Brighten Up Your Garden with Fall-Flowering Shrubs

September 11, 2024

As the days grow shorter and cooler, many gardeners might think their blooming season is coming to an end. But with the right selection of fall-flowering shrubs, your garden can continue to sparkle with color well into autumn! Here are some of the most spectacular reblooming shrubs to consider for a vibrant fall garden.

1. Sonic Bloom® Series of Weigelas

From Proven Winners, the Sonic Bloom® series of weigelas is known for its stunning display of color throughout the growing season. These beauties burst into bloom in late spring and continue to rebloom all the way through fall. Available in shades of red, pink, and pearl, these shrubs offer a consistent flush of vibrant color that can enhance any garden border or landscape. Plus, they’re loved by pollinators, making them a great choice for wildlife-friendly gardens.

2. Bloomerang® Series of Lilacs

Forget the idea that lilacs are only for spring! The Bloomerang® series of lilacs from Proven Winners offers a fragrant show in spring, followed by a second bloom cycle in late summer and into fall. The series includes a wide array of varieties, such as Bloomerang Dark Purple, Bloomerang Dwarf Purple, Ballet, PurPink, Dwarf Pink, and Pink Perfume. These lilacs give you the charm and fragrance of traditional lilacs with the bonus of extended bloom time.

3. October Magic® Camellias

For gardeners in regions where camellias are hardy, the October Magic® series from Southern Living is a must-have. These camellias are specifically bred for fall blooming, and their elegant, rose-like flowers add a classic touch to autumn gardens. With shades of pink, white, and red, these shrubs are perfect for providing a late-season pop of color. Camellias also make fantastic cut flowers for indoor arrangements!

4. Encore® Azaleas

Known for their ability to rebloom, Encore® Azaleas from PDSI are beloved for their repeat performance throughout the year. With a wide variety of colors to choose from—such as pinks, reds, purples, and whites—these azaleas begin blooming in spring and then provide additional bursts of color through summer and fall. You can also explore newer reblooming azalea series from Proven Winners and Bloomin’ Easy, which are great options for more vibrant fall displays.

5. Butterfly Bushes (Buddleia)

Butterfly bushes are the perfect perennial shrub for extending your garden’s bloom season. These hardy plants typically flower all the way through to frost, attracting butterflies, hummingbirds, and other pollinators to your yard. The fragrant, cone-shaped blooms come in a variety of colors, from deep purples to bright pinks and whites, and their long bloom time ensures you’ll enjoy color even as fall settles in.

6. Heptacodium miconioides (Seven-Son Flower)

An often-overlooked gem, Heptacodium miconioides or Seven-Son Flower, is a late-summer bloomer that brings an extra element of beauty into fall. Its delicate white flowers bloom in late summer, but the real show begins as the flowers fade and their pink-red calyces remain, providing a striking display well into autumn. This large shrub (or small tree) adds height and interest to the landscape and is an excellent choice for fall foliage lovers.

7. Reblooming Hydrangeas

When it comes to hydrangeas, the reblooming varieties, primarily Hydrangea macrophylla and Hydrangea serrata, offer a fantastic show in fall. Look for varieties from Proven Winners, First Editions, and PDSI that are known for their extended blooming periods. Endless Summer®, Let’s Dance®, and other reblooming series can give you beautiful blooms from late spring through early fall, adding bold blues, purples, and pinks to your autumn garden.

8. Continuous-Blooming Roses

There are countless varieties of roses that will keep blooming right through to the first frost, ensuring a stunning show in your garden during fall. From hybrid teas to floribundas and even some shrub roses, continuous-blooming roses like Knock Out®, Drift®, and Oso Easy® provide consistent color with minimal care. Their versatility makes them a fantastic option for both formal and informal garden designs.

Don’t let your garden lose its charm as summer fades! By incorporating reblooming shrubs, your outdoor space can remain colorful and lively right through fall. Whether you’re drawn to the fiery reds of Sonic Bloom weigelas or the timeless elegance of Encore azaleas, there’s a perfect reblooming shrub for every garden. So, get planting, and enjoy a fall full of vibrant blooms!