The Best Plant For Reliable Fall Color Isn't Mums Or Marigolds

Autumn can be a stunning season in the garden. Leaves are falling, pumpkins and other cool-weather crops are finally ripening, and flowers like marigolds and annual garden mums are putting on a brilliant show. While these blooms can be a lot of fun, they need to be replanted each season and aren't the best way to ensure reliable fall color year after year. For a display that returns on its own, look beyond the usual favorites to an unlikely source: a succulent. 'Autumn Joy' sedum (Hylotelephium spectabile 'Autumn Joy') returns every year and fills your garden with pink blossoms toward the end of the summer that deepen into warm, earthy hues as temperatures begin to drop.

'Autumn Joy' sedum is worth growing beyond its late-season display, too. It looks lovely when it first emerges in spring, and through winter, when its dried stems and blooms add color and interest to your landscape. However, as its name suggests, it's at the height of its beauty in fall when its flowers open. And as a drought-tolerant perennial, it should return for you again and again with little work on your end.

Hardy in zones 3 through 10, this succulent is a great option across much of the United States. And as long as you have a sunny spot to put it in and a well-draining growing medium, it should thrive in your garden. If you're concerned your soil is too clay-heavy or compacted, consider amending with compost. Don't overdo the fertilizer, though. Too much can encourage weak, floppy growth, while consistently soggy conditions can cause problems. So this is definitely one of those plants that appreciates a little benign neglect. Additionally, 'Autumn Joy' sedum is rarely bothered by pests or disease, so you can sit back and enjoy this low-maintenance beauty and its long-lasting blooms without constantly monitoring it for trouble.

As this beauty only grows to around 18 inches, it's perfect for placing towards the front or middle of beds and borders. Just make sure to pair it with other vegetation that also thrives in poor and droughty soil. Options like yarrow and coreopsis can make great companion plants for sedum. You could even put the beautiful 'Dragon's Blood' variety in front of your 'Autumn Joy' to add a ground cover with vibrant fall color. The combination gives you color at different heights while keeping the planting relatively low-maintenance.

And if you want even more 'Autumn Joy' in your garden, it's a snap to propagate from cuttings. It can also be easily divided. That means one healthy plant can eventually become several, giving you an easy way to expand your fall-color display without starting from scratch each year.