If we’re lucky, October days are crisp and sunny with just enough rainfall to keep everything green and thriving. No matter whether it’s drizzly or sunny, fall color is at its peak this month. Although most of the summer annuals have stopped blooming, fall flowers and stunning foliage take their place and keep color and interest in the garden. Here are a few of our favorites for the fall.
Chrysanthemum
Chrysanthemums (or mums, as they are commonly called) are the quintessential fall flower. These lovely, multi-petaled flowers come in a wide variety of colors and bloom from late summer through fall. Mums make a great cut flower as well. Mums are generally treated as annuals (that is, they are not expected to survive and rebloom the following year).
Full sun
Rich, well-drained soil
12"-24" tall and wide, depending on variety
Blooms late summer through fall
Garlic
You might not think of planting garlic in the fall, but this crop needs lots of time to grow. Plant individual cloves pointed-side up October-early November for a harvest next summer (garlic will overwinter and then sprout in the spring). Hardneck types have a robust flavor and larger cloves while softneck types are ideal for braiding and have more, smaller cloves. Learn more about growing garlic.
Full sun to part shade
Fertile, well-draining soil
Plant cloves 6”-8” apart
Pheasant Tail Grass (Anemanthele lessoniana)
This semi-evergreen grass is beautiful in the fall garden with it’s arching foliage that gently sways in the breeze and offers a mix of green, bronze, and golden tones. It’s a tough and fast-growing plant that is drought and deer tolerant. It also won the Award of Garden Merit of the Royal Horticultural Society! Pheasant tail grass can reseed if seed heads are left on the plant. To avoid this, removing flower heads before they go to seed.
Full sun
Well-drained soil
13”-24” tall and 12”-18” wide
Mugo Pine
Mugo Pines are multi-branched conifers with compact and tidy habits. Dwarf varieties generally stay under 5’-6’ tall and wide. These lovely evergreens add interest throughout the year with dense needles in rich green or gold. Drought tolerant and incredibly hardy. A great foundation plant!
Full sun
Well-drained
Size depends on variety
Blueberries
Who doesn’t love blueberries? Of course, you would expect to see them on a list of top summer picks, when their juicy berries are ready for harvest. But blueberries serve a different function in the fall when many varieties’ foliage turns to vibrant hues of yellow, orange, red, and burgundy. Learn more about growing berries in the PNW.
Full sun
Well-drained, acidic soil
12”-6’ tall and 2’-5’ wide, depending on variety
Ornamental Cabbage and Kale
Ornamental cabbage and kale are excellent for adding color in the fall garden. Try replacing annuals that have finished blooming with mass plantings of these attractive foliage plants. They also do well in containers, either alone or mixed with other fall perennials and annuals.
Full sun
Rich, well-drained soil
8”-24” tall and wide, depending on variety
Evergreen Ferns
Evergreen ferns keep the garden green all year long with their beautiful, arching fronds. The Tassel Fern, seen above, is one of the most elegant evergreen ferns, with glossy green, lacy fronds and furry brown stems. Trim off any damaged fronds at the end of winter and watch for new spring growth!
Part shade to shade
Rich, moist soil
8'-4' tall and wide, depending on variety
Japanese Sedge (Carex oshimensis)
Evergreen grasses are a great staple in fall and winter. Japanese Sedge forms symmetrical, cascading mounds when mature and looks outstanding with ferns and hostas in a shady garden Some cultivars do well in sun if sufficiently watered. Try a variegated variety or a bronze-leaved variety for extra drama.
Part shade to shade
Average soil
12”-15” tall and 18”-24” wide
Updated for 2023.