August is the perfect time to start planning and planting for a beautiful fall garden. With the right selection of flowers, you can ensure a vibrant and colorful display as the seasons change. In this article, we’ll explore a variety of plants that are ideal for planting in August to achieve stunning fall beauty.
From cheerful chrysanthemums to resilient sedum, these plants are perfect for creating a breathtaking garden that will thrive well into the cooler months. Let’s dive in and discover the best flowers to plant now for a spectacular autumn show!
Chrysanthemums (Mums)
Chrysanthemums, commonly known as mums, are a classic fall flower that comes in a variety of colors, including yellow, white, red, and purple. Native to Asia and northeastern Europe, mums thrive in well-drained soil and full sun. Planting them in August gives them enough time to establish roots and produce a stunning display of blooms in the fall.
Mums are relatively low-maintenance and can be used in borders, containers, or as mass plantings. To encourage bushier growth, pinch back the stems in late summer. These flowers are also deer-resistant, making them an excellent choice for gardens that are frequently visited by wildlife.
Asters
Asters are another fall favorite, known for their daisy-like flowers in shades of purple, blue, pink, and white. Native to North America, these perennials thrive in full sun and well-drained soil. Planting asters in August ensures they will bloom beautifully in the fall, providing a rich source of nectar for late-season pollinators.
Asters are versatile and can be used in borders, rock gardens, or wildflower meadows. They are relatively low-maintenance and can tolerate a range of soil conditions. Regular deadheading can encourage more blooms, extending their flowering period into the fall.
Marigolds
Marigolds are cheerful, easy-to-grow annuals that bring vibrant color to any garden. Native to Mexico and Central America, marigolds thrive in full sun and well-drained soil. Planting marigolds in August allows them to establish quickly and provide a burst of color as summer transitions to fall.
Marigolds are excellent for borders, containers, and companion planting. They are known for their pest-repellent properties, making them a great addition to vegetable gardens. Deadheading spent flowers can encourage more blooms, ensuring a continuous display of color throughout the fall.
Calendula
Calendula, also known as pot marigold, is a hardy annual with bright orange or yellow flowers. Native to southern Europe, calendula thrives in full sun to partial shade and well-drained soil. Planting calendula in August ensures a vibrant fall display and a valuable source of nectar for pollinators.
Calendula is easy to grow and can be used in borders, containers, or as a ground cover. It has medicinal properties and is often used in skincare products. Regular deadheading can encourage more blooms and extend the flowering period into the fall.
Pansies
Pansies are cool-season favorites known for their charming, colorful blooms. Native to Europe and western Asia, pansies thrive in partial shade to full sun and well-drained soil. Planting pansies in August allows them to establish before the cooler weather sets in, providing a delightful display of color in the fall.
Pansies are perfect for borders, containers, and window boxes. They are relatively low-maintenance and can tolerate light frost, making them ideal for fall gardens. Deadheading spent flowers can encourage more blooms, ensuring a continuous display of vibrant color.
Snapdragons
Snapdragons are versatile annuals known for their tall spikes of colorful flowers. Native to the Mediterranean region, snapdragons thrive in full sun and well-drained soil. Planting snapdragons in August ensures a vibrant fall display and attracts pollinators like bees and butterflies.
Snapdragons are ideal for borders, containers, and cutting gardens. They come in a wide range of colors, from pastel shades to bold hues. Regular deadheading can encourage more blooms, extending their flowering period into the fall.
Dianthus
Dianthus, also known as pinks, are fragrant perennials with delicate, fringed flowers. Native to Europe and Asia, dianthus thrives in full sun to partial shade and well-drained soil. Planting dianthus in August ensures a charming fall display and a pleasant fragrance in your garden.
Dianthus is perfect for borders, rock gardens, and containers. They are relatively low-maintenance and can tolerate a range of soil conditions. Regular deadheading can encourage more blooms, ensuring a continuous display of color throughout the fall.
Violas
Violas are cool-season favorites known for their charming, colorful blooms. Native to Europe, violas thrive in partial shade to full sun and well-drained soil. Planting violas in August allows them to establish before the cooler weather sets in, providing a delightful display of color in the fall.
Violas are perfect for borders, containers, and window boxes. They are relatively low-maintenance and can tolerate light frost, making them ideal for fall gardens. Deadheading spent flowers can encourage more blooms, ensuring a continuous display of vibrant color.
Ornamental Kale and Cabbage
Ornamental kale and cabbage are attractive, cool-season plants known for their colorful foliage. Native to Europe and Asia, these plants thrive in full sun to partial shade and well-drained soil. Planting ornamental kale and cabbage in August ensures a stunning display of foliage color as the weather cools.
These plants are perfect for borders, containers, and as ground covers. They are relatively low-maintenance and can tolerate light frost, making them ideal for fall gardens. Ornamental kale and cabbage add a unique texture and color to your garden, providing interest throughout the fall.
Sedum (Stonecrop)
Sedum, also known as stonecrop, is a hardy perennial with succulent foliage and clusters of star-shaped flowers. Native to Europe and Asia, sedum thrives in full sun and well-drained soil. Planting sedum in August ensures a vibrant fall display, as the flowers bloom from late summer into fall.
Sedum is drought-tolerant and low-maintenance, making it perfect for borders, rock gardens, and containers. It attracts pollinators like bees and butterflies, enhancing your garden’s ecosystem. Sedum’s unique texture and colorful blooms make it a standout plant for fall beauty.
Japanese Anemone
Japanese Anemones are elegant perennials native to China and Japan. Known for their delicate, cup-shaped flowers in shades of pink, white, and lavender, Japanese anemones thrive in partial shade and well-drained soil. Planting them in August ensures a stunning fall display of blooms.
Japanese anemones are relatively low-maintenance and can tolerate a variety of soil conditions. They spread gradually, forming attractive clumps that require minimal care. Their graceful flowers add a touch of sophistication to any garden, making them a perfect choice for fall planting.
Rudbeckia (Black-Eyed Susan)
Rudbeckia, commonly known as Black-Eyed Susan, is a cheerful perennial native to North America. Known for its bright yellow petals surrounding a dark brown or black center, rudbeckia thrives in full sun and well-drained soil. Planting rudbeckia in August ensures a vibrant fall display of blooms.
Rudbeckia is relatively low-maintenance and drought-tolerant, making it perfect for borders, containers, and mass plantings. It attracts pollinators like bees and butterflies, enhancing your garden’s ecosystem. Deadheading spent flowers can encourage more blooms, ensuring a continuous display of color throughout the fall.
Coreopsis
Coreopsis is a cheerful perennial native to North and South America. Known for its daisy-like flowers in bright shades of yellow, orange, and red, coreopsis thrives in full sun and well-drained soil. Planting coreopsis in August ensures a vibrant fall display of blooms.
Coreopsis is drought-tolerant and requires minimal maintenance. It attracts pollinators like bees and butterflies, enhancing your garden’s ecosystem. Deadheading spent flowers can encourage more blooms, ensuring a continuous display of color throughout the fall.
Cosmos
Cosmos are charming annuals native to Mexico and Central America. Known for their daisy-like flowers in shades of pink, white, and red, cosmos thrive in full sun and well-drained soil. Planting cosmos in August ensures a vibrant fall display of blooms.
Cosmos are relatively low-maintenance and can tolerate poor soil conditions. They attract pollinators like bees and butterflies, enhancing your garden’s ecosystem. Regular deadheading can encourage more blooms, ensuring a continuous display of color throughout the fall.
Sweet Alyssum
Sweet Alyssum is a delicate annual native to the Mediterranean region. Known for its tiny, fragrant flowers in shades of white, pink, and purple, sweet alyssum thrives in full sun to partial shade and well-drained soil. Planting sweet alyssum in August ensures a charming fall display of blooms.
Sweet alyssum is relatively low-maintenance and can tolerate light frost. It attracts pollinators like bees and butterflies, enhancing your garden’s ecosystem. Its spreading habit makes it perfect for borders, ground covers, and containers, adding a touch of fragrance and color to your fall garden.
Petunias
Petunias are versatile annuals native to South America. Known for their vibrant, trumpet-shaped flowers in various colors, petunias thrive in full sun and well-drained soil. Planting petunias in August ensures a bright and colorful fall display of blooms.
Petunias are relatively low-maintenance and can tolerate a range of soil conditions. They attract pollinators like bees and butterflies, enhancing your garden’s ecosystem. Regular deadheading can encourage more blooms, ensuring a continuous display of color throughout the fall.
Lobelia
Lobelia is a delicate annual native to North and South America. Known for its vibrant blue, purple, and white flowers, lobelia thrives in full sun to partial shade and well-drained soil. Planting lobelia in August ensures a colorful fall display of blooms.
Lobelia is relatively low-maintenance and can tolerate light frost. It attracts pollinators like bees and butterflies, enhancing your garden’s ecosystem. Its trailing habit makes it perfect for hanging baskets, containers, and borders, adding a touch of elegance to your fall garden.
Gaillardia (Blanket Flower)
Gaillardia, also known as blanket flower, is a cheerful perennial native to North and South America. Known for its daisy-like flowers in vibrant shades of red, orange, and yellow, gaillardia thrives in full sun and well-drained soil. Planting gaillardia in August ensures a bright and colorful fall display of blooms.
Gaillardia is drought-tolerant and requires minimal maintenance. It attracts pollinators like bees and butterflies, enhancing your garden’s ecosystem. Deadheading spent flowers can encourage more blooms, ensuring a continuous display of color throughout the fall.
Verbena
Verbena is a versatile perennial native to North and South America. Known for its clusters of small, fragrant flowers in shades of pink, purple, white, and red, verbena thrives in full sun and well-drained soil. Planting verbena in August ensures a vibrant fall display of blooms.
Verbena is relatively low-maintenance and can tolerate a range of soil conditions. It attracts pollinators like bees and butterflies, enhancing your garden’s ecosystem. Regular deadheading can encourage more blooms, ensuring a continuous display of color throughout the fall.
Heliopsis (False Sunflower)
Heliopsis, also known as false sunflower, is a cheerful perennial native to North America. Known for its bright yellow, daisy-like flowers, heliopsis thrives in full sun and well-drained soil. Planting heliopsis in August ensures a vibrant fall display of blooms.
Heliopsis is relatively low-maintenance and drought-tolerant, making it perfect for borders, containers, and mass plantings. It attracts pollinators like bees and butterflies, enhancing your garden’s ecosystem. Deadheading spent flowers can encourage more blooms, ensuring a continuous display of color throughout the fall.
Tithonia (Mexican Sunflower)
Tithonia, also known as Mexican sunflower, is a vibrant annual native to Mexico and Central America. Known for its bright orange, daisy-like flowers, tithonia thrives in full sun and well-drained soil. Planting tithonia in August ensures a bright and colorful fall display of blooms.
Tithonia is relatively low-maintenance and can tolerate poor soil conditions. It attracts pollinators like bees and butterflies, enhancing your garden’s ecosystem. Its tall, bushy habit makes it perfect for borders, backdrops, and cutting gardens, adding a touch of drama to your fall garden.
Phlox
Phlox are versatile perennials native to North America. Known for their clusters of fragrant, star-shaped flowers in shades of pink, purple, white, and red, phlox thrives in full sun to partial shade and well-drained soil. Planting phlox in August ensures a vibrant fall display of blooms.
Phlox are relatively low-maintenance and can tolerate a range of soil conditions. They prefer consistent moisture but can withstand short periods of drought once established. Phlox’s vibrant flowers and fragrant blooms make them a favorite among gardeners, perfect for creating a picturesque garden with minimal effort.
Salvia
Salvia is a versatile perennial native to various regions, including the Mediterranean and Central America. Known for its spiky flowers in shades of blue, purple, pink, and red, salvia thrives in full sun and well-drained soil. Planting salvia in August ensures a vibrant fall display of blooms.
Salvia is drought-tolerant and requires minimal maintenance once established. It is also deer-resistant, making it a great addition to low-maintenance gardens. Regular deadheading can encourage more blooms, but salvia will thrive even with minimal care. Its vibrant flowers and ease of growth make it a favorite among gardeners.
Echinacea (Coneflower)
Echinacea, also known as coneflower, is a hardy perennial native to North America. Known for its daisy-like flowers with prominent cone-shaped centers, echinacea thrives in full sun and well-drained soil. Planting echinacea in August ensures a vibrant fall display of blooms.
Echinacea is drought-tolerant and requires minimal maintenance. It attracts pollinators like bees and butterflies, enhancing your garden’s ecosystem. Deadheading spent flowers can encourage more blooms, ensuring a continuous display of color throughout the fall.
Goldenrod
Goldenrod is a resilient perennial native to North America. Known for its bright yellow flower clusters, goldenrod thrives in full sun and well-drained soil. Planting goldenrod in August ensures a vibrant fall display of blooms.
Goldenrod is drought-tolerant and requires minimal maintenance. It attracts pollinators like bees and butterflies, enhancing your garden’s ecosystem. Its tall, bushy habit makes it perfect for borders, backdrops, and wildflower meadows, adding a touch of gold to your fall garden.
Sunflowers (Quick-blooming varieties)
Quick-blooming varieties of sunflowers are perfect for adding a burst of color to your fall garden. Native to North America, sunflowers thrive in full sun and well-drained soil. Planting these varieties in August ensures a bright and cheerful display of blooms in the fall.
Sunflowers are relatively low-maintenance and can tolerate poor soil conditions. They attract pollinators like bees and butterflies, enhancing your garden’s ecosystem. Their tall, striking flowers make them perfect for borders, backdrops, and cutting gardens, adding a touch of sunshine to your fall garden.
Zinnias (Quick-blooming varieties)
Quick-blooming varieties of zinnias are perfect for adding a burst of color to your fall garden. Native to Mexico, zinnias thrive in full sun and well-drained soil. Planting these varieties in August ensures a bright and cheerful display of blooms in the fall.
Zinnias are relatively low-maintenance and can tolerate poor soil conditions. They attract pollinators like bees and butterflies, enhancing your garden’s ecosystem. Their vibrant, daisy-like flowers make them perfect for borders, containers, and cutting gardens, adding a touch of joy to your fall garden.
Scabiosa (Pincushion Flower)
Scabiosa, also known as pincushion flower, is a delicate perennial native to Europe and Asia. Known for its unique, pincushion-like flowers in shades of blue, pink, and white, scabiosa thrives in full sun and well-drained soil. Planting scabiosa in August ensures a charming fall display of blooms.
Scabiosa is relatively low-maintenance and can tolerate a range of soil conditions. It attracts pollinators like bees and butterflies, enhancing your garden’s ecosystem. Its long, wiry stems make it perfect for borders, rock gardens, and cutting gardens, adding a touch of elegance to your fall garden.
Rudbeckia hirta (Gloriosa Daisy)
Rudbeckia hirta, also known as gloriosa daisy, is a cheerful perennial native to North America. Known for its bright yellow petals surrounding a dark brown or black center, rudbeckia hirta thrives in full sun and well-drained soil. Planting rudbeckia hirta in August ensures a vibrant fall display of blooms.
Rudbeckia hirta is relatively low-maintenance and drought-tolerant, making it perfect for borders, containers, and mass plantings. It attracts pollinators like bees and butterflies, enhancing your garden’s ecosystem. Deadheading spent flowers can encourage more blooms, ensuring a continuous display of color throughout the fall.
Autumn Crocus (Colchicum autumnale)
Autumn crocus, also known as colchicum autumnale, is a charming perennial native to Europe and North Africa. Known for its delicate, crocus-like flowers in shades of pink, purple, and white, autumn crocus thrives in full sun to partial shade and well-drained soil. Planting autumn crocus in August ensures a delightful fall display of blooms.
Autumn crocus is relatively low-maintenance and can tolerate a range of soil conditions. It is deer-resistant and provides a burst of color in the fall when many other flowers have faded. Its delicate blooms and ease of growth make it a perfect choice for adding a touch of elegance to your fall garden.
