Welcome autumn with a blaze of garden color from these amazing flowers and trees.
1. Mariachi ‘Salsa’ Helenium
Helenium autumnale or sneezeweed is a full sun perennial that starts blooming in late summer and continues through early fall. It makes for an opening act of sorts with its traditional colors – orange, red & gold!
The Mariachi “Salsa” variety tops out at 18-20 inches tall making it shorter than most plants but still able to provide some beauty. Hardy in zones 3-9.
2. Autumn Crocus
There’s something special about autumn crocus. It may not have any leaves, but that doesn’t stop it from being beautiful! The plant grows small flowers in early fall when most other plants are dead and gone for the season. Autumn crocus is a bulb that grows 7 to 12 inches tall and does best in full sun or part shade.
Plant these golden flowers among hardy geraniums, creeping thyme, ajuga and vinca for help with early summer leaves fading away before their time! Hardy enough for zones 4-8.
3. New England Aster
Asters are a group of flowers that come in many colors, including pink. ‘Pink Crush’ is one variety which grows taller than most other types but lacks the tendency to flop over due to its shorter height; it also has bright-pink petals and luscious green leaves for an overall vibrant appearance at full bloom (which occurs during fall).
Aster plants grow well throughout much warmer zones 3 through 8 as long they’re given enough sun exposure each day.
4. ‘Autumn Fire’ Sedum
The tall flowering sedums act like a shrub in the ground, growing 24 to 30 inches high and wide. An improved version of Autumn Joy’s classic ‘Autumn Fire,’ it boasts tighter growth habit with thicker leaves as well as brighter pink blossoms!
The flowers of the sedum plant are often visited by bees and butterflies. The blooms only last for a short period, but can be seen in late summer after they’ve ripened into beautiful colors like white or yellow petals that gradually fade over time.
5. ‘Autumn Spire’ Red Maple
Autumn Spire is an upright, narrow accent tree that delivers the traditional beauty of red maple in a size fit for any yard.
Trees grow 50 feet tall and 20-25 wide withstanding drought conditions once established, but can survive winter temperatures below zero thanks to its hardiness! Expect your new sprigs live 80-100 years if you live Zone 3 through 6.
6. Sunshine Blue ‘Caryopteris’
Also known as bluebeard, this plant has beautiful lavender-hued blooms that open in late summer and fall. A variety called ” Sunshine II” comes with gold leaves paired perfectly against purple flowers for an attractive appearance when planted near wildlife gardens or other plants needing pollinator attention.
The shrub grows 2 to 3 feet tall at maturity but can be much smaller depending on soil type; it does best when allowed more room than usual so its roots have enough space too! Hardy to Zones 5-9.
7. Dwarf Fothergilla
Dwarf fothergilla is a native shrub with leaves that form kaleidoscope of fall hues, including gold and red. This stunner grows in part shade to full sun which accounts for it’s best color show during this time! In spring small white blooms open on branches similar to bottlebrush so you can enjoy stunning beauty all year round.
The flowers of the fothergilla plant grow up to 8 feet tall and wide, providing a fragrant early nectar source for pollinators. This type of flower does not require much space in order do so; it can be grown as small or large plants with varying ranges from Zone 5-8 depending upon variety selection.
8. Beautyberry
The beautyberry is a plant that turns into fall during the season. Its purple berries sparkle and beckon fruit-eating birds like cedar waxwings, cardinals , catbirds to come enjoy them!
Some varieties of houseplants can reach up to 8 feet tall and wide. Hardy in zones 6 through 10, these plants include Pearl Glam (can reach up to 4 – 5 ft.)
9. Garden Mums
Garden mums are a fantastic way to decorate your yard in autumn. They come with hues from orange and gold all the way down to russet, burgundy or bronze; no matter what color you’re looking for there’s sure to be something that fits!
To keep these plants as perennials (so they can grow year after year), try planting them six weeks before it gets too cold, wherever throughout Zones 4-8, since these hardy plants must survive at least one winter without any frost damage occurring on their roots.
10. Sumac
All summer long, you can’t help but notice the bright red leaves of sumacs. They are native to North America and offer multi-season interest with their vibrant colors in autumn as well as winter when they’re covered in fuzzy berries!
This plant should be planted where it will have room to spread out because these sturdy plants make great choices for filling corners or masking views that need cover.
“Tiger Eyes” (Rhus typhina ‘Bailtiger’) is a beautiful gold-leaf variety that grows 6 feet tall and wide. The leaves can form thickets, but it doesn’t grow as quickly; keep an eye on those suckers if you want them gone!
To get rid of unwanted shoots or plants in your garden: clip any seedling with 3 inches aboveground before they flower into mature trees – digging down just enough so as not damage other branches.
11. Ginkgo
The maidenhair tree, better known as the ginkgo biloba plant is a living fossil that came about because it was once part of an ancient species. The leaves on these trees turn golden during autumn which makes them perfect for shady areas where pollution tolerance will not affect your landscape too much.
This heirloom beauty would make an excellent addition to any lawn or street corner! Ginkgo trees are available in many varieties, including male or female.
Make sure you’re not planting a female tree because it forms very stinky fruit! They grow 50-80 feet tall and 30-40 ft wide depending on the variety you choose for your yard size needs.
12. Oakleaf Hydrangea
Fall is the perfect time to talk about Hydrangea quercifolia, an overlooked shrub that’s a native plant. Not only does this hydrangea have fiery leaf tints and fading flowers in pink shades but it also produces cone-shaped heads with white petals which slowly turn parchment by winter!
Plant a hedge of the hardy plant to create privacy and divide up space for outdoor living spaces. Give it part shade with mulch over its roots, as this will help keep moisture in year-round while preventing weeds from growing near your new shrubs! Hardy in Zones 5-9.
13. ‘Karl Foerster’ Feather Reed Grass
The best way to enjoy a garden is with the right plants. ‘Karl Foerster’ feather reed grass (Calamagrostis x acutiflora) will bring life and color into your outdoor space, complementing any environment beautifully without taking up too much room or becoming invasive like many other types of ornamental plants.
It can grow 12-18 inches wide, and 3-5 inches tall. This plant is a great way to add vertical interest and greenery in tight spaces. It’s also hardy enough that you can grow it all over Zones 5-9, making this grass perfect for your yard or garden!
14. Pansy
Pansies are the perfect plant for those looking to add some fall color. This annual can be grown in both containers and beds, meaning it’s not only easy on your wallet but also provides an enchanting display at home or work!
When buying pansies, ensure you have the right kind for your autumn garden goals. Choose from large-flowered varieties or small ones depending on how much showiness is desired in order to achieve different effects this time of year!
15. Fall Fiesta Sugar Maple
Fall Fiesta sugar maple (Acer saccharum ‘Bailsta’) is a beautiful, deciduous shade tree with light green leaves that turn red and orange in the fall.
It prefers full sun to part-shade locations but cannot withstand exposure to road salt or compacted soil. This 75-foot tall beauty grows 45 feet wide on average – making it perfect for any yard!
16. Russian Sage
Russian Sage is a beautiful evergreen shrub that grows in the shade of other plants, such as trees. It has gray-green leaves and purple flowers throughout summer months to fall when it produces white oval fruit on tall stems before dropping them into winter.
The plant only becomes more fragrant with time. Deer and rabbits stay away from these pretty blossoms! Hardy enough for Zone 4 through 9.
17. ‘Fireworks’ Goldenrod
Fireworks goldenrod (Solidago rugosa) is a small, flower-sprouting plant with gold blooms. These flowers attract pollinatorsk, however deer and rabbits don’t seem to like this plant!
It grows 3 feet high by 2 feet wide in zones 4 through 9 of the US, making this an excellent addition for your garden or bouquet on any occasion.
18. Black Gum
Black gum is a fascinating tree that has many names, including “black tupelo” and sour-gum. It’s known for the sweet berries it produces in contrast to its hard wood which can be used as an excellent shade ornaments or even furniture!
This slow growing (30 – 50 feet tall & 20 – 30′ wide) deciduous species prefers full sun with some exposure but will grow well under trees when they get too much sunlight; Hardy zones: 3 through 9.
19. ‘Apache Rose’ Switch Grass
A native prairie plant, switch grass is a sturdy clump that won’t lodge or fall over despite heavy rain and snow. The smaller size of ‘Apache Rose’ adds an interesting hue to the autumn palette with rose-tinted flower spikes which stand out against green leaves in fall; although it can withstand strong winds as well.
The plants are deer-resistant, drought and salt tolerant. They provide winter shelter to birds which you can use for vertical interest in your design or as a focal point! The height grows 48 inches tall with leaves measuring 30″ wide making them perfect if Zones 4-9 are where you live.
20. Blue Star Amsonia
The Arkansas blue star is a tough-as nails perennial plant that grows 3 feet tall and wide. The clump of plants by late summer usually form the perfect size for your garden needs! The leaves on the trees turn from green to brilliant gold as we approach fall.
Use blue star amsonia in your arrangement and add other beautiful flowers like aster, sedum or helenium for a deer-resistant plant that will thrive no matter how much sun you give them! Hardy in zones 4 through 9.
21. Blue Fescue
Interested in adding some color to your planting bed? Blue fescue is the perfect choice! This tough plant grows with an upright stature of 12 inches tall and 6 wide.
The feathery leaves will provide you plenty of interest throughout summer, fall & winter as well, thanks to their strong contrast against other plants, like sedum or garden mums, that grow best when planted alongside this variety at Zones 4-8.
22. Japanese Maple
The Japanese maple is one of the most versatile trees for any yard, patio or garden. It’s bright fall colors can be seen from miles away and add a lot to any landscape in winter when its sculptural branches make their appearance.
The Japanese maple is one of the most beautiful trees to visit in autumn. These maples grow anywhere from 2-30 feet tall with many different varieties, including dwarf and upright types that can be grown as far south as Zone 5-8!
Make sure you do an extensive research before buying yours so they’ll last through winter this year without any problems.
23. Fountain Grass
Fountain grass (Pennisetum alopecuroides) has an appearance that’s more natural than many other types of greens. This plant can be used in arrangements because its seed heads mimic those found on flowers, and it even lasts through winter without dying off!
Fountain Grasses come with different colors for you to choose from; they also vary greatly by size so there will always something suitable available for your needs. Fountain grass is a type of bunch-forming herb that can grow up to 4 feet tall.
It thrives in sun, heat and humidity but does best with well drained soil during wintertime when not growing flowers or other plants on its own. Hardy zones 5 through 9!
24. Sassafras
The native sassafras tree (S. albidum) has unusual leaf shapes that turn gold, red and purple in fall. You can prune this tall shrub to have a single trunk or let it sucker up like kudzu to create thickets!
Crushed twigs smell sweet with hints of anise while roots give off the alluring root beer scent.
These beautiful trees are perfect for any garden. They grow to be 20-30 feet tall and 40 wide, so you’ll have plenty of room in your landscape or flowerbed!
The natural shape makes it easy on the eye while still being aesthetically pleasing with its unique flair that cannot be found anywhere else other than these gorgeous ficus plants.
25. ‘Autumn Gold’ Flowering Dogwood
Flowering dogwood (Cornus florida) is a tall and elegant tree with white or pink blossoms that opens to yellow fall leaves, bright red fruits for birds’ enjoyment as well.
To grow it in your garden be sure you have average soil but full sun will do fine too! This majestic native plant can reach 15-25 feet tall when grown on good land. Hardy in zones: 5-9.