Fall remains that time of the year that everyone loves. The weather gets colder, the days become shorter, and the leaves turn to brilliant shades of red, orange, and yellow. However, there’s more to this season than meets the eye. During this time, plants break down and stop making food due to reduced photosynthesis. Simultaneously, these plants reabsorb chlorophyll to conserve energy, making their rich green color disappear.
This is because autumn’s colder temperatures and shorter duration of sunlight are less suitable conditions for growth for many plants. However, there are several plant species that thrive during this change in weather. Now that the cold is settling in, it’s time to pick the right fall annuals and perennials to keep your garden lively. Keep reading to learn about the best plants to plant in fall.
Chrysanthemum
This quintessential fall plant is fondly called mums or chrysanths. It blooms in nearly every shade of the rainbow and is the perfect display for your balcony or terrace. Mums are generally categorized as perennials when they have enough time to establish their roots. You’ll enjoy mums if you plant them at the beginning of autumn, but note that they need extra care to survive through winter.
Kale
Some plants prefer cooler temperatures, and kale is a perfect example. This hardy vegetable is a member of the cabbage family and its green leaves add instant beauty to your autumn garden — plus, it tastes delicious! You’ll find that kale actually becomes sweeter and crunchier in chilly weather. With this vegetable in your backyard there’s no need to shy away from gardening in the cooler months. So, why not grab some kale seeds to plant in the fall for an early harvest?
Sweet Pea
Sweet pea belongs to the family of legumes (Fabaceae) that thrives well in cold frames or greenhouses to overwinter. Generally, sweet peas grow, flower and wither within a year. If you sow this hardy annual in the autumn, you give your mums six months of extra growth. Then, come summer, you’ll have bigger, healthy flowers! For this reason, you’ll find that sweet peas are often named one of the best flowers to plant in the fall. Trust us, you won’t go wrong planting sweet peas while the cold sets in.
Asters
Asters are perennial flowering plants of the family Asteraceae that grow well in fall. These ornamental offerings will brighten up your garden with star-shaped flowers in various colors like pink, dark purple, red, white, and lavender. It’s best to plant Asters about six to eight weeks before the ground freezes. Aside from its beauty, asters attract tons of traveling pollinators on their fall migration with their nectar. Asters do require a bit of patience after planting, as they tend to bloom when most plants fade in the crumbling cold, but we promise it will be worth it!
Get Your Autumn Outdoor Plants at Martin’s Home & Garden
You don’t have to bid your garden farewell in the fall. At Martin’s Home & Garden, we have the best outdoor fall plants to refresh your garden. Visit our nursery near you today to get your fall plants, or shop online to stay green against the winter.
