Unusual Fall Flowers

There's more to fall flowers than just Mums!

 Well, it's happened. The weather forecast for this week includes three frost nights. It's hardly surprising for November but it means the garden flowers are probably toast. I can't complain though. This fall has been glorious for flowers. I don't just mean Mum's and Aster's either. I'm not talking about the bizarre re-blooming of my lilac and the neighbors forsythia either. I mean there have been lots of pretty flowers blooming this fall and YOU can have lovely flowers next year if you try some of these out. 

Perennial Re-bloomers

Many summer perennials will rebloom in the fall if you dead head them thoroughly when they're done the first time. My lavender has been blooming for the last 2 months. Yarrow is another perennial that is still looking lovely outside. Dead heading is crucial though. 

Annuals

This was my first year growing Cup and Saucer Vine and it's thriving. When I planted it, I didn't know it was a fall flower but I don't mind. There are lots of large purple blooms. Marigolds will also to bloom till frost and go so well in an autumn landscape. My husband likes growing Cardinal flower vines on his trellis. They don't bloom till later in the season but still look nice now when his vegetables are all done. 

Zinnias and strawflowers have been blooming continuously since July and they'll keep going till frost. 

Alyssum is a new favorite. Where I live in Central PA, it looks great in Spring, dies back in the heat of summer and then bounds back in the fall. We've had months of blooms from a single pack of seeds. 

Some annuals self seed very readily. My daughters garden has loads of Nasturtiums that volunteered from last year. They look lovely and I've done absolutely nothing to help them along. 

Perennials to wait for

Many shrub roses will continue to bloom till frost.

I love my Trycirtus Flowers. Also, called toad lilies, they won't bloom till October but then they look great all fall. They look like small orchids. 

Many Iris' now come in re-blooming varieties. Mine have been blooming for several weeks. 

So you see, you can have pretty flowers all autumn (or at least till frost). If you want more ideas, go for a walk in your neighborhood and see what looks nice in your neighbors gardens. What's been looking good for you?