{"id":8329,"date":"2026-09-10T07:57:00","date_gmt":"2026-09-10T13:57:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/extension.colostate.edu\/arapahoe\/?p=8329"},"modified":"2026-09-09T15:51:21","modified_gmt":"2026-09-09T21:51:21","slug":"a-splash-of-color-blossoms-for-the-fall","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/extension.colostate.edu\/arapahoe\/2026\/09\/10\/a-splash-of-color-blossoms-for-the-fall\/","title":{"rendered":"A Splash of Color: Blossoms for the Fall"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<div class=\"wp-block-group c-breadcrumbs alignfull is-layout-flow wp-block-group-is-layout-flow\" style=\"margin-top:var(--wp--preset--spacing--40);margin-bottom:var(--wp--preset--spacing--40)\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-group container is-layout-flow wp-block-group-is-layout-flow\"><nav aria-label=\"breadcrumbs\" class=\"rank-math-breadcrumb\"><p><span class=\"last\">Home<\/span><\/p><\/nav>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group is-layout-constrained wp-container-core-group-is-layout-ffae927d wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\" style=\"padding-top:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30);padding-bottom:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30)\">\n<h1 class=\"wp-block-heading\">A Splash of Color: Blossoms for the Fall<\/h1>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><em>By Mary Gifford, Colorado Master Gardener<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Thank goodness we have reached the beginning of autumn. If you are one who treasures flower blossoms of all kinds \u2013 fear not! As the weather and daylight change, you can still enjoy blossoms and color with many fall bloomers. In Colorado, plants such as asters, Sedum \u2018Autumn Joy,&#8217; pincushion flowers and dwarf blue rabbitbrush respond to the shortening length of daylight hours or to a certain stage of maturity to initiate late-season flower production. They may take advantage of this timeframe to utilize more available pollinators. Annuals can be planted in containers or in garden beds, whereas perennials are best in a garden bed. Some are shrubs and others are smaller in stature. All plants with fall blossoms need at least 6 hours of daylight.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-9b47041c wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\" style=\"flex-basis:50%\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image alignleft size-large is-resized\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" height=\"1024\" width=\"1024\" src=\"https:\/\/extension.colostate.edu\/arapahoe\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/49\/2026\/09\/Aster_novi_belgii_Diana-1-2048x2048-2926335397.jpg?w=1024\" alt=\"lavender flowers with yellow centers\" class=\"wp-image-8330\" style=\"width:415px;height:auto\" srcset=\"https:\/\/extension.colostate.edu\/arapahoe\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/49\/2026\/09\/Aster_novi_belgii_Diana-1-2048x2048-2926335397.jpg 2048w, https:\/\/extension.colostate.edu\/arapahoe\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/49\/2026\/09\/Aster_novi_belgii_Diana-1-2048x2048-2926335397.jpg?resize=150,150 150w, https:\/\/extension.colostate.edu\/arapahoe\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/49\/2026\/09\/Aster_novi_belgii_Diana-1-2048x2048-2926335397.jpg?resize=300,300 300w, https:\/\/extension.colostate.edu\/arapahoe\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/49\/2026\/09\/Aster_novi_belgii_Diana-1-2048x2048-2926335397.jpg?resize=768,768 768w, https:\/\/extension.colostate.edu\/arapahoe\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/49\/2026\/09\/Aster_novi_belgii_Diana-1-2048x2048-2926335397.jpg?resize=1024,1024 1024w, https:\/\/extension.colostate.edu\/arapahoe\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/49\/2026\/09\/Aster_novi_belgii_Diana-1-2048x2048-2926335397.jpg?resize=1536,1536 1536w, https:\/\/extension.colostate.edu\/arapahoe\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/49\/2026\/09\/Aster_novi_belgii_Diana-1-2048x2048-2926335397.jpg?resize=2000,2000 2000w, https:\/\/extension.colostate.edu\/arapahoe\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/49\/2026\/09\/Aster_novi_belgii_Diana-1-2048x2048-2926335397.jpg?resize=1400,1400 1400w, https:\/\/extension.colostate.edu\/arapahoe\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/49\/2026\/09\/Aster_novi_belgii_Diana-1-2048x2048-2926335397.jpg?resize=600,600 600w, https:\/\/extension.colostate.edu\/arapahoe\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/49\/2026\/09\/Aster_novi_belgii_Diana-1-2048x2048-2926335397.jpg?resize=1568,1568 1568w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\"><em>Asters. Photo: Yellowhouseheritageperennials.com.au<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\" style=\"flex-basis:50%\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full is-resized\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"734\" height=\"733\" src=\"https:\/\/extension.colostate.edu\/arapahoe\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/49\/2026\/09\/showmakers.png\" alt=\"deep purple flowers with yellow centers\" class=\"wp-image-8331\" style=\"aspect-ratio:1.0013867389060886;width:416px;height:auto\" srcset=\"https:\/\/extension.colostate.edu\/arapahoe\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/49\/2026\/09\/showmakers.png 734w, https:\/\/extension.colostate.edu\/arapahoe\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/49\/2026\/09\/showmakers.png?resize=150,150 150w, https:\/\/extension.colostate.edu\/arapahoe\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/49\/2026\/09\/showmakers.png?resize=300,300 300w, https:\/\/extension.colostate.edu\/arapahoe\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/49\/2026\/09\/showmakers.png?resize=600,599 600w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 734px) 100vw, 734px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\"><em>Showmakers<\/em>\u00ae<em> \u2018Blue Bayou\u2019 aster. Photo: shop.milaegers.com<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:21px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Asters <\/strong>(<em>Symphyotrichum novi-belgii<\/em>) are always so showy with their lavender or purple petals and a yellow center. As natives, they do quite well in Colorado\u2019s sun and heat. The CSU Trial Gardens showcased a new cultivar of aster in 2025 \u2013 Showmakers\u00ae \u2018Blue Bayou\u2019 Aster. It boasts deep blue-purple flowers and was listed as one of nine best perennials for Colorado, so this may be worth a try in our gardens. It flowers in October and November.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large is-resized\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" height=\"731\" width=\"1024\" src=\"https:\/\/extension.colostate.edu\/arapahoe\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/49\/2026\/09\/Sedum-Varieties-Autumn-Joy-Sedum.webp?w=1024\" alt=\"mauve pink flowers with succulent leaves\" class=\"wp-image-8332\" style=\"aspect-ratio:1.4008310126862042;object-fit:cover;width:350px\" srcset=\"https:\/\/extension.colostate.edu\/arapahoe\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/49\/2026\/09\/Sedum-Varieties-Autumn-Joy-Sedum.webp 1400w, https:\/\/extension.colostate.edu\/arapahoe\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/49\/2026\/09\/Sedum-Varieties-Autumn-Joy-Sedum.webp?resize=300,214 300w, https:\/\/extension.colostate.edu\/arapahoe\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/49\/2026\/09\/Sedum-Varieties-Autumn-Joy-Sedum.webp?resize=768,549 768w, https:\/\/extension.colostate.edu\/arapahoe\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/49\/2026\/09\/Sedum-Varieties-Autumn-Joy-Sedum.webp?resize=1024,731 1024w, https:\/\/extension.colostate.edu\/arapahoe\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/49\/2026\/09\/Sedum-Varieties-Autumn-Joy-Sedum.webp?resize=600,429 600w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><em>Sedum \u2018Autumn Joy&#8217;. Photo: brighterblooms.com<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Sedum \u2018Autumn Joy\u2019 <\/strong>(<em>Hylotelephium spectabile <\/em>\u2018Autumn Joy\u2019) is one of my personal favorites. This beauty reaches 12 to 24 inches tall and starts with tiny pink flowers in bunches that gradually turn deep red, providing gorgeous color in September and October. Its lovely light green foliage provides a nice backdrop to the pink and red flowers. As a succulent, it does quite well in low water gardens and in Colorado sun.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large is-resized\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" height=\"1024\" width=\"1024\" src=\"https:\/\/extension.colostate.edu\/arapahoe\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/49\/2026\/09\/ScabiosaButterflyBlue2.webp?w=1024\" alt=\"blue purple flowers\" class=\"wp-image-8333\" style=\"width:350px\" srcset=\"https:\/\/extension.colostate.edu\/arapahoe\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/49\/2026\/09\/ScabiosaButterflyBlue2.webp 1100w, https:\/\/extension.colostate.edu\/arapahoe\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/49\/2026\/09\/ScabiosaButterflyBlue2.webp?resize=150,150 150w, https:\/\/extension.colostate.edu\/arapahoe\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/49\/2026\/09\/ScabiosaButterflyBlue2.webp?resize=300,300 300w, https:\/\/extension.colostate.edu\/arapahoe\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/49\/2026\/09\/ScabiosaButterflyBlue2.webp?resize=768,768 768w, https:\/\/extension.colostate.edu\/arapahoe\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/49\/2026\/09\/ScabiosaButterflyBlue2.webp?resize=1024,1024 1024w, https:\/\/extension.colostate.edu\/arapahoe\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/49\/2026\/09\/ScabiosaButterflyBlue2.webp?resize=600,600 600w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\"><em>Pincushion flower (Scabiosa). Photo: birdsandblooms.com<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:21px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Pincushion flower \/ Sweet scabiosa <\/strong>(<em>Scabiosa atropurpurea<\/em>) can be viewed in the beautiful Colorado Springs Utilities Waterwise Demonstration Garden in Colorado Springs. It gets its name from the \u201cpins\u201d which are the stamens. This lovely flower blooms from early summer to mid-fall. It does well in Colorado\u2019s alkaline soils, and it attracts bees and hummingbirds.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full is-resized\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"505\" height=\"505\" src=\"https:\/\/extension.colostate.edu\/arapahoe\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/49\/2026\/09\/rabbitbrush.jpg\" alt=\"yellow flowering native shrub\" class=\"wp-image-8334\" style=\"width:350px\" srcset=\"https:\/\/extension.colostate.edu\/arapahoe\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/49\/2026\/09\/rabbitbrush.jpg 505w, https:\/\/extension.colostate.edu\/arapahoe\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/49\/2026\/09\/rabbitbrush.jpg?resize=150,150 150w, https:\/\/extension.colostate.edu\/arapahoe\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/49\/2026\/09\/rabbitbrush.jpg?resize=300,300 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 505px) 100vw, 505px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\"><em>Dwarf blue rabbitbrush. Photo: CO Springs Utilities, Waterwise Demonstration Garden<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:21px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Dwarf blue rabbitbrush <\/strong>(<em>Ericameria nauseosa var. nauseosa<\/em>) is a good, compact shrub that is also native. Its \u201cblue\u201d moniker derives from its silver\/blue leaves. It shows off yellow flowers in September and grows from 1 to 3 feet in height and width.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Other fantastic fall bloomers include sunflowers, false sunflowers, black-eyed Susans, monkshood, Joe-Pye weed, blue mist spirea, chrysanthemums, snapdragons, pansies and showy stonecrop.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Sources:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>University of Massachusetts Amherst, \u201cCenter for Agriculture, Food and the Environment\u201d. \u201cFall Flowers.&#8221;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>IA State University Extension &#8211; Fall Blooming Perennials<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>CSU. College of Agricultural Sciences. \u201cNine Best Perennials for Colorado from the 2025 CSU Flower Trials\u201d<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>University of Illinois\/ Urbana\/ Champaign, Enroth, Christopher. \u201cWhat Makes Plants Bloom at Different Times of the Year?\u201d October 2021<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Cornell University (2006) Growing Guide. \u201cPincushion Flower\u201d aka Sweet Scabiosa<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Missouri Botanical Garden. \u201cSymphotrichum novi-belgii\u201d \u2013 Formerly Aster novi-belgii<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>CO Springs Utilities. \u201cWaterwise Plants.&#8221; Dwarf blue rabbitbrush.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>A Splash of Color: Blossoms for the Fall By Mary Gifford, Colorado Master Gardener Thank goodness we have reached the beginning of autumn. If you are one&#8230;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":185,"featured_media":8330,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_feature_clip_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":"","jetpack_post_was_ever_published":true},"class_list":["post-8329","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry"],"pp_statuses_selecting_workflow":false,"pp_workflow_action":"current","pp_status_selection":"publish","pp_force_visibility":null,"pp_subpost_visibility":null,"pp_inherited_force_visibility":null,"pp_inherited_subpost_visibility":null,"pp_post_mime_type":"","acf":[],"jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/extension.colostate.edu\/arapahoe\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/49\/2026\/09\/Aster_novi_belgii_Diana-1-2048x2048-2926335397.jpg","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/extension.colostate.edu\/arapahoe\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/8329","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/extension.colostate.edu\/arapahoe\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/extension.colostate.edu\/arapahoe\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/extension.colostate.edu\/arapahoe\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/185"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/extension.colostate.edu\/arapahoe\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=8329"}],"version-history":[{"count":8,"href":"https:\/\/extension.colostate.edu\/arapahoe\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/8329\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":8402,"href":"https:\/\/extension.colostate.edu\/arapahoe\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/8329\/revisions\/8402"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/extension.colostate.edu\/arapahoe\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/8330"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/extension.colostate.edu\/arapahoe\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=8329"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}