Fall Plants to Help Refresh Your Garden
Louisiana’s fall climate offers a unique growing environment with its warm temperatures and high humidity. Here are some of our favorite plants to consider to spruce up your garden for the fall season. These plants are well-suited for Louisiana’s mild climate and will provide a colorful, dynamic garden well into the colder months.
Alyssum- Known for its sweet fragrance and tiny blooms, this annual can be used as a great groundcover option or a spiller in a pot. It comes in a range of white and purples, and survives well into the winter months.
Begonias- Begonias are a fantastic choice for adding lush foliage and vibrant flowers to shaded and partially shaded areas. Their adaptability and aesthetic appeal make them a beloved option for both novice and experienced gardeners alike. While they fare better in cooler temperatures, they will die in a hard freeze, so be prepared to cover them or bring them inside!
Celosia- Also known as “Cock’s Comb” thanks to its distinctive, feathery, plume-like blooms that resemble a flame or a brain. They flourish from summer to fall and colors include red, orange, yellow, pink, and purple. Their heights range from 12 to 36 inches, with some varieties spreading up to 24 inches making it a great option to add some height to your garden.
Cyclamen- These unique, butterfly-shaped blooms come in shades of white, pink, red, and purple. They have a sweet fragrance. With their compact, low-growing, mound-like appearance, they typically reach 6 to 12 inches in height. They thrive in cooler temperatures, ideally between 50-65°F, making them perfect for our fall through early spring gardens!
Dianthus- While typically popular in late spring to early summer, our tepid weather allows for them to bloom again in the fall. These small, ruffled blooms with a clove-like fragrance come in colors that range from white, pink, and red to bicolor combinations. Though they are typically low-growing, reaching heights of 6 to 12 inches. Some varieties can spread to 12-18 inches wide, making them a great option to plant along the edge of your house or fence!
Dusty Miller- Known for its silvery foliage, it provides a nice contrast to more colorful blooms. The powdery texture brings to mind the misty weather we sometimes see when the temperature drops making it an excellent addition to a spooky fall garden.
Geraniums- While these bright blooms are typically associated with summer, our climate allows for them to continue to bloom well into the cooler months. If you’re not quite ready to leave the warm embrace of summer and enter the realm of pumpkins and cold weather, these can help you pretend just a little longer! They can actually survive frost so long as they are protected and will come back better than ever!
Gaillardia (Indian blanket flower)- These daisy-like flowers, with bright red or orange petals that often have yellow tips typically feature a prominent central disk that adds to their visual appeal. They generally grow between 1 to 2 feet tall, creating a cheerful presence in flower beds and borders while blooming from late spring through fall. Their vibrant blooms attract pollinators as well as brighten up the garden as other flowers begin to fade.
Impatiens- This go-to choice for gardeners will add a vibrant splash of color to shady spots. Prized for their ability to thrive in low-light conditions, these hardy annuals are perfect for areas where other flowers might struggle. Great for shady spots, they offer a burst of color with minimal care.
Lobelia- This charming annual is known for its trailing growth and vibrant blue or purple flowers, perfect for containers and hanging baskets. When temperatures cool, lobelia continues to thrive and creates beautiful cascades wherever it’s placed. Its delicate blooms not only provide visual interest but also attract pollinators like bees and butterflies, enhancing the garden’s ecological appeal.
Lantana- This plant thrives in Louisiana’s warm fall, offering bright, multi-colored blooms that can brighten any landscape. It loves full sun and well-drained soil, making it ideal for sunny borders and dry gardens as well as highly drought-tolerant once established. Known to attract butterflies and other pollinators, it makes a great fall addition to any pollinator garden.
Marigolds- With its bright, cheerful blooms in yellow, orange, and red, they are not only visually appealing but also practical for gardens as excellent pest repellent. Plant these around your fall veggies to help control bugs that want to snack on your hard work!
Mums (Chrysanthemums) – Just like poinsettias say “Christmas”, mums shout “Fall”! If you are looking for a plant that summons autumnal vibes, look no further! These balls of vibrant color will bloom profusely in the early fall months, and give your porch the seasonal pop. Mums are a “one and done” type of bloom. Once they finish blooming, trim them back for an encore in the spring! Just be sure to water them thoroughly every single day as they are very thirsty plants. If you have any questions about mums, you can consult our Mum Care Page!
Petunias- These trumpet shaped blooms are available in a wide range of colors and patterns and known for their continuous bloom and temperature tolerance. If you have a sunny spot in desperate need of color, petunias make an excellent choice! They come in trailing (wave) and upright (dream) varieties and will spruce up any container arrangement or work as a stand alone feature.
Pansies- If you want some color that won’t give out when the mercury drops, then look no further! Ideal for cooler weather, pansies provide vibrant colors and can tolerate freezing weather. Coming in a rainbow of colors, you have plenty of options to bring cheer to your fall and winter garden!
Ornamental Cabbage and Kale-Who knew cabbage and kale could be so pretty? These ornamental types add flash to your autumn garden. They’re annuals but will stay “in bloom” for months until a hard freeze.
Ornamental Peppers- These little guys are a fun and unique addition to any planter or tablescape. While technically edible, they commonly used for their decorative abilities, adding a little “spice” with their colorful fruits that range from reds and oranges to yellows and purple!
Black-eyed Susan’s (Rudbeckia) – These golden-yellow blooms can be a cheerful addition to any fall pollinator garden and can even be cut to make lovely fall bouquets! Much like mums, they cluster together and help fill in gaps in your landscaping or used as border options around fence lines.
Snapdragons (Antirrhinum) – These whimsical flowers come in a range of colors and can add vertical interest to your garden. Depending on the variety, they can grow between 6 inches to 3 feet tall. No matter whether you put them as the main attraction of your garden or as supporting cast in the back of a pot, they will be a showstopper no matter what!
Salvia – Known for attracting hummingbirds and butterflies, it adds vibrant color and is quite heat-tolerant. Known for their tall spikes of color and ability to attract pollinators like hummingbirds. They are true perennials and will die back during a hard freeze but will re emerge during the spring!
Violas – Similar to pansies, violas are great for adding color and can handle a range of temperatures. However, violas can handle more shade than pansies, so keep this in mind if your garden is shady for part of the day. While not as large as pansies, they bloom profusely and look great planted in mass. This flower is not only hardy but versatile, providing a pop of color even in the dead of winter!
No matter what your choice is this fall, you can’t go wrong with any of the options on this list! Whether you’re revamping your whole garden or just fixing up a couple of festive planters, each of these plants brings unique qualities to a garden or indoor setting, offering a range of colors and textures to enhance your space.
