Autumn Blooming Plants

Disanthus

• The disanthus (Disanthus cercidifolius) is a deciduous shrub suitable for use in U.S Department of Agriculture plant hardiness zones 5 through 8. Although not native, originating from China and Japan, the disanthus grows as a foundation plant, in shrub borders and as a specimen species in North America. Disanthus features colorful fall leaves, with the shrub turning orange, red and purple shades in the fall. Growing to 10 feet, disanthus flowers in October, when it turns out small, fragrant purple flowers. Keep disanthus shielded from the wind and never let it go without water during a drought.

Witch-Hazel

• Witch-hazel (Hamamelis virginiana) is usually a shrub, but on occasion, it grows as tall as 30 feet, qualifying as a tree. A potential plant for the shady, naturalized areas of your property, as well as shrub borders, witch-hazel normally blooms after its leaves drop. This occurs in October and into November, when the plant's yellow, aromatic flowers emerge. Witch-hazel grows wild across many eastern states, with the plant able to survive from zone 3 through zone 8.

Heath Aster

• Small enough to serve as ground cover at between 1 and 3 feet high, the heath aster (Symphyotrichum ericoides) does not bloom until August at the earliest and continues flowering well into autumn. Heath aster is native to the eastern and central portions of the United States. The plant can live in poor quality soils, growing in sandy areas or clay. Heath aster is compact but has many stems, producing white flowers containing a yellow center which attract different sorts of butterflies. Heath aster is a perennial suitable for borders and wildflower gardens.

Nemesia

• In USDA zones 9 and 10, nemesia (Nemesia caerulea) is a perennial, but in colder locations, you can grow this African plant as an annual. The nemesia blooms from June until the first killing cold frost, used as a container plant, in flowerbeds and along flower borders. Nemesia attains heights of 2 feet and its flowers come in a variety of shades, including pink, blue and yellow. Nemesia requires well-draining soil in order to avoid problems such as root rot. Transplant this species from nurseries or grow them from seeds.