Key Takeaways

• Red Salvias: Hardy in zones 9-10, reseeds in zones 6-8. Fast-growing plant, best in full sun. Plant 12-18 inches apart, deadhead to encourage blooming.
• Nasturtiums: Hardy in zones 8-1
• Need full sun for vibrant flowers. Sow directly into garden after last frost. Deadhead for repeat blooming.
• Autumn Crocus: Hardy in zones 5-9. Plant in full sun with well-draining soil. Tolerates drought and lasts two weeks. Great for rock gardens.

Summer gardens are ablaze with color, but the show doesn't have to end when the weather cools. Autumn gardens and yards have much to offer, including beautiful fall flowers that bloom until the first freezing temperatures arrive. This autumn's landscaping will be the prettiest in the neighborhood when combined with adorable pumpkins!

1. Red Salvias

Also known as Scarlet Sage, this is the only sage native to the United States with glorious red flowers. It’s hardy in zones 9 to 10, but it’ll reseed in zones 6 to 8. In cooler climates, many grow it as an annual.

It’s a fast-growing plant that gets 2 to 4 feet tall and up to 2 ½ feet wide. It is best planted in full sun (six to eight hours daily) but can tolaerate some shade, and adores well-draining soil. While it can handle cool weather, it’ll grow rapidly when it warms up, especially if it gets more rain. When planting, pace them 12 to 18 inches apart and deadhead to encourage repeat blooming.

2. Nasturtiums

Nasturtiums are hardy in zones 8 to 11 and offer trailing and climbing varieties with vibrant flowers and unique greenery, so they’re a great way to add a pop of color and height to your fall landscape. They need full sun to partial shade to grow (at least six hours of sun daily), but they won’t produce as many flowers in partial shade. Sow them directly into the garden one to two weeks after the last spring frost date for the region when the soil temperatures are 55 to 65 degrees Fahrenheit. Lastly, you can deadhead to encourage repeat blooming.

3. Autumn Crocus

Hardy in zones 5 to 9, this hybrid grows 8 to 14 inch leaves, producing three to eight leaves in the early spring before going dormant for the summer. They make one to 10 flower stalks per bulb in the fall months, and the stalks are between 4 and 6 inches long. The flowers are up to 2 inches wide and last two weeks. Plant them in a location that gets full sun (six to eight hours daily) with well-draining soil that doesn’t dry out during the summer.

Autumn crocus work well in rock gardens since they tolerate drought well.

4. Petunias

Most areas grow petunias as annuals, but they can survive as perennials in zones 9 to 11. The flowers come in a vast range of patterns and hues, and they'll bloom until the first fall frost. They can get from 6 to 18 inches tall and spread out up to 4 feet along the ground. The soil should be well-draining and rich for optimal results. Give petunias six to eight hours of full sun daily.

Fertilize them monthly to encourage strong flower growth and deadhead to improve the plant's appearance and bloom production. If the petunias get leggy, prune them back to roughly half their length, water, and fertilize them (using a slow-release formula), so they rebound and force new flower growth.

5. Calibrachoa

Better known as Million Bells due to their host of bell-shaped, small blooms, calibrachoa thrives in zones 9 to 11. It’s native to South America and grows 6 to 12 inches tall with a 12 to 24-inch width. It has a trailing habit that makes it an excellent addition to hanging baskets and requires eight or more hours of sun daily.

The potting mix has to drain well, amended with high amounts of organic matter to support flower production. They prefer a pH range from 5.0 to 6.5.

This is a self-cleaning plant that doesn’t require any deadheading to encourage profuse blooms.

6. Cosmos

This eye-catching plant features 3 to 5-inch wide blooms that look like daisies, and they come in a range of colors, including maroon, yellow, orange, red, pink, and more. They’re versatile, can survive in containers or beds, and are pretty cut flowers. The soil should drain well, but they’re not overly picky otherwise. They grow best with a pH range of 7.0 to 7.5 and are drought-tolerant. Deadhead the plants to encourage prolonged flowering, and staking may be necessary to keep them upright because they are top-heavy and can easily get between 4 and 7 feet tall.

7. Begonia

Several types of begonia are available, and these variations and hardiness levels allow them to survive in zones 2 to 12. They grow up to 2 feet tall when planted in well-draining soil in partial to full shade (around six hours of sun daily), and they have a very long blooming period from early summer until the fall frosts. Their foliage can have a waxy look, depending on the cultivar, and you can find them in orange, pink, yellow, red, and more hues. They like moist soil that drains well because they’re prone to developing root rot, and the ideal pH is 5.5 to 6.5.

8. Celosia

Hardy in zones 10 to 12, this plant produces plumes of pretty flowers in shades of red, pink, orange, cream, yellow, and deep magenta. They come in dwarf varieties that top out at 6 inches tall or are available in varieties that get up to 3 feet tall. They prefer the soil to be around 60 degrees Fahrenheit when planted, and like well-draining, rich soil. Plant them in full sun (six to eight hours daily) for the biggest flowers. Additionally, they don’t require deadheading to bloom profusely.

Use Flowers to Add Color to Your Fall Landscape

These eight beautiful fall flowers can add pops of color, height, and texture to your fall landscape. Mix and match to cover all your bases and enjoy a vibrant display until the season's first hard frost. Are you trying to decide which flowers will grace your yard or garden this fall? Share this list for inspiration!