What to Plant in the Fall: 8 Best Plants for Fall Gardening

Summer may be coming to end, but autumn is a great time for gardening! There are so many colorful plants and flowers that thrive in the cooler fall weather, and now is the perfect time to start thinking about swapping out your tired and spent summer annuals for some fresh and vivacious fall flowers! Here are some ideas for plants that you can add to your flower gardens, porch pots, and landscaping that will look amazing throughout the fall.

Chrysanthemums (Mums)

Chrysanthemums are perhaps one of the most popular flowers during the fall. You can plant them in the ground or keep them in containers, and they come in a plethora of colors that are sure to spruce up your outdoor décor. Mums often continue blooming even when other plants are on the decline for the season, giving you color that lasts as long as possible. If you are interested in growing mums, check out this extensive blog on How to Grow and Care for Chrysanthemums!

Pansies and Violas

Pansies and violas are other extremely popular annual flowers. They are bright, happy, and come in a large range of colors! These delicate little plants grow best in cooler temperatures, making them ideal for early spring and late fall. Also known as Johnny Jump Ups, these plants are perfect for your flower beds, hanging baskets, and porch pots. If you want to know more about pansies and how to care for them, check out this blog on How to Grow Pansies and Violas.

Rudbeckia

Also known as Black-Eyed Susans, rudbeckia is a beautiful perennial flower that has bright yellow leaves with a deep brown center, resembling sunflowers. Some varieties have some slight color variations, however they are most commonly yellow. Once established, these plants tolerate heat and drought very well, making them ideal for our arid environment! Learn more about rudbeckia by using this Plant Finder tool!

Hardy Hibiscus

Hardy hibiscus goes by many common names, two of which are Rose Mallow or Rose of Sharon. They don massive blooms that range in color from dark red to pink to white. While these perennial plants are commonly grown as flowering shrubs, they are technically herbaceous perennials. For carrying the appearance of a delicate tropical plant, they are actually very hardy and are relatively easy to grow and care for. To learn more about hardy hibiscus and all the different varieties that grow well in Colorado, check out this Plant Finder tool!

Asters

Asters are fantastic in the fall, displaying vibrant colors ranging from pink to purple, blue, and white. Their delicate petals form a starburst shape and resemble clusters of small daisies. They are fantastic flowers for pollinators, are low-maintenance, require very little care, and are perennials, so you will get to enjoy them year after year! Their long-lasting blooms are sure to bring you joy throughout the entire season. Learn more about how to plant and grow asters with this Plant Finder tool!

Plumbago

In its natural habitat, plumbago is actually a shrub and is capable of growing quite large! Their branches resemble vines and feature a profuse amount of baby blue flowers that bloom for extended periods of time. The flowers look similar to phlox, being dainty and blooming in clusters. In addition to their flowers, their foliage is also a spectacle in the fall, turning bright red and contrasting wonderfully with the little blue flowers.

Cool Crop Veggies

There are plenty of garden vegetables that have short growing seasons and actually perform better in the cooler temperatures. These cool-season crops include things like lettuce, spinach, chard, radishes, and so much more! Around the middle of August is the perfect time to start planting your seeds, or you can wait a little longer and pick up some vegetable starts from your local Fort Collins garden center! Find more information on what vegetables you can plant in this blog on planting a fall garden!

Trees

Fall is also great for planting trees! So, if you wanted to plant a tree this spring but didn't quite get around to it, now is the time! Planting trees in the fall helps avoid a new planting having to deal with the intense heat of the summer, while also giving the tree enough time to begin to establish itself before the ground freezes for the winter. One of our favorite types of trees for fall planting is maple trees! They come in many different varieties and have some of the most vibrantly colored leaves.

What Are the Best Things to Plant in the Fall?

We hope this has helped inspire you to do some fall gardening, whether that means adding some new perennials to your landscaping, planting a new tree or shrub, or getting going on your fall garden! If you have any questions, please reach out to Bath Garden Center and Nursery and they will be more than happy to assist you with any of your plant-related questions.