After a long, hot summer, cooler autumn temperatures can bring much awaited relief and a noticeable time of change in the garden. As the days begin to shorten, ornamental grasses and flowering plants take on new beauty. While perennial flowering plants begin prepping for winter dormancy, there are still endless options to choose from for extended bloom in the fall season.
If you’re growing fall flowers in the Midwest region, it may require some planning, but you’ll be rewarded with a profusion of cool season blooms.
Growing Autumn Flowers
Growing autumn flowers will require some forethought. Among the best candidates for fall blooming flowers are ornamental shrubs and late blooming perennials. Since these plants may require several growing seasons to become established, the creation of beautiful fall ornamental gardens will require patience. Once allowed to mature, shrubs and flowers that bloom in fall can become stunning late season focal points in the landscape.
When planning for fall flowers in the Midwest, consider plants which have highly ornamental foliage, or which produce various types of decorative seed pods or berries.
Perennial wildflowers are also a popular choice for the Midwest fall flower garden due to their late season bloom time and natural hardiness. These perennial flowers may also prove to be effective in attracting native wildlife by providing much needed resources, such as food and shelter.
There are also many annual flowers that bloom in the fall. Growing annual flowers from seed will allow growers to create beautiful spaces while maintaining a budget. Not only are annual plants cost effective, but they also allow for greater diversity among plantings. Midwest fall flower gardens using annuals will need to be planted outside by midsummer in order to ensure bloom at the appropriate time. If you’ve already missed the boat, there’s always next season and it's never too late to start planning.
As the fall foliage begins to change color, so too does the garden’s color palette. For this reason, many growers find themselves naturally drawn to shades of yellow, orange, and red. Growing autumn flowers that naturally occur in these shades can help create lush, colorful fall borders.
Plants for the Midwest Fall Flower Garden