Autumn in Texas isn’t just golden—it can be bursting with color. Choosing the right flowers transforms a fall garden into a seasonal masterpiece.
Some blooms surprise with vibrant hues when others fade. Here are 13 flowers that make Texas gardens shine this autumn.
1. Mexican Bush Sage
Picture soft purple spikes swaying in the breeze, and you’ve got the charm of this drought-tolerant beauty. Mexican Bush Sage loves Texas fall weather and asks for almost nothing in return.
Plant it in full sun with well-draining soil, and watch it grow into a bushy shrub. Texas gardeners love how low-maintenance it is once established.
2. Autumn Sage
Hummingbirds can’t resist the tubular blooms that pop up in shades of red, pink, coral, and white. This native Texas plant handles heat, drought, and poor soil like a champ.
Perfect for borders or mass plantings, it thrives in sunny spots across the state. Just give it occasional water and watch the magic unfold.
3. Chrysanthemums
Nothing screams fall quite like a burst of mums in every color imaginable. These classic bloomers bring instant curb appeal to porches, patios, and flower beds throughout Texas.
Choose from compact mounds or tall varieties depending on your space. Water regularly and deadhead spent blooms to keep them looking their best all season long.
4. Marigolds
Bright, cheerful, and ridiculously easy to grow, these annuals are fall favorites for good reason. Marigolds bloom nonstop in Texas gardens from planting until the first freeze hits.
Plant them in full sun with decent drainage, and they’ll reward you with zero drama. Kids love growing them too because they sprout fast and bloom quickly.
5. Pansies
Cool-season champs, these little faces brighten up Texas gardens when temperatures dip. Pansies come in nearly every color combo you can imagine, from deep purples to sunny yellows with whimsical markings.
Plant them in beds, containers, or window boxes where they’ll get morning sun. Keep the soil moist, and they’ll keep smiling back at you all season.
6. Celosia
With blooms shaped like flames or soft feathers, this tropical-looking annual thrives in Texas heat and doesn’t quit when fall arrives. Celosia comes in bold reds, oranges, pinks, and yellows that add drama to any planting.
Use it as a focal point or mix it with other fall bloomers for texture. Pollinators adore it, and cut flowers last forever in arrangements.
7. Lantana
Butterfly magnets with clusters of tiny blooms in wild color combos, these tough plants laugh at Texas heat and drought. Lantana keeps flowering strong through fall, offering shades that shift as blooms age.
Plant it in sunny spots where you want non-stop color and wildlife action. Just be aware it can be aggressive, so give it room or contain it in pots.
8. Black-Eyed Susans
Cheerful golden petals surrounding dark centers make this wildflower an autumn favorite across Texas. Black-Eyed Susans bloom generously from summer into fall, bringing prairie vibes to home landscapes.
Perfect for naturalized areas or cottage gardens, they self-seed readily and attract bees and butterflies. Give them sun and average soil, and they’ll return year after year without fuss.
9. Firebush
Hummingbirds go wild for the tubular red-orange blooms that cover this shrub from summer through frost. Firebush is a Texas native that handles heat, humidity, and occasional drought with ease.
It grows fast and can reach several feet tall, making it ideal for hedges or focal points. Plant it in full sun to part shade and enjoy the constant wildlife show.
10. Salvia Greggii
Compact and colorful, this native Texas salvia pumps out tubular blooms in red, pink, salmon, and white all fall long. Salvia Greggii is incredibly drought-tolerant and thrives in poor soils where other plants struggle.
Use it in rock gardens, borders, or xeriscapes for reliable color. It requires minimal water once established and looks great year-round in the state’s gardens.
11. Copper Canyon Daisy
Masses of golden-yellow blooms appear in fall, covering this airy perennial in sunshine. Copper Canyon Daisy is a Texas favorite because it blooms late in the season when many plants are fading.
Plant it in full sun with good drainage, and it’ll reward you with minimal care. It grows large, so give it space to spread and show off its cheerful flowers.
12. Zinnias
Fast-growing and wildly colorful, these annuals are perfect for filling gaps in fall Texas gardens. Zinnias come in nearly every shade imaginable and bloom continuously until frost shuts them down.
Sow seeds directly in sunny spots with decent soil, and watch them take off. Butterflies and bees visit them constantly, making your garden buzz with life all season.
13. Turk’s Cap
Shade-loving and hummingbird-approved, this Texas native produces unique red tubular blooms that look like tiny turbans. Turk’s Cap blooms from summer through fall, thriving in spots where other plants won’t.
Plant it under trees or along shaded borders for reliable color. The berries that follow attract songbirds, making it a year-round wildlife favorite across the state.