Best Plants for Fall in Ontario

Fall in Ontario is a magical time when the landscape undergoes a transformation, with vibrant bursts of color, cooler temperatures, and a gradual shift toward the quiet stillness of winter. For gardeners and homeowners, autumn is an opportunity to showcase plants that thrive during this season, offering brilliant foliage, striking textures, and late-season blooms. Selecting the right plants for one’s garden can ensure that one’s landscape remains vibrant and interesting even as summer fades. And remember – those who feel like this is too much to worry about, the professionals are here to help!

This guide will explore the best plants for fall in Ontario, focusing on perennials, shrubs, trees, and ornamental grasses that provide color, texture, and ecological benefits to one’s garden. Whether one is looking to enhance one’s curb appeal, create wildlife habitats, or simply enjoy the beauty of autumn, these plant choices will help one make the most of the season.

1. Perennials for Fall Color

Perennials are a staple in any garden because they return year after year, and many varieties peak during the fall season. In Ontario’s climate, where the growing season can be short, choosing resilient perennials that put on a stunning display in fall is essential.

Asters (Aster spp.)

Asters are a classic fall-blooming perennial, known for their daisy-like flowers that come in shades of purple, blue, pink, and white. These plants provide a bright burst of color in the garden when many other flowers have finished blooming. In addition to their beauty, asters attract pollinators like bees and butterflies, making them an eco-friendly choice for a fall garden.

Planting Tips: Asters prefer full sun and well-drained soil. They’re relatively low maintenance and can thrive in various soil types, but they benefit from being divided every few years to maintain vigor.

Bloom Time: Late summer to early fall.

 

 

Sedum (Sedum spp.)

Sedum, particularly the ‘Autumn Joy’ variety, is a standout perennial for fall gardens. Its succulent-like leaves are topped with clusters of pink flowers that gradually darken to a rich bronze-red as the season progresses. Sedum is a drought-tolerant, low-maintenance plant that thrives in sunny conditions, making it ideal for Ontario’s variable fall weather.

Planting Tips: Sedum prefers well-drained soil and full sun. It can tolerate poor soil conditions and doesn’t require much water, making it a hardy choice.

Bloom Time: Late summer through fall.

 

Black-Eyed Susan (Rudbeckia hirta)

The cheerful yellow blooms of Black-Eyed Susan are a hallmark of late summer and fall in Ontario. These hardy perennials have dark, cone-shaped centers and bright yellow petals that stand out against the rich fall foliage. Black-Eyed Susans are tough plants that thrive in a range of conditions and provide long-lasting color well into the autumn season.

Planting Tips: Black-Eyed Susans prefer full sun and well-drained soil but can tolerate light shade. They are drought-tolerant once established and can spread over time.

Bloom Time: Mid-summer to fall.

 

Japanese Anemone (Anemone hupehensis)

Japanese Anemones are graceful perennials that bloom in late summer and continue into the fall, offering delicate white, pink, or lavender flowers. Their airy, swaying blooms add elegance to the garden, and they pair well with other fall bloomers like asters and sedum. These plants can tolerate light shade, making them versatile in garden design.

Planting Tips: Japanese Anemones prefer moist, well-drained soil and partial shade. They can spread vigorously, so be prepared to manage their growth in smaller gardens.

Bloom Time: Late summer to fall.

 

 2. Shrubs for Fall Interest

Shrubs play a critical role in creating structure and adding height to one’s garden. Many shrubs not only provide attractive foliage and blooms in the fall but also offer berries and seeds that attract birds and wildlife, adding another layer of interest.

Burning Bush (Euonymus alatus)

True to its name, Burning Bush is famous for its fiery red foliage that lights up the landscape in the fall. This deciduous shrub has a compact, mounded form, making it suitable for foundation plantings, hedges, or standalone specimens. Its stunning color is a fall favorite across Ontario.

Planting Tips: Burning Bush prefers full sun to partial shade and well-drained soil. It’s relatively low-maintenance, but regular pruning can help control its size and shape.

Fall Feature: Brilliant red foliage.

 

Viburnum (Viburnum spp.)

Viburnum shrubs are incredibly versatile, offering multiple seasons of interest. In the fall, many viburnum varieties display vibrant red, orange, or burgundy foliage, along with clusters of berries that attract birds. Viburnums are excellent for providing color, texture, and wildlife support in the garden.

Planting Tips: Viburnums thrive in full sun to partial shade and prefer moist, well-drained soil. They can be used as specimen plants, hedges, or in mixed borders.

Fall Feature: Colorful foliage and berries.

 

Sumac (Rhus typhina)

Staghorn Sumac is a native shrub that puts on a spectacular show in the fall with its fern-like leaves turning shades of red, orange, and yellow. In addition to its dramatic fall foliage, Sumac produces fuzzy red fruit clusters that persist into winter, providing food for birds.

Planting Tips: Sumac thrives in full sun and well-drained soil. It can spread aggressively, so it’s best suited for larger landscapes where it can be allowed to naturalize.

Fall Feature: Bold fall colors and persistent fruit.

Ninebark (Physocarpus opulifolius)

Ninebark is a tough, hardy shrub that offers multi-season interest. In the fall, varieties like ‘Diablo’ or ‘Amber Jubilee’ showcase dark purple or orange foliage, adding rich tones to the garden. The peeling bark of Ninebark also adds winter interest after the leaves have fallen.

Planting Tips: Ninebark is adaptable to a range of soil conditions and can tolerate full sun to partial shade. It’s a low-maintenance shrub that works well in mixed borders or as a standalone feature.

Fall Feature: Colorful foliage and exfoliating bark.

 

 3. Trees for Fall Foliage

Trees are the anchors of any landscape, and fall is when many trees reach their peak beauty in Ontario. The vibrant colors of maples, oaks, and other deciduous trees are synonymous with the season, making them an essential part of a fall garden.

Sugar Maple (Acer saccharum)

The Sugar Maple is perhaps the most iconic tree for fall in Ontario. Known for its brilliant orange, yellow, and red foliage, this native tree is a staple in both urban and rural landscapes. Beyond its aesthetic appeal, Sugar Maple is also valued for its role in producing maple syrup.

Planting Tips: Sugar Maples prefer well-drained, slightly acidic soil and full sun to partial shade. They are long-lived trees, making them an investment in the future beauty of one’s garden.

Fall Feature: Vibrant orange, red, and yellow foliage.

 

 

Red Maple (Acer rubrum)

Red Maples offer dazzling red, orange, or yellow foliage in the fall, making them a favorite for adding vibrant color to the landscape. This fast-growing tree is adaptable to various soil types and conditions, making it a reliable choice for Ontario gardens.

Planting Tips: Red Maples thrive in full sun and can tolerate wet soil, making them a good choice for areas with poor drainage. They are also relatively low-maintenance once established.

Fall Feature: Brilliant red and orange foliage.

 

Eastern Redbud (Cercis canadensis)

While Eastern Redbud is primarily known for its stunning pink spring blossoms, it also offers excellent fall interest. Its heart-shaped leaves turn a striking yellow in autumn, creating a golden glow in the landscape.

Planting Tips: Eastern Redbud prefers well-drained soil and can tolerate full sun to partial shade. It’s a smaller tree, making it ideal for urban gardens or as an ornamental feature.

Fall Feature: Bright yellow foliage.

 

Serviceberry (Amelanchier canadensis)

Serviceberry is a multi-season tree that shines in the fall with its orange, red, or yellow leaves. In addition to its fall color, Serviceberry produces edible berries in the summer and beautiful white flowers in the spring, making it a year-round garden asset.

Planting Tips: Serviceberry prefers moist, well-drained soil and can tolerate full sun to partial shade. It’s a smaller tree, making it a good choice for compact gardens.

Fall Feature: Colorful foliage and wildlife-friendly berries.

 

4. Ornamental Grasses for Fall Texture

Ornamental grasses add movement, texture, and a soft contrast to the bold colors of fall foliage. Many grasses reach their peak in the fall, offering feathery plumes and golden hues that last well into the winter months.

 

Switchgrass (Panicum virgatum)

Switchgrass is a native Ontario grass that adds vertical interest and texture to fall gardens. Its tall, airy plumes turn a soft gold or burgundy in the fall, and its seed heads provide food for birds throughout the winter.

Planting Tips: Switchgrass thrives in full sun and tolerates a wide range of soil conditions, including poor or dry soil. It’s a low-maintenance plant that works well in mass planting.

And so ends this article about the best plants for fall in Ontario. For those out there who don’t want to do their own planting, remember the professionals are here to help!