Fall isn’t the end of the garden season, it’s a chance to reimagine your outdoor space with rich color, bold texture, and hardy plants that thrive in cooler weather. Whether you’re filling containers, refreshing garden beds, or decorating your porch, fall annuals are the secret to a vibrant finish. Your knowledgeable friends at B.B. Barns are happy to help you with this quick and easy guide!
Featured Fall Favorites in Asheville, NC
Mums (Chrysanthemums)
- Sun: Full sun (6+ hours/day)
- Water: Keep soil consistently moist
- Tips: Great for pots or in-ground. Remove spent blooms to keep color coming. Mix colors for contrast or go monochromatic for drama.
Ornamental Kale & Cabbage
- Sun: Full sun to part shade
- Water: Moderate; avoid soggy soil
- Tips: Colors intensify with cooler temperatures. Add bold texture to containers or use as a border plant.
Ornamental Mustard
- Sun: Full sun to light shade
- Water: Regular watering, especially in containers
- Tips: Adds deep burgundy or lime-green foliage to planters. Pairs well with both flowering and leafy companions.
Pansies & Violas
- Sun: Full sun to part shade
- Water: Keep soil moist, but well-drained
- Tips: These cool-season bloomers can last into winter. Deadhead to encourage more flowers. Violas are more cold-tolerant and bloom longer.
Purple Fountain Grass
- Sun: Full sun
- Water: Drought tolerant once established
- Tips: Adds height, motion, and deep color. A striking accent in containers or beds. Not winter-hardy, so treat as an annual or overwinter indoors in milder climates.
Designing with Fall Annuals
Color Combos That Work
- Gold mums + purple kale + burgundy mustard
- Soft pink mums + white pansies + silvery cabbage
- All jewel tones: deep orange, violet, plum, and chartreuse for a bold statement
Container Design Tips
Use the “Thriller, Filler, Spiller” method:
- Thriller: Purple fountain grass or tall mums
- Filler: Kale, cabbage, mustard
- Spiller: Violas or pansies trailing over the edge
Garden Bed Refresh
Remove tired summer plants and replant beds with fall groupings. Layer heights and colors for maximum impact near walkways and entrances.
Care Tips for the Season
- Water consistently, especially in containers
- Avoid overhead watering to prevent rot on dense flowering plants
- Fertilize lightly if needed; many fall plants come pre-charged with nutrients
- Protect from early hard frosts by moving containers close to the house or covering with frost cloths on cold nights
Bonus Tip
Keep a few empty pots or open spaces ready… Fall is a great time to tuck in spring-flowering bulbs beneath your annuals for a surprise bloom come March and April.
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