The 7 Most Colorful Fall-Blooming Flowers in Upstate New York

Upstate New York is known for its chilling and freezing cold winters. But right before winter, before the harsh snowfall, this area experiences crisp, cool, and calm autumn weather. The leaves on the trees change color and turn vibrant red, pink, orange, or yellow. Apart from that, some flowers continue blooming until the first sign of frost. But, which flowers bloom in fall? Follow along to learn about the 7 most colorful fall-blooming flowers in Upstate New York.

Goldenrod

The first flower on our list is the goldenrod, and it’s hard to miss. This lovely plant is native to mostly native to North America. Technically, goldenrod is a large genus of up to 120 species of flowering plants. These lovely flowering plants typically produce small golden flowers in clusters. Goldenrods though vary a lot in size and appearance. Some develop woody stems. In Upstate New York, the best time to see these lovely flowers bloom in action is between August through mid-September. Goldenrod flowers are easy to grow. It’s best to start these flowers indoors about 6 to 8 weeks before the last expected frost.

Aster

Another vibrant fall-blooming flower in Upstate New York is the aster, specifically the New England aster. This lovely aster is native to central and eastern North America. It’s a perennial, herbaceous plant that typically reaches 1 to 4 feet tall with a spread of up to 3 feet wide. The flowers are daisy-like, vibrant, and sweet. New England asters are usually deep purple with up to 100 ray florets. The flowers are sometimes white, pink, or purple, but vary in intensity. New England asters grow in abundance. They are also easy to grow in gardens and require little extra care. You can even grow New England asters indoors and in containers.

Swamp Rose Mallow

The next colorful flower on our list is the Hibiscus moscheutos, also known as the swamp rose mallow. This stunning flowering plant is native to the eastern United States and is found as north as southern Ontario. It grows naturally in Upstate New York and can be grown in containers and gardens. Swamp rose-mallow flowers like humidity and plenty of water. They are often found near swamps or wetland edges. The flowers bloom pink or white typically from July to September.

Common White Snakeroot

Also in Upstate New York is the common white snakeroot. It’s native to eastern and central North America. This plant produces clusters of small, white flowers. It’s also poisonous and can cause milk sickness, which is when a cow ingests the toxin and is passed to humans. Common white snakeroot can grow up to nearly 5 feet tall. You can find this lovely plant throughout the United States, from Texas and Florida to Maine. It’s also present in some parts of Canada including Ontario, Quebec, and the Northwest Territories.

Chrysanthemums

There was no way we were making a list of the seven most colorful fall-blooming flowers in Upstate New York and forgetting chrysanthemums. Chrysanthemums are hard to look away from and forget. They are large flowering plants native to East Asia and northeastern Europe. However, you can find these stunning flowers throughout New York, in gardens and public green spaces. Chrysanthemums are abundant throughout the world. There are dozens of species, although the exact number is debated. Some species are small and daisy-like, while others are known for their ‘double blooms’. Possibly the best part about chrysanthemums is their diversity, they come in many different colors!

Toad Lily

While toad lilies aren’t native to Upstate New York, or the United States at all, this lovely fall-blooming flower can bring a spark of color to any yard. It’s sometimes grown in gardens in containers and is brought inside during the winter season to avoid frost. Toad lilies can be grown in USDA Zones 4 to 9, sometimes 3 depending on the conditions. The state of New York has five growing zones, hardiness zones 3-7. Lace Placid, which is in Upstate New York, has a hardiness zone of 4a.

Japanese Anemone

Last but not least is the Japanese anemone. Like the previous flowering plant, it is native to parts of Asia. This lovely flower thrives in the United States. You can grow Japanese anemone flowers in USDA hardiness zones 4 to 8. These lovely flowers are perfect to plant if you’re looking to see one last final pop of color before the winter season begins. The flowers bloom in late summer and early fall. They produce pale pink or white flowers.