15 Plants That Fill Your Yard With Fall Color

Fall Aster (Symphyotrichum spp.)

Fall asters are known for their daisy-like flowers, which come in shades of lavender and bloom in the fall.

"They are easy to grow, very hardy, and drought tolerant once established," says Amy Hovis, owner of Eden Garden Design and Owner of Barton Springs Nursery. "They add vibrant color to gardens and landscapes during the fall months."

• Zone: 8-9
• Soil: Well-drained, loamy soil
• Sun: Full sun
• Colors: White, purple, blue, or pink

Winterthur Viburnum (Viburnum nudum 'Winterthur’)

Light up your fall garden with Winterthur Viburnum's gorgeous crimson foliage and dark, rich blueberry fruits.

"Beyond its visual allure, this viburnum's berries also attract an abundance of local wildlife, weaving a harmonious ecosystem within your garden," says Matilda Reuter Engle, proprietor and general manager of Glenstone Gardens in Virginia. "Planting these viburnums in groups not only enhances visual appeal, but also elevates the fruit display."

• Zone: 5-9
• Soil: Dry to wet 
• Sun: Partial shade 
• Colors: Pink, blue, purple, black

Blanket Flower (Gaillardia)

This stunning fall color plant brightens your yard instantly with its bright yellow edges that melt into a deep ruby center. It’s a hardworking fall perennial that provides blooms from early summer into autumn. 

"This is a very versatile perennial that can be used in a variety of garden styles, such as butterfly gardens, cottage style landscapes, and works well in cutting gardens," says Cate Singleton, director of design at Tilly, an online landscape design company. 

• Zone: 3-9
• Soil: Well-drained; drought tolerant once established
• Sun: Full sun

Black Rose Succulent (Aeonium Zwartkop)

If your climate allows, add some variety to your landscaping by introducing the Black Rose Succulent, which features blackish-purple leaves shaped into a gorgeous rosette pattern perched atop a trunk-like stalk. At the center you’ll find a lime green hue, which provides stunning contrast against the inky color.  

• Zone: 9-11
• Soil: Dry, well-drained 
• Sun: Full sun 
• Colors: Purple-black 

Marigolds (Tagetes Erecta)

You might think of marigolds as a summer flower—and these beauties do shine bright in the warmer months—but it provides a lasting burst of orange, yellow, and red well through October, too. Plant it in the yard or add the color via a hanging basket or potted plant on the front porch.

• Zone: 2-11
• Soil: Loose, loamy soil with good drainage 
• Sun: Full sun to partial shade 
• Colors: Yellow, gold, orange, red, mahogany

Kodiak Black (Diervilla Rivularis)

Kodiak Black Diervilla is a versatile fall color plant boasting black and dark burgundy foliage, and it’s as adaptable as it is gorgeous. It’s also quite hardy, defying drought conditions and is unyielding to any deer that may wander onto the property.

"The intense autumn color is the perfect complement to the season’s vivid red tones," Engle says. "Its dark foliage also serves as a refuge for pollinators and small creatures."

• Zone: 5-8
• Soil: Drought tolerant 
• Sun: Partial sun 
• Colors: Deep purple-black

Autumn Joy Sedum (Sedum Spectabile)

True to its name, a glimpse of this vibrant hued bloom will instantly spark some much-needed joy.

"Autumn Joy Sedum provides a gem box deep pink hue, along with foliage that borders on the blue-green spectrum,” says Singleton. "This perennial can work as a focal point in xeric landscapes, as well as cottage and butterfly gardens. "The blooms turn into a deep rust color in the fall, so no need for removing." 

• Zone: 3-9
• Soil: Drought tolerant 
• Sun: Full sun
• Colors: Deep pink, dark pink, orange, copper

Apple or Pear Fruit Trees

Apple and pear fruits boast a kaleidoscope of red, orange, and even the golden notes of a ripe yellow. "They also add an architectural aesthetic to the garden that’s as cultivated as it is fruitful with their trained growth pattern against walls or supports," says Engle.

Espaliered variations offer beautiful ornamentation, while the apples and pears are a delicious autumn treat. Plus, either tree is great to have in your yard since it benefits soil health. This is because their root systems anchor the earth, preventing erosion and enhancing soil stability.

• Zone: 4-9
• Soil: Well-drained, moist soil 
• Sun: Full sun 
• Colors: Red, bronze, purple

Switchgrass (Panicum Virgatum)

Ornamental grass adds depth, texture, and intrigue to your yard, and this one has the added benefit of developing a gorgeous shade of bright red that turns to deep burgundy as fall wraps up. "Even into the winter, Switchgrass can provide beautiful structure and backdrop in the garden," says Singleton. "It works well in mass plantings and is versatile, providing texture for many different garden styles, including naturalistic, prairie, and cottage." 

• Zone: 3-9
• Soil: Sandy or clay soil, drought-tolerant once established 
• Sun: Full sun
• Colors: Green, bright yellow

American Beautyberry (Callicarpa Americana)

Opt for this native American classic for your harvest-hued yard to enjoy some of that autumnal warmth and color. Hovis says this is her all-time favorite for "summer to fall" color, noting that it transitions beautifully from one season to the next.

"The American Beautyberry is a multi-trunked deciduous shrub to small tree known for its clusters of vibrant purple berries in the fall. Small pinkish-white blooms appear in spring and develop into green berries, which then turn purple over the course of our long summer," she says. The berries are even edible, serving as the perfect pick for autumn jellies and jams. 

• Zone: 7-11
• Soil: Well-draining soil 
• Sun: Partial shade
• Colors: Lavender-pink, magenta, violet

Little Henry Itea (Itea Virginica 'Sprich’)

The Little Henry Itea is another native fall-colored plant that offers a seamless transition from summer into autumn.

"From lush, green summer foliage, Little Henry Itea evolves into a multitude of oranges and reds in the fall that’s comparable in brilliance to the famed burning bush," Engle says. "It’s also a haven for pollinators, transcending seasons and offering refuge to local wildlife, supporting biodiversity."

• Zone: 5-9
• Soil: Moist
• Sun: Full to partial sun
• Colors: red, orange, gold

Fall Goldenrod (Solidago Rugosa)

Similar to other goldenrod species, Hovis says that the Fall Goldenrod variety produces clusters of bright yellow flowers in the fall, providing valuable nectar sources for late-season pollinators. "It will bloom later in the fall which is important when planting for seasonality as it will hold its fall bloom a little longer," she says. 

• Zone: 8-11
• Soil: Keep moist until established 
• Sun: Full to partial 
• Colors: Bright yellow 

American Wych Hazel (Fothergilla)

Fothergilla reveals a blazing foliage of orange, red and yellow shades—the perfect palette for harvest. Its foliage offers a captivating display in your garden, and is also a savior of the soil.

"With a fibrous root system, the shrub forms an intricate web beneath Earth's surface and enhances stability," Engle says. "Its leaves contribute to a fertile foundation for other plants."

• Zone: 3-9
• Soil: Well-drained, moist
• Sun: Partial to full 
• Colors: Bright yellow, red

Turk's Cap (Malvaviscus Arboreus var. Drummondii)

For a burst of red in your landscape, look no further than the beautiful Turk’s Cap, another one of Hovis’ favorite perennials. "It produces unique red, hibiscus-like flowers with deep green foliage. It's well-suited for shade gardens and attracts hummingbirds," she says. "It’s a wonderful plant to use under larger trees and the bright red flowers bring great fall color to a landscape."

• Zone: 7-10
• Soil: Moist, loamy, well-draining soil
• Sun: Partial shade
• Colors: Red, deep green

Firestick / Pencil Cactus (Euphorbia Tirucalli)

Those living in arid climates will enjoy this showstopper of a succulent. Known as both the "Pencil Cactus" and the "Firestick," it leans into both monikers. Its pencil-like foliage remains bright green in the summer, but once weather begins to cool it transforms into a magnificent, fire-like orange and red. 

• Zone: 9-12
• Soil: Dry
• Sun: Full
• Colors: Green, red, orange