Summer to Fall Blooms: Best Flowers to Plant Now

As the summer sun begins to wane, gardeners often find themselves looking ahead to the fall season, wondering which flowers will brighten their landscapes during the cooler months. The key to enjoying vibrant fall blooms lies in selecting the right plants and planting them at the optimal time. In this guide, we'll explore the best flowers to plant in summer for fall blooms, ensuring your garden remains a colorful oasis throughout the year.

Timing is crucial when it comes to planting for fall blooms. The ideal time to plant these flowers is during the late spring or early summer, allowing them enough time to establish strong root systems before the cooler temperatures and shorter days of fall set in. Let's delve into the two main categories of flowers that thrive in fall: cool-season annuals and short-day bulbs.

Cool-Season Annuals

Cool-season annuals are flowers that germinate and grow best in cooler temperatures, typically between 60-75°F (15-24°C). They thrive in the fall and can even tolerate light freezes, making them perfect for extending your garden's bloom time.

These annuals should be planted in well-draining soil with adequate sunlight, preferably in full sun but can tolerate partial shade. They also require consistent moisture, so ensure they receive about an inch of water per week, either from rainfall or manual watering.

Snapdragons

Snapdragons (Antirrhinum majus) are vibrant, tall-growing flowers that come in a variety of colors, including red, pink, white, and yellow. They produce tubular, snap-dragon-like blooms that attract hummingbirds and bees. Plant snapdragons in rows or clusters for a striking visual impact, and enjoy their blooms from late summer to early winter.

To encourage continuous blooming, deadhead spent flowers regularly. Snapdragons grow best in USDA hardiness zones 7-10 but can be grown as annuals in colder regions. They typically reach heights of 1-3 feet (30-90 cm) and prefer well-draining soil with a pH between 6.0 and 7.0.

Pansies and Violas

Pansies (Viola × wittrockiana) and their smaller cousins, violas (Viola cornuta), are cool-season workhorses that produce an abundance of blooms from fall to spring. Their faces come in a variety of colors and patterns, adding a whimsical touch to any garden. Plant pansies and violas in groups or along borders for a colorful display that will last well into the new year.

Pansies and violas prefer cooler temperatures, ideally between 40-65°F (4-18°C), and grow best in partial to full shade. They require consistent moisture and well-draining soil with a pH between 5.5 and 7.0. Both plants are perennial in USDA hardiness zones 6-9 but are often grown as annuals in colder regions.

Short-Day Bulbs

Short-day bulbs are flowers that require a specific number of hours of darkness to initiate blooming. These bulbs should be planted in late summer or early fall, giving them enough time to develop roots and prepare for their fall bloom time.

Plant short-day bulbs in well-draining soil with adequate sunlight, preferably in full sun but can tolerate partial shade. Most bulbs prefer a pH between 6.0 and 7.0, with the exception of crocuses, which prefer a slightly acidic pH between 5.5 and 6.5.

Crocuses

Crocuses (Crocus spp.) are early-blooming bulbs that produce cup-shaped flowers in various colors, including purple, white, and yellow. They are among the first flowers to emerge in the spring, providing a much-needed burst of color after a long winter. However, some species, such as Crocus sativus, bloom in the fall and are perfect for extending your garden's bloom time.

Fall-blooming crocuses prefer cooler temperatures, ideally between 40-50°F (4-10°C), and grow best in USDA hardiness zones 4-8. They require well-draining soil and should be planted 3-4 inches (7.6-10.2 cm) deep, with the pointed end facing up. Crocuses are often used as naturalizing bulbs, spreading and multiplying over time to create beautiful drifts of color.

Colchicums

Colchicums, also known as autumn crocuses, are late-blooming bulbs that produce stunning, large flowers in shades of pink, purple, and white. They are one of the last flowers to bloom in the fall, providing a final burst of color before the first frost. Plant colchicums in groups or along borders for a striking visual impact, and enjoy their blooms from late summer to early winter.

Colchicums prefer full sun to partial shade and grow best in USDA hardiness zones 4-8. They require well-draining soil and should be planted 4-6 inches (10.2-15.2 cm) deep, with the basal plate (the flat part of the bulb) facing down. Colchicums are toxic if ingested, so be cautious when handling and planting these bulbs.

By planting a combination of cool-season annuals and short-day bulbs in your garden this summer, you can enjoy a vibrant and colorful landscape well into the fall and even winter months. With careful selection and proper care, your garden will remain a beautiful oasis throughout the changing seasons. So go ahead, get planting, and watch as your garden transforms into a fall wonderland!