Autumn also has a lot to offer in terms of plants. The late bloomers in autumn also provide the bees with food when nature slowly falls into hibernation. In addition, they offer a colorful and decorative eye-catcher in the often dreary autumnal garden, on the balcony or terrace. The following article lists the most beautiful autumn plants.
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food for bees
Asters and chrysanthemums are not the only late bloomers. However, these flowers are usually the first to be thought of when the question arises about flowering autumn plants that can also provide food for bees and other insects. Many other plants and trees also offer the animals sufficient food in autumn. Because especially in the darkening time, when it is slowly getting cooler andoften gets wet, the insects that are now preparing for hibernation often find nothing nutritious. So it makes sense to make your own garden, terrace and balcony insect-friendly even as the season gets darker. And even for you, the colorful eye-catcher is a treat for the soul in the often dreary autumn months. The most beautiful late bloomers that are well suited to bees are listed below.
A distinction is made between hardy shrubs for the garden, hardy flowering plants and plants that need a little winter protection from the first frost.
Late flowering shrubs
The late-flowering shrubs are usually hardy and are therefore cultivated in the garden all year round. These shrubs, which are easy to care for once planted, are very valuable not only as a colorful eye-catcher in the autumn garden, but also for the bees. These include the following:
Bartblume (Caryopteris x clandonensis)
- Vervain family (Verbenaceae)
- subshrub
- blue flowers
- in clusters on the shoots
- Flowering period from July to September
- about a meter high
- thin, upright shoots
- Winter sun is ideal
Bee tree (Tetradium daniellii var. hupehensis)
- also known as honey ash
- or as a thousand-flower shrub
- Rue family (Rutaceae)
- much appreciated by beekeepers
- nectar-rich flowers
- white flower color
- from July to October
- fast growing
- multi-stemmed tree
Blauraute (Perovskia)
- Labiatae family (Lamiaceae)
- also called silver bush
- subshrub
- violet-blue flowers
- panicle-like inflorescence
- Flowering period from August to September
- upright growing
- up to two meters high during flowering
- well suited for rock gardens
Buschklee (Lespedeza thunbergii)
- Legume family (Fabaceae)
- pink flowers
- flowers on grapes
- Flowering time from September to October
- upright, dense, bushy growth
- up to 2.50 meters high
- works well for a downtown area
- shoots freeze in winter
- grow back in spring
Fingerstrauch (Potentilla fruticosa)
- The rose family (Rosaceae)
- different flower colors
- white, yellow, orange, pink, red
- simple cup flowers
- Flowering time from summer until well into October
- sprawling growing
- bushy and upright
- depending on the variety between 50 and 130 centimeters
Seven Sons of Heaven Shrub (Heptacodium miconioides)
- Honeysuckle family (Caprifoliaceae)
- exotic looking tree
- Pre-flowering in June
- then late bloomers
- Main flowering until November
- white, single flowers on panicles
- exudes a pleasant scent of jasmine
- dense and upright growth
Säckelblume (Ceantothus x delilianus)
- Also called California lilac
- Buckthorn family (Rhamnaceae)
- bred hybrids
- bright blue flowers
- blooms well into November
- small flowers on panicles
- upright, loose, overhanging growth
- grows up to 1.50 meters high
Sommerflieder „Sungold“ (Buddleja weyeriana)
- Figwort family (Scrophlariaceae)
- not related to the common lilac
- Breeding variety from Belgium
- also butterfly bush
- Flowering from July until the first frost days
- sunny yellow flowers
- very rich in nectar
- small flowers on panicles
- upright growing and overhanging
- about two meters high
Hardy late bloomers
Mostly they are perennials, which belong to the late bloomers. These are usually perennial and frost hardy, so in winter they only need a light protection from a layer of mulch, which should be laid around the roots on the ground. If the plants are cultivated in a pot, it should be covered with brushwood or plant fleece so that no frost can get to the roots from the side. Hardy late flowering plants important to bees include the following:
Astern (Aster)
- daisy family (Asteraceae)
- over 180 varieties
- many different flower colors
- Flowers of each variety cup-shaped
- for garden beds or tubs
- Flowering time from summer to the first frost
- most varieties hardy
Chrysanthemums (Chrysanthemum Indicum Hybrids)
- daisy family (Asteraceae)
- many different varieties
- different flower colors
- white, pink, red, orange, yellow
- flower heads
- Bed or tub cultivation
- late variety only flowering from October
- very long flowering period
- Cut off close to the ground after flowering
Ivy (Hedera Helix)
- Family name Araliengewächse (Araliaceae)
- evergreen native climber
- late flowering period
- starts in September/October
- small yellowish/green flowers
- Similar fragrance to linden blossom
- flat and climbing
- forms adhesive roots
- climbs up to 20 meters high
- preferred bee pasture
Heidekraut (Erica)
- Heather family (Ericaceae)
- over 800 species
- actually a compact dwarf shrub
- white, pink, red or purple flowers
- Winter heather (Erica carnea) in the home garden
- grows up to 30 centimeters high
- evergreen late bloomer
- Flowering time in autumn and winter
Herbstzeitlose (Colchicum autumnale)
- Colchicaceae family
- light purple-white flowers
- tubular single flower
- Flowering period from August to October
- clump-forming perennial
- toxic to humans and animals
- Daughter tubers are formed for the next year
- Mother tuber dies after flowering
- Do not confuse leaves with wild garlic
Longleaf speedwell (Veronica maritima syn. Veronica longifolia L.)
- Plantain family (Plantaginaceae)
- valuable native bee pasture
- Flowering from summer to September
- Inflorescences over a meter tall
- bright blue
- also available in white or purple
- grows in swampy areas and on river banks
- Red List as Vulnerable
- Flower of the Year 2018
- needs a lot of water
Wegwarte (Cichorium inytbus)
- daisy family (Asteraceae)
- Flowering every day from 6:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m
- then the flowers close again
- Flowering period from June to October
- bright blue flowers
- mostly found on roadsides
- can be cultivated in cottage gardens
Note: The winter lettuce radicchio, sugar loaf and chicory were grown from chicory, which used to be a prized wild plant.
Frostempfindliche Herbstpflanzen
As a rule, the autumn plants that bloom well before the first frost are also frost hardy. But there are always exceptions. Therefore, the following are the autumn plants that should be protected from frosty days during or after their late flowering:
Cyclamen (cyclamen)
- Primrose family (Primulaceae)
- are under nature protection
- different flower colors
- white, pink, red
- Single flowers on stalks
- hardy varieties available
- Autumn cyclamen (Cyclamen hederifolium)
- Flowering period from August to October
- protect non-hardy varieties
Mönchspfeffer (Vitex agnus-castus)
- Vervain family (Verbenaceae)
- also popular as a medicinal plant
- different flower colors
- white, pink, red, blue, violet
- Flowering time from September to October
- spike-like flowers
- upright and bushy growing
- good bee pasture
- protect from moisture in winter
Kira Bellingham
I'm a homes writer and editor with more than 20 years' experience in publishing. I have worked across many titles, including Ideal Home and, of course, Homes & Gardens. My day job is as Chief Group Sub Editor across the homes and interiors titles in the group. This has given me broad experience in interiors advice on just about every subject. I'm obsessed with interiors and delighted to be part of the Homes & Gardens team.
