If you are looking for the perfect flower to brighten up your garden this autumn, you have probably thought about Alliums, Honey lilies, Pansies, and Strawflowers. These perennials and annuals are perfect for cooler autumn temperatures. Depending on where you live, you can find a variety of these plants and more in your local nursery or garden center. Listed below are some of our favorites. And if you are looking for something a little different, try a new flower every year!
Alliums
Plant alliums in your garden to welcome the fall months. They are versatile plants that can be planted in drifts throughout your borders, in pots, and in a prairie planting scheme. These perennials typically have flowers of purple or other shades of purple. These flowers are a few centimetres wide and can grow to be up to 20cm (8in) in diameter. For best results, plant these plants in the fall, or you might not notice their beauty until the spring.
Alliums grow best in well-drained soil and need a sunny location to thrive. Although they can tolerate partial shade, they don’t do well in soggy soil. Make sure you plant alliums at the recommended spacing and depth before the ground freezes. If you’re planting alliums in pots, make sure to leave plenty of holes for drainage. You can also divide them every three or four years to ensure a constant supply of fresh blooms.
Although alliums are native to northern and central Asia and parts of Europe, they are not commonly grown for their flowers. They were first cultivated by botanists in central and southern Asia. In the late 1800s, they were introduced to Europe. Now, they are widely grown in many parts of the country and make excellent ornamental plants. If you’re looking for a colorful flowering plant this fall, consider alliums.
Honey lilies
Honey bees love lilies for the nectar and pollen they produce. Lilies contain both, so they help honey bees fulfill their energy needs. These beautiful blooms also have a powerful scent that lures honey bees. Some species of honey bee live in holes drilled in wood, but do not produce honey or pollen. While the majority of lilies do not need pollen to reproduce, many are self-pollinating.
This species of lilies has been used for centuries. The Easter Lily has been a key ingredient in the development of many popular hybrids. It is robust, long-lived, and not fussy about soil, which helps it adapt to various growing conditions. It also has trumpet-shaped flowers that are pure white. In fact, the Easter Lily is the plant behind such super hybrids as ‘White American’ and ‘White Heaven’.
This large species of lilies grows 10-12 inches high. Its fragrant flowers are surrounded by small dark spots on their petals. The leaves are bright green. The foliage is very attractive and can be used as cut flowers. ‘Dizzy’ oriental lily is a good choice for containers or outdoor gardens. It is known for its fragrant blooms, making it a popular choice for bouquets.
Pansies
Growing pansies is not difficult. You can purchase seeds in the spring and plant them in your garden, window boxes, and containers. Just be sure to water them regularly, otherwise you may have to deal with leaf and flower diseases. You can also prune off the leggy plant to make more room for blooming pansies. They also need to be fertilized, so if you have a sandy soil, use a balanced liquid fertilizer.
You can enjoy the flower until mid-May when the heat of summer sets in. In the North, pansies can last until mid-June. They are also a good plant for containers, as their blooms last for a long time. If you plan to plant them in your garden, make sure to start fertilizing them now. Blood meal is an excellent fertilizer for pansies. You can also use Covington’s Flower & Garden granules.
Whether you plant pansies as a perennial or annual, they are sure to add color and fragrance to your garden. They are also great edible flowers and are delicious. The blossoms of pansies are edible, so you can enjoy them while you are cooking or eating fresh cuisine. If you have a garden full of pansies, you can eat them, too. You will never miss the sweet fragrance of pansies in your favorite recipe or bouquet.
Strawflowers
One of the best cutting garden flowers, strawflower is also suitable for fall wreaths and bouquets. Its papery blooms give them a luminous quality, and they last forever if dried. They also attract pollinators to your garden. Strawflower seed needs to be planted at least 6 weeks before the last frost in your area. The seeds need light to germinate and must be protected from damp conditions.
To plant strawflowers, sow seeds 6 to eight weeks before the last frost date. They should be sown lightly in the soil, and they need ample light to germinate. Place the seedlings in bright light, under a grow light, for about 16 hours a day. When the temperature reaches the ideal range, transplant the seedlings to the garden. A little fertilizer is sufficient to promote germination.
The seeds of strawflowers are small and difficult to count. When you purchase seeds, look for a packet with at least 45 seeds. The seeds will be quite small, but there are complete instructions included in the packet. Strawflowers need a minimum of six hours of sun to grow well. Helichrysum seeds are drought-tolerant once established. They can also be grown indoors by starting the seeds indoors.
This plant is easy to grow and has a long bloom season. Its petals feel dry and papery, making them useful in DIY crafts. The flowers are best planted in a sunny spot, and their mounding habit will give your garden an attractive appearance. You can plant taller varieties in your garden or in containers, while shorter cultivars are perfect for window boxes and containers. The flowers will look great in containers and in the autumn.
Coneflowers
When choosing a plant, consider your local climate. While most varieties of coneflower are tolerant of drought, they prefer an average amount of moisture. However, they do need one inch of water each week for good growth. In addition, they self-seed, so you won’t need to water them very often after planting. You may want to collect seeds to plant them yourself. Once they bloom, they remain attractive and beautiful for several years.
When planting a variety of coneflowers for fall, remember that they’re best enjoyed as perennials. They require a lot of space but return each spring. While you’re growing your indoors, keep the soil warm and sunny, and water the plant lightly. Make sure to fertilize the plants regularly to ensure a beautiful bloom. Coneflowers are pollinator-friendly and hardy to many growing zones.
In the past, coneflowers were available in a soft white or pink-purple color. These days, plant breeders have developed more unusual coneflower varieties. In addition to pink and white, you can find red, yellow, and orange varieties of this plant. If you don’t have time to plant these perennials yourself, you can divide them and grow them in containers. When planting, make sure the root ball is level with the soil surface. After planting, deadhead the coneflowers regularly to keep them neat and to encourage reblooming. Once they’ve bloomed, leave them through the winter for food for birds, squirrels, and other wildlife. After the winter, prune them back to the ground to prepare for new growth in the spring.
Chinese lanterns
If you are in need of some flowery plants for fall, consider growing Chinese lanterns. Their long, thin roots are easy to propagate. You can cut them just before they are skeletal. After cutting them, make sure to plant them in soil that has the same depth as the roots. Most gardeners recommend starting these plants in containers. In the ground, their roots are rambunctious and aggressive, which can crowd out other plants. Using a container will prevent this.
If you plan to grow them in the ground, they need moist soil and partial shade. Ideally, they need full sunlight, but may need some afternoon shade if you live in a hot climate. They also need well-drained soil. In addition, they need about one inch of rain each week to thrive. In addition, they do not require specific fertilizer, but you can add a mulch around the base of the plants to help retain moisture. Mulch helps to discourage weeds and retain moisture. Lastly, they do not need much fertilizer, but if you want to promote more growth, you can use an all-purpose fertilizer. However, be sure to mulch regularly, as Chinese lantern plants are sensitive to drought, so you may want to give them a chance before committing to a specific compost product.
As a perennial plant, Chinese lanterns grow best in full sun but can tolerate partial shade. Their roots need approximately six hours of sunlight each day. They need well-drained soil and do not require additional fertilizer. They will thrive in a pot or in the ground depending on their environment. And once established, you can move them to larger containers if necessary. In the fall, you should consider harvesting their leaves and trimming them into separate pieces of decorative foliage.
