10 Fall Florals For Your Outdoor Space
As the weather gets cooler and the lattes get pumpkin spicier, the arrival of fall décor is here, as well. And it's around this time of year that we collectively decide our homes could use, well, something.
Usually, that something involves pumpkins and stacks of hay. It's classic for a reason. But if you want to elevate your outdoor space this autumn, you have fall floral options here that may not be available to everyone, depending on where they live.
There are plenty of blooms that you can add to your home to get fall festive, too.
Consider these fall florals liven up your home heading into the holidays.
1. Chrysanthemums
These super popular fall plants are the epitome of the fall season. Mums, for short, come in a wide variety of gorgeous colors from red to pink to orange, blue and even white.
You can place them in a pot on the patio. But if you can plant them in the ground around your house, that would be best. The consistent growing space will allow the mums to last longer throughout the season. Pick up your favorite mums before the blooms start to appear in order to enjoy their blooming color all season long.
2. Ornamental grasses
This is another easy choice for fall blooms. Varietals like fescue, fountain grass and big bluestem can be as colorful as they sound, but won't look out of place as the weather turns chillier. The colors are more muted and can be easily found in a wide range of tan- or wheat-colored grass at a local garden center in your area.
The tall structure of these plants, along with their tendency to wave in the wind, will add interest and depth to your outdoor area. The blooms that sit on the top of each stem will also add texture to your outdoor space giving it an overall beautiful look for fall.
3. Celosia
These annual woolflowers grow in a variety of colors and styles. Celosia blossoms will last up to two and a half months with proper care, and they're edible if you feel adventurous and want to make some Insta-worthy salads this fall.
The “velvet flower," as it's known in Mexico, is actually grown as food in South America and the West Indies. As a food source, it grows in abundance, reseeds itself annually, with very little oversight or insect damage. As a landscaping option, it makes for a promising addition to any home garden.
Consider growing the yellow toreador variety to brighten your garden. The red and purple cockscomb celosias are sturdy growing plants that will provide a fullness and consistent presence anywhere they're planted. Keep them in bright light and make sure the water is drained regularly and they'll stay in a beautiful full bloom for two months.
4. Sumac
No, not the kind that you got when you went camping that time you were 10 and spent the rest of the summer covered under a layer of calamine lotion. There are more than 30 different types of Sumac, but for the purposes of home gardening, you should focus on the Rhus coriaria.
The tight red flowers associated with this variety have been used for thousands of years in medicines, dyes and spices. It was even used in the treatment of leather. Scientists found diets rich in Sumac (the kind that's safe to eat) can be beneficial in lowering blood pressure.
Just be careful just how much you plant. The tough and fibrous pieces of the stem will regrow if you accidentally run over them with a lawnmower. And while it's fine if your pets — ahem — water your sumac, don't let them eat the plant or its flowers. It can make them sick.
5. Sunflower
There are fewer flowers out that are as bright and happy as sunflowers. And there are a wide variety of sunflowers available for fall decoration depending on the size of your outdoor area. Annual sunflowers can grow up to 10 feet tall and produce the huge dinner plate-size heads that the variety is well known for.
And even though you could grow these fall florals in a large flower pot, it's not worth the trouble. If you have the real estate to plant your sunflowers in the ground, do it. They'll grow taller and stronger than if you attempted to grow them in a pot.
Other smaller varieties include the perennial sunflower that has the same vibrant yellow color on much smaller blooms. Add either of these varieties to an outdoor area to brighten up the space with beautiful yellow bursts of color. Perennials are much better for small flower pots if you have limited space to plant.
6. Ornamental kale
If you've discovered you don't have the taste for kale on your plate, try planting this variety in your garden instead. This specific kind isn't edible, but is any kale really edible? This hearty plant is topped with purple flowers and can withstand major temperature swings, as well as varying watering schedules.
It will not only survive a cold and gray winter, but the green and the purple will remain a colorful part of your front lawn long after the Christmas lights come down.
Ornamental kale is a good choice for first time home gardeners. It's so strong, it's basically dummy-proof. In fact, don't feel bad if you don't get around to planting it until late. It thrives in cold weather, so the later you plant it, the more colorful it will be. Word of warning: ornamental kale can grow to be two feet high, so if you decide to go big, leave plenty of room around them and don't crowd the pot or space around it.
7. Goldenrod
This beautiful fall bloom is usually associated with allergies, although it doesn't produce any pollen. Goldenrod is a common wildflower that blooms at the same time as ragweed — the real fall allergen — giving it a bad rap. It's a beautiful bright yellow flower that blooms at the tail end of fall, making this a perfect addition to any outdoor space.
You can place them in a pot or consider adding them to a border near your front door.
8. New York aster
This lovely flower comes in a wide variety of shades of purple, pink, white and blue. The blossoms, which look a lot like daisies, start to open up in late summer and will continue to bloom through the fall season.
New York asters would do well in a variety of pots around your outdoor space, as well as in the ground. They do like to creep in the garden, so consider pinching them in order to encourage solid mounds of gorgeous blooms.
9. Dahlias
The bushy perennials feature an herbaceous scent that would be a welcome addition in any garden. And they're in the same family as other plants featured on this list like sunflowers and chrysanthemums.
But unlike other flowers on this list, dahlias don't do well in colder climates or really any place with regular sub-zero temperatures. Your dahlias won't die. Instead, they'll basically go into hibernation mode.
Conversely, dahlias grow best in well-lit and well-drained gardens in higher altitudes. So, if you're an amateur gardener in the Rockies or in the mountains of New England, dahlias will be a welcome addition to your flowerbed.
10. Cornflowers
Cornflowers hold a special place in horticulture. During its long and storied history, the humble cornflower was seen as a weed among western European farmers and as a sign of young love and affection among men during courtship. It was endangered for many years before home gardening brought it back from the brink. And it's the national flower of Estonia for the last hundred years.
This edible flower has also been used for centuries to make tea.
Flower power with fall florals
As your post-summer gardening starts to dwindle and your fall lawn care amps up, there are plenty of fall florals that can instantly add color and interest to your outdoor living space.
Consider adding cuts of large sunflowers along with potted New York daisies to add a variety of heights to your outdoor decorations. Chrysanthemums add a pop of color to your outdoor area. Goldenrod and ornamental grasses will add height and drama.
All of these fall florals will make your outdoor space shine. But really, it's your garden. Grow what you think looks nice. Your garden should be a reflection of who you are, and the flowers you choose should represent your personality and preferences.
