, orange, and yellow. The flowers of dahlai are toxic to dogs and cats so keep pets away from the flowers.
3. Black-Eyed Susan
A splash of yellow throughout your garden can really brighten up a dull area, the Black-Eyed Susan gets its name in part from its black center or eye and attracts butterflies, bees, and birds. Black-eyed Susan produces a golden to yellowish flower that is so beautiful, this garden beauty is classified as a wild flowering plant and can be found growing in open fields.
The Black-Eyed Susan is a low-maintenance plant that is easy to care for, installing Black-Eyed Susan will attract pollinators far early summer to late fall. USDA growing Zone 3 to 9. The lighting condition is full sun, requires moist-drained soil, and the bloom time is early summer to fall frost. The color varieties include orange, red, and yellow.
4. SunFlowers
Sunflowers are popular plants, these beautiful annual have large showy daisy-like flowers that really gets your attention, what makes sunflowers a must for your garden is they are heat-tolerant, resistant to pests, and attracts pollinators. The sunflower seeds are a source of food for people and birds and the flowers can also be used as cut flowers so installing these flowers in your fall garden is a game changer.
The blooms of sunflowers can stretch 3-6 inches wide and come in sizes from dwarf to giant, sunflowers range in colors from yellow, orange, and mahogany cream to gold, chocolate brown, red, and even pink. The USDA growing Zone 2 t0 11 (annual), loves the full sun and requires soil that’s average, moist and well-drained
5. Chrysanthemum
“Mums the word” Well with this flowering beauty we can’t keep it a secret or be silent because mums are a beautiful addition to any garden or home. Mums are popular and I believe you should add these to your fall garden. These garden beauties’ bloom period starts in September and lasts until frost.
Chrysanthemums can be planted in the spring and will bloom throughout the fall months, these plants can not only be installed in a garden but can be grown and groomed as an indoor plant.
Chrysanthemum flower blooms range in colors from orange, purple, yellow, red, lavender, white, and multi-colors, the USDA growing Zone is 5 to 9. Lighting needs are the full sun. The soil requirements are rich, moist well-drain, bloom period is late summer to mid fall.
6. Petunia
Because of their exceptional blooms petunias are one of the most popular flowering annuals that are used in plant design, pentunias are treated as annuals in most areas but can grow as perennials in Zones 9 to 11. Petunias are some of my favorites because of their multi-color.
The private resort where I once worked many years ago showcased many petunias in their garden design that looked fabulous, petunias can be grown in containers, hanging baskets, or in a garden flower bed. When installing petunia for optimal effect install in masses.
Petunias are grown in USDA Zones 10 to 11, require full to partial light, and soils should be rich, moist, and well-drained. The color varieties include pink, white, red, purple, green, orange, and mixed colors.
7. hydrangeas
The large colorful flower heads of hydrangeas are just simply beautiful, hydrangeas are woody shrubs that come in an array of colors from green, blue, and pink and in all shades of lavender and white. There are many species of hydrangeas to choose from, these plants are fast-growing and easy to care for. The hydrange can also be used as cut flowers to spruce up your indoor living space.
Hydrangeas grows best in USDA Zones 5 to 9, the light condition is full to partial, and the soil requirements are moist, and well-drained. The bloom time or period for hydrangeas is early summer to late fall.
The final word on when to plant fall annuals
Planting fall annuals is a great way to add colors to your fall garden, Summer and springtime is not the only season to give your garden that color pop the use of these late-season bloomers can do the seem for you as well. Extend the season with these beautiful flowering plants that are just simply amazing.
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About the author
Norman loves being in the garden, both at home and for his job....
he is 'Natures Little helper' being outdoors, growing his vegetables and flowers from an early age.
Now having spent over 22 years in the profession he want to give some of his knowledge to others...
his vast array of hints and tips you will find scattered over this site will help you no end growing plants in your garden.