Complete Gardening
As the summer heat begins to wane and the days grow shorter, many gardeners might feel a bit melancholic, thinking the vibrant colors of their gardens will soon fade.
But August is actually the perfect time to plant a variety of flowers that will keep your garden bursting with color well into the fall.
In this article, we’ll explore 17 fall-blooming flowers that you can plant in August to ensure your garden stays lively and beautiful for months to come.
You’ll find that there are plenty of beautiful options to choose from. From the delicate petals of the Japanese Anemone to the rich hues of Chrysanthemums, there’s a fall flower to suit every taste and garden style.
Imagine your garden filled with the warm tones of these seasonal beauties, creating a cozy and inviting atmosphere.
Starting your fall garden in August also gives you a head start on planning and planting for the cooler months. You’ll have the opportunity to select flowers that thrive in the fall climate, which means less maintenance and more time to enjoy the beautiful blooms.
So why wait? Let’s dive into some wonderful fall-blooming flowers that you can start planting now.
Choosing the Right Fall-Blooming Flowers for Your Garden
To create a stunning fall garden, it’s important to select flowers that suit your garden’s conditions and match your desired color scheme. Thoughtful planting design can enhance the beauty and health of your garden.
Assessing Your Garden’s Conditions
Evaluate sunlight levels in your garden by observing how much direct sunlight each area receives daily. Many fall-blooming flowers thrive in full sun, while others prefer partial shade. Knowing this helps you choose the right plants.
Check your soil type and quality. Conduct a simple soil test to determine if your soil is sandy, clay, or loamy. Modify your soil with compost if needed to ensure it supports healthy plant growth.
Consider your garden’s climate. Some flowers are more resilient to frost or fluctuating temperatures. Select varieties adapted to your specific region to ensure they bloom beautifully during the fall season.
Color Schemes and Planting Design
Plan your garden’s color scheme by choosing coordinating colors that create a harmonious look. For a bold and vibrant garden, mix bright yellows, oranges, and reds. If you prefer a more calming effect, go for purples, blues, and whites.
Group flowers by height to create visually appealing layers. Taller plants should be at the back or center (if the garden is circular) while shorter plants should be at the front or edges. This not only looks pleasing but also ensures all flowers get adequate sunlight.
Use contrast and texture to add interest. Mix flowers with different shapes, sizes, and foliage to create variety. Adding plants with different blooming times can ensure your garden remains lively throughout the fall season.
Top 18 Fall-Blooming Flowers to Plant in August
1. Chrysanthemums (Mums)
Chrysanthemums, commonly known as mums, are a fall garden staple. These hardy perennials come in a variety of colors, including yellow, orange, red, and purple. Mums are perfect for adding a splash of color to your garden as the leaves begin to turn.
They thrive in well-drained soil and full sun but can tolerate partial shade. Planting mums in August gives them time to establish roots before the cooler weather sets in, ensuring a robust bloom in late fall.
2. Asters
Asters are another excellent choice for fall blooms. With their daisy-like flowers, asters bring a cheerful burst of color to any garden. These flowers are available in shades of blue, purple, pink, and white.
Asters are loved not just for their beauty but also for their ability to attract pollinators like bees and butterflies. Planting them in August allows them to settle in and produce abundant blooms that will last through the fall.
3. Japanese Anemones
Japanese anemones are elegant flowers that add a touch of grace to the fall garden. Their delicate pink, white, or lavender blooms rise above dark green foliage on tall, slender stems.
These perennials prefer partial shade and well-drained soil, making them a great option for gardens with less direct sunlight. By planting Japanese anemones in August, you can enjoy their beautiful blooms from late summer into early autumn.
4. Goldenrod
Goldenrod is a native wildflower that often gets a bad rap for causing allergies, but it’s actually a fantastic fall bloomer. Its bright yellow flower clusters provide a striking contrast to the deeper hues of other autumn plants.
Goldenrod is easy to grow, thriving in poor soil and full sun. Planting it in August will ensure that it has time to establish itself before putting on a spectacular show of color in the fall.
5. Sedum (Stonecrop)
Sedum, also known as stonecrop, is a succulent that produces clusters of star-shaped flowers in shades of pink, red, and white. This low-maintenance plant is perfect for adding texture and interest to your fall garden.
Sedum thrives in full sun and well-drained soil, and it’s drought-tolerant, making it an excellent choice for gardeners looking for easy-care plants. Planting sedum in August ensures that it will bloom beautifully as the temperatures cool.
6. Helenium (Sneezeweed)
Helenium, commonly known as sneezeweed, is a vibrant fall bloomer that produces daisy-like flowers in warm shades of yellow, orange, and red. These flowers are perfect for adding a splash of autumn color to your garden.
Helenium prefers full sun and moist, well-drained soil. Planting it in August gives it ample time to establish and produce a profusion of blooms from late summer into the fall.
7. Crocus
While crocuses are often associated with spring, there are fall-blooming varieties that can add charm to your garden later in the year. Autumn crocuses produce delicate, cup-shaped flowers in shades of purple, lavender, and white.
They are perfect for planting in rock gardens, borders, or even containers. Planting them in August will result in blooms that brighten up your garden as the days grow shorter.
8. Turtlehead (Chelone)
Turtlehead is a lesser-known but delightful fall-blooming perennial. It gets its name from the shape of its flowers, which resemble a turtle’s head. Turtlehead flowers are typically pink or white and bloom from late summer into fall.
This plant prefers moist, rich soil and partial shade, making it ideal for woodland gardens or areas with consistent moisture. By planting turtlehead in August, you can enjoy its unique blooms through the fall months.
9. Rudbeckia (Black-Eyed Susan)
Rudbeckia, or black-eyed Susan, is a classic fall flower that adds a burst of sunshine to any garden. Its bright yellow petals and dark brown centers are iconic symbols of late summer and fall.
Rudbeckia is incredibly easy to grow, thriving in full sun and well-drained soil. Planting it in August ensures a long blooming period, with flowers that last well into the autumn.
10. Toad Lily (Tricyrtis)
Toad lilies are unique and exotic-looking flowers that bloom in the fall. Their star-shaped flowers are often speckled or spotted, with colors ranging from white to purple.
Toad lilies are shade-loving perennials that thrive in moist, well-drained soil. Planting them in August allows them to establish themselves before blooming, adding a touch of the unusual to your fall garden.
11. Russian Sage (Perovskia atriplicifolia)
Russian sage is a stunning plant that produces tall spikes of lavender-blue flowers from late summer through fall. This hardy perennial is drought-tolerant and thrives in full sun, making it an excellent choice for low-maintenance gardens.
The silvery foliage of Russian sage adds an extra layer of interest, creating a beautiful contrast with other fall blooms. Planting it in August ensures a strong showing of flowers as the season progresses.
12. Monkshood (Aconitum)
Monkshood, also known as aconite, is a striking fall-blooming perennial with deep blue or purple flowers. The tall, spiky blooms of monkshood add vertical interest to the garden, and its late blooming period makes it a valuable addition to the fall landscape.
Monkshood prefers partial shade and moist, well-drained soil. Planting it in August allows it to establish before it begins blooming in late summer and early fall.
13. Joe-Pye Weed (Eutrochium purpureum)
Joe-Pye weed is a native perennial that produces large clusters of pink or mauve flowers in late summer and early fall. This tall plant can add height and structure to your garden, and it’s a favorite among butterflies and other pollinators.
Joe-Pye weed prefers full sun to partial shade and moist, well-drained soil. Planting it in August ensures that it will be ready to bloom beautifully as fall approaches.
14. Autumn Joy Sedum
Autumn Joy sedum is a popular fall-blooming succulent that produces large clusters of pink flowers that gradually turn to a rich, rusty red as the season progresses. This plant is incredibly hardy, thriving in full sun and well-drained soil.
Autumn Joy sedum is also drought-tolerant, making it a low-maintenance option for fall color. Planting it in August will guarantee a spectacular display of flowers well into the autumn.
15. Cyclamen
Cyclamen are charming flowers that are often associated with winter, but they can also bloom beautifully in the fall. These low-growing plants produce delicate, butterfly-like flowers in shades of pink, red, white, and purple.
Cyclamen prefer cool temperatures, partial shade, and well-drained soil, making them ideal for gardens that receive filtered sunlight. Planting cyclamen in August will allow them to establish before they start blooming, adding a touch of color to your garden as the weather cools.
16. Helenium ‘Mardi Gras’
Helenium ‘Mardi Gras’ is a stunning fall-blooming variety of sneezeweed that produces bright, multi-colored flowers in shades of yellow, orange, and red, reminiscent of a festive carnival. These flowers are excellent for adding vibrant color to the fall garden and attracting pollinators.
‘Mardi Gras’ thrives in full sun and well-drained soil, making it an easy addition to your garden. Planting it in August will ensure that you enjoy a long blooming season from late summer through fall.
17. Gentian (Gentiana)
Gentian is a unique and striking fall bloomer that produces trumpet-shaped flowers in vivid shades of blue, although some varieties also come in white, pink, or yellow. These plants are perfect for rock gardens, borders, or containers.
Gentians prefer cool climates, partial shade, and well-drained, slightly acidic soil. Planting gentian in August allows them to establish and produce their brilliant blooms, which can last well into the autumn months.
With these 17 fall-blooming flowers, your garden will remain vibrant and full of life as the seasons change. Planting in August gives these flowers the best chance to establish themselves and thrive, ensuring a stunning display of color throughout the fall.
Whether you’re a seasoned gardener or a novice, these flowers offer a beautiful way to extend the joy of gardening into the cooler months.