Crisp air, apple cider and pumpkin spice are just a few of the reasons we love Autumn. Just like how some love pumpkin spice, pumpkin décor and a good fall bouquet, pollinators love certain fall flowers.
You may have seen some of these fall blooming flowers before, but did you know these late-bloomers offer so much for your garden? Not only are these flowers in season in October, but they also attract and support butterflies, bees, and a wide range of other pollinators.
Fall flowering annuals and perennials provide nectar for beneficial insects. Across a large part of the country, native plants such as asters and goldenrod account for much of the fall nectar flow. However, there are fall garden plants and flowers you can add to your own garden to help support pollinators.
Best fall-blooming flowers that look good & help pollinators
Check out this list of fall flowers that keep the garden buzzing with life well into the autumn and consider adding some to your landscape.
1. Goldenrod
Just like fall leaves, yellow goldenrod blossoms are a sign of fall. Popular in meadows and wildflower gardens alike, goldenrod, or solidago, is drought tolerant and hardy in USDA Zones 4 to 9*.
2. Purple aster
The dainty lilac petals of the purple aster are an abundant food source for a variety of butterflies, bees, and other wildlife. They are drought tolerant, grow 2-3’ tall in sun and part shade, and hardy in USDA Zones 4 to 9*, and work beautifully in fall flower arrangements.
3. Sunflowers
Fall blooming sunflowers like "Moon Shadow" and "Van Gogh" are favorites for birds and bees alike. Bonus points for the fall perennial "Maximilian" sunflower, whose height makes it perfect for the back of a garden, borders, or screens. Plus, these sunflowers look amazing in a fall flower bouquet. They are drought tolerant, grow 5-8’ tall, enjoy full sun, and are hardy in USDA Zones 3 to 9*.
4. Lantana
These fall-blooming flowers are annuals that add pops of bright red, orange, and yellow color to gardens. These beauties are popular with all pollinators, especially butterflies, are hardy in USDA Zones 3 to 9*, and can grow 2’ tall in full sun.
5. Chrysanthemums
Mums add a warm fall color and extend the gardening season due to their tolerance of the cold. Our pumpkin mum plant in a beautiful wooden planter spreads fall charm instantly. Mums are hardy in USDA Zones 3-9* and can be planted outside once the blooms have expired.
*USDA Plant Hardiness Zones are the standard by which gardeners can determine which plants are most likely to thrive in a location. The map is based on the average annual minimum winter temperature, divided into 10-degree F zones. To learn more visit https://planthardiness.ars.usda.gov.
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