7 Fall Flowers That Can Handle Cooler Weather
When summer ends, gardens lose the bulk of their color. Summer plants, especially flowers, begin to fade, leaving the beds they lived in looking bare. But the colder months don’t have to mean an end to beauty. Many flowers thrive in cooler weather and can carry your garden well into fall. Here are eight flowers that can handle the chill and still flourish outdoors.
Chrysanthemums
Chrysanthemums, often called mums, are one of the most common fall flowers. They thrive in cooler temperatures and bloom in a wide range of colors. Their full, rounded blossoms add structure and vibrancy to porches, garden beds, and containers. Mums can even handle light frosts, which makes them reliable for late-season planting. If you plant them in the ground early enough, they may even return next year.
Pansies
Pansies may look delicate, but they’re surprisingly strong. They bloom in rich, beautiful colors that hold up rather well in cool weather. Pansies are most often planted in early spring, but they perform just as well in fall, as their blooms can last until temperatures dip well below freezing and sometimes even survive light snow.
Asters
Asters bloom in shades of purple, pink, and white, bringing a final burst of color before winter. They’re hardy perennials that love the cool temperatures of fall. Their daisy-like flowers attract butterflies and other pollinators, even late in the season. Asters grow well in garden borders and more natural or wild areas, blending beautifully with grasses and other autumn plants.
Sedum (Autumn Joy)
Sedum, especially the variety called Autumn Joy, thrives in the fall, with its clusters of star-shaped flowers change from pink to copper as the season progresses. Sedum is drought-tolerant and requires little care, making it an easy choice for busy gardeners. The plant’s sturdy stems and long-lasting flowers give structure to beds well into the colder months.
Violas
Violas are close relatives of pansies but tend to be smaller and even hardier. They are capable of blooming through light frost and sometimes survive through winter in milder climates. They come in a variety of colors and are perfect for filling gaps in garden beds or containers. Because they’re low-growing, violas also make great border plants!
Goldenrod
Goldenrod is a hardy perennial that brings bold yellow color to the fall landscape. Often seen in fields or among wild grasses, it can also be grown in home gardens. Goldenrod is resilient in cooler temperatures and attracts pollinators late in the year. Despite the myth, goldenrod does not specifically cause or trigger allergies, making it a safe and striking choice for fall gardens.
Japanese Anemone
Japanese anemones bloom from late summer into fall, adding soft pink or white flowers to the garden. They’re tough perennials that prefer cooler temperatures and partial shade, and their tall, slender stems mean these have great height, adding beautiful layers to any garden. Once they’ve established themselves, they return reliably each year with little maintenance.
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Fall doesn’t have to mean a dull garden. Choosing flowers that thrive in cooler weather ensures your outdoor spaces stay colorful and lively even as the days shorten. With hardy options like mums, pansies, and asters, along with unique plants such as ornamental kale or Japanese anemones, you can create a landscape that carries beauty well into the season.
Daniel Mitchell
