Swanson’s Best Flowers for Fall Gardens in Seattle

Fall in Love with Swanson’s Fall Flower Selection: As summer fades and autumn arrives, it’s the perfect time to revitalize your garden with vibrant fall flowers! Our friends at Swanson’s Nursery (our top plant supplier) have just released their latest blog post, highlighting the top picks to keep your garden stunning all season long.

• Swansons Nursery
• 9701 15th Ave NW, Seattle, WA, 98117, United States
• 206-782-2543
• garden@swansonsnursery.com

Let’s dive in and explore these gorgeous choices!

1. Heather (Calluna vulgaris)

Heather has pretty, colorful flowers that can brighten up your garden even when other plants are finishing their bloom. It stays green all year, which means you can enjoy its beauty even in winter! Plus, it’s easy to take care of and grows well in sandy or peaty soils. This makes it a fantastic choice for gardeners who want a tough plant that doesn’t need much fuss.

• Bloom Time: Late summer to fall
• Description: Heather comes in shades like white, bright pink, and mauve. It also has beautiful fall colors that make it stand out.
• Growing Conditions: Likes sandy, peaty soils with little fertilizer.
• Maintenance Tip: Trim it after blooming to keep it looking bushy.
• Size: Usually grows 4 inches to 3 feet tall and 2 feet wide, depending on the type.
• 12-Month Outlook: Expect beautiful blooms in late summer to fall. It will remain green through winter.
• Light Requirements: Full sun.

2. Aster

Asters add a burst of color to your garden in the fall with their bright purple, blue, pink, and white flowers. They attract bees and butterflies, making your garden livelier and helping the environment. Asters are also great for regions with cool weather because they need less water, which is great if you want to save water.

• Bloom Time: August to November
• Description: Asters are colorful flowers that help attract pollinators, making them great for your garden.
• Growing Conditions: Grows best in well-drained soil and doesn’t need much water.
• Size: Can grow between 1 to 4 feet tall and wide.
• 12-Month Outlook: Blooms will appear from August to November. They will die back in winter but return in spring.
• Light Requirements: Full sun to part shade.

3. Russian Sage (Perovskia atriplicifolia)

Russian sage has a beautiful, airy look with its feathery leaves and lovely lavender flowers. It doesn’t need much water once it’s grown, making it great for gardeners who want a low-maintenance option. This plant blooms for a long time, adding color to your garden well into fall.

• Bloom Time: Mid-summer to fall
• Description: This plant features delicate leaves and tall spikes of lavender flowers that attract bees.
• Growing Conditions: Prefers well-drained soil and sunny spots.
• Maintenance Tip: Cut it back before spring to help it grow well.
• Size: Grows 3 to 4 feet tall and 3 feet wide.
• 12-Month Outlook: Blooms mid-summer to fall. Foliage will die back in winter but will sprout again in spring.
• Light Requirements: Full sun.

4. Chrysanthemum (Mums)

Mums are classic fall flowers that come in many vibrant colors, making any garden cheerful. They bloom for a long time and can thrive in various conditions, which makes them versatile. Plus, they make great cut flowers for beautiful autumn arrangements.

• Bloom Time: Late summer through fall
• Description: Mums offer a variety of colors and long-lasting blooms, perfect for your fall garden.
• Growing Conditions: Needs rich, well-drained soil.
• Size: Ranges from 1 to 2 feet tall and wide, depending on the variety.
• 12-Month Outlook: Blooms late summer through fall. They may die back in winter but can return in spring if mulched.
• Light Requirements: Full sun.

5. Oriental Fountain Grass (Pennisetum orientalis ‘Karley Rose’)

This ornamental grass adds unique texture to your garden with its feathery flowers that sway in the breeze. It has pretty smoky-rose flowers that look lovely in the sunlight. It’s also drought-tolerant, meaning it doesn’t need much water once it’s established, making it a low-maintenance option.

• Bloom Time: June to October
• Description: This grass has dark green leaves and feathery, rose-colored flowers that move with the wind. It’s perfect for urban gardens or large pots.
• Growing Conditions: Likes well-drained soil.
• Size: Grows 3 to 4 feet tall and 2 to 3 feet wide.
• 12-Month Outlook: Blooms from June to October. The grass will die back in winter and regrow in spring.
• Light Requirements: Full sun.

6. Nandina (Gulf Stream)

Nandina is a beautiful shrub that looks great all year round. Its leaves start out orange-scarlet and turn blue-green in summer, with bright red leaves in fall. This tough shrub is resistant to pests and diseases, making it a great low-maintenance choice for busy gardeners.

• Bloom Time: Year-round foliage, with bright red in fall.
• Description: Nandina has vibrant leaves that change color throughout the year, adding beauty to your garden.
• Growing Conditions: Thrives in well-drained soil.
• Size: Can grow between 3 to 8 feet tall and 2 to 6 feet wide.
• 12-Month Outlook: Year-round foliage with vibrant color changes; new growth in spring.
• Light Requirements: Sun to partial shade.

7. Japanese Anemone

Japanese anemones are lovely flowers that bloom in late summer and fall, bringing elegance to your garden. They spread easily and form big clusters, which are great for filling in empty spaces. Once established, they don’t need much care, making them ideal for busy homeowners.

• Bloom Time: Late summer to early fall
• Description: These plants have white or pink flowers and spread over time, making them beautiful additions to any garden.
• Growing Conditions: Likes average to dry soil and doesn’t require much water.
• Size: Grows 2 to 4 feet tall and wide.
• 12-Month Outlook: Blooms late summer to early fall, and will die back in winter.
• Light Requirements: Sun to part shade.

8. Helenium

Helenium flowers are bright and cheerful, featuring gold, orange, and red colors that can brighten any garden. They work well in beds, borders, and pots, and they don’t need much water. Plus, they’re great cut flowers, so you can enjoy their beauty inside your home as well.

• Bloom Time: Mid-summer through fall
• Description: Helenium has bright flowers that stand out in your garden. Remember to cut them back after their first bloom to encourage more flowers in September.
• Growing Conditions: Grows well in average, well-drained soil and doesn’t require much water.
• Size: Ranges from 1 to 2 feet tall and 1.5 to 1.8 feet wide.
• 12-Month Outlook: Blooms mid-summer through fall; foliage will die back in winter.
• Light Requirements: Full sun.

9. Escallonia

This evergreen shrub has shiny green leaves and beautiful deep pink flowers that bloom from June to October. It’s also drought-tolerant once it’s established, which means it can thrive in a variety of conditions while adding color to your garden.

• Bloom Time: June through October
• Description: Escallonia has glossy leaves and long-lasting pink flowers, perfect for adding beauty to any landscape.
• Growing Conditions: Needs well-drained soil and can grow well in different sunlight.
• Size: Typically grows between 2 to 8 feet tall and wide.
• 12-Month Outlook: Blooms from June to October; retains foliage through winter.
• Light Requirements: Full sun to part shade, depending on the type.

Plant Name	Description	Bloom Time	Growing Conditions	Size	Light Requirements
Heather (Calluna vulgaris)	Colorful flowers that stay green year-round. Easy to care for.	Late summer to fall	Sandy, peaty soils	4 inches to 3 feet tall, 2 feet wide	Full sun
Aster	Bright, colorful flowers attracting pollinators. Great for cool regions.	August to November	Well-drained soil, low water	1 to 4 feet tall and wide	Full sun to part shade
Russian Sage (Perovskia atriplicifolia)	Airy, lavender flowers with feathery leaves. Low water requirement.	Mid-summer to fall	Well-drained soil, sunny spots	3 to 4 feet tall, 3 feet wide	Full sun
Chrysanthemum (Mums)	Vibrant fall flowers, great for cut flower arrangements.	Late summer to fall	Rich, well-drained soil	1 to 2 feet tall and wide	Full sun
Oriental Fountain Grass (Pennisetum orientalis ‘Karley Rose’)	Ornamental grass with feathery, rose-colored flowers. Drought-tolerant.	June to October	Well-drained soil	3 to 4 feet tall, 2 to 3 feet wide	Full sun
Nandina (Gulf Stream)	Colorful foliage year-round, changing from orange-scarlet to bright red.	Year-round	Well-drained soil	3 to 8 feet tall, 2 to 6 feet wide	Sun to partial shade
Japanese Anemone	Lovely white or pink flowers, spreads easily, ideal for low-maintenance gardens.	Late summer to early fall	Average to dry soil	2 to 4 feet tall and wide	Sun to part shade
Helenium	Bright gold, orange, and red flowers. Great for beds and borders.	Mid-summer to fall	Average, well-drained soil	1 to 2 feet tall, 1.5 to 1.8 feet wide	Full sun
Escallonia	Evergreen shrub with shiny leaves and deep pink flowers.	June to October	Well-drained soil	2 to 8 feet tall and wide	Full sun to part shade

Fall is here.

These top flower choices for fall will not only make your garden more colorful but also attract helpful insects and provide interest throughout the season. Consider adding these beautiful plants to your garden for a stunning display that lasts into autumn!

For more gardening tips and plant suggestions, be sure to check out Swanson’s full blog post.