Fall in Cleveland, Ohio, offers the perfect weather for several hardy flowers that not only survive the cold but thrive in it. If you’re looking to add color to your garden during the chilly months, consider planting mums, pansies, ornamental kale, and hellebores, among others. These plants can handle frost and cold nights, bringing vibrant hues to your landscape well into late fall.
1. Chrysanthemums (Mums)
Mums are a fall garden staple, known for their wide variety of colors like red, orange, yellow, and purple. These plants are frost-tolerant, making them ideal for Cleveland’s chilly fall climate. If planted in early fall, mums can last until the first hard frost. They grow best in well-drained soil with full sun, although they can tolerate light shade.
Tip: Pinch off spent blooms to encourage more flowers throughout the season.
2. Pansies
Pansies are perfect for fall planting in Cleveland because they can survive light frosts and even temperatures dipping into the 20s. These flowers are available in a wide range of vibrant colors and often re-bloom in the spring after enduring the winter. Pansies thrive in cooler weather, preferring partial to full sun.
Tip: Plant pansies early in fall to give them time to establish roots before winter. Add mulch around them to provide some insulation.
3. Ornamental Kale and Cabbage
Ornamental kale and cabbage add striking color and texture to your fall garden. They come in shades of green, purple, and white and can survive temperatures as low as 5°F. While they don’t bloom, their foliage provides visual interest. These plants thrive in cooler weather, becoming more colorful as the temperatures drop.
Tip: Use them as fillers in garden beds or container arrangements for added texture.
4. Hellebores (Lenten Roses)
Hellebores are a fantastic option for fall planting. Although they bloom in late winter or early spring, planting them in the fall ensures they are well-established by the time cold weather arrives. These flowers are known for their cold tolerance and can bloom even through snow. Hellebores prefer partial to full shade and well-drained soil.
Tip: Plant them in a sheltered spot for best results, as their delicate blooms can be damaged by heavy winds.
5. Sedum (Stonecrop)
Sedums are hardy succulents that bring a beautiful burst of color to fall gardens. ‘Autumn Joy’ is a popular variety that blooms in late summer and lasts well into fall, with flowers turning deep pink or rusty red. They tolerate the cool Cleveland weather with ease and can survive light frosts. Sedum prefers full sun and well-drained soil.
Tip: Cut back sedums in late fall, after frost has killed the top growth, to encourage healthy regrowth next season.
6. Asters
Asters are a must-have for any fall garden, known for their daisy-like flowers in shades of purple, blue, pink, and white. They bloom from late summer through fall and can withstand Cleveland’s colder temperatures, thriving in well-drained soil with full to partial sun. These flowers attract pollinators like butterflies, adding an extra benefit to your garden.
Tip: Divide asters every two to three years to prevent overcrowding and promote healthy blooms.
7. Black-Eyed Susans (Rudbeckia)
Rudbeckia, commonly known as Black-Eyed Susans, are another hardy flower that can withstand cool temperatures. Their cheerful, bright yellow blooms can last well into fall, especially when planted early in the season. These flowers do well in full sun and can tolerate poor soil, making them low-maintenance options for fall gardens in Cleveland.
Tip: Deadhead faded blooms to extend the flowering period.
8. Violas
Violas are cousins to pansies and are just as cold-hardy. They have smaller flowers but produce them in abundance. Violas are ideal for fall planting because they can survive light frosts and will bloom well into the cold months. They thrive in partial to full sun and well-drained soil.
Tip: Like pansies, violas will often re-bloom in spring, giving your garden a head start when warmer weather arrives.
9. Sweet Alyssum
Sweet Alyssum is a low-growing, fragrant plant that does surprisingly well in cooler temperatures. Its tiny, white, purple, or pink blooms will continue throughout the fall season in Cleveland, even when temperatures dip. Sweet Alyssum prefers full to partial sun and well-drained soil. It’s also great for edging beds or filling gaps in the garden.
Tip: Plant Sweet Alyssum in containers or as ground cover to create a full, lush look.
10. Coral Bells (Heuchera)
Coral Bells are known for their beautiful foliage, which comes in a wide range of colors, from deep purple to bright green. While their flowers are small and delicate, Coral Bells add a splash of color to any garden, even in the fall. These perennials are frost-tolerant and can thrive in the colder Cleveland weather. They prefer partial shade and well-drained soil.
Tip: Plant Coral Bells alongside other perennials for a garden that remains colorful throughout the year.
