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When summer starts to fade, your garden and containers don’t need to lose their sparkle. Fall is the perfect time to refresh your outdoor spaces with vibrant blooms, textural plants, and festive ornamentals that thrive in cooler weather. Whether you’re sprucing up window boxes, planning a garden refresh, or just want a pop of seasonal color to welcome guests at the front door, there are endless ways to keep things looking lively well into fall.

Annuals for a festive pop of color

Annuals are a smart way to swap out tired summer plantings for crisp, colorful fall displays. Some of our favorites for containers, window boxes, and garden beds include:

• Dahlias: Showstoppers with bold blooms that add instant drama
• Marigolds: Warm golden tones that pair beautifully with festive decor
• Herbs: Rosemary is especially hardy this time of year and doubles as a useful culinary staple
• Celosia: Flame-like plumes that bring texture and rich autumn hues

Perennials That Keep the Garden Glowing

For lasting color that will return year after year, lean on fall-blooming perennials. These varieties shine in cooler temperatures and keep your garden radiant well into October:

• Echinacea: Late blooms that attract pollinators, Minnesota favorite, native varieties
• Heuchera: Vibrant foliage in shades of burgundy, copper, and lime
• Yarrow: Long-lasting clusters in bold colors, native varieties
• Sedum: Succulent foliage and late-season blooms, drought-tolerant
• Heliopsis: Daisy-like flowers in cheerful yellows, native varieties
• Russian Sage: Airy and fragrant, beautiful movement, pollinator magnet

Annual or Perennial?
Fall Favorites That Do Both

Some classics come in both annual and perennial varieties, giving you flexibility depending on your planting goals:

• Mums: An iconic fall choice, available in a rainbow of colors
• Ornamental Grasses: Architectural and textural, perfect for adding movement
• Rudbeckia: Cheerful yellow blooms that brighten any outdoor space, native varieties

Festive Ornamentals for Containers

Looking for something playful? Ornamental peppers and kale are excellent additions to seasonal containers. They’re colorful, hardy, and bring a touch of whimsy to entryways and patios.

Sunnyside Tip: if you plant them in the ground, be sure to spray, spray, spray to keep the bunnies away!

Plant Now for Year-Round Interest

The best gardens don’t just shine in one season—they flow beautifully all year long. Fall is the perfect time to think about layering plants for year-round color, texture, and structure. Our in-store experts are here to guide you through the beautiful options available, from quick container refreshes to your garden reimagined.

And if you’re envisioning something bigger? Our Landscaping & Design and Fine Gardening teams are here to bring your dream yard to life.