Looking to put together the perfect centerpiece for a fall dinner party? Wondering what to plant to elevate your outdoor space this autumn? Don’t worry, we have you covered! We asked experts from all over the country to weigh in on this season’s best florals for all spaces – indoor and outdoor! So whether you just moved into a rental home in Spokane, WA, are apartment hunting in Kansas City, MO, or have lived in your home in Lexington, KY for years, you’re sure at least one bloom you can’t wait to show off!
1. Chrysanthemums
Chrysanthemums, mums for short, are some of the most popular blooms of the fall season and come in a variety of colors. These flowers are perfect for embracing this season’s colors. “Their bold colors and textures create the perfect cozy vibe, making your home feel like an extension of the fall landscape,” says The Flower Bar owner Nancy White.
If you’re unsure what color to go with, Texas State Florists’ Association president Ed Fimbel recommends bronze chrysanthemums. If you are featuring in an arrangement, keep it simple with just mums and a few fall leaves to highlight the vibrant florals. Ed also suggests “Plac[ing] them in a fall-toned basket, with a liner of course, or in a decorative container that complements the decor.”
While you can purchase a few stems for a vase or place them in a pot, we recommend planting them in the ground if possible. The consistent growing space will allow the mums to last longer throughout the season.
photo courtesy of The Flower Bar
2. Ornamental grasses
Although not technically a flower, don’t forget about varietals. For example, stalks of fountain grass can add a great deal of dimension to an arrangement.
Little Flower Shop’s events manager Ellen Kyle recommends taking out your clippers and walking around the neighborhood for these pieces. “Hunt for ‘seasonal weeds’; goldenrod, native asters, yellowing ferns, dried thistle pods, crispy grasses, and the tops of wild fennel are all perfect materials,” suggests Ellen. “Fall foliage, bay laurel, olive, and eucalyptus will forever add sophistication to your designs. Always be thinking in contrast… something lush vs a touch of something dried, a tall accent offset with a shorter focal element, bold and bright color vs soft texture….and you can’t go wrong!” she continues.
If you are looking for something more permanent, varietals like fescue, fountain grass, and big bluestem are great choices. Perfect for when the weather gets even chillier, these tall plants are sure to add interest and depth to your outdoor space this season.
photo courtesy of Little Flower Shop
3. Celosia
Celosia are gorgeous woolflowers that come in a variety of styles and colors. “[M]eaning ‘burning’ in Greek, [they are] known for [their] fiery bold colors that would illuminate any room or garden,” says Riverview Florist’s Kayla Ward. Their shop and others love these blooms “as a fall-floral flare of color that pairs exquisitely with other seasonal flowers.”
If you’re looking to plant celosia, they can provide a fullness and consistent presence anywhere they’re planted – especially the red and purple cockscomb variants. In your garden, they can also “bring many benefits, such as attracting vital pollinators like bees and butterflies, which ensure happy, healthy, and blooming plants,” notes Kayla. Celosia can even last up to two and a half months, just make sure you keep them in bright light and make sure the water is drained regularly.
4. Sumac
Did you know there are more than thirty different types of sumac? Since you may still have nightmares of that camping trip where you spent the rest of the summer covered under a layer of calamine lotion, we recommend focusing on the rhus coriaria type.
These tight red flowers are indeed beautiful, but just be careful how much of them you plant. A little can go a long way as their tough and fibrous stems will regrow if you accidentally run over them with a lawnmower. And if you have any four-legged friends, make sure they don’t nibble on these flowers as it could make them sick.
5. Sunflowers
“If fall tone color flowers are your favorite then you’re in luck! Flower growers and nature have blessed us with fragrant colorful flowers like sunflowers,” says Woods Flowers owner Carol Hajda.
It wouldn’t be an article about fall florals without the mention of sunflowers! These big brightly colored buds are truly some of the happiest around. “Native to North America and Mexico, they are said to convey positive emotions of happiness and friendship,” says Elvis Reynoso, owner of Flower Power. They also “symbolize adoration, longevity, and loyalty,” adds Carol.
While you can grow these in a large flower pot, there are small varieties like the perennial sunflower available. Better for smaller spaces and easier for upkeep, this variation still has the same vibrant yellow color you love!
However, did you know sunflowers come in several colors like red and purple? Elvis recommends mixing the colors for a beautiful fall arrangement. To enjoy your arrangement even longer, Trim the stems daily and add to fresh cool water,” suggests Elvis.
6. Fruits and vegetables
Also not exactly a flower (well, are they? anyway…), consider adding fruits and vegetables to your arrangements this season. “Adding fresh produce such as apples or artichoke heads to your floral centerpieces, elevates your designs and brings a touch of autumnal whimsy to your home,” says Texas Floral Design’s head of design Amanda Moore. “An easy way to do this is by purchasing some food-safe dowel rods to stick in the fruits or veggies of your choice. Then you can easily mix them in with your flower stems to create gorgeous, textured designs,” continues Amanda.
While adding fruits and veggies to an arrangement makes the perfect centerpiece, what about the garden? Consider ornamental kale this autumn season! Not only will kale survive a cold and gray winter, but the green and purple hues will remain a colorful part of your front lawn long after the holidays are over. Kale is also great if you don’t have the greenest of thumbs as the plant is extremely strong. Actually, the plant thrives in cold weather so the later you plant it, the more colorful it will be.
photo courtesy of Texas Floral Design
7. Goldenrod
Known for its tall and feathery flower spikes, goldenrod will add a pop of bright yellow to any outdoor space. Often found in meadows and along roadsides, goldenrod thrives in a variety of soils and conditions, making it a great choice for gardeners of all levels. You can plant goldenrod in cute pots sprinkled throughout your landscape or opt to have them border your front door. Blooming at the tail end of the season, you’re sure to fall in love (get it?) with these beautiful yellow flowers.
8. New York aster
Although often confused with daisies, New York asters start to open up in late summer and will continue to bloom through the fall season. These lovely flowers come in variety of purples, pinks, whites, and blues – perfect for any arrangement.
Our Little Flower owner Kerstyn Tottenham recommends drying florals, like asters, hydrangeas, and maple leaves, this season for some stunning fall decor. “Preserve their colors by hanging them upside down in a dark room for a few days. After that, you can create DIY wreath arrangements, or holiday centerpieces that truly capture the season in all its beauty,” says Kerstyn.
If you are looking to have asters in your outdoor space, they do well in pots. Although they do tend to creep into the garden, consider pinching them in order to encourage solid mounds of gorgeous blooms.
photo courtesy of Our Little Flower
9. Dahlias
Dahlias are an autumn must! In the same family as sunflowers and chrysanthemums, these flowers have an herbaceous scent that would be a welcome addition in any garden. Although dahlias don’t do well in colder climates, or any sub-zero temperatures, they go into hibernation mode instead of dying. For best results, dahlias grow best in well-lit and well-drained gardens in higher altitudes.
If you’re looking to make an autumn arrangement with dahlias, consider velvety ones. The deep shades of burgundy are sure to make your arrangement scream fall. Andes Florist suggests embracing these high-end florals by pairing them with “autumn foliage for a refined seasonal statement.” For example, opt to arrange your burgundy dahlias with “bronze chrysanthemums, lilies, and a variety of crimson and orange leaves adorned with eucalyptus [to] create a festive fall feel,” says Andrea Vela, owner of Cameron Park Florist. As for the vessel, opt for a “classic ceramic vase or cascading in a chic outdoor planter [to] effortlessly capture the warmth and elegance of fall,” suggests Andes Florist.
photo courtesy of Cameron Park Florist
10. Berzillia
These delicate (dare we say demure) booms will bring a touch of elegance to either your autumn floral arrangement or home garden. These small clusters come in stunning shades of pink, white, and lavender, adding lovely contrast against the fall foliage.
Berzillia, along with scabiosa pods and brown amaranthus, will also add some great texture to any arrangement, notes Elan Flowers co-owner Christine Hall. She especially recommends combining these blooms with “fluffy antique hydrangeas, soft dahlias, or zinnias, and accented with a fragrant green like rosemary.” As for the rest of the tablescape, “Use unconventional containers like vintage pots or lined wooden boxes to hold your centerpieces, bundle some fragrant blooms for a lovely napkin treatment, and finish your table’s look with some scattered mini white pumpkins and a variety of candles in brass candlesticks,” suggests Christine.
If you’re opting to plant berzillia this season, this plant does best in well-drained soil and full sun. With a long blooming period, berzillia will ensure that your garden remains colorful even as temperatures begin to drop.
photo courtesy of Elan Flowers
Final fall floral notes
One of the easiest ways to make an arrangement or garden notably fall, is by sticking to the season’s classic colors. Think warm oranges, reds, and browns, and don’t forget to add layers of contrast and texture as well.
Florals are such a great way to add to your fall aesthetic and can even have a variety of benefits. “The beauty and fragrance of fresh flowers can help to create a calming and peaceful environment bringing a welcoming burst of color during the dark autumn evenings and keep homes feeling cheerful making it the perfect addition to any home,” says Benny’s Florist & Greenhouse owner Melinda Kreidler.
Regardless of which flowers you choose, remember to have fun and be creative. Your arrangement and garden are yours and should be a reflection of you. The buds, grasses, or fruits you choose to feature should represent your personality, preferences, and what you love most about this season.
