As the leaves start to change color and the cool breeze of autumn sets in, avid gardeners may feel a tinge of sadness as summer blooms start to fade. However, fall is not just a time to clean up the garden and prepare it for winter; it’s a perfect opportunity to plant annuals that thrive in cooler temperatures and can offer vibrant colors until the first frost. Here are five wonderful annuals you can add to your fall garden for a lasting display of color.

1. Chrysanthemums: Often simply called mums, these flowers are synonymous with the fall season. They come in an array of colors, from deep reds to bright yellows, and even white. Mums can withstand cooler temperatures and are perfect for containers, borders, or as generous swaths of color in your garden beds.

2. Pansies: These cheerful blooms are cold-weather favorites that can tolerate light frosts. With their distinctive “faces,” pansies come in almost every color of the rainbow and are ideal for adding a splash of color when other plants are dying back.

3. Ornamental Kale and Cabbage: These aren’t the vegetables you find in your produce aisle but are close cousins grown more for their looks than their taste. The cool weather intensifies their leaf colors, ranging from purples to pinks to creamy whites, making them beautiful additions to the fall garden palette.

4. Asters: Asters can bring a wildflower look to your fall garden with their star-like flowers that attract butterflies. They bloom in shades of blue, pink, purple, and white and mix wonderfully with other annuals or perennials still showing color.

5. Marigolds: Though often associated with summer gardens, marigolds can carry on right into the fall with their bright oranges and yellows if protected from frost. They also have the added benefit of deterring common garden pests.

When selecting annuals for your fall garden, consider not just the temperature tolerances but also how they will complement existing plants and perennials that may flower late into the season. By carefully choosing a mixture of these five types of annuals, you’ll ensure that your garden remains a colorful sanctuary as the days grow shorter and cooler. Happy planting!