Autumn flowers are much more than chrysanthemums and asters. From September to the first frosts dozens of garden plants bloom, and florists turn them into the warmest bouquets of the year. This guide covers the names and photos of autumn flowers, perennials and annuals for borders, shrubs, bulbs, potted plants and cut flowers, plus their symbolism. It draws on Google data about what people search for in autumn and on the observations of UFL’s florists.
Here are the main autumn flowers you’ll find in Ukrainian gardens and flower shops from September to November, ordered from the most popular to the less common.
| Flower | Type | Blooms |
|---|---|---|
| Chrysanthemum | perennial, cut flower | Sep–Nov |
| China aster | annual, cut flower | Aug–Oct |
| Perennial aster (Michaelmas daisy) | perennial | Sep–Oct |
| Dahlia | tuberous, cut flower | Jul–Oct |
| Panicle hydrangea | shrub, cut flower | Jul–Oct |
| Rudbeckia | perennial | Jul–Oct |
| Echinacea | perennial | Jul–Sep |
| Sedum | perennial | Aug–Oct |
| Japanese anemone | perennial | Aug–Oct |
| Helenium | perennial | Aug–Sep |
| Autumn crocus (Colchicum) | bulb | Sep–Oct |
| Marigold (Tagetes) | annual | Jun–Oct |
| Zinnia | annual, cut flower | Jul–Oct |
| Cosmos | annual | Jul–Oct |
| Heather (Calluna) | dwarf shrub | Aug–Oct |
| Repeat-flowering rose | shrub, cut flower | until frost |
| Ornamental cabbage | annual | Sep–Nov |
| Garden mum (multiflora) | potted perennial | Aug–Nov |
Perennials are the backbone of an autumn border: plant them once and they flower every year just as the summer blooms fade.
The stars of autumn. Small-flowered “Korean” chrysanthemums tolerate light frosts and bloom into November, in shades from white and yellow to burgundy and lilac.
New York and New England asters form clouds of small lilac, pink and white flowers — in Ukraine they are nicknamed “veresenky” after September, their blooming month.
Sunny daisy-like flowers with dark centres: rudbeckia in yellow-orange, echinacea in pink or white. Easy-going, drought-tolerant and sun-loving.
Fleshy leaves and dense pink flower heads that deepen to brick red, attracting butterflies and bees into October.
Delicate white and pink flowers on tall stems — one of the most elegant autumn plants for partial shade.
Warm-toned flowers in yellow, orange and terracotta with domed centres; a great match for rudbeckia and ornamental grasses.
Annuals are sown in spring but look their best in September, once the heat breaks.
Colchicum (autumn crocus) and true autumn crocuses pop up on bare ground in September–October as lilac goblets. They are often confused, but colchicum is poisonous while the saffron crocus is not, so plant them away from play areas.
Panicle hydrangea holds its large heads into October as they turn from white to pink and wine red. Heather covers the ground in pink, lilac and white until the frosts. Repeat-flowering roses give a second flush in September, while guelder rose and rowan add red berries to the garden.
If you choose just a few plants to make autumn sing, UFL florists recommend these:
In autumn, florists work with the warmest palette of the year: terracotta, mustard, burgundy and peach. Autumn bouquets are built on chrysanthemums (spray and single-stem), asters, dahlias, hydrangeas and warm-toned roses, with seasonal accents: berried stems (hypericum, rosehip, rowan), grasses, dried flowers, eucalyptus and even mini pumpkins in box arrangements.
For step-by-step ideas and pairings, see autumn flowers for bouquets and autumn bouquets.
No garden? Bring autumn to a balcony or porch. The best pot plants are multiflora chrysanthemums (domes covered in blooms), heather, ornamental cabbage, cyclamen on cool balconies and gaultheria with red berries. Combine them in one trough with ivy; it lasts until the frosts, and the chrysanthemums can be planted out afterwards.
Read more about each autumn month’s flowers: September’s flower, October flowers and November’s flower.
For preschool and primary classes, six autumn flowers are easy to remember: aster, chrysanthemum, dahlia, marigold, hydrangea and heather. A few simple riddles:
For drawing and crafts, asters and marigolds are easiest thanks to their clear shapes and bright colours.
For September, October and November birthdays, give what’s in season: the flowers are fresher, brighter and last longer. For a woman, choose roses and chrysanthemums in powder and peach tones or an arrangement with hydrangea; for a man, a more restrained bouquet of burgundy chrysanthemums, grasses and berried stems. For a colleague or teacher, classic asters or spray chrysanthemums last two to three weeks in a vase. Add a card with a warm autumn message: “May this year be as generous and bright as a September garden.”
No need to wait for your own border to bloom: UFL florists make autumn bouquets of chrysanthemums, roses, hydrangeas and seasonal accents every day and deliver across Kyiv. Browse chrysanthemums and flowers in a box — vase-free arrangements are easy autumn gifts.
Chrysanthemums, annual and perennial asters, dahlias, panicle hydrangea, rudbeckia, echinacea, sedum, Japanese anemone, helenium, marigolds, zinnias, cosmos, heather, colchicum and repeat-flowering roses.
Garden chrysanthemums, Michaelmas daisies, rudbeckia, echinacea, sedum, Japanese anemone, helenium, colchicum and heather.
Small-flowered garden chrysanthemums, which tolerate light frosts and flower into November. Marigolds and ornamental cabbage also last a long time.
Chrysanthemums, asters, dahlias, hydrangeas and warm-toned roses, with berried stems, grasses or eucalyptus.
In September–October plant tulip, daffodil, hyacinth, grape hyacinth and crocus bulbs, and divide and replant peonies.
Multiflora chrysanthemums, heather, ornamental cabbage, cyclamen and gaultheria for balconies and porches.
After the first frost blackens the foliage: cut the stems, carefully dig up the tubers, dry them and store them in a cool cellar at +3…+7 °C.
Whatever is in season: chrysanthemums, asters, dahlias, hydrangeas and warm-toned roses. For a man, burgundy chrysanthemums with grasses and berried stems.
Author: Maria Svitlovir
Graduated from Taras Shevchenko National University of Kyiv, Institute of Biology and Medicine (2001). BSc in Biology, MSc in Horticulture. Writes about plants, works at a garden centre selecting and repotting plants, and contributes to plant reference guides.
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