When I started growing cut flowers, I went all in on summer-blooming annuals: zinnias, celosias, Snapdragons, ECT…. These are all very important flowers in my cut flower garden and a great way to start.

After a year or two, I realized that I needed some workhorses in my garden to extend the season from summer to fall. There is more than one way to extend the season—succession planting is one way—but in this blog post, we are going to talk about what I specifically grow for the fall season.

I like each season’s unique colors, flowers, scents, and textures. I have been adding more perennials every year to my cutting garden along with my tried and true annuals. When you mix the two together you get the most vibrant fall cutting garden.

You won’t find this mix at the store and at most local florists. The flowers you grow in your garden are going to be unique to you. That’s the best part.

Here is the list of my favorite fall perennials for your fall cutting garden.
Sedum

Asters -

Perennial Asters (don’t confuse these with the annual asters.) These sweet flowers bloom in September and October right alongside your mums. They make an excellent fall cut flower and are so easy to grow. They are adored by bees and butterflies. There are many varieties of Asters so read your tags so you don’t end up with the short variety.

Here are the best asters for cutting flowers:

Frikart’s, also called Monch’s aster (Aster x frikartii) is a pale purple aster that blooms earlier in the summer than the others.

New England aster (A. novae-angilae) flowers are naturally pale purple and have been bred to have a wider array of colors, from white to pink to almost red.

New York, or Michaelmas asters (A. novi-belgii) include the same colors as above.

Raydon’s Favorite Aromatic aster (A. oblongifolius) has fragrant flowers and foliage!

Hardy to zones 3 to 8

Japanese Anemone -

Japanese anemones are magical and beautiful. They bloom in September and October. There are white and pink varieties, and I’m sure there are more I don’t know about. Watch out for the short varieties. Make sure you read the labels—a must-have for your fall-cut flower garden.

Here are the best Japanese Anemone for cutting flowers:

Honorine Jobert’ (Anemone x hybrida) The pristine white flowers with the lime green center brighten up the autumn garden.

Fall in Love™ ‘Sweetly’ Japanese anemone hybrid features an upright, compact appearance.

Anemone hupehensis var. japonica ‘Pamina’

Hardy to zone 4-8

Hydrangeas -

I prefer the Panicle or Annabelle series. Look for the varieties that are guaranteed to bloom every year. I have not had good success with any other kind; they are not reliable enough for me. The Annabelle series blooms every year, no matter what. These are fun to add to your late summer and early fall bouquets and beauty and texture to your fall cut flower garden.

Hardy to zone 3-9

Goldenrod -

Goldenrod, also known as Solidago, is not to be confused with Ragweed. I don’t actually grow goldenrod,, as it grows naturally all over my property. This golden yellow color defines fall and works perfectly in the fall-cut flower garden.

Hardy to zone 3-8

Now, here are my favorite annuals for the fall-cut flower garden.

Plan ahead when you buy seeds and some fun fall colors. I often plant a special fall succession of each of these. The fall colors, textures, and sizes work perfectly with my fall perennials.

• Amaranth

• Sunflowers

• Snapdragons

• Kale

• Zinnia

• Celosia

• Rudbeckia

Fall can be one of the most beautiful times in the garden. Cool mornings and evenings. Soft light that’s not only cozy but relaxing as well.

I know we can be tired of our garden by the end of September, but I encourage you to hang on for a little bit longer. Now is the time to harvest big buckets of flowers and create large, abundant arrangements. Enjoy yourself and be creative!

Tell me… do you have a favorite fall flower? Is there one from your memory that defines what fall means for you? I’d love to hear your stories. Comment below!