Fall planting

[Shugardrawers]

What's good for a fall garden in zone 7b? My petunias are getting puny and my sunflowers aren't so sunny anymore so it's time to put out something for fall. I was thinking mums and maybe some green plants. What's good? Any recommendations for a good website for ideas?

 

[amid chaos]

Coleus always looks good this time of year, so do marigolds. Both can tolerate some mildly chilly temps and are found in garden stores this time of year.. It's a little early for mums...still too warm.

 

[UrsulasShadow]

Although, there are some early mums out there already...
I personally like to wait on my mums, but they're there, if you need color now. I may buy some now, and pick up some more later.
Also, annual grasses look good this time of year, some Pennisetum rubrum or black millet is very striking.
Asters are starting to bloom, and are very cold-hardy perennials.
I love the look of cabbages and kales in the fall garden. They come in several different colors and forms...not your culinary cabbages, for sure.
You can find several perennials still in bloom, such as rudbeckia and echinacea, and most garden centers have them on sale right now. There's also several which have foliage that turns pretty colors in the fall, like ceratostigma (leadwort), aruncus aesthusifolius (dwarf goatsbeard), and Geranium sanguineum (cranesbill geraniums). And don't forget Heuchera (coral bells), which have foliage in stunning colors year round ( I like 'Dolce Creme Brulee' and 'Caramel' for fall colors, 'Silver Scrolls' for a pretty purple and silver, and 'Amethyst Mist' for a pretty lavender purple).

 

[amid chaos]

And sedum, the fall bloomers add beautiful fall color to the garden.

 

[Kahana-ri]

I love to plant cabbages and kales for the fall. The purple tones are amazing. Then I get two over sized mums for the front steps-it completes the fall look.

 

[DebºoºS]

As AC mentioned marigolds are very colorful in the fall and tolerant of cooler temps. I'll be picking up some more mums for fall planting. Just noticed one of my mums is blooming already DS just brought home a new ornamental grass too. They do well planted in the fall.