Top Plants to Grow in the Fall for a Vibrant Autumn Garden

By the time fall rolls around, many Canadian gardens start to lose their luster. The vibrancy and color of summer will fade, turning your garden into a barren mess. However, your autumn garden doesn’t have to end up that way.
Whether you want to lean into the rich hues of fall or want to add pops of color with late-blooming flowers, there are many different plants you can grow. Read on to learn how to grow healthy plants during autumn and what crops you should cultivate to keep the beauty long after summer ends.
Why It’s Worth Adding Color to Your Autumn Garden
Whether you use grow kits or cultivate directly in the soil outside, there are many reasons to add some life to your garden when the fall season rolls around. Autumn has a reputation for being a bit drab and gray, especially in Canada. While tree leaves can develop a mix of warm hues, gardens often become a sore spot. Growing the right plants in the fall can change that, helping your garden feel alive and thriving.
It’s a great way to boost curb appeal and turn your autumn garden into a space you can enjoy. With the weather being milder in the fall, it’s a shame not to have some beautiful plants you can appreciate.
Many plants will also serve as valuable food sources for pollinators. Fall is a crucial time for butterflies and bees, and planting some vibrant flowers can give these pollinators plenty of fuel as they prepare for winter.
Beautifying Your Autumn Garden: Plants That Pop
Need help deciding what plants will provide some much-needed color to your garden during the fall season? We have you covered. Here are several plant varieties worth considering.
- Chrystanthemums: Mums are a falltime classic. Available in many different colors, these flowers thrive when most other plants in your autumn garden start to fade. Best of all, they’re frost-tolerant.
- Asters: These daisy-like flowers are pollinator magnets. They bloom late in the season, offering hues of purple, pink, and white.
- Pansies: Pansies, as well as Violas, are cold-hardy plants that provide some cheer in the fall. They survive light frosts and are versatile enough to plant in many different locations.
- Sedums: Sedum are gorgeous plants with fleshy leaves and bold flowers. The flowers start as a soft pink before maturing to a deep red.
- Swiss Chard: If you want to grow vibrant crops, swiss chard is the way to go. They sport colorful stems of red, yellow, and orange. They’re edible and can thrive in the fall.
- Marigolds: The bright orange and yellow color of Marigolds complements changing leaf colors in the autumn season. These flowers are hardy and will continue blooming until a hard freeze.
- Japanese Maples: These trees add drama. You can plant smaller varieties to enjoy the changes in their leaf color, which transforms to a fiery red and orange.
How to Grow Healthy Plants Despite Falltime Gardening Challenges
Even with the right plants, achieving that vibrancy you’re after can be challenging. Follow these tips to ensure autumn garden success.
- Consider Your Grow Zone: Choose plants based on your grow zone to ensure you choose varieties suited to your region’s frost dates.
- Use Grow Kits: Grow kits can help you overcome temperature challenges, letting you create the perfect growth environment for bountiful blooms.
- Plant Early: Give your plants an early start in the season to ensure proper root development.
- Use Plant Nutrients: High-quality plant nutrients can help flowers reach their full potential. For example, the Bud Blaster formula specifically boosts plants in the flowering stage for larger, denser yields.
- Deadhead Frequently: Consider deadheading spent flowers to promote new growth.
Autumn doesn’t have to be a dead season for your garden. With the right hardy plant varieties, you can keep your garden thriving long after your summer plants fade. Try some of our recommended plants and employ our tips to turn your autumn garden into a colorful oasis.