Refresh landscape beds with cool-season flowers and foliage
Growing up in Kentucky, I remember spending spring afternoons picking wild violets from our yard to give to my mom. Purple was her favorite color, and I always thought those small flowers made the perfect bouquet. A few years later, Johnny-jump-ups became one of the first flowers I successfully grew from seed. They were easy to grow, filled the garden with color, and seemed to bloom endlessly. I later learned their flowers could even be candied and used as edible decorations. Those early experiences helped shape my appreciation for fall landscape color and the role flowers can play in brightening a garden.
While much of the country is putting gardens to bed for winter, fall in Florida offers an opportunity to refresh the landscape with months of cool-season color. As summer annuals begin to fade, cool-season flowers and foliage plants can bring new life to garden beds, containers, and entryways. Fall landscape color can come from flowers, foliage plants, and containers that continue performing through much of Florida’s cooler season.
Refresh Tired Landscape Beds
After months of heat, humidity, heavy rains, and insect pressure, many landscape beds begin to look worn out. Summer annuals may become leggy, develop disease problems, or simply stop performing as temperatures begin to change.
Fall is a great time to remove declining plants, pull weeds, refresh mulch, and prepare beds for a new season of color. Even a small amount of cleanup can dramatically improve the appearance of a landscape and create space for cool-season plants to thrive. Many of these improvements also align well with Florida-Friendly Landscaping™ principles.
Add Reliable Fall Landscape Color
Violas and pansies are among my favorite plants for creating fall landscape color. Available in shades of purple, blue, yellow, pink, white, and many unique color combinations, these cool-season favorites can brighten landscape beds for months.
While they are closely related, violas generally produce more blooms, while pansies often produce larger flowers. Both work well in garden beds, containers, hanging baskets, and mixed seasonal displays. Their long bloom period and wide range of colors make them some of the most versatile flowers for North Florida landscapes.
- For a deeper dive into pansies and other cool-season violas, check out this UF/IFAS publication.
- Looking for additional growing tips? Visit this Gardening Solutions article.
Add Contrast with Dusty Miller
Dusty miller is one of my favorite plants for adding contrast to landscape beds and containers. Its silvery foliage stands out among green plants and helps make the colors of surrounding flowers appear even more vibrant.
In addition to its visual appeal, dusty miller is a tough plant that tolerates drought once established. The unique texture of its foliage also provides interest even when flowers are not blooming, making it a dependable companion plant in many North Florida landscapes.
Learn more about growing and using Dusty Miller in the landscape in this UF/IFAS publication.
Sweet Alyssum Pulls Double Duty
Sweet alyssum is another excellent addition to the fall landscape. Its low-growing habit makes it a great choice along pathways, borders, and the edges of containers. Clusters of small flowers provide weeks of color and help soften the appearance of landscape beds.
I also appreciate alyssum because it can attract beneficial insects to the garden. Available in shades of white, yellow, and lavender, it pairs well with many other cool-season annuals and can even be used as a filler in fresh flower arrangements. While pollinator activity declines during the cooler months, alyssum can still provide a valuable nectar source for honey bees and other pollinators that remain active on warm winter days.
Learn more about growing sweet alyssum in this Gardening Solutions article.
Brighten Your Fall Landscape Color Display
For gardeners looking to add warm colors to the landscape, calendula is hard to beat. Its bright yellow and orange blooms add a cheerful touch to garden beds and containers during the cooler months. Calendula can add warm fall landscape color when many summer flowers have finished blooming.
Calendula offers beauty beyond the flower bed. The petals are edible and are sometimes used to add color to salads, baked goods, and other dishes. Whether planted in containers or mixed borders, calendula can provide a welcome splash of color throughout the season
- Interested in growing calendula? Check out this UF/IFAS publication for additional tips.
- Learn more about selecting and caring for calendula in this Gardening Solutions article.
Add Interest with Texture and Foliage
Flowers often get most of the attention, but foliage can play an important role in creating visual interest in the landscape. Mixing plants with different colors, shapes, and textures helps keep beds attractive even when flowers are not in full bloom.
One plant that has recently caught my attention is ornamental kale. Available in combinations of green, white, pink, and purple, ornamental kale provides striking color during the cooler months. The frilly leaves also help break up the look of plants with similar shapes and textures. Ornamental kale provides fall landscape color even when flowers are not the main attraction.
While ornamental kale is technically edible, most gardeners grow it for appearance rather than flavor. Plants purchased from garden centers may have been treated to protect them from insect pests, and the leaves tend to be tougher and more bitter than culinary varieties.
For more on ornamental kale and its use in the landscape, see this UF/IFAS publication.
Small Changes Create Big Fall Landscape Color
You do not need to completely redesign your landscape to enjoy seasonal color. Replacing a few tired annuals, refreshing mulch, or adding a container of cool-season flowers near an entryway can dramatically improve the appearance of a landscape.
Fall is a season of transition in the garden, but it does not have to be a season without color. With a few well-chosen flowers and foliage plants, North Florida gardeners can enjoy attractive landscape beds and containers long after summer has passed.
Before heading to the garden center, remember that successful landscapes begin with the right plant in the right place. Consider factors such as sunlight, soil moisture, drainage, and mature plant size when selecting plants for your landscape. Matching plants to site conditions can improve performance, reduce maintenance, and help your fall landscape color last throughout the cooler months.
Need Gardening Help?
Not sure which plants are the best fit for your landscape? The Putnam County Master Gardener Volunteer Help Desk offers free, research-based gardening assistance for residents. From insects and plant diseases to lawns, landscapes, trees, and vegetables, our trained volunteers can help point you in the right direction.
Visit us at the UF/IFAS Extension Putnam County Office, call our hotline, send an email, or text photos of your gardening questions.
Hotline: 386-329-0319
Photo Text Line (text only, no calls): 605-265-1193
Email: PutnamMG@ifas.ufl.edu
Help Desk Hours
Monday: 8:00 a.m. – Noon
Wednesday: Noon – 4:00 p.m.
Friday: 8:00 a.m. – Noon
Trained Volunteers. Research-Based Answers. Serving Putnam County.
Acknowledgment: Special thanks to Master Gardener Volunteer Erica S.G. for helping gather seasonal gardening information that contributed to this article. Additional assistance with organization, editing, and SEO optimization was provided by Microsoft Copilot.
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