18 Vibrant Autumn Plants for a Fall Flowers Garden

Fall is that magical time when summer’s vibrant energy begins to soften. Yet, the garden doesn’t have to fade—autumn offers its own spectacular finale of late-season blooms. As the days grow shorter and temperatures dip, the right fall flowers can bring renewed life to beds, borders, and pollinator gardens. From crisp whites and fiery oranges to dusky purples and deep rusts, fall blooms offer a range of colors and textures.

Many of us think of mums and asters as the quintessential fall flowers. Still, a richer world awaits exploration—okras and goldenrods, Montauk daisies and sneezeweeds, sedums and Joe-Pye Weed—all of which burst into color late in the season and attract bees, butterflies, and birds as they prepare for winter. Whether you’re planting for bold statement blooms, pollinator support, or autumnal texture, there’s a perfect palette of fall flowers ready to light up your garden through frost.

What Counts As A Fall Flower?

You’ll often see annuals included in lists of fall flowers, but we’re taking a different approach. While annuals add color throughout the growing season, they typically bloom from spring until the first frost.

These include flowers such as Petunias, Zinnias, Calendula, Marigolds, Cosmos, and Dahlias. You won’t find those on this list.

Our fall flowers are those that bloom from late summer through autumn. Most of the plants on this list are perennials, with a few exceptions, and they’re chosen for their ability to shine when the rest of the garden starts to fade.

Gardener’s Hint: Before buying plants, check the USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map to make sure the fall flowers you choose are suited to your growing zone. This will help your garden thrive year after year.

Sunflower (Helianthus )

Height: 3–10 ′ (some cultivars reach 12 ′+)
Spread: Cascade of single or branching heads up to 2–4′ across 
Zone: Annuals so they flower until frost
Light needs: Full sun (6–8 hrs/day)
Soil type: Well-drained
Noteworthy traits: attracts bees, butterflies & birds; drought-tolerant; deer-resistant
Bloom Time: late summer through early to mid-autumn, generally for 8–12 weeks.

Sunflowers are iconic tall plants bearing large flower heads made of yellow ray florets surrounding a fertile disc of seeds. Each bloom comprises hundreds of tiny flowers. Young flower buds exhibit heliotropism, tracking the sun from east to west during the day and settling with an east-facing orientation at maturity.

Sunflowers are a magnet for pollinators (bees, butterflies). After flowering, their ripened seed heads provide food for a wide range of birds and wildlife. The tall annuals can also create natural privacy screens or dramatic structural accents in beds.

Purple Coneflower

Height: 2–5′
Spread: 1–2′
Zone: 3–9
Light needs: Full sun
Soil type: Well-drained
Noteworthy: Deer-resistant and drought-tolerant
Bloom time: Mid-summer to late fall

The Purple Coneflower is a hardy perennial with tall, upright stems and dark green, lance-shaped leaves. Each bloom features drooping purple petals surrounding a raised, spiky brown center. These striking flowers attract bees and butterflies, while the dried seed heads are a magnet for birds. Native to eastern and central North America, they’re they’re a reliable favorite in fall gardens.

Check out our other lists of flowers here.

Blanket Flower

This one only just squeaked in as a fall flower, as it does bloom from early summer. However, it will provide color in your fall garden.

Height: 1–3′
Spread: 1–2′
Zone: 3 to 10
Light needs: Full sun
Type of soil: Well-drained; tolerates poor or sandy soils
Bloom time: Early summer to fall
Things of interest: Long bloom time, drought tolerant, attracts pollinators, deer resistant

Blanket Flower is a cheerful perennial known for its bold, daisy-like flowers in shades of red, orange, and yellow. The blooms often feature red centers with yellow-tipped petals, creating a striking contrast. These hardy plants bloom profusely from early summer through fall with minimal care. Bees and butterflies flock to the flowers, and the seed heads add interest even after blooming has ended. Blanket Flower is well-suited for sunny borders, wildflower gardens, and dry areas, where its low-maintenance nature truly shines.

Autumn Crocus (Colchicum autumnale)

Height: 4–10″
Spread: 3–6″
Zone: 4 to 8
Light needs: Full sun to partial shade
Type of soil: Well-drained but can tolerate chalky and clay soils
Bloom time: Late summer to early fall
Things of interest: Fall-blooming bulb, deer resistant, toxic if ingested

Autumn Crocus produces delicate, goblet-shaped blooms in soft shades of lilac, pink, or white that rise directly from the ground with no visible leaves in sight. The foliage appears in spring and dies back by summer, long before the flowers emerge. Despite the name, it’s not a true crocus—it belongs to a different plant family. These unique blooms add a surprise splash of color to the fall garden and thrive in rock gardens, borders, or under deciduous trees. Note: all parts of the plant are toxic if ingested, so plant with care around pets or children.

Japanese Anemone

Height: 2–4′
Spread: 2-4′
Zone: 4 to 8
Light needs: Full sun to partial shade
Type of soil: Loam, Chalk, Clay, Sand
Bloom time: Late summer to mid-fall
Things of interest: Long-lasting blooms, deer and rabbit-resistant, attract pollinators

Japanese Anemone brings elegant beauty to the fall garden with its tall, wiry stems and delicate, poppy-like flowers in shades of pink or white. The blooms feature bright yellow centers and appear to float above mounds of dark green foliage. These perennials spread slowly to form attractive clumps and are perfect for borders, cottage gardens, and woodland edges. Japanese Anemones are known for their resilience, graceful appearance, and ability to brighten shady spots when many other flowers are fading.

Sedum (Stonecrop)

Height: 6″ to 2′ (depending on variety)
Spread: 1–2′
Zone: 3 to 9
Light needs: Full sun
Type of soil: Well-drained; tolerates poor or rocky soil
Bloom time: Late summer to fall
Things of interest: Drought tolerant, attracts pollinators, low maintenance

Sedum is a dependable fall bloomer, characterized by its thick, fleshy leaves and clusters of star-shaped flowers that range from soft pink to deep rose. The blooms mature to a rich bronze as the season progresses, adding texture and color well into fall. Sedums come in many forms, from low-growing ground covers to upright, bush-like varieties that make bold statements in the garden. These tough succulents thrive in dry, sunny spots and are ideal for borders, rock gardens, and containers. Sedum is a magnet for bees and butterflies, requiring very little care, making it a favorite for low-maintenance landscapes.

Wood’s Purple Aster

Height: 1-2″
Spread: 1-2″
Zone: 4 to 8
Light needs: Full sun to partial shade
Type of soil: Well-drained; tolerates average to dry soil
Bloom time: Late summer to mid-fall
Things of interest: Compact habit, mildew resistant, attracts pollinators

Wood’s Purple Aster is a compact, mound-forming perennial that brings a burst of color to the fall garden. It’s covered in small, purple daisy-like flowers with golden centers, creating a cheerful display as many plants wind down their blooming season. This variety is known for its tidy shape and resistance to powdery mildew, making it a great choice for borders, edges, and small spaces. Butterflies and bees love the blooms, and the flower pairs beautifully with ornamental grasses and fall-blooming perennials.

Chrysanthemums

Height: 2–3′
Spread: 2-3″
Zone: 5 to 9
Light needs: Full sun
Type of soil: Well-drained; rich in organic matter
Bloom time: Late summer to frost
Things of interest: A classic fall flower, it features a wide variety of colors and forms, attracting a wide range of pollinators. It is toxic to most pets.

Chrysanthemums, often called mums, are a fall garden staple known for their vibrant blooms in shades of red, orange, yellow, pink, purple, and white. Flower forms range from simple daisy-like shapes to tightly packed decorative blooms. These bushy perennials add bold color when most summer flowers have faded. Mums thrive in sunny spots with good air circulation and benefit from pinching back in early summer to encourage compact growth. They’re perfect for borders, containers, and seasonal displays, and they serve as a magnet for late-season pollinators.

Chinese Lantern

This one’s a bit of a cheat—it technically blooms in summer, but the small white flowers are easy to miss. The real show begins in the fall when those bright orange seed pods appear, stealing the spotlight. Chinese Lanterns are easy to grow and bring a burst of color to any garden.

Height: 1–2′
Spread: 1–2′
Zone: 3 to 9
Light needs: Full sun to partial shade
Type of soil: Well-drained; moderately fertile
Bloom time: Summer (flowers), late summer to fall (lanterns)
Things of interest: Attracts bees; most parts of the plant are toxic

Chinese Lantern is a striking plant known for its bright orange papery seed pods that resemble miniature lanterns. While the small white flowers in summer are fairly modest, they’re they’re followed by the show-stopping lanterns that appear in late summer and last well into fall. These colorful pods are excellent for dried flower arrangements and are especially popular in fall wreaths. The plant spreads aggressively through underground rhizomes, so it’s best grown in containers or managed beds. It’s a conversation piece in borders and cottage gardens, offering a pop of fall color.

Orange Coneflower

Height: 18-20″”
Spread: 18-20″”
Zone: 4 to 9
Light needs: Full sun to partial shade
Type of soil: Well-drained; tolerates average to dry soil
Bloom time: Midsummer to fall
Things of interest: Long blooming, attracts pollinators, drought, salt, and deer resistant

Orange Coneflower is a reliable, long-blooming perennial that lights up the garden with golden-orange petals surrounding a dark central cone. Often confused with Black-eyed Susan, it’s actually a distinct native species with slightly more refined foliage and a clumping habit. These cheerful flowers are a favorite of bees and butterflies and provide seeds for birds in the fall. They thrive in sunny borders, meadows, and native plant gardens, adding bold color and natural beauty well into autumn.

Echibeckia

Height: 1-2″
Spread: 1-2″
Zone: 5 to 9 (grown as an annual in colder zones)
Light needs: Full sun
Type of soil: Well-drained; average to rich soil
Bloom time: Midsummer to fall
Things of interest: Extra-long bloom time, large daisy-like flowers, pollinator-friendly

Echibeckia is a striking hybrid that combines the bold, daisy-like blooms of Rudbeckia with the extended bloom time and resilience of Echinacea. The result is a showy plant with large, golden-yellow to orange petals and dark central cones that bloom continuously from summer through fall. The plants grow in upright mounds with dark green, toothed leaves that are slightly hairy. The vibrant flowers attract bees and butterflies and make excellent cut flowers. Echibeckia is easy to grow, thriving in sunny spots and adding long-lasting color to borders, containers, and mixed garden beds.

Black-Eyed Susan

Height: 2–3′
Spread: 1–2′
Zone: 3 to 7
Light needs: Full sun to partial shade
Type of soil: Well-drained; tolerates poor or dry soil
Bloom time: Midsummer to early fall
Things of interest: Classic wildflower, drought tolerant, attracts pollinators, reseeds easily

Black-Eyed Susan is a beloved native wildflower known for its bright yellow petals and dark, dome-shaped centers. The plants grow in upright clumps with rough, hairy leaves and sturdy stems that withstand wind and rain well. Blooming steadily through summer and into early fall, these cheerful flowers attract butterflies, bees, and other beneficial insects. Black-Eyed Susan is easy to grow, tolerates dry soil once established, and often reseeds to return year after year. It’s a reliable performer in borders, cottage gardens, and prairie-style plantings.

Sneezeweed

Height: 3–5′
Spread: 1–2′
Zone: 3 to 8
Light needs: Full sun
Type of soil: Moist, well-drained; tolerates clay
Bloom time: Late summer to fall
Things of interest: Late-season color, pollinator-friendly, not allergy-inducing despite the name

Sneezeweed is a vibrant fall-blooming perennial that adds bold color just when many plants are fading. It produces masses of daisy-like flowers in shades of yellow, orange, and red, each with a prominent domed center. The plants grow in upright clumps with lance-shaped, toothed leaves and strong stems that rarely need staking. Despite its name, Sneezeweed doesn’t trigger allergies—the name comes from its historical use in powdered form as a snuff. Bees and butterflies flock to the blooms, making it a valuable addition to pollinator gardens, rain gardens, and sunny borders.

**Goldenrod (Solidago spp.)**

Height: 2–5′ (varies by species)
Spread: 1–3′
Zone: 3 to 9
Light needs: Full sun to partial shade
Type of soil: Well-drained; tolerates poor or dry soil
Bloom time: Late summer to fall
Things of interest: Pollinator magnet, drought tolerant, native wildflower, not a major cause of allergies

Goldenrod is a tough and cheerful native perennial known for its bright yellow flower spikes that brighten the late-season garden. The plants grow in upright clumps, featuring slender, lance-shaped leaves. Despite the myth, Goldenrod doesn’t cause hay fever—its pollen is too heavy to become airborne. Instead, it serves as a critical late-season nectar source for bees, butterflies, and other pollinators. Goldenrod thrives in sunny spots with well-drained soil, bringing energy and color to meadows, borders, and naturalized areas well into fall.

Toad Lily

Height: 1–3′
Spread: 1–2′
Zone: 4 to 9
Light needs: Partial to deep shade
Type of soil: Moist, well-drained, rich in organic matter
Bloom time: Late summer to mid-fall
Things of interest: Unique orchid-like blooms, great for shade gardens, deer-resistant

Toad Lily is a hidden gem of the fall garden, perfect for shady spots that need a late-season pick-me-up. The plants grow in graceful, arching clumps with deep green, lance-shaped leaves. In late summer and fall, they produce small, star-shaped flowers with intricate speckles in shades of purple, white, or pink—often compared to miniature orchids. Despite their delicate appearance, Toad Lilies are hardy and dependable, thriving in woodland borders or under deciduous trees where other fall flowers might struggle.

Montauk Daisy

Height: 1–3′
Spread: 1–32′
Zone: 5 to 9
Light needs: Full sun
Type of soil: Well-drained; prefers sandy or average soil
Bloom time: Early fall to frost
Things of interest: Late-season bloomer, crisp white flowers, drought-tolerant

Montauk Daisy brings a fresh, clean look to the fall garden with bright white daisy-like blooms and sunny yellow centers. The flowers appear in early fall and keep going until frost, standing out against the dark, leathery green foliage. The plants grow in rounded clumps and are very tolerant of heat, drought, and salty coastal conditions. They’re ideal for borders, cottage gardens, and seaside plantings. The Montauk Daisy is easy to grow and adds cheerful color, just as many other flowers fade.

Ironweed

Height: 1-8′
Spread: 2–4′
Zone: 4 to 8
Light needs: Full sun to partial shade
Type of soil: Moist, well-drained; tolerates clay
Bloom time: Late summer to early fall
Things of interest: Bold color, attracts pollinators, a native perennial, deer resistant

Ironweed is a tall, striking native perennial that makes a bold statement in the fall garden. It produces clusters of rich purple, fluffy-looking flowers atop strong, upright stems. The plant grows in clumps and features narrow, lance-shaped leaves with a rough texture. Blooming from late summer into early fall, Ironweed is a magnet for butterflies and bees. Its vivid color contrasts beautifully with ornamental grasses and golden fall blooms. This hardy plant tolerates clay soil and wet conditions, making it a great choice for rain gardens, meadows, and naturalized borders.

Joe-Pye Weed

Height: 5–7′
Spread: 2–4′
Zone: 3 to 9
Light needs: Full sun to partial shade
Type of soil: Moist, well-drained; tolerates clay and damp soil
Bloom time: Late summer to early fall
Things of interest: Native wildflower, butterfly magnet, tall and architectural

Joe-Pye Weed is a bold native perennial that brings height and drama to the fall garden. It produces large, domed clusters of pink flowers on tall, sturdy stems. The lance-shaped leaves grow in whorls along the stem, and the whole plant has a statuesque, upright form. Blooming from late summer into fall, Joe-Pye Weed is a favorite with bees and butterflies, especially monarchs. It thrives in sunny or lightly shaded spots with moist soil. It is perfect for borders, meadows, rain gardens, or naturalized plantings.

The Difference Between Joe Pye and Ironweed

Joe-Pye Weed and Ironweed are both tall, native perennials that bloom in late summer, attracting a variety of pollinators. They do differ in appearance and growing preferences. Joe-Pye Weed has pink flower clusters, broad whorled leaves, and a bushy form. It prefers moist soil and tolerates partial shade. Ironweed, on the other hand, produces vivid purple blooms, has narrow lance-shaped leaves, and grows in a more upright, rigid shape. It thrives in full sun and handles drier soil with ease.

Looking or other flowers in fall colors? We’ve got lists of brown, yellow, and orange flowers.

For detailed growing tips and plant care information, visit the Missouri Botanical Garden Plant Finder—it’s a fantastic resource for learning more about many of the fall flowers featured in this list.

Plan Now for Next Year’s Fall Color

Fall may already be upon us, but it’s the perfect time to take notes and start planning ahead. Which flowers caught your eye? Which ones could fill in the gaps next season?

Most of the plants on this list can be added in spring or early summer, allowing them time to settle in before their spectacular fall display. So dream a little, make a list, and give your future garden a head start toward a vibrant, pollinator-friendly autumn.

And don’t forget to pin this post so you’ll have all the ideas handy when planting season rolls around!