Tag: plant list

Growing Ornamental Grass: Unique Picks & Easy Care Tips
We underestimate just how beautiful ornamental grasses can be in the garden. They can be statement plants, the key to a modern garden look, and the textural component you may be looking for. Read on for my tips for growing ornamental grass, and find the perfect match with my unique list of grasses you haven’t tried yet.

Grasses are VERY underrated when it comes to the garden. When I was a novice gardener, I went to the garden centre and absolutely fell in love with purple fountain grass and Japanese blood grass. I thought they were some of the most stunning plants in the whole place.

Of course, I bought them. They became star plants in my garden that summer. The dark leaves and big bush flowers of the purple fountain grass grew to 5 ft. tall, making a dramatic appearance. The Japanese blood grass also had dramatic colouring, with cranberry red grass blades.

I was really sad when they eventually died, as I considered them an investment. But they were my first foray into growing ornamental grasses, and I’ve been hooked ever since.

Today, I’ll share with you some tips for growing ornamental grasses, as well as a few standouts to prove just how fun they can be in the garden

Some ornamental grasses can be so tall they tower over you!

Designing With Ornamental Grasses

In most cases, people use ornamental grasses as filler or as a part of xeriscaping. And they’re really great for that! But I encourage you to think beyond the plain ornamental grass and to make them the focus of the garden as well.

My modern take is a garden made entirely of ornamental grasses. The grasses become the star, and they create a very tranquil atmosphere. This would be perfect for a meditation garden.

Ornamental grasses can belong in just about any type of garden setting, mostly because native grasses can be found all over the world. From cottage gardens to rock gardens, there is a grass that will work. They’re also wildlife-friendly, providing habitat and food for insects and birds.

Most ornamental grasses are pest and drought-resistant, and a majority can tolerate partial shade. They’re one of the most low-maintenance plants you can grow, so I encourage you to try growing them in those hard-to-grow areas in your garden. For instance, Japanese forest grass became a star in my shady garden where other plants struggled.

This modern patio utilizes green grasses for a lush, zen appeal.

10 Unique Ornamental Grasses to Grow

Before purchasing any ornamental grasses, make sure you check that they’re suitable for your area. Some grasses can be invasive, spreading aggressively, while others nicely clump.

Japanese Forest Grass

Hakonechloa macra
- USDA Zones: 4-9 (perennial)
- Sunlight requirements: Partial shade
- Notable characteristics: shade lover, yellowy foliage, natural round shape
Japanese forest grass has a bright yellow tone to it, making it a lovely plant to brighten up dark corners. I’ve used it in my shady areas to help provide a golden pop, giving the illusion of more light. It’s a rare grass that thrives in shady areas.

What’s also lovely about this plant is the natural round shape it creates. It grows up to 18” high and 24” wide, and is not known to spread invasively like other grasses.

Japanese forest grass provides a bright hue for shady areas.

Bunny Tails

Lagurus ovatus
- USDA Zones: 4-10 (annual)
- Sunlight requirements: Full sun
- Notable characteristics: soft texture, dried flower favourite, winter interest, re-seeder
I first grew bunny tail grass in my children’s play garden. They have the softest texture, and the little puffs at the end really do look like they belong to a bunny. They grow about 30 cm tall, making them the perfect height for littles to walk through and touch in the play garden.

They’re an extremely popular cut flower, being a beautiful pale green in the spring and summer before maturing into an ivory and sometimes pinkish colour in the fall. They also dry amazingly, and are often dyed fun colours.

Bunny tail grass produces fluffy heads all summer long.

Wandering Chilean Iris

Libertia peregrinans
- USDA Zones: 8-10 (perennial)
- Sunlight requirements: Partial to full sun
- Notable characteristics: narrow sword-like foliage, orange shade, fragrant white flowers
For those who live in warmer zones, the wandering Chilean Iris is such a fun and vivid ornamental grass to grow. It retains this bright orange colour all year long, becoming a focal point that will test even the showiest flowers.

To get the best colour, you’ll want them in full sun. The foliage brightens in the winter, so it’s great for some winter interest. The plant can also produce small and fragrant white flowers that grow on top of the narrow, straight stems. These bloom starting in late spring.

Libertia peregrinans received the Award of Garden Merit from the Royal Horticultural Society.

Blue Fescue Grass

Festuca glauca
- USDA Zones: 4-8 (perennial)
- Sunlight requirements: Partial to full sun
- Notable characteristics: unique blue foliage, mound shape, fast-growing
Blue fescue grass is a classic ornamental grass option, and for good reason! The blue foliage is notable, providing a teal-silver colour you don’t often see in the garden. It’s known for being fast-growing, softer texture, and returning year after year.

It’s important to note that blue fescue is different than the tall fescue, which you see in turf lawns. I included blue fescue grass in my jack-o-plantern below!

Common Cattail

Typha latifolia
- USDA Zones: 3-10 (perennial)
- Sunlight requirements: Partial to full sun
- Notable characteristics: aquatic, up to 10 ft. tall, herbaceous perennial, fluffy brown tops
First, you had bunnytails; now, I present to you cattails! Anyone who grew up on prairies and in BC will recognize these fun and fluffy plants. Aquatic plants, they grow along the edges of marshes and bogs, growing up to ten feet tall.

While they have large, long leaves that grow from the base of the plant, the most notable aspect is the cattails. They’re firm and brown when fresh, and turn fluffy as they age.

Cattails prefer full sun and consistent water.

Japanese Blood Grass

Imperata cylindrica
- USDA Zones: 5-9 (perennial)
- Sunlight requirements: Full sun
- Notable characteristics: bright red tips, Deer resistant, serrated foliage, invasive
Another bright favourite of mine is the Japanese Blood Grass. Bright green on the bottom and dark red on top, these offer a fun pop of colour. They work well as accents or in borders.

It can have invasive qualities, so keep this in mind when deciding where to plant it. Look for sterile cultivars such as ‘Red Baron’ and ‘Rubra’ to avoid this concern. That being said, this is also why it’s known as an extremely low-maintenance plant.

You can also grow Japanese blood grass in containers to limit its spread.

Purple Majesty Ornamental Millet

Pennisetum glaucum
- USDA Zones: 4-9 (annual)
- Sunlight requirements: Partial to full sun
- Notable characteristics: dark foliage, accent plant, height, pollinator favourite
I included purple majesty ornamental millet in my pollinator seed collection way back in 2018, and it remains one of the most stunning grasses I’ve grown. The dark purple foliage and cattail-like heads make it a great focal and accent plant.

It can grow up to 1.2 m tall, so it works great planted at the back of the bed or somewhere you don’t mind a little height. Then sit back and watch the bees visit!

Purple majesty ornamental millet grows tall, so note the full maturity size when planting.

Weeping Brown Sedge

Carex flagellifera
- USDA Zones: 6-9 (perennial)
- Sunlight requirements: Partial to full sun
- Notable characteristics: golden-brown colour, low mound, evergreen
Another grass I featured in my jack-o-plantern, the weeping brown sedge, stays a beautiful golden-brown colour that feels so autumnal to me. It grows best in mild climates where it acts as a herbaceous evergreen perennial, though it is short-lived.

The leaves are very fine, providing a nice textural and low-growing element near the front of garden beds

Plant perennial grasses in the fall to get the best deals.

Curly Rush Grass

Juncus effusus ‘Spiralis’
- USDA Zones: 5-9 (perennial)
- Sunlight requirements: Partial to full sun
- Notable characteristics: spiral stems, patio plant, houseplant, likes moisture
The curly rush grass may be the most fun one on this list of grasses. It produces corkscrew-shaped stems that are smooth and upright. They grow in nice clusters and produce small yellowish flowers in late summer.

Some grow the curly rush grass as a houseplant, but it also works well as a container plant for the patio or as part of a children’s garden, thanks to its fun shape and texture.

Curly rush grass loves damp soil.

Horsetail

Equisetum hyemale
- USDA Zones: 4-9 (perennial)
- Sunlight requirements: Partial to full sun
- Notable characteristics: grows in any conditions, spreads quickly, toxic to grazing animals
Horsetail is a fun-looking evergreen perennial. It grows tall and upright, appearing somewhere between a grass and bamboo.

Horsetail can handle whatever you throw at it and will grow where nothing else would. In most places, it’s considered a weed. Since it reproduces through spores and underground rhizomes, it can spread very quickly and easily fill in an area.

So when would you use horsetail? It can grow in dry, poor soil when you need something to fill an area. It can also grow in standing water, making it a good aquatic plant if you have a contained pond. Just know what you’re signing up for!

When in doubt, control the spread by growing it in a container.

Tips for Growing Ornamental Grass
- Dividing. Eventually, your perennial grasses will need to be divided, typically to control the size or when the centre of the grass is dead. Divide them in early spring when the plants are just starting to turn green. Dig up the whole root ball, and cut it in half (or more), removing any dead parts before replanting.
- Water tolerance. All grasses will have different water requirements. While most are drought-tolerant, others thrive in damp and moist conditions. Be sure to check the plant tag to know its water requirements.
- Sharp edges. Many grasses have sharp blades and barbs on them. If you touch them the wrong way, they can cut you. It’s their defence mechanism after all. Just be careful when working with your ornamental grasses, wearing gloves when necessary.
Ornamental Grasses Care FAQ

When to plant ornamental grasses?

All annual ornamental grasses should be planted in the spring so you can get the most out of them. Any perennial grasses can be planted in the spring or fall. I like the fall, as that’s when perennials are all on discount!

Do ornamental grasses need fertilizer?

I wouldn’t worry much about providing fertilizer to your ornamental grasses. I mix in compost when planting, and add it to all my garden beds throughout the summer.

If your grass is in a container, then it will need monthly fertilizer applications during the growing season. If you have poor soil in your garden beds, you may want to add some organic granular fertilizer at the beginning of the growing season.

Do I need to cut back my ornamental grasses?

Leave your ornamental grasses for the fall and most of the winter. They can provide some winter interest in the garden, and also a necessary habitat for wildlife. In late winter or early spring, cut back last year’s growth to the ground before the plant shows signs of growth again.

Grasses provide movement and softness to the garden.

More Low-Maintenance Gardening Tips

A city girl who learned to garden and it changed everything. Author, artist, Master Gardener. Better living through plants.
Stephanie Rose

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October 15, 2025
Check Out These Cool Characters! The Top Winter Garden Plants

Winter doesn’t mean it has to be all white in the garden. Even if there is a blanket of snow covering the soil, these winter garden ideas will add some pizzazz to cold and dreary days with their showy limbs, bright berries, and even some flowers! Here are some ideas for winter garden plants and when to get started planting them.

While I am blessed with the fortune of a mild Vancouver winter, I know there are much colder places that have difficulty in finding beauty in the winter. From all the deciduous trees losing their leaves and flowers hiding away for the cold months, things can start to look a little brown before things turn white.

Adding winter garden flowers and plants to your yard ensures that you get some beautiful colour even in the dead of winter. When planning your garden, try to remember to add some winter interest as well!

Where to Start with Winter Garden Plants

A tall evergreen tree or shrub in the corner of your garden is a good starting point. Then you’ll also want to include lower evergreens that stay above the snow.

Some winter garden plants have interesting bark once their leaves are gone for the winter, others have berries and flowers.

It’s all about getting a nice mix of greenery for every season out there.

When to Plant a Winter Garden

If you’re thinking about winter garden ideas, then chances are things are starting to cool down where you live. Don’t panic at the thought of losing all your summer lovelies. They’ll be back next year! For now, you can turn your attention to planting some perennials for the winter.

Fall is actually a great time of year to plant perennials. First of all, they’re all on sale at the garden centre (booyah!) and they’re also going to have a couple of seasons to establish before the hot summer sun beats down on them.

The key is to make sure you plant approximately 6 weeks before the first frost or when the ground completely freezes. Your perennial needs time to establish roots in order to make it through the winter. You can learn more about fall perennial gardening here.

Keep in mind, young perennials may take a few years before they have their first blooms. So before planting, make sure to do your research on each individual plant so you know what to expect and what kind of conditions they prefer.

6 Winter Garden Plants That Stay Green All Winter

1. Emerald Colonnade Holly

This beautiful evergreen makes a great topiary planting. Its regal shape responds well to pruning and it thrives in a container environment. In the ground, it’s also suitably planted as a hedge. This male holly won’t get berries, but it will stay evergreen all year.

emerald colonnade holly Photo Courtesy of Monrovia, credit Doreen Wynja.

2. Burgundy Lace Japanese Maple

Japanese maples are known for their graceful arched branches that swoop in organic shapes that provide structural interest to the garden in winter.

This Japanese maple will not only look attractive in the winter but also has lacy burgundy red leaves that turn fiery shades in the fall.

Burgundy Lace Japanese Maple Photo Courtesy of Monrovia, credit Doreen Wynja.

3. Climbing Hydrangea

Okay, I admit this one is a bit of a cheat! This hydrangea may not have any blooms, or even leaves, in the cooler months but the climbing brown peeling bark is attractive in winter.

Allow this hydrangea to grow up a trellis, arbor, or wall and become a winter sculpture.

Climbing Hydrangea Photo Courtesy of Monrovia, credit Doreen Wynja.

4. Cotoneaster

This low-growing ground cover is perfect to use in an area that doesn’t get a lot of foot traffic. It has small blue-green leaves, tiny white flowers in the spring, and red berries through the fall and winter.

This evergreen is only 6 inches tall but it is fast-growing and can reach a width of 8 feet in a short period of time. The berries are also a good food source for winter birds.

Cotoneaster’s bright red berries

5. Sienna Sunrise Heavenly Bamboo

Heavenly bamboo is another evergreen plant that provides for seasonal interest. While it’s slow-growing to 3 or 4 feet, the new growth is characterized by fiery red highlights on green older leaves.

If you’re lucky enough to get the flowers in the spring you can get a nice crop of berries in fall and winter. Keep in mind that Heavenly Bamboo can be susceptible to freezing if not protected, so it is best grown in milder winter climates.

Heavenly Bamboo Photo Courtesy of Monrovia, credit Doreen Wynja.

6. Jelena Witch Hazel

Witch hazel is not just a medicinal superhero but also an unusual shrub that adds blazing colour to the winter landscape. Flowers have wild coppery petals with dark eyes that look like pom-poms adorning the bare branches. These flowers are also fragrant, so plant witch hazel near entries and patios where you can enjoy them the most.

5 Winter Garden Flowers to Plant

1. Cornelian Cherry Dogwood

In late winter this dogwood produces showy, small yellow flowers that brighten up an otherwise dreary landscape. You can prune it into an attractive low-branching, multi-stemmed shrub or a small (15 to 20 feet tall) garden tree.

2. Berry Poppins Winterberry

This cousin of holly only reaches 3 to 4 inches tall but it packs a punch with a full set of bright red ornamental berries in the winter. Not only are these berries perfect for cutting and adding to decorative holiday flower arrangements, but they also provide a good food source for winter birds.

3. Winter Jasmine

Winter jasmine is a winter-flowering shrub with bright, lemon-yellow flowers that spill over a wall or a steep slope.

Unsupported it will grow to 4 feet tall and 7 feet wide, but provide a trellis or wall for it to climb up and it will reach heights of up to 15 feet. Its slender, bright green stems make an attractive show in winter.

Winter jasmine Jasminum nudiflorum

4. Royal Star Magnolia

This magnolia is such an early bloomer that it’s characterized as winter interest. Gray limbs, shiny green leaves, and fuzzy flower buds show in winter. The deeply fragrant double white flowers emerge in spring before the foliage.

Magnolias are a good choice to plant where unexpected late freezes can occur as the flowers bloom so early.

Royal Star Magnolia Photo Courtesy of Monrovia, credit Doreen Wynja.

5. Lenten Rose

Hellebores are all the rage in late winter. As they bloom in late winter or early spring they are often called a Christmas Rose or an Easter Rose (depending on when they bloom).

The winter jewels apricot blush hellebore has a gorgeous peachy-apricot shade with dark rose speckling and edges. These large flowers are 3 to 4 inches in width and last for weeks. Plant these in a sunny garden for the best blooms.

Winter Jewels Apricot Blush hellebore Photo Courtesy of Monrovia, credit Doreen Wynja.

Thank you to Monrovia for helping me curate the winter garden plants for this list and providing the beautiful photos.

More Posts to Read:

A city girl who learned to garden and it changed everything. Author, artist, Master Gardener. Better living through plants.

Stephanie Rose

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October 5, 2025
Grow These Perennials for Brilliant Fall-Blooming Flowers

If you have always associated fall with the end of the growing season, you’ve got to give these fall-blooming flowers a try. Keep reading to learn about the fall blooms that will add pretty splashes of colour to your garden this year.

Chrysanthemum flower

I’m always amazed by the fall-blooming flowers in my garden that look so colourful well into autumn. These powerhouse plants have the colour to back up their efforts—they are as brilliant in hue as they are strong in stem.

Fall-blooming flowers provide such a show in the garden for us gardeners, but also are an essential food source for our winged friends, bees, and other pollinators.

Here are the fall-blooming flowers I’ll be talking about today!

Green-eyed susans are a fall-blooming flower.

What Flowers Bloom in the Fall?

I’ve always felt that fall gets a bit shortchanged. People always think of spring when they imagine colourful blooms, but fall has so much more than just muted shades of orange and brown to offer! With a little foresight, your garden will be bursting with colours this season. Here are some of my favourite flowers that bloom in the fall.

Fall Asters (Asteraceae spp.)

Asters are what many people first think of for fall-blooming flowers. They are a huge genus of plants that love full sun and shorter days for prolific blooming. In colder climates, they bloom well into October.

Fall asters can range in height from small 1-foot-tall plants to huge 8-foot-tall monsters! Mostly, you will find a large 3ft spread that runs 3-4ft tall. Shop around for a variety and colour that works best in your garden for a lot of late-season blooms.

There are many different types of asters in a variety of colour palettes.

Hardy Mums (Chrysanthemum morifolium)

You know fall is on the way when the mums are out in front of every shop on the block! Hardy mums overwinter in Zones 5-9 and do well in containers (try planting them in a pumpkin) or in a garden bed.

Their cheerful, bright flowers bloom and bloom and bring a kick of colour to the fall garden. Mums are available in practically every colour imaginable, and they make a lovely addition to any garden space.

To get mums that have been in the garden all summer to produce more flowers in the fall, give them a good cut back in mid-to-late summer and watch them get their second wind. Deadhead flowers as they begin to fade, which will encourage more to appear.

You can learn about how to care for mums and extend their life here!

Mums are prolific bloomers, making them popular choices for containers.

Purple Coneflower (Echinacea purpurea)

Purple coneflower has big, dramatic, purple petals and a large orange center cone. It will begin flowering in June in zones 4-8 and will continue right up until the first frost hits.

After the temperatures drop and purple coneflowers stop producing flowers, the seed heads are very ornamental, and they provide food for local birds to munch on all winter long.

They may be considered a summer bloomer, but if you prune echinacea in the summer, then you will have blooms into fall.

Deadhead echinacea blooms in the summer to keep them blooming into the fall.

Sedum ‘Autumn Joy’

These stunning, sculptural plants will begin to bloom in late summer and continue on well into autumn, as their name suggests. They are hardy and drought-resistant, which is a blessing during the hot, dry days of late summer.

Their foliage is pretty by itself and can be green, burgundy, variegated, or even black. The large clustered flower heads begin green, then turn to pink, and then to a stunning shade of deep red. Harvest the flowers and dry them for a beautiful and lasting dried arrangement.

Sedum are also drought tolerant.

Sneezeweed (Helenium autumnale)

I know, I know, “sneezeweed” doesn’t exactly sound like something you want in your garden, but don’t let the name put you off—this plant actually produces gorgeous fall flowers in variegated hues of red, orange, and yellow. And, no, they don’t make you sneeze, either.

Give them full sun, and these fall-blooming flowers will grow large and yield a ton of beautiful blossoms.

Sneezeweed is known for being a late bloomer, providing plenty of golden hues.

Black-Eyed Susans (Rudbeckia hirta)

These old garden favourites start flowering in the summer and continue well into fall. Black-eyed Susans grow about 18-24” tall and can even become shrub-shaped when thriving. Their golden yellow petals and black or dark brown center cones lend a beautiful contrast to the fall garden.

These flowers require minimal care, making them an easy choice for both beginner and more seasoned gardeners alike. To extend their blooming and increase blooms, deadhead the flowers.

Black-eyed susans are hardy perennials.

Speedwell (Veronica)

Speedwell’s vibrant flower spikes are most commonly a beautiful shade of blue-ish purple, but there are also pink and white varieties. Speedwell likes well-draining soil and will bloom prolifically until the first frost of the season hits. Keep the flowers blooming longer by pinching off any wilted blooms.

It’s worth noting that the Veronica species of Speedwell is edible. It can be used in tea to help alleviate allergies and asthma. The dried flowers can also be added to a lotion or balm to help soothe coughing.

Veronica comes in many hues of purple to indigo.

Honourable Mention: Coral Bells (Heuchera)

Fall-blooming flowers aren’t the only thing you can plant to liven up the autumn garden. Coral bells’ decorative foliage in hues of red, green, purple, pink, yellow, and orange changes colour and gets more intense as the temperature cools.

If you are lucky enough to live in zones 5-9, you can enjoy Heuchera all year long. Plant in sun or shade and enjoy the show!

Plant coral bells in your containers as well!

As you can see, the end of summer doesn’t mean the end of your beautiful garden! Don’t let spring have all the fun this year. Fill your beds with these hardy fall-blooming flowers and give your garden a second wind. You won’t regret it.

More Tips for Fall Gardening

A city girl who learned to garden and it changed everything. Author, artist, Master Gardener. Better living through plants.

Stephanie Rose

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September 16, 2025
Seeds to Plant in the Fall for Next Season’s Blooms – Garden Therapy
Before we can say goodbye to the garden for the year, it’s time to plan for spring. Whether you experience a sunny winter or a snow-covered one, many seeds don’t mind waiting for winter to pass before making an appearance. Scatter these seeds to plant in the fall for a stunning display of blooms next year.

It may feel unnatural to plant seeds in the fall. After all, we’re preparing to put the garden to rest and hoping for a sleepy winter. However, many annuals and perennials also enjoy this cold spell to nestle in the ground for the winter and get a head start next spring.

Just like planting spring bulbs, you can find seeds to plant in the fall to get some extra spring (or summer) blooms.

This list covers some flowers to plant in the fall for both warm and cold climates. If you’ve still got the time and energy to do some more gardening, your spring self will forever be grateful!

Today, I’ll be covering…

Nasturtium can be planted in the fall for warmer climates.

When Should You Plant Fall Seeds

Just like nature, many plants naturally shed their seeds for the fall, survive throughout the winter, and sprout come spring.

The question I always get about plants is when can I plant them? Usually, the answer is vague, like late fall. The reality is that it’s going to be different depending on where you live!

Your best bet is to track frost dates regionally (a local gardening club may be able to help you with that). For fall planting in cold climates, you want to wait until after a killing frost has happened. AKA, nothing has grown since the summer season.

If you plant them too early, they may sprout. We want them to hibernate for the winter and emerge come spring. If you notice fall seedlings outside, mulch over them. This will try to prevent them from freezing.

In warm climates, plant your seeds right before the rainy season begins. Depending on where you live, this typically falls between late fall or early winter (check dates with your local gardening club!).

Plant your poppy seeds in the fall!

How to Plant Fall Seeds

When planting seeds, your best bet is to always read the label. You may notice that some seeds ask you to cold stratify. This is when seeds require a period of extreme cold in order to sprout. All thanks to a thick coating, their outer shell prevents them from breaking and sprouting early.

You can force cold stratification by using your fridge as it mimics winter conditions. But if it asks for cold stratification, this probably means it can be planted in the fall and naturally get its cold fill during the winter.

To plant your seeds, prepare the bed as you normally would any time of the year. Clear all debris and add in a layer of organic compost to give the seeds their best start next spring. Follow the seed packet for light and soil requirements.

Warm Climate Seeds to Plant in the Fall

For these flowers to plant in fall, no freezing is required. This list is ideal for those living in zones 9-11.
1. Morning Glory Ipomoea tricolor — zones 10-11
2. Honeywort Cerinthe — zones 9-10
3. Calendula Calendula — zones 9-11
4. Cosmos — zones 9-10
5. Spider Flower Cleome hassleriana — zones 10-11
6. Standing Cypress Imopsis rubra — zones 6-10
7. Virgina Stocks Mattiola martima — zones 9-11
8. Nasturtium Tropaeolum — zones 7-10
9. Bells of Ireland Moluccella laevis — zones 2-11
10. Sweet Peas Lathyrus odoratus — zones 2-11
11. Love-In-A-Mist Nigella damascene — zones 2-11
12. Purple Chinese Houses Collinsia heterophylla — zones 2-11
13. Baby Blue Eyes Nemophila menziesii — zones 2-11
Calendula often self seeds, and comes up in the spring all on its own!

Cool Climate Seeds to Plant in the Fall

This list covers both annuals and perennials to plant in the fall. These seeds either require cold stratification in order to bloom the following spring or they don’t mind the cold. Some will still grow in warmer zones!
1. Bells of Ireland Moluccella laevis — zones 2-11
2. Cornflower Centaurea cyanus— zones 3-8
3. Blanket Flower Gaillardia — zones 3-10
4. Poppy Papaveraceae — zones 3-8
5. Coneflower Echinacea — zones 3-9
6. Columbine Aquilegea — zones 3-9
7. Sweet Peas Lathyrus odoratus — zones 2-11
8. False Queen Anne’s Lace Ammi majus — zones 3-9
9. Foxglove Digitalis — zones 4-8
10. Sea Holly Eryngium — zones 4-9
11. Tickseed Coreopsis tinctoria — zones 3-9
12. Snapdragon Antirrhinum — zones 8-9
13. Hollyhock Alcea — zones 3-8
14. Black-Eyed Susan Rudbeckia — zones 3-9
15. Forget-Me-Not Myosotis — zones 3-8
16. Penstemon Penestemon — zones 3-8
17. Sweet William Dianthus — zones 3-9
18. Ashy Sunflower Helianthus mollis — zones 4-9 (and other perennial sunflowers)
19. Pansy Viola — zones 5-10
20. Love-In-A-Mist Nigella damascene — zones 2-11
21. Delphinium — zones 3-8
22. Basket of Gold Alyssum Aurinia saxatilis — zones 3-7
23. Chinese Forget-Me-Not Cynoglossum amabile — zones 6-9
24. Common Woolly Sunflower Eriophyllum lanatum —zones 5-8
25. Lunaria Lunaria annua — zones 5-9
26. Bigleaf Lupin Lupinus polyphyllus — zones 3-6
27. Veronica Veronica spicata — zones 4-8
28. Purple Chinese Houses Collinsia heterophylla — zones 2-11
29. Globe Gilia Gilia capitata — zones 7-10
30. Baby’s Breath Gypsophila elegans — zones 3-10
31. Baby Blue Eyes Nemophila menziesii — zones 2-11
Vegetables to Plant in The Fall

Not interested in flowers? Here’s a little bonus of vegetables you can plant in the fall and enjoy next spring and summer. You might as well get the work in now, right!?

Onions, Garlic, and Shallots

All part of the allium family, onions, garlic, and shallots are best planted in the fall due to their long growing season. It isn’t until next summer that you will be able to reap the rewards of your fall planting.

Turnips, Carrots, Radishes, and Beets

These root vegetables don’t mind hanging out in the cold. You may see minimal growth, but they will certainly get a head start come spring. You may even notice a sweeter taste.

Lettuce and Leafy Greens

Did you know you can have fresh greens year-round? By using a cold frame or mini-greenhouse, you can grow lettuce outside throughout the winter.

Broccoli and Cauliflower

In mid to warm climates, you can grow both broccoli and cauliflower to harvest next spring.

Peas

This is another one for an early spring harvest! Peas can also be grown in mild climates during the colder months. Make sure to build a trellis for them to climb on.

FAQ About Fall Planting

Do all plants reseed naturally in the fall?

It’s true that many flowers and plants will go to seed in the fall if left on the plant. However, it doesn’t necessarily mean that they’ll naturalize in your climate. The conditions for summer might be favourable enough to grow the plants, but the fall, winter, or spring might be too cold or wet or even not cold enough!

Follow the path of nature. Some plants may naturalize in your area all on their own. When in doubt, use the instructions that come on the seed package.

What is the easiest plant to grow in the fall?

Just because the weather is cooling down, it doesn’t mean you can’t grow things still. You can actually continue to grow some vegetables that are speedy growers, such as radishes, lettuce, spinach, and turnips. Find a full list of those vegetables here.

I also like to plant bulbs in the fall for the spring, and add in perennials since they’re on sale and can grow a root system in the fall before hibernating for the winter.

What month is the best to plant in fall?

You should always track your suggested last frost date (try this tool). Most plants you want in the ground before it freezes so they have some time to get settled in before the cold hits.

For seeds that you plant in the fall, you actually want to wait until after the frost, as you don’t want the seeds to sprout until the spring. Plant normally, clearing the area and covering it with a layer of soil (but read the seed packet instructions).

When in doubt, the end of October to early November is usually the best time for planting for most places.

Plant tickseed seeds in the fall.

More Fall Gardening Tips and Tricks
Stephanie Rose

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August 28, 2024