Planting for Fall: The Best Annuals & Perennials for Seasonal Color

Best Annuals for Fall Color

Annuals are the go-to for creating instant, eye-catching displays. They’re perfect for containers, borders, and refreshing tired summer plantings.

• Mums (Chrysanthemums) – The ultimate fall flower! With their rich jewel-toned blooms and compact growth habit, mums brighten porches, entryways, and beds. Mums are also technically a perennial in the Hampton Roads area, so you can plant them in the ground for next year as well.
• Ornamental Kale & Cabbage – These thrive in cool weather, offering dramatic texture and colors that deepen as the temperatures drop.
• Ornamental Peppers – With their fiery, colorful fruits, ornamental peppers add a bold, unexpected twist to seasonal plantings.
• Marigolds – These colorful blooms work great in containers, in beds, and even as companion plants for fall veggie gardens to keep the pests away!
• Celosia – With striking, feathery plumes in red, yellow, and orange, celosia adds a bold and unique texture to fall containers and beds.

A Note on Pansies & Violas

Pansies and violas are one of the most beloved fall flowers, known for their bright colors and cold tolerance. However, here in Hampton Roads, we follow the rule of “O before P,” October before Pansies! Planting too early in September’s lingering heat can cause pansies to struggle. Waiting until October ensures they’ll thrive through fall and continue blooming well into spring. Keep this in mind when planning your seasonal displays, we’ll have plenty ready when the time is right!

Best Perennials for Fall Color

Perennials ensure your fall garden is more than just a one-season wonder. Many varieties are at their peak this time of year, offering both blooms and foliage interest.

• Coneflowers (Echinacea) – While many bloom in summer, their long-lasting flowers and seed heads keep the garden lively into fall.
• Sedum (Stonecrop) – Varieties like ‘Autumn Joy’ provide clusters of rosy blooms that deepen to bronze, offering color well into late fall.
• Coreopsis – With their daisy-like blooms in golden yellows and reds, coreopsis adds a cheerful splash of color that bridges summer into fall.
• Ornamental Grasses – Fountain grass, switchgrass, and muhly grass shine in autumn with feathery plumes and graceful movement. Their texture and height make them the perfect backdrop for seasonal plantings.

Mixing Annuals & Perennials for Impact

For the most dynamic displays, combine the reliable bloom power of annuals with the structure and staying power of perennials. For example, pair mums with sedum in a border, or mix ornamental kale with ornamental grasses in a container. Layering plants with varying heights, textures, and bloom times will keep your garden visually engaging throughout the season. We tend to go by our rule of 3’s with the “Thriller, Filler, Spiller” method.

Fall is the start of a new season filled with bold color, rich textures, and opportunities to prepare your garden for the months ahead! To stay inspired and grow with us online, follow us on Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest, and TikTok to dig into the joys of gardening.