Fall Blooming Flowers for Maryland: Plant These Beauties to Support Pollinators!

As fall quickly approaches, it’s important to plant flowers that will bloom in late summer and fall. These flowers provide food for pollinators, who are essential for the health of our ecosystem. Pollinators are responsible for transferring pollen from one flower to another, which allows plants to reproduce. Without them, our world would be a very different place! In this article, we will discuss some of the best fall blooming plants for Maryland gardeners.

Why Are Summer and Fall Blooming Plants Important for Pollinators?

When most people think about planting flowers for pollinators, they tend to focus on spring flowers. The fall is when many bees are storing up food for the winter, or pollinators such as monarchs migrate to their overwintering grounds.

Many pollinators are at risk for food insecurities during the fall months.

Fall blooming plants are important for pollinators because they provide food and shelter during the fall months. Many fall-blooming plants are native to Maryland, so they are well-adapted to our climate. These plants also tend to have large nectar glands, which make them especially attractive to pollinators.

On pleasant days, worker bees work hard to collect plant nectar and produce honey in preparation for the winter. Before the cold arrives and destroys all of the food-producing blooms, the colony must have a sufficient quantity of honey.

This is how a honey bee colony survives the winter as a group. Honey bees do not enter a dormant state. To keep themselves warm, they consume existing honey in the hive.

Honey bees also collect flower pollen and store it for future use. It will be used in January to foster newborn bees. As a result, flowers that offer both nectar and pollen are advantageous. If you’re growing plants to help pollinators in your region, make an effort to include some native late-blooming species.

Top 10 Fall Blooming Plants for Maryland Gardens

• Milkweed Varieties
• Black-Eyed Susan
• Sedum ‘Autumn Joy’
• Goldenrod
• Dahlias
• Globe-amaranth
• Leopard Plant (Ligularia)
• Mums
• Heuchera villosa ‘Autumn Bride’
• Aster
• Zinnia
• Phlox

Milkweed

Milkweed is a great choice to support pollinators. It’s the only plant that hosts monarch caterpillars, and it blooms during the late summer months.

Milkweed is also considered a native plant for Maryland. However, there are multiple varieties and only some varieties of Milkweed are native to Maryland. Maryland Wildlife and Heritage Services suggest using the native varieties: Butterfly Weed Asclepias tuberosa, Swamp Milkweed Asclepias incarnata, and Common Milkweed Asclepias syriaca. It’s important to not use Tropical Milkweed in Maryland, since the extended bloom time can cause issues with native plants and monarch migrations.

Milkweed is important for pollinators because it provides a valuable food source. The flowers are also pollinated by bees, which means that they help to support these important insects. By planting milkweed in your garden, you can help to promote the health of these helpful creatures.

Black-Eyed Susan

The black-eyed Susan is a fall blooming flower that is native to Maryland. It’s important to plant these flowers to support pollinators. These flowers showcase bright yellow leaves surrounding a dark center of the flower.

They’re also the Maryland state flower.

Sedum ‘Autumn Joy’

Sedum ‘Autumn Joy’ is a great choice for gardeners who are looking for a fall-blooming plant. This plant is easy to care for and it’s attractive flowers make it a great addition to any backyard garden.

When planting Sedum ‘Autumn Joy’, it’s important to make sure that the soil is well-drained and in full sun. Autumn Joy does not tolerate wet soil, so it’s important to plant it in an area that has good drainage.

Goldenrod

Goldenrod is a fall-blooming plant that is native to Maryland. This plant is known for its attractive yellow flowers, which bloom in late summer and fall.

Goldenrod does well in full sun or partial shade. It prefers moist, well-drained soil, but can tolerate a range of soil types

Dahlias

Dahlias are a popular choice for fall blooming flowers. These flowers come in a variety of colors, including pink, red, white, and yellow.

Dahlias are easy to care for and they are a great choice for gardeners who are looking for a fall blooming flowers in Maryland. These plants prefer full sun, but they can tolerate partial shade.

When planting dahlias, it’s important to make sure that the soil is well-drained. They do not tolerate wet soil, so make sure to plant it in an area that has good drainage and plenty of sun.

Globe-amaranth

Globe-amaranth is a popular choice for those interested in fall blooms. These flowers come in a variety of colors, including pink, red, white, and yellow. Taller versions of the plant may need to be stalked to avoid the heavy flower falling over.

Globe-amaranth is a heat and drought tolerant plant that will grow in nearly any type of soil.

Leopard Plant (Ligularia)

Ligularia is an ideal perennial for fall blooms. These flowers return year affter year in a range of hues, including pink, red, white, and yellow.

Ligularia is easy to care for and they are a great choice for gardeners who are looking for a fall blooming plant. These plants prefer full sun, but they can tolerate partial shade.

Ligularia prefers moist soil, and thrives in clay or loam.

Mums

Mums are a popular choice for fall blooming flowers. These flowers come in a range of hues to bring some joy to any garden.

Make sure to plant your mums in a sunny spot with at least six hours of sun a day. Too little sun, and the plant may stay a live, but not produce blooms.

Heuchera villosa ‘Autumn Bride’

Heuchera villosa ‘Autumn Bride’ is a great choice for fall blooming plants. This plant is known for its attractive pink flowers, which bloom in late summer and fall.

When planting Heuchera villosa ‘Autumn Bride’, it’s important to make sure that the soil is well-drained. This plant does not tolerate wet soil, so it’s important to plant it in an area that has good drainage.

Aster

Wild aster’s are my favorite perenial addition to my native garden. Asters are wild flowers that are commonly found in forests or prairies. Most aster species prefer full sun, however there are certain varieties that can handle partial shade.

Most Aster varieties grow to 6" — 18" in height.

I have had success specifically with White Wood Aster in shadier locations, so long as the soil is rich.

Since Asters are a native plant to this area, they require very little additional watering once they’re established.

Zinnia

The Zinnia flower is a popular choice for late summer and fall gardens due to their bright colors and large flowers. It’s easy to grow and comes in a variety of colors, making it a great option for pollinators. Zinnias are also long-lasting flowers, so they can add beauty to your garden for weeks on end.

Phlox

The phlox plant is a beautiful addition to any garden. Phlox is a great, colorful groundcover whose fall blooms are beneficial for pollinators.

Phlox varieties can bloom in the springtime or the fall, with brightly-colored flowers, and a delightful fragrance. The phlox is a perennial, which means it will come back year after year. It's easy to care for, and it grows well in most climates.

Phlox grows natively in Maryland. It’s important to plant phlox to support pollinators, as they are attracted to the flower’s nectar. Phlox can be planted in either gardens or containers and comes in a variety of colors, such as white, pink, orange, and purple.

Conclusion

Fall is a beautiful time of year in Maryland, and what better way to enjoy it than by planting some native flowers that bloom during this season. We’ve provided a list of some great plants that will add color and beauty to your garden or landscape. Not only are these plants attractive, but they also support pollinators. So why wait? Get started today.