The 10 Best Plants for Autumn Gardens

It's finally autumn; by this time, you may be thinking about ways to spruce up your fall garden. While many plants go dormant in the cooler months, there are still plenty of options for keeping your garden looking beautiful throughout the fall. Here are 10 of the best plants for autumn gardens.

1. Mums are a fall classic. They come in various colors and bloom from mid-summer until the first frost. They're also relatively easy to care for, making them an excellent option for beginners. Just be sure to plant them in an area that receives full sun.

2. Asters bloom in late summer and early fall. They come in various colors: white, pink, blue, and purple. Asters prefer full sun but can also tolerate partial shade.

3. Sedum is a succulent that comes in many colors, including green, yellow, pink, and red. Sedum is a low-maintenance plant that can survive in both full sun and partial shade. It's also tolerant of drought conditions, making it a great choice for gardens in dry climates.

4. Ornamental grasses add texture and height to any garden. There are wide varieties, including tall grasses like pampas grass and Miscanthus Sinensis (Chinese silver grass) or shorter grasses like Imperata Cylindrica (Japanese blood grass).

5. Pumpkins are a must-have for any autumn garden. They come in all shapes and sizes, so you're sure to find one that fits your space requirements. Pumpkins prefer full sun but can also tolerate partial shade. If you live in an area with hot summers, you may want to plant your pumpkins in June or July, so they have time to mature before the weather gets too hot.

6. Cabbage is a cool-weather vegetable that does well in autumn gardens, with different varieties, including green cabbage, red cabbage, and Savoy cabbage. Cabbage prefers full sun but will also tolerate partial shade.

7. Kale is another cool-weather vegetable that thrives in autumn gardens. Again, you can find different varieties, like curly kale and Russian kale. Kale prefers full sun but can also tolerate partial shade.

8. Carrots are a cool-weather root vegetable that does well in autumn gardens. You may come across the Nantes and Amsterdam carrots variety.

9. Beetroots are another cool-weather root vegetable that thrives in autumn gardens. Varieties include Detroit Dark Red beetroots and Chioggia beetroots.

10. Onions are cool-weather vegetables that do well in autumn gardens. There are white onions, yellow onions, and sweet onions to choose from. Depending on the variety, these onions can be planted as early as February or as late as August. However, most onions take about 100 days to mature, so if you plant them in August, make sure you select a fast-maturing variety. Otherwise, your onions may not be ready for harvest until after the first frost. When choosing an onion variety, remember that each type has its flavor profile, so select one based on how you plan to use it.

These 10 plants are perfect for adding color and life to your garden this autumn! From pretty flowers to delicious vegetables, there's something here for everyone. So get out there and start planting! Reach us at Medford Landscape Design. Your perfect fall garden is just a few seeds and a call away!

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