As summer winds down in Iowa, it’s easy to assume the growing season has closed shop. But early fall brings ideal conditions for certain flowers—cool temps and consistent rainfall help them root strong and bloom bold.
While others are tidying up garden beds, you can lean into a second wave of color. Late-season bloomers like asters and mums thrive when the air turns crisp and the soil still holds warmth.
With a little early planning, your yard can stay vibrant well into October. It’s the perfect way to stretch the season—and outshine the fading gardens next door.
1. Mums
Fall wouldn’t be complete without these classic autumn flowers. When planted now rather than waiting until they’re in full bloom, they’ll establish stronger roots and last longer in your Iowa garden.
Look for varieties labeled ‘early season’ or ‘mid-season’ to ensure October color. Garden centers across Iowa typically stock plenty of options in various colors from bronze to deep purple.
I’ve had mine return for years when I plant them in well-drained soil with morning sun. They appreciate a light mulch as nights get cooler, especially in northern Iowa counties.
2. Pansies
Despite their delicate appearance, these tough little flowers handle Iowa’s fall temperatures beautifully. The cooler weather actually encourages more prolific blooming than summer heat ever could.
For the best October show, choose larger plants rather than seedlings. They establish quickly when planted in September and often continue flowering through light frosts.
My favorite trick is planting them in containers near the house where they get some protection from harsh weather. Last year, mine bloomed well into November in my central Iowa garden.
3. Asters
Nothing says ‘hello fall’ in Iowa quite like these daisy-like blooms in purples, pinks, and whites. When planted now, they’ll have just enough time to establish before putting on their October show.
Choose New England or New York varieties for the best late-season performance. They prefer spots with good morning sun but some afternoon shade, especially in warmer parts of Iowa.
I’ve found they pair wonderfully with ornamental grasses and sedum for a classic autumn garden vignette. Even after the first light frost, they keep their color while other plants have faded.
4. Ornamental Kale
For something different in your Iowa garden, consider these edible ornamentals. Their ruffled leaves develop increasingly vibrant colors as temperatures drop, making them perfect for October displays.
Plant them where they’ll get full sun to develop the strongest colors. Unlike flowering plants, ornamental kale actually improves in appearance after a light frost, making it ideal for unpredictable Iowa autumn weather.
I’ve tucked these between perennials in my front border, and they fill gaps beautifully as summer flowers fade. The white, pink, and purple varieties create a stunning tapestry effect when grouped together.
5. Rudbeckia
Often called black-eyed Susans, these native-friendly flowers offer reliable golden color well into fall. While they’re typically summer bloomers, planting now means you’ll get the tail end of their show in October.
Choose container-grown plants rather than starting from seed this late in the season. They prefer full sun but will tolerate partial shade in Iowa gardens, especially in the hotter southern counties.
Last autumn, I added three to a bare spot in my perennial border just after Labor Day, and they bloomed until mid-October. Their cheerful yellow flowers attract late-season pollinators when many other nectar sources have disappeared.
6. Sedum ‘Autumn Joy’
Gardeners across Iowa appreciate this low-maintenance perennial for good reason. The fleshy leaves stay attractive all season, while the flower heads transform from pale green to pink to rusty red as fall progresses.
When planted now, they won’t reach full height this year but will still provide interesting texture and color. Their drought tolerance makes them perfect for those dry fall weeks we sometimes experience in Iowa.
In my garden, they’re the backbone of my autumn display. I’ve placed them alongside ornamental grasses where they catch the low October sunlight beautifully, creating warm glowing highlights in the garden.
7. Ornamental Peppers
For unexpected color that lasts until frost, these compact plants are hard to beat. Their small fruits in purple, red, orange, and yellow create a festive display perfect for October in Iowa.
Plant them in containers or garden beds where they’ll receive full sun. While they won’t grow much larger when planted this late, their existing peppers will continue to color up beautifully as temperatures cool.
During a particularly mild fall two years ago, mine lasted until Halloween in Des Moines. They make excellent companions to traditional fall flowers and bring a unique textural element that visitors always comment on.
8. Snapdragons
Many Iowa gardeners don’t realize these spring favorites make excellent fall plants too. The cooler temperatures bring out their best colors and most prolific blooming.
Select mid-sized varieties rather than the tallest types, as they’ll establish more quickly. They appreciate consistent moisture but good drainage, especially as we move into Iowa’s unpredictable fall weather patterns.
Along my garden path, I’ve found they provide welcome vertical interest when most other plants are finishing their season. Their ability to withstand light frosts means they often bloom right through October in all but the northernmost parts of Iowa.
9. Dianthus
Sometimes called ‘pinks,’ these spicy-scented flowers offer reliable color for Iowa’s transitional seasons. Their neat mounds of blue-green foliage look tidy even when they’re not blooming.
For October flowers, choose ever-blooming varieties specifically. They respond wonderfully to cooler temperatures after summer’s heat, often producing a second flush of blooms that rivals their spring showing.
After the first frost nipped my garden last year, these were among the few flowers still putting on a show. Their low-growing habit makes them perfect for edging paths or tucking into rock gardens where they catch that beautiful October light.
10. Verbena Bonariensis
Unlike many tall flowers, this airy purple beauty can still be planted now for October interest in Iowa gardens. Its see-through quality adds depth without blocking views of other fall bloomers.
The tall, slender stems topped with small purple flower clusters sway gracefully in autumn breezes. Though it looks delicate, it’s surprisingly sturdy even as temperatures drop across the state.
I’ve found it self-seeds gently in my eastern Iowa garden, creating welcome surprises each year. Butterflies and bees flock to it even in October when nectar sources become scarce, making it valuable for more than just its good looks.
11. Sweet Alyssum
Don’t overlook this humble annual when planning for October color in Iowa. Its honey-scented white, purple, or pink blooms create carpets of color that handle cool temperatures with ease.
Quick to establish from nursery plants, alyssum fills spaces between larger fall bloomers beautifully. It often rebounds with enthusiasm during fall’s cooler temperatures after struggling in summer heat.
Around my mailbox, it spills over the edges of a raised planting bed, creating a welcoming display well into autumn. Even after a light dusting of snow last October, the white varieties continued flowering, creating a magical frost-like effect.
12. Calendula
Often called pot marigolds, these cheerful orange and yellow bloomers aren’t actually marigolds at all. They thrive in Iowa’s cooling fall temperatures when many other annuals have given up.
Plant nursery-grown specimens now rather than starting from seed. Their edible petals add color to fall salads, making them both ornamental and practical additions to Iowa gardens.
In my raised beds, they continue flowering long after the vegetable garden has been harvested. Their ability to handle light frosts means they often bloom right through October, brightening gray days with their sunny disposition.
13. Celosia
For dramatic texture that lasts well into fall, few plants match these flame-shaped or brain-like blooms. Their fiery colors seem perfectly designed for Iowa’s autumn landscape.
Choose plume or cockscomb varieties with established blooms when planting this late in the season. They prefer full sun positions but will tolerate some afternoon shade, especially as summer transitions to fall.
During a particularly dry September last year, these drought-tolerant plants continued performing beautifully in my west-facing border. The dried flowers maintain their color for weeks, often lasting through October even after the plant has stopped actively growing.
14. Helenium
Sometimes called sneezeweed (though it doesn’t actually cause sneezing), this native prairie plant brings the colors of autumn leaves to your Iowa garden. The daisy-like flowers in rusty red, gold, and copper seem to glow in October’s light.
While it’s typically planted in spring, container-grown plants can still establish if planted now. They prefer consistently moist soil but established plants can handle brief dry spells common in Iowa’s fall.
Near my back fence, they provide a perfect transition from garden to the natural landscape beyond. Their seed heads attract goldfinches and other birds, adding movement and life to the autumn garden.
15. Marigolds
Don’t wait until spring to enjoy these versatile annuals in your Iowa garden. Fall-planted marigolds often perform better than their summer counterparts as they prefer cooler temperatures.
Choose medium-sized varieties with buds just beginning to open for the longest October display. Their legendary pest-repellent properties continue working through fall, protecting nearby plants from late-season insect damage.
Along my vegetable garden edges, they provide welcome color after many crops have been harvested. Their warm oranges and yellows complement other autumn bloomers perfectly, creating that quintessential fall garden palette that feels so right in Iowa’s landscape.