When it comes to gardening, many people think that Autumn is the season when plants start to go toward the end of their life cycle.
While that is true for many plants, many others thrive in the fall.
I’m not only talking about green leaf plants or root plants like spinach, salads, or radishes. Many other plants flower in autumn and can give a wonderful look to your garden!
That’s where I’ll focus today in this article. Here is a list of 15 amazing plants that flower in autumn.
Maybe you can think about planting two or three of them. Take a look below and choose the ones you like most.
1. Autumn Crocus (Colchicum autumnale)
The Autumn Crocus, despite its name, is a charming member of the lily family. When planted in the summer, these delightful flowers burst into bloom in September and October, adding a splash of color to the autumn garden.
They thrive best in partial shade and prefer well-drained soil, ensuring they remain happy and healthy. Year after year, Autumn Crocuses reliably return, offering a dependable and vibrant display that enhances the beauty of your garden during the fall season.
2. Dahlia
Dahlias are a must-have addition to any garden, boasting over 40 species and thousands of cultivars with intricate colorful blooms that can be enjoyed well into autumn.
These flowers require a fair bit of space, with a recommended 40cm between plants. You can sow the tubers directly into the ground from late April, once the last frost has passed, or start them in pots indoors from February onwards.
To encourage strong growth, pinch out the top leaves of the main shoot, leaving the top pair of leaves, and as the tuber sprouts more shoots, remove all but four or five to have stronger stems. As the plants grow, make sure to stake them against strong winds.
Each dahlia tuber is capable of producing hundreds of flowers, making them perfect for creating beautiful bouquets. Most dahlias will continue to flower until the first frosts, providing vibrant late-season color after summer plants have faded.
With a vast variety of flower shapes and shades to choose from, there is something for every garden style. You can sow dahlias from seed, plant tubers in the spring, or purchase plants already in flower.
In colder areas, tubers will need to be lifted and stored for the winter to ensure their survival for the next growing season.
3. Crocosmia
Crocosmia, also known as Montbretia, is a summer-blooming bulb named after the French botanist Coquebert de Montbret. Originating from southern Africa and Madagascar, these plants produce fragrant flowers from summer to autumn.
They thrive in warm, sheltered locations, ideally near an east or west-facing wall to protect them from harsh sunlight. Crocosmia pairs well with ornamental grasses, which support their tall, slender stems and improve soil moisture retention.
Notably, the plant has become widespread in Ireland, where it has naturalized in the island’s mild, humid climate.
4. Pansy
Pansy plants, Viola tricolor var. hortensis, are small, evergreen ornamental plants that never fail to impress, even in cold weather. These hardy plants are remarkably resistant to low temperatures, making them an essential addition to any garden.
Despite the chill, pansies produce beautiful, elegant, and unmistakable flowers that brighten up any space with their charm and resilience. Their ability to thrive in cooler climates ensures that your garden remains vibrant and colorful throughout the year.
5. Cyclamen
Cyclamen plants are a delightful addition to any garden, known for their ability to bloom throughout the year. The most autumnal variety, called Hederifolium, blossoms as temperatures drop, bringing vibrant color to cooler seasons.
These plants are simple to care for and maintain. Just transplant them into a pot with clay-based soil and place them in a bright area. With minimal effort, you’ll soon be rewarded with stunning pink flowers that enhance your garden’s beauty.
6. Chrysanthemum
Chrysanthemum plants are renowned for their vibrant autumn colors and extended blooming period. The autumn varieties, particularly Chrysanthemum indicum hybrids, are well-suited for planting in pots on balconies.
These hardy plants come in a wide array of colors, making them a versatile and eye-catching addition to any outdoor space. Their ability to thrive in containers and their long-lasting blooms ensure that your balcony remains bright and lively throughout the fall season.
7. Colchicum Waterlily
Colchicum ‘Waterlily’ features large, fully double, lilac-pink flowers that bloom in late summer to early fall on naked stems up to 6 inches tall. Each corm can produce between 1 to 6 flowers, resembling the form of a water lily, which is the inspiration for its cultivar name.
The plant is easy to grow in well-drained soils and thrives in full sun to light shade, making it a lovely addition to meadows, woodlands, beds, borders, or rock gardens.
However, all parts of the plant are toxic to humans, so gloves should be worn when handling the corms to avoid skin irritation.
8. Aster
Aster plants are a fascinating choice for adding color to your garden and terrace, especially in autumn. These perennial herbaceous plants produce numerous small violet flowers from late summer until late autumn.
With a wide range of varieties and hybrids to choose from, Asters offer diverse blooming styles, including simple, double, pompon, etc. They also come in big and dwarf varieties, making them suitable for both garden beds and container cultivation.
Asters are an excellent way to ensure vibrant and lasting color in your outdoor spaces during the cooler months.
9. Snapdragons
The Snapdragon plant, known botanically as Antirrhinum majus, is a beautiful and colorful addition to any garden, offering a vibrant display of flowers throughout summer and autumn.
It can reach a height of 80-100 cm and spreads about 10-20 cm, making it a space-efficient choice. These plants thrive in well-drained soil and sunny locations, requiring a planting depth of 2 cm.
Snapdragons can be sown from mid-March to late April under cover or from mid-April to late May directly in the ground, with seedlings ready for transplanting after 5-6 weeks.
To extend the blooming period, it’s recommended to remove dead flowers, and early stem cutting can stimulate the growth and flowering of lateral branches.
10. Heath (Erica)
Heath (Erica) plants belong to the Ericaceae family, which includes around 700 species of evergreen shrubs. Known for their resilience and high ornamental value, these plants are even attributed with magical properties.
Heath plants reach their peak bloom in autumn, showcasing a stunning array of colors that range from soft pink to deep violet. Their robust nature and vibrant hues make them a captivating addition to any garden, providing both beauty and a touch of enchantment.
11. Fuchsia
The Fuchsia plant, originating from Central and South America and New Zealand, is celebrated for its striking, bicolored flowers in various shades of pink, red, purple, and violet. Known for its resilience, it can be easily cultivated without special care, making it a popular choice for balconies and gardens.
From June to October, Fuchsia plants generously produce pendulous, calyx-shaped flowers that are both elegant and vibrant. With over 1500 hybrids, including notable varieties like ‘Diana Princess of Wales’ and ‘Dark Eyes’, Fuchsias offer a wide range of colors and forms, from simple to double blooms.
These deciduous shrubs thrive in semi-shaded, cool environments and are ideal for hanging baskets, railings, and mixed planters.
12. Sternbergia lutea (autumn daffodil)
Sternbergia lutea, also known as Autumn Crocus or Autumn Daffodil, is a perennial bulbous plant native to the Mediterranean and the Balkans, appreciated for its vibrant yellow flowers that bloom in autumn, a season often lacking in floral displays.
This plant thrives in sunny locations and well-drained soil, but it does not tolerate frost; in regions with harsh winters, the bulbs should be dug up and stored indoors. Sternbergia lutea is typically planted in early summer, with bulbs placed about 10 cm deep, and can be grown both in garden beds and pots.
For potted cultivation, use flower plant soil with a layer of expanded clay for drainage, and fertilize every 15 days during the growing season. The plant is drought-tolerant but should be watered more frequently during hot summer months to prevent drying out.
13. Rudbeckia fulgida, the orange coneflower
Rudbeckia fulgida is a perennial herbaceous plant beloved for its showy and long-lasting flowers that brighten gardens from mid-summer to late autumn. Native to North America, it is ideal for mixed borders, flower beds, and naturalistic gardens due to its resilience and adaptability.
The plant can reach a height of 60-90 cm and a spread of about 30-45 cm, featuring dark green, lanceolate leaves and bright yellow flowers with a dark brown or black central cone. It thrives in sunny locations but can tolerate partial shade, and prefers well-drained, organically rich soil.
During winter, Rudbeckia fulgida goes dormant, with its aerial parts dying back while the perennial roots remain ready to regenerate in spring.
14. Japanese anemone
The Japanese Anemone, known as Anemone japonica, is cherished for its autumn blooming and its ability to adapt to various environments, bringing color and elegance to the garden during the less luminous times of the year.
This plant is relatively easy to cultivate, making it a rewarding choice for gardeners of all skill levels. Its graceful flowers add a touch of beauty and brightness, ensuring that your garden remains vibrant even as other plants fade.
The Japanese Anemone thrives in well-drained soil and can flourish in both sunny and partially shaded locations.
15. Helleborus niger, Christmas rose
The Christmas Rose, also known as Helleborus niger, is a resilient plant that becomes more beautiful each year and can adorn gardens for decades with proper care. During its winter blooming period, it requires moist soil without water stagnation and should be watered regularly when there are no frosts.
In summer, it needs less attention and should only be watered during prolonged droughts. Fertilization should be moderate, with a spring application of rose fertilizer if planted in the garden, and regular liquid fertilizer if grown in pots.
The plant is winter-hardy, requiring no protection in gardens, but potted plants should be protected from complete soil freezing by placing them in a sheltered spot and wrapping the pot with fabric.