Virginia’s fall colors make front yards the perfect canvas for a seasonal refresh. The right plants can turn your home into a head-turner without much effort.
Think layers of color, texture, and charm. These 14 picks are sure to boost your curb appeal all season long.
1. Mums
Nothing screams autumn quite like a burst of color right by your front door. Chrysanthemums are Virginia’s go-to fall flower, offering shades from deep burgundy to sunny yellow.
Plant them in clusters for maximum impact, and they’ll bloom for weeks. Plus, they’re super affordable at any garden center around Virginia!
2. Asters
Pollinators absolutely adore these daisy-like beauties that bloom late into the season. Asters bring purple and pink hues to your Virginia landscape when most other flowers have faded.
These perennials come back year after year, making them budget-friendly. Watch butterflies flock to your yard as temperatures drop!
3. Ornamental Kale
Who knew vegetables could be this gorgeous? Ornamental kale looks like giant roses in shades of purple, pink, and cream. Cold weather actually makes the colors more vibrant across Virginia’s fall landscape.
They can handle frost like champions and keep looking fresh through Thanksgiving. Line your walkway with these showstoppers for serious curb appeal!
4. Pansies
Talk about tough little troopers—these flowers laugh at Virginia’s chilly autumn mornings. Pansies offer cheerful faces in every color imaginable, from deep violet to bright orange.
Plant them now and they’ll keep blooming well into winter. They’re perfect for filling gaps in your garden beds. Mix different colors together for a cottage garden vibe!
5. Sedum
Succulents aren’t just for deserts—some varieties thrive in Virginia’s fall climate. Sedum ‘Autumn Joy’ develops stunning pink-to-rust flower heads that butterflies can’t resist.
They transition beautifully through the seasons, staying attractive even after frost hits. Low maintenance meets high style!
6. Fountain Grass
Movement brings life to any landscape, and these graceful plumes sway with every breeze. Fountain grass adds texture with its arching foliage and bottlebrush-like seed heads. Virginia gardeners love how it contrasts beautifully against fall’s fiery colors.
The coppery tones deepen as autumn progresses. Plant several together for a dramatic, flowing effect along your property line!
7. Burning Bush
This shrub literally sets your yard on fire—with color, that is. Burning bush transforms from green to blazing crimson as Virginia’s temperatures drop. It’s like having your own personal sunset right in your landscape.
The compact varieties work great as foundation plantings. Just one specimen can become the focal point of your entire front yard!
8. Coral Bells
Foliage can steal the show just as much as flowers, and these perennials prove it. Coral bells come in wild colors—plum, caramel, lime green, and even near-black.
They’re perfect for Virginia’s shadier front yard spots where other plants struggle. The leaves look good from spring through fall. Delicate flower spikes appear as a bonus in warmer months!
9. Switchgrass
Native plants are having a moment, and this prairie grass deserves all the attention. Switchgrass turns gorgeous shades of gold and burgundy throughout Virginia’s autumn months.
Birds love the seeds, adding wildlife interest to your yard. The upright form provides vertical drama without taking up much space!
10. Goldenrod
Don’t believe the allergy myths—ragweed is the real culprit, not this golden beauty. Goldenrod explodes with sunny yellow blooms just when Virginia gardens need brightness most.
It’s a native wildflower that supports local ecosystems while looking fantastic. Pair it with purple asters for a stunning color combo. Zero maintenance required once it settles in!
11. Japanese Maple
If you want to make a statement, this tree delivers elegance in spades. Japanese maples offer lacy leaves that turn spectacular shades of red, orange, and gold across Virginia.
Even smaller yards can accommodate dwarf varieties that stay compact. They work as stunning focal points near entryways. The branching structure looks artistic even after leaves drop!
12. Russian Sage
Silvery foliage and lavender blooms create an ethereal effect that photographs beautifully. Russian sage keeps flowering into Virginia’s fall months when many perennials have called it quits.
Deer won’t touch it, which is a huge bonus in many neighborhoods. It thrives in full sun and actually prefers drier conditions!
13. Black-Eyed Susans
These cheerful natives keep Virginia gardens glowing well into autumn’s cooler days. Black-eyed Susans are practically indestructible, handling heat, cold, and everything in between.
Their golden petals with dark centers create instant happiness wherever they’re planted. They self-seed, so you’ll get more plants each year for free. Goldfinches adore the seed heads in late fall!
14. Violas
Think of these as pansies’ daintier cousins with equally tough personalities. Violas produce tons of small, colorful blooms that keep going through Virginia’s first frosts.
The sweet faces look charming up close without being overwhelming. Plant them densely for a carpet of continuous color!