Great Plants for Fall Color

Classic, colorful fall plantings that usually come to mind are chrysanthemum, aster, and goldenrod.  Granted, these are spectacular in the fall garden, but they are just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to the myriad of fantastic fall flowering plants that provide great color. There are hardy perennials, annuals, vines, and even bulbs. Some are exclusively fall bloomers, while other plants start earlier in the season and continue flowering straight through autumn. In addition to flower color, many perennials and annuals produce seedheads that are as attractive as their blooms, with the bonus of providing food to birds and spreading their seeds for volunteer offspring next season.

Lovely summer-blooming plants that are underappreciated for their fall color are 'Walker's Low' catmint (Nepeta racemosa 'Walker's Low'), several varieties of tickseed (Coreopsis spp.), annual and perennial salvias, hardy geraniums, orange-flowered Tango hyssop (Agastache aurantiaca 'Tango'), and 'Fiesta del Sol' Mexican sunflower (Tithonia rotundifolia), to name a few. They are full of blooms and pollinators until frost. 

A few perennials providing color in early fall (generally August to early October) are white snakeroot (Ageratina altissima), black-eyed Susan (Rudbeckia hirta), perennial sunflower (Helianthus spp.), Russian sage (Perovskia atriplicifolia), bee balm (Monarda spp.), soft pink Japanese anemones (Anemone hupehensis), and even hyacinth bean vine (Lablab purpureus) with its purple flowers and burgundy seed pods. Other perennials soon to be in bloom are sedums such as 'Autumn Joy' and 'Autumn Fire', monkshood (Aconitum), and fall crocuses (Crocus sativus and Colchicum spp.)

Annuals that are enjoyable both now and in autumn include: zinnias, lantana, ornamental hot peppers, cosmos, and both plumed and crested cockscomb (Celosia spp). Planting cockscomb includes other benefits, as bees like its flowers, and one gets a bonus of prolific seed production for next year. These plants are easy to grow and will germinate without any attention next season.

If it is, in fact, seeds you're looking for, seedheads can also add fall interest to your garden through their unique shapes and the birds that they attract. Most of the coneflowers (Echinacea) have finished blooming by autumn and are loaded with tall, stately seedheads that are a favorite of goldfinch, who seem not to mind the sharp spines when pecking out the obviously delicious seeds. It is a treat to watch them perched on the seed heads, waving back and forth while feeding. Other seedheads that birds prefer are those of the Mexican sunflower, annual salvias, and hyssops. Like cockscomb, if any seeds remain at the end of the season, you may even get volunteer seedlings next spring. Of course, when maintaining plants for their seed value, keep in mind that while periodic deadheading (cutting off faded blooms to a side bud) is the key to keeping these plants producing more flowers, it also deters seed formation.

In addition to flowers, there is a wealth of leaf color provided by annual coleus and perennial Heucheras (coral bells). Coleus breeders have gone over the top in terms of leaf color, leaf size (especially in the newer 'Kong' series), and even more sun-tolerant plants. If you prefer natives, discover the value of Heucheras in providing color to a lightly shaded garden. Heucheras range in color from stainless steel grey to burgundy, rose, chartreuse, and coral. A lovely Heuchera relative called Tiarella 'Pacific Crest' has green, sharply pointed leaves with burgundy central streaks.  What a lovely contrast when planted near its solid burgundy relative!

Whether you prefer foliage or flowers, annuals or perennials, natives or exotics, you have a plethora of plants to choose from when adding autumn interest to your garden. Enjoy!