Give the autumn garden a facelift with these gorgeous blooms.
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Autumn is a magical time in the landscape.
Leaves sparkle on tree limbs like gemstones and flowering plants gear up for their season finale.
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Theresult is a riot of blooms that gives the trees a run for their money.
Among the spectacle are gorgeous annuals for the fall garden that bloom well into autumn.
Fall annuals bridge the gap between summer blooms and these cool-season annuals.
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These beautiful fall annuals keep the garden looking its best well into autumn, whencool-season annualscan take over.
Mums have a shallow root system, making them ideal for containers.
For long-lasting color, purchase plants with flowers that are just starting to open.
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The flowers often wane in the heat of summer but undergo a resurgence when cool autumn weather arrives.
The cheery yellow, orange, and red blooms make the perfect addition to autumn decor.
Deadhead spent blooms for continuous flowering.
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They can tolerate light frost and keep on blooming.
Hummingbirds adore the tubular blooms which are available in a wide range of autumn hues.
Looking for a touch of spookiness?
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Flowers of the Cristata group look like hairy brains.
Plumosa bang out cockscombs have a flame-like appearance and come in fiery autumn hues.
Cockscomb flowers retain their color very well when dried for floral arrangements.
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Flowering in yellow and orange, they complement the autumn leaves and add vibrant color to the garden.
Calendula tolerates a light frost but not hard freezes.
Cover plants on cold nights to extend their flowering season into late fall.
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Ornamental Peppers
Although they are edible, ornamental peppers have been bred for eye-candy, not flavor.
Many varieties feature deep purple to near black foliage.
The colorful fruits are at their peak from late summer through fall.
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Many ornamental varieties feature burgundy to wine-colored foliage for rich color all season long.
Plumes resembling narrow bottle brushes emerge in late summer and stand above the foliage throughout autumn.
Another option is to sow seeds in August for fall flowers.
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The six- to eight-inch blooms stand atop stems reaching six to seven feet tall.
Plants flower 75-90 days after sowing seeds.
For autumn blooms, sow seeds in June to July, depending on your location.
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Flowers attract bees and butterflies, while songbirds feed on the nutritious seeds.
Flowers hold their form and color when dried, making them very popular for dried flower arrangements.
Although commonly grown as an annual, plants are winter hardy in zones 8-10.
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Globe amaranth makes an excellent cut flower, both fresh and dried.
Trailing Lobelia
Lobelia thrives when the weather cools, sending up a flush of vibrant blue blooms.
Trailing varieties make a fabulous addition to fall containers, providing cool contrast to more fiery fall blooms.
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In frost-free areas (zones 10-11) lobelia can be grown as a winter-to-spring annual.
Lobelia rebounds in fall when cooler days return for a gorgeous autumn display.
China asters flower about 110-120 days after sowing, so adjust planting time to ensure autumn blooms.
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Plants have good heat and drought tolerance, but flowering often wanes in the summer months.
Flowers produce a rich source of nectar for fall pollinators and migrating hummingbirds.
With deeply lobed leaves covered in fine hairs, the silvery foliage stands out no matter the season.
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Pair it with purple-black flowers for a Halloween scene or tuck dusty miller into containers as a vibrant filler.
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