By DJ Wilson

Let’s make it beautiful!

Seeking a brilliant fall garden? Here are three plants that can add bursts of color to your surroundings. These three plants typically do well after summer’s intense heat is over. Read on to learn about them.

Check it out

But first – knowing what to plant and when varies from region to region. Do check the USDA hardiness zones offering requirements needed for plants to thrive in your neck of the woods.

Here are our three picks for fall:

1. Chrysanthemum (Garden mum) – these quintessential fall flowers have colorful petals that grow close together from a center disk. They come in many brilliant colors such as yellow, orange, white, red and purple. They typically thrive in zones 4 to 9. They are best planted in the spring following the last frost, or in the fall ahead of the first frost of the season. Mums bloom in late spring and from late summer to mid fall. They are also widely available as potted plants. When planted in the ground in rich soil during the fall season, they thrive in full sun. Potted plants enjoy bright indirect light and consistent watering to thrive. Cutting off the dead buds will help the flowers continue to bloom throughout the season.
2. Helianthus annuus (Sunflowers) – these attractive plants have a large dark center surrounded by short yellow pedals and vibrant green stems and leaves. Flowers may also be red, mahogany, or bicolor. These delightful plants love sunny locations and well-drained soil. They do best when planted in the spring after the frost has gone or in the fall. Sunflowers bloom from the middle of summer through early autumn and can be particularly showy in gardens in September and October.  They tend to thrive in hardiness zones 2 to 11. They dislike weeds and competition, so to keep them happy, be sure to weed the sunflower garden frequently.
3. Solidago (Goldenrod) – Goldenrods are among the last flowers to bloom in the fall from August to October. There are many species of this nectar rich plant, and they are beloved for their brilliant colors and attracting bees and butterflies to the garden. The goldenrod plant is essentially a North American wildflower that thrives in zones 3 to 9, but regions can vary slightly. It features small yellow blooms that grow apart from one another on long green stems. However, species may vary in texture, height and bloom time. These pollen rich plants are best grown in distant rustic gardens or prairie-like settings in full sun. They enjoy average soil that is well drained.  Per Gardenia.net, these easy to care for plants pair beautifully with other late-season bloomers like asters and chrysanthemums.

A thriving fall garden

Mums, sunflowers, and goldenrod stand out due to their fall season availability, abundant and showy colors, and ease of care. However, many other plants are also picture-perfect in a fall garden, including coneflowers, black-eyed Susans, ornamental grasses, shrubs, and more.

It’s doable!

Achieving the autumnal garden of your dreams is completely doable. The fall season is the ideal time to enjoy vibrant garden landscapes showcasing a variety of plants. What to plant in your fall garden? Simply research which ones grow best in your region and visit your garden center where experts can help you match the ideal plants to your garden needs.

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