Florida Fall Flowers

digitalis (foxglove)

Common foxglove is regarded as a biennial flower. They must be planted from potted nursery plants, which are already in their second year of growth, to make sure the first season blossoms. Foxgloves are relatively effortless plants to thrive in rich, moist soil in partial shade to full sun. Foxgloves come in various sizes and must be distanced accordingly, but generally, it is good to plant them around 2 feet apart.

Petunia

Petunias are a favored winter annual in Florida. Their long flowering span, the wide range of forms and colors available, and how effortlessly they grow to makes them a favorite of gardeners. A few petunias even give out sweet fragrances. While some species have small flowers, only around an inch in diameter, others have flowers as big as 6 inches across. This variation of petunias makes them very adaptable to the landscape. They can be used in containers, for color masses, as a seasonal groundcover, or in hanging baskets.

Shasta Daisy

Shasta daisies have a wildflower appearance and are a great choice for cut flower plantings, container gardens, and butterfly gardens. They are suitable as bedding plants, with appealing foliage that remains green throughout the year. 

Shasta daisy blooms are white in color, around three inches wide, with yellow centers. They open out in early summer, and you can stretch the blooming time by removing the old blooms. The Shasta daisy is a robust perennial that you can grow throughout the state. They do well in full sun but can habituate to partial shade and favor well-drained, moist soil. They can grow up to a few feet in height on their strong stems.

Pansy

Pansies and violas are attractive cold-tolerant annuals that you can plant in the fall to add color. Viola blossoms are small, generally less than an inch wide. On the other hand, Pansy flowers can be two to three inches in breadth. Both come in a variety of colors, including white, red, yellow, purple, and apricot. A few pansy flowers have a single bright color, while others feature a dark center. Some also generate a sweet scent at dusk and dawn.

Viola

Since they are compact plants, violas and pansies are suitable for containers, window boxes, and borders. They are also edible. Plant them in rich, well-drained soil where they will receive ample sun, and water them only as required. Once temperatures warm up, you can have more heat-tolerant plants in their place.

Chrysanthemum

Often shortened to mums, they are herbaceous, easy-to-grow perennials that can survive for years and continue to blossom. Typically these plants grow to be around 6 inches in height, although they can grow 2 feet tall when flowering. Mums develop circular mounds that, when they bloom, simply burst with color. Mums come in a variety of colors as well as flower forms. Garden mums favor full sun and are cold hardy, but can also grow with only morning or afternoon sun. Mums blooming in containers are an excellent way to brighten up a patio, porch, or front door.

Dianthus

Dianthus is a cool-season bedding plant, a type of flower that comprises carnations and “pinks”. Dianthus may be used in containers or borders, and bedding plants when assembled together. In Central Florida, you should wait until October to plant. They will bloom through winter and spring, only ceasing when temperatures rise, often in May. They grow best in full sun to partial shade and favor well-drained, rich soil. Dianthus do not withstand wet soil conditions, so water carefully.

Petunias

Petunias are a favored winter annual in Florida. Their long flowering span, the wide range of forms and colors available, and how effortlessly they grow to makes them a favorite of gardeners. A few petunias even give out sweet fragrances. While some species have small flowers, only around an inch in diameter, others have flowers as big as 6 inches across. This variation of petunias makes them very adaptable to the landscape. They can be used in containers, for color masses, as a seasonal groundcover, or in hanging baskets.

Pansies

Pansy flowers can be two to three inches in breadth. They are available in a variety of colors, including white, red, yellow, purple, and apricot. A few pansy flowers have a single bright color, while others feature a dark center. Some also generate a sweet scent at dusk and dawn.

Snapdragon

Snapdragons vary in size from six inches to three feet in height and come in a rainbow of colors, so you can choose a type that suits your landscape. They grow best in soil amended using organic matter and favor full sun. Snapdragons make amazing borders, and they look pretty when planted in clusters. They are long-lasting cut blooms and can also grow in containers. Accentuate your snapdragons with alyssum and pansies for a cottage garden look. 

Cape Daisy

Cape daisies grow effectively in containers or in the ground. Blooms are at their maximum in late summer to early fall. As they are perennials, Cape daisies will return each year within their hardiness zones. You can take cuttings to grow fresh plants indoors through the winter in colder areas before the first frost. These flowers are relatively low-maintenance when they thrive in an environment they prefer. Ensure they are given ample soil and sun with good drainage. Schedule to fertilize and water frequently throughout the thriving season (spring to fall). 

Alyssum

Alyssum is a low-growing annual. It develops in a mounding form to around 12 inches in height and breadth. You can plant it in your garden or use it in a container. Groups of tiny pink, white, or purple flowers blossom continuously from winter through spring. Alyssum does best when planted in an area that has well-drained soil and gets full sun, but it can tolerate a little shade. Plants must be fertilized and watered regularly for maximum flowering.

Impatiens

Impatiens are common as a bedding plant across the state of Florida. It provides dazzling, highly appealing colors in orange, bright red, pink, and white colors that allure butterflies and appear amazing when planted in borders, containers, or hanging baskets. Impatiens require well-drained, moist soil. In South Florida, plant impatiens from October to April to enjoy almost year-round color.

Dianthus

Dianthus is a cool-season bedding plant, a type of flower that comprises carnations and “pinks”. Dianthus may be used in containers or borders, and bedding plants when assembled together. In South Florida, you should wait until October to plant. They will bloom through winter and spring, only ceasing when temperatures rise, often in May. They grow best in full sun to partial shade and favor well-drained, rich soil. Dianthus do not withstand wet soil conditions, so water carefully.

Alyssum

Alyssum is a low-growing annual. It develops in a mounding form to around 12 inches in height and breadth. You can plant it in your garden or use it in a container. Groups of tiny pink, white, or purple flowers blossom continuously from winter through spring. Alyssum does best when planted in an area that has well-drained soil and gets full sun, but it can tolerate a little shade. Plants must be fertilized and watered regularly for maximum flowering.

Strawflower

Strawflower blossoms will incorporate striking colors into your landscape and craft similar projects. Strawflowers look like daisies with a streak of petals around a central disk. However, unlike daisies, the petals are papery and stiff. After the last frost date, plant strawflowers in your region. Frequent deadheading of the plant will keep the flowers blooming through the thriving season. Strawflowers grow in full sun, although they can bear partial shade. Rocky and sandy soils with a slightly acidic to neutral pH (5.5 to 6.5) are favored over heavy and rich soils, but any soil can work as long as it offers great drainage.

Cape Daisy

Cape daisies grow effectively in containers or in the ground. Blooms are at their maximum in late summer to early fall. As they are perennials, Cape daisies will return each year within their hardiness zones. You can take cuttings to grow fresh plants indoors through the winter in colder areas before the first frost. These flowers are relatively low-maintenance when they thrive in an environment they prefer. Ensure they are given ample soil and sun with good drainage. Schedule to fertilize and water frequently throughout the thriving season (spring to fall).