What Flowers in October: Plants for the Autumn Garden

October isn't the end of the gardening season. As summer flowers fade, it's the turn of plants that love cool weather: chrysanthemums, asters, Japanese anemones and autumn crocuses. Well-chosen plants keep a garden colourful until the first hard frosts, sometimes into November. Here's what flowers in October in Ukrainian gardens, how not to confuse autumn crocus with poisonous colchicum, and which jobs to do in the flower bed this month.

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October’s birth flower

In the birth-flower tradition, October’s flowers are the marigold (calendula) and cosmos. Calendula stands for warmth, gratitude and a sunny nature, while cosmos represents harmony and order (its name comes from the Greek “kosmos”, meaning order or ornament). Both bloom until the first frosts, so they’re easy to find in an October garden. For bouquets, October birthdays are usually celebrated with chrysanthemums, asters and dahlias in warm autumn tones.

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What flowers in October: overview

Perennials

Garden chrysanthemums

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The stars of October. Small-flowered "Korean" chrysanthemums tolerate light frosts and bloom into November in shades from white and yellow to bronze, pink and burgundy. For overwintering, choose proven hardy varieties and mulch them in late autumn. Cut chrysanthemums are among the longest-lasting flowers in a vase — see our chrysanthemums.

Perennial asters

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New England and New York asters (Michaelmas daisies) form tall clumps smothered in small lilac, purple, pink or white stars. They love sun, aren't fussy about soil and are a vital late nectar source for bees and butterflies.

Japanese anemone

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Elegant white or pink flowers on tall stems appear in late summer and last into October, until hard frosts. Japanese anemones do well in part shade, so they brighten shady corners too — more in our anemone guide.

Showy stonecrop

A succulent perennial with dense pink or crimson flat flower heads. Drought-tolerant and almost care-free, its dried heads look lovely even under winter frost.

Rudbeckias and heleniums

Yellow, orange and copper "daisies" keep flowering in a mild autumn and pair well with asters and grasses.

Autumn bulbs: crocus and colchicum

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In September and October delicate lilac "goblets" suddenly appear on bare soil. They may be two different plants that are often confused:

• Autumn crocuses (such as Crocus speciosus) are relatives of spring crocuses in the iris family. The flower has three stamens and the leaves are narrow and grass-like. One autumn crocus, Crocus sativus, gives us saffron.
• Colchicum (often also called "autumn crocus") belongs to a different family. The flower has six stamens, and large broad leaves appear only in spring. Every part of colchicum is highly poisonous — handle it with gloves and plant it away from where children play and pets roam.

Both are planted in August and flower just a few weeks later.

Annuals that last until frost

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• Snapdragons flower from summer and tolerate light frosts to −3 °C.
• Cosmos keeps producing buds until the frost.
• Marigolds stay bright until the first frosts.
• Dahlias bloom until the first frost, after which the tubers are lifted for storage.
• Ornamental cabbage gets brighter as it gets colder, its rosettes turning pink, purple and white.

Shrubs

• Repeat-flowering roses give a final flush in a mild autumn. Stop nitrogen feeding from midsummer so the stems can ripen.
• Panicle hydrangea turns from white to pink and reddish in October. Cut the heads and dry them for winter bouquets.
• Heather flowers into late autumn and looks great in containers by the door.

October jobs in the flower garden

1. Plant spring bulbs — tulips, daffodils, hyacinths, grape hyacinths — before the soil cools below 5–7 °C.
2. Lift tender tubers and corms — dahlias, gladioli, cannas — after the first frosts. See our gladiolus care guide for storage tips.
3. Divide and replant perennials that flowered in summer.
4. Mulch roses, chrysanthemums and young plants before the frosts.
5. Collect decor materials — dried flower heads, grasses, cones — for a lovely autumn wreath.

No garden? Bring autumn indoors with a bouquet — chrysanthemums, asters, hydrangeas and berry sprigs make the most "October" arrangements.

October birth flower

October belongs to the marigold (warmth, creativity) and the cosmos (harmony). See birth month flowers, and the neighbouring September flowers and November flowers.

What to plant in October for spring flowers

October is the main month for planting spring bulbs. Before the ground freezes, plant tulips, daffodils, hyacinths, grape hyacinths, crocuses and fritillaries — ideally 3–4 weeks before hard frosts, when the soil cools to 8–10 °C. Plant at about three times the bulb’s height. October is also the time to divide and replant peonies, plant container-grown shrub roses and sow cornflowers, calendula and poppies for next year.

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For the full list of autumn plants with photos, see autumn flowers: names and photos.

FAQ

Which flowers bloom in October?

Garden chrysanthemums, perennial asters, Japanese anemone, showy stonecrop, autumn crocuses, colchicum, snapdragons, cosmos, marigolds, dahlias, repeat-flowering roses and panicle hydrangea.

How do I tell an autumn crocus from colchicum?

Crocuses have three stamens and narrow leaves; colchicum has six stamens and broad leaves in spring. Colchicum is highly poisonous.

What should I plant in October?

Spring bulbs such as tulips, daffodils, hyacinths and grape hyacinths, plus divided perennials.

When should dahlias be lifted?

After the first frosts blacken the foliage, on a dry day.

What is October’s birth flower?

Calendula (marigold) and cosmos. For bouquets, October birthdays usually get chrysanthemums, asters and dahlias.

When should I plant tulips in autumn?

Usually in October, 3–4 weeks before hard frosts, once the soil has cooled to 8–10 °C.

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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