You may associate fall foliage with mountains of raked leaves, but autumn can be an excellent host to some beautiful blooms. For this season and seasons to come, consider your favorite pollinators when you begin thinking about your fall landscaping.
Cosmos
These vibrant flowers require full sun and usually start blooming in early summer, but they can continue until frost if you deadhead. Cosmos’ open shape makes them the perfect fall flower to invite your favorite pollinators around since their shape provides easy access to nectar.
Marigold
When you think of fall flowers, it’s hard not to think of marigolds. These quintessential fall blooms offer a variety of lovely hues of maroon, orange, golden yellow and even white. Most marigold species bloom in the fall when gardens are beginning to lose their vibrancy as summer foliage begins to dwindle. These colorful blooms will keep your eyes and the bees happy late into fall (or the first significant frost in your area).
Abelia
These flowering bushes are an excellent way to add a pop of color and texture to your landscape. Most closely related to the honeysuckle, Abelia bushes host eye-catching leaves that will change color through the growing season. If the gold to burgundy leaves weren’t visually appealing enough, their tubular flowers add even more visual interest. The best part? Their flowers bloom for months, making them an excellent fall food source for all your favorite garden occupants, from hummingbirds to bees to butterflies.
Sedum
Aptly known as “Autumn Joy”, these stout plants are excellent additions to your yard. Their foliage provides color throughout the cool fall weather and is easy to pair with ornamental grasses or deep green shrubs. Not to mention, they are low-maintenance and attract pollinators. What more could you ask for in a fall plant?
Purple Asters
Purple asters offer a bold and lovely contrast to the beautiful golds, oranges, and reds that are easy to feature in fall. Bees and butterflies alike enjoy this daily-like perennial, which blooms in late summer and early fall.
Wallflowers
Far from boring as its name may suggest, wallflowers provide delightful bursts of color in otherwise dull cool weather landscaping. In fact, these vibrant flowers come in a variety of lively colors, from yellows to reds and oranges, to pinks and purples. With a whole arsenal of color at your disposal, to bees and other pollinators, your yard will be the life of the party.
