Best Fall Flowers and Plants for New Orleans Landscapes

Fall in New Orleans doesn’t always mean crisp air and falling leaves the way it does up north. Here, we enjoy a longer warm season, which makes autumn an excellent time to add fresh color and hardy plants to your landscape. Whether you want vibrant flower beds, hardy shrubs, or long-lasting greenery, fall is the perfect season to refresh your yard.

🌼 Top Fall Flowers for New Orleans

Mums (Chrysanthemums)

• A fall classic! Mums thrive in cooler weather and bring bold color in shades of gold, red, orange, and purple.

• Perfect for flower beds, containers, or as pops of seasonal color near entryways.

Pansies

• These cold-hardy flowers bloom beautifully through fall and even winter in our mild climate.

• Available in a rainbow of colors, pansies are perfect for adding charm to borders and beds.

Violas

• Similar to pansies, violas are smaller but produce an abundance of blooms.

• They tolerate fluctuating New Orleans weather and provide consistent color.

Snapdragons

• Known for their vertical height and vibrant colors, snapdragons perform beautifully in fall here.

• Great for mixing into beds for variety in texture and shape.

Petunias

• While often thought of as summer flowers, certain varieties thrive in fall’s milder temps.

• They add a trailing, colorful touch to garden beds or hanging baskets.

🌿 Best Fall Plants & Shrubs for Lasting Impact

Ornamental Kale & Cabbage

• Not just edible! These plants bring stunning purple, white, and green rosettes to beds.

• They thrive in cooler fall temps and look great mixed with flowers.

Camellias

• Camellias are iconic in Southern gardens, with glossy green leaves and blooms that start appearing in fall.

• A long-lasting shrub that adds both beauty and structure.

Sasanquas

• Similar to camellias, sasanquas bloom earlier in fall and are excellent for hedges or stand-alone accents.

Salvias

• Many varieties of salvia bloom well into fall, attracting pollinators and adding rich blues, purples, and reds.

Herbs (Rosemary, Thyme, Parsley, Cilantro)

• Fall is a fantastic season to plant cool-weather herbs.

• They add greenery to your beds and flavor to your kitchen.

🍂 Tips for Planting in New Orleans Fall Weather

• Plant early in the season to give roots time to establish before cooler winter nights.

• Mix perennials and seasonal color for long-lasting beauty.

• Mulch beds to retain moisture and protect roots from temperature swings.

• Think about structure: combine flowering annuals with evergreen shrubs for year-round curb appeal.

  
  

Bring Your Landscape to Life This Fall

New Orleans’ fall season is the perfect opportunity to refresh your landscape with vibrant flowers, hardy shrubs, and seasonal plants. Whether you want a burst of color or lasting greenery, the right fall plantings can keep your yard looking lively through the cooler months.