6 Must Have Fall Plants for Your Garden

I’ve heard it said that people have adopted one of three hobbies during the pandemic: biking, gardening, and cooking. I fall distinctly in the gardening camp. The best part about this new hobby is that I’m now home to enjoy the results of my labors and my friends can too. So, for the first time ever, when I removed my summer annuals, I replaced them with fall plants and flowers.

Both my screened porch and bedroom overlook my garden so I picked brightly colored fall plants and flowers that would easily be seen. I also incorporated height into the garden through plant stands, planters, and containers so there was visibility from couches, chairs, and while having weekend coffee in bed. Finally, I mindfully selected fall plants and flowers that would look good from September to November. Highly seasonal items like pumpkins and gourds can always be added later.

I am absolutely in love with the results! A big thank you to Pasquesi Home and Garden in Lake Bluff for stocking enormous and healthy fall plants. They’ve made it simple for even a novice like me to have a fall garden that shines. Here are the flowers and sources for my garden elements.

Potted Mums

What is fall without mums? Four gorgeous 13 inch white and orange mums line the path to the patio french doors and make for the most inviting of entrances. Blue is a complementary color that makes other colors including orange pop. Therefore, I sought out these blue and white ceramic planters. I found them on sale at Williams-Sonoma and purchased them in both large and extra large to vary plant heights.

2. Asters

Asters are daisy-like perennials that bloom from late summer into fall. As I discussed in my September color inspiration board, one of my goals this season was to use more blues and purples this month instead of racing to yellows and oranges. These plants fit that bill and make the garden perfect for this transitional month.

3. Pansies

fall flowers and fall plants: multi-colored pansies

How cute are these?!!!! I love the mix of vibrant colors which once again includes September’s blue and purple hues. I used them as a ground covering between plants.

4. Cabbage

These are enormous and a perfect backdrop to brightly colored plants! I selected cabbage that have a purply-green color so they are a neutral but still have depth in color. I also made sure to elevate them on my plant stand to save them from all the cute little bunnies that visit. The plant stand is an antique and was not in the best of shape when I found it. However, a simple coat of bright white paint did the trick. Gardener’s Supply has a somewhat similar stand in black. Just add a coat of white spray paint to get the look.

5. Ornamental Peppers

The great thing about these peppers is that they change from a pale yellow to shades of orange and red over time. With them stealing the show, the neutral cabbages were a must.

6. Rudbeckia

Rudbeckia are like mini-sunflowers and are such a happy topper to my plant stand. They love lots of sunlight which is unfortunate given that my garden is mostly shaded. However, I loved them so much that I pull them out to sit in the sun and then put them back in my planter.

Finish with a Wreath

Because my patio is naturally shaded and has many evergreens for privacy, I like to use flowers at all heights to brighten the area. This wreath I got at Amazon, provided the finishing touch.