Five Fall Annual Plants That Thrive in Fort Worth - A Local Landscaper's Guide

As someone who's been installing and maintaining landscapes across Fort Worth, Benbrook, and Crowley for years, I can tell you that fall is one of the best times to add color to your yard. I'm Cole A from New Day Landscaping, and after working with over 100 local families on their seasonal planting, I've learned which fall annuals actually deliver in our North Texas climate.

I recently watched a great video from Jarratt at Shades of Green where he walks through his five favorite fall annual plants. Since Shades of Green is based here in Texas, their recommendations are actually spot-on for our Fort Worth area. Let me share some thoughts on these plants from my experience installing them in local landscapes.

Why Fall Annuals Matter in Texas

Here in North Texas, fall is kind of our second spring. The brutal summer heat has passed, our warm-season grasses are winding down, but we still have months of decent weather ahead before any hard freezes hit. This makes fall the perfect time to add pops of color with annual plants.

Unlike perennials that come back year after year, annuals give you one season of intense color and then you replace them. For fall in Fort Worth, this actually works out great because you can have amazing color from September through November, and some of these plants will even carry you into winter and early spring.

After installing seasonal color on properties throughout Tanglewood, Overton Park, and Riverside, I've learned which plants are worth the investment and which ones struggle in our specific conditions.

Celosia - The Unique Fall Standout

Jarratt starts off with celosia, and I've got to say, this is one plant that really catches people's attention. The traditional variety looks like a rooster's crown - that's why it's called cockscomb - but there are newer varieties like Dragon's Breath that have this flame-like appearance.

What I really appreciate about celosia for Fort Worth landscapes is how well it handles our conditions. It's heat-tolerant (which matters since we often have 80-90 degree days in September), it comes in great fall colors like magenta, orange, yellow, and deep red, and it has this unique texture that adds interest to container plantings.

In mixed containers, celosia works as what designers call the "thriller" - the tall, eye-catching centerpiece that draws attention. I often use it in large planters on front porches or in bed plantings where you need some height variation.

One tip Jarratt mentions that I think is really cool - celosia dries well and reseeds easily. If you let the blooms dry and collect the seeds, you can plant them again next year. Not many annuals give you that bonus.

Croton - Tropical Color for Fall

The second plant in the video is croton, and this is where I have mixed feelings for Fort Worth use. Croton absolutely has gorgeous fall colors - those oranges, reds, and variegated leaves are stunning. And for a container planting on a covered porch, it can work great.

But here's the reality - croton is a tropical plant that won't survive our Texas winters outdoors. Even our relatively mild Fort Worth winters will kill it once we get those hard freezes in December or January.

I've used croton in fall container plantings for clients who understand it's temporary. The color is worth it for that September-through-November window. Some people will bring the containers inside before the first freeze and keep them as houseplants, which can work if you have a bright south-facing window.

My general advice - if you want croton color in your fall containers and you're okay with replanting after winter, go for it. But if you want something that'll last longer, there are better options in this list.

Chrysanthemums - The Classic Fall Choice

Jarratt calls mums the "granddaddy of fall plants," and after installing hundreds of mums across Fort Worth over the years, I can't argue with that. Mums are the quintessential fall plant for good reason - they bloom in perfect fall colors right when you want them to.

What makes mums so popular in North Texas:

Perfect timing: They start blooming in late September and peak in October, right when everyone's decorating for fall and Halloween.

Great color range: Bronze, orange, burgundy, yellow, white, purple - basically every fall color you could want.

Covered in blooms: When mums are at their peak, you can barely see the foliage. It's just a ball of color.

Instant impact: Drop a few mums on your porch or plant them in your beds, and you've immediately got that fall look.

I install mums on almost every property I maintain in the fall. They're affordable, reliable, and customers know exactly what they're getting. Plant them in full sun for the best blooming, and keep them watered (but not waterlogged) through our sometimes-dry fall weather.

One thing I always tell clients - mums are technically perennials, but in practice, most people treat them as annuals. They can come back the following year if properly cared for, but they won't bloom in the same tight, rounded shape you get from nursery-grown fall mums.

Pansies and Violas - The Long-Season Winners

The last plants in Jarratt's video are pansies and violas, and these are probably my personal favorites for Fort Worth fall planting. Here's why - unlike mums and celosia that'll die at the first hard freeze, pansies and violas will last from fall all the way through winter and into early spring.

I've installed pansies in October that were still blooming in April. That's six months of color from one planting. In terms of value and longevity, nothing else on this list comes close.

The Difference Between Pansies and Violas:

Jarratt explains this well in the video - pansies have larger individual blooms but fewer of them. Violas have smaller blooms but produce way more of them. Both work great in Fort Worth, and I often mix them together in the same bed or container.

Color Options:

The variety is almost endless. Solid colors, bicolors, ones with "faces," ones without. Every color of the rainbow. This makes it easy to match whatever color scheme someone wants for their landscape.

Planting Requirements for Fort Worth:

One thing Jarratt mentions that's absolutely critical - pansies and violas need lots of sun to bloom well. I see people plant them in shade all the time and then wonder why they're not getting flowers. Full sun is key.

The blood meal recommendation he mentions is solid too. Pansies are heavy feeders, and blood meal provides nitrogen in a form they can use throughout the season. It also helps deter rabbits, which can be a problem in some Fort Worth neighborhoods.

Planting Pansies Successfully in North Texas

After installing pansies on dozens of properties throughout Benbrook, Crowley, and Fort Worth, here's what I've learned about getting the best results:

Soil Preparation: Our clay soil needs amendment. I mix in compost or planting mix to improve drainage and give pansies the loose, rich soil they prefer.

Spacing: Don't crowd them. Six inches apart gives them room to fill in without competing.

Fertilization: Start with blood meal mixed into the soil, then supplement with liquid fertilizer every few weeks through the season.

Watering: Consistent moisture without waterlogging. Our clay soil can hold too much water, so drainage matters.

Deadheading: Removing spent blooms keeps them producing new flowers. This is more important with pansies than violas.

Creating Fall Container Displays

One thing the video touches on is using these plants together in containers, and this is something I do all the time for clients. Here's a typical fall container recipe I might use in Fort Worth:

Thriller: Celosia or ornamental kale for height and drama Filler: Mums for that burst of fall color Spiller: Trailing pansies or violas to cascade over the edge

This gives you the height variation, color, and fullness that makes containers look professional. The key is choosing plants with similar water and sun requirements and complementary colors.

For Fort Worth porches and entryways, I typically use containers that are at least 16-18 inches in diameter. Bigger containers hold moisture better and give plants room to perform.

Timing Your Fall Planting in Fort Worth

Our North Texas climate creates some specific timing considerations for fall annuals:

Early Fall (September): It's often still hot, but you can start planting heat-tolerant options like celosia and early mums. Pansies might struggle in September heat.

Mid-Fall (October): Prime time for everything. Mums are at their peak, pansies are established, celosia is still going strong.

Late Fall (November): Mums and celosia are finishing up, but pansies and violas are just getting started and will carry you through winter.

This staggered approach means you can have continuous color from September through April if you plan it right.

Common Mistakes I See with Fall Annuals

After working with over 100 families on their fall planting, I see the same issues repeatedly:

Planting in shade: Mums and pansies especially need full sun. Shade means fewer blooms and leggy growth.

Poor drainage: Our clay soil holds water. Without proper drainage or soil amendment, roots rot.

Overcrowding: Plants need room to fill out. Spacing matters.

Neglecting fertilization: Annuals are heavy feeders. One application at planting isn't enough.

Inconsistent watering: Both overwatering and underwatering cause problems. Consistency is key.

What About the Rest of the Landscape?

While fall annuals add pops of color, they work best when integrated into a larger landscape that already has good structure. Foundation plantings, healthy turf, and well-maintained beds make those seasonal annuals really shine.

This is why at New Day Landscaping we emphasize year-round maintenance, not just seasonal planting. When your lawn is healthy, your beds are mulched, and your shrubs are properly trimmed, those fall mums or pansies become the finishing touch rather than trying to compensate for an otherwise neglected landscape.

The Cost-Benefit of Fall Annuals

I always get questions about whether seasonal annuals are worth the investment. Here's my take based on years of installing them in Fort Worth:

Mums and celosia are relatively short-term (6-8 weeks of peak display) but create instant impact for fall. If you're hosting events, selling your house, or just really enjoy fall decorating, they're worth it.

Pansies and violas are longer-term (6+ months) and provide better value if you're looking at cost per month of display. They're my go-to recommendation for clients who want lasting color.

Croton is beautiful but temporary in our climate. It's a splurge for container displays if you love the look.

Ready to Add Fall Color to Your Fort Worth Landscape?

Fall annual planting in North Texas offers amazing opportunities for adding seasonal color, from the unique textures of celosia to the long-lasting performance of pansies and violas. The key is choosing plants that work in our climate, preparing soil properly, and understanding what each plant needs to thrive.

At New Day Landscaping, we've helped over 100 local families create beautiful fall displays using these same proven plants. We offer competitive prices and believe in working together long-term, which means we understand seasonal planting cycles and can help you maintain color year-round.

If you're ready to add some fall color to your Fort Worth, Benbrook, or Crowley property - whether it's containers on the porch or beds throughout your yard - we'd love to help. We know exactly which varieties perform best in our local conditions and how to install them for maximum impact. Contact us today at (817) 760-0479 to schedule your consultation!