As the weather cools down and the leaves begin to change color, you may be thinking that your gardening days are behind you. However, there are actually a number of flowers that thrive when planted in October. Here are 15 flowers that you can plant this month for a burst of color in your garden.
Pansies
Pansies are one of the most popular flowers to plant in the fall. They come in a wide range of colors, including purple, blue, yellow, and white. Pansies are relatively easy to care for and can withstand cooler temperatures, and they make a great addition to any fall flower bed.
Mums
Mums are another type of flower that does well in the cooler months. Like pansies, they come in a wide variety of colors. They’re also relatively low-maintenance and can tolerate frosty weather. Mums make a great addition to any fall garden.
Tulips
Tulips are a classic spring flower, but did you know that you can also plant them in the fall? Tulips require a period of dormancy before they bloom, so planting them in October ensures that they’ll be ready to take center stage come springtime. Just be sure to plant them in an area that gets full sun and has well-drained soil.
Echinacea
Echinacea, more commonly known as coneflowers, are perfect for adding some color to your garden in the fall. They come in shades of pink, purple, red, and yellow and make a beautiful addition to any flower bed or border. Coneflowers are also attractive to bees and butterflies, making them a great choice if you’re looking to attract pollinators to your garden.
Daffodils
Daffodils are one of the first flowers to bloom in the spring, but did you know that you can plant them in the fall? Daffodils require cool temperatures during their dormancy period, so planting them in October ensures that they’ll be ready to bloom come springtime. Planting daffodils is also a great way to add some color to your garden during the late winter months.
Sedum
Sedum is a versatile flowering plant that comes in many different colors and varieties. A favorite among gardeners, sedum is easy to care for and requires little water once it’s established. If you’re looking for a tough plant that can withstand colder temperatures, sedum is a great option.
Asters
Asters are another great choice for an October garden. These beautiful flowers come in a variety of colors, including pink, purple, blue, and white. Asters bloom late in the season and are a welcomed addition to any fall garden.
Sweet Peas
Sweet peas are an old-fashioned favorite that has been grown in gardens for centuries. These fragrant flowers come in many different colors and have a delicate appearance. Sweet peas are best planted in the spring, but if you get them started early enough they will bloom in the late fall as well.
Crocuses
Crocuses are one of the first flowers to bloom in the spring, but did you know that there are also varieties that bloom in the fall? These pretty flowers come in many different colors, including yellow, purple, white, and pink. Planting crocuses in October will give your garden a splash of color when the weather starts to cool down.
Cosmos
Cosmos are a colorful flower that is perfect for adding height to your fall garden. These annuals can grow up to three feet tall and come in many different colors, including pink, red, orange, and white. Cosmos is also a favorite among pollinators like bees and butterflies.
Lilac
Lilacs are one of the first flowers to bloom in the spring, making them a welcome sight after a long winter. They come in a variety of colors including white, purple, pink, and blue. Lilacs grow best in full sun and well-drained soil.
Iris
Irises are a classic spring flower with showy blooms in shades of purple, yellow, blue, and white. They grow best in full sun to partial shade and well-drained soil. Add some organic matter to the soil before planting and fertilize in early spring. Irises will bloom for several weeks in May or June.
Allium cepa
Commonly known as onion flowers, allium cepa blooms in summer with large, showy balls of pink or white flowers atop tall stems. They grow best in full sun and rich, well-drained soil. Allium cepa is an annual flower, which means it will only last one growing season. However, if you let the bulbs dry after flowering and store them over winter, you can replant them for another season of blooms.
Hellebores
Hellebores are one of the longest-blooming flowers with large blossoms that appear in shades of white, pink, purple, or green from late winter to early spring. They grow best in partial shade and moist but well-drained soil.
Flowering Cherry Tree
Not technically a flower, cherry trees are covered in beautiful blossoms for a few weeks each spring before their foliage emerges. Flowering cherry trees come in a variety of sizes from dwarf varieties that only grow to 6 feet tall to larger varieties that can reach up to 40 feet tall at maturity.
