What Flowers Bloom in Autumn: A Roundup of Common Autumn Flower Varieties

Autumn-blooming flowers generally refer to ornamental flowers that naturally enter their blooming period in autumn. Most of these flowers are adapted to cool climates, and many of them are typical short-day plants: once the daylight shortens, flower bud differentiation speeds up, and they burst into bloom within one or two months, becoming the main ornamental highlight of autumn.

There are quite a few common autumn flower varieties. The chrysanthemum is the representative one, with rich flower shapes and colors, blooming from early autumn all the way to around the Frost's Descent solar term; osmanthus is known for its intense fragrance, with golden osmanthus, silver osmanthus and red osmanthus releasing their scent one after another in mid-autumn. In addition, dahlias, cosmos, scarlet sage, cockscomb, begonias and the spider lily of the amaryllis family also bloom in autumn.

Some flowers do not bloom only in autumn, but perform just as well in autumn, such as Chinese roses and bougainvillea: as long as the temperature is suitable and care is proper, the quality of their autumn blooms is often no worse than in spring and summer. For gardeners who like to get their hands dirty, autumn is also a good time to plant bulbs; tulips, hyacinths and other bulbs undergo low-temperature vernalization through the winter and can bloom smoothly the following spring.

As for care, most autumn flowers like plenty of light and should be placed in a sunny spot; after the temperature drops, water evaporates more slowly, so watering should be reduced accordingly to avoid the potting soil staying wet for long periods; during bud formation and blooming, phosphorus and potassium fertilizer can be added appropriately to make the flowers larger and more vivid. Before the cold wave arrives in late autumn, cold-sensitive varieties should be moved indoors in time or given proper protection, so you can enjoy this autumn flowering season with peace of mind.