The Flowers You Should Be Adding to Your Fall DIY Arrangements

As we’re stowing away our swimsuits and stocking up on fall outerwear, those of us with green thumbs might be thinking about what this means for your garden. To learn more about transitional blooms that will take you from summer to fall, I spoke with Kim Zimmerman, master gardener and owner of Rowdy Poppy, a sustainable floral design house and micro-farm in Denver, Colorado.  

“The late summer transition to autumn is one of our favorite times for flowers, and there are lots of great options out there,” Zimmerman says.

Below, Zimmerman’s favorite flowers and foliage to enter the fall season, and the budding trends to consider bringing to your garden.

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Dahlia

If there were a competition, Zimmerman says dahlias would take home the winning prize. “These are definitely the most lush blooms during this time,” she says. “They do well in the heat and even better as the nights start to cool off. These stunners will just keep producing blooms through a killing frost, so you’ll get plenty into fall, and the never-ending options of colors and forms means you can select palettes that transition as well.”

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Celosia

Another flower that thrives in the heat and keeps growing when it gets frosty? A cut flower called celosia, which comes in vibrant colors and several varieties (Celosia plumosa, or plumed celosia, is considered the most popular). 

“Celosia comes in all kinds of forms from feathery plumes to coral-like fans and the color range is incredible,” Zimmerman says. “They give the most incredible textures to summer and autumn arrangements.”

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Zinnia

“Nowadays, these blooms aren’t your grandmother’s flowers,” Zimmerman says. “Lots of breeding programs have been developing designer colors and forms, making them incredibly special. Look for varieties like Queen Lime or Unicorn for something eye-catching.” 

Zimmerman says these fall-friendly flowers will continue producing through frost and pests typically leave them alone, making home gardeners’ lives a whole lot easier.

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Japanese Anemone

When she’s missing anemones the spring season is known for, Zimmerman turns to these, which bloom in late summer. 

“Though their bloom period is shorter than the annuals, these fabulous, low-maintenance perennial flowers are absolutely worth the beautiful impact,” she says.

Vines, Grasses, and Seed Pods

But flowers are only half the story. Zimmerman says this time of year is great for foliage, too, like nasturtium and love-in-a-puff vines, grasses (think millet, oats, and miscanthus, or silvergrass), and seed pods such as poppies and wisteria. 

Fruiting branches like crabapple are also growing, which could come in handy with one trend forecast from Zimmerman: “I see florals incorporating more fruit and veg in sculptural ways, with color blocking and mono-ingredient designs,” she says. “Think Dutch still-life with a modern twist.”

For even more summer-to-fall floral inspo, Zimmerman’s also seen florists leaning into more textural and ethereal designs. 

“There’s less of a focus on lush blooms,” she says. “Plenty of branches, fine textures, wispy lines, and soft palettes makes you feel like you’re stepping into a dreamscape.”