25 Plants and Trees for Winning Fall Color

When designing a garden for fall color, select plants that will strut their stuff at different times in the season to keep the show going strong. Many plants selected for fall color will start their show in late summer before taking center stage in autumn. Consider a mix of trees, shrubs, perennials, annuals and grasses — like the flowy fountain grasses shown here — for a true range of seasonal color and texture.

Helenium autumnale is also known as sneezeweed. It’s a full-sun perennial that starts blooming in late summer and continues through early fall. It makes a great opening act for an autumn display. Helenium is a native plant, and Mariachi 'Salsa' is a shorter variety, topping out at 18 to 20 inches. Its blossoms open in traditional fall hues of orange, red and gold. Hardy in Zones 3-9.

If you love spring crocus, check out its fall flowering cousin, autumn crocus (Colchicum autumnale). Actually a lily, this plant grows leaves in spring that die back in early summer. Blooms open in early to mid-fall when no leaves are present. Autumn crocus does best in full sun to part shade and grows 7 to 12 inches tall. Plant these crocus bulbs in mid to late summer, tucking them among hardy geraniums, creeping thyme, ajuga or hardy vinca — plants that can help hide the dying leaves in early summer. Hardy in Zones 4-8.

Asters bring the color in early fall, opening blossoms in many hues, including pink, purple, red and rose. New England aster is a native plant, often found growing in meadows. 'Pink Crush' is a newer variety that helps tame the height of the native plant, which tends to grow so tall it flops. This variety glows with bright pink flowers that literally cover the 20- to 24-inch-tall plant. Plant it in full sun. Hardy in Zones 3-8.