Perennial mums are a staple in many fall gardens, but pairing them with the right annuals can take your late-summer display to the next level. By strategically selecting annuals that complement mums’ colors, textures, and growing habits, you can create a stunning garden that blooms well into autumn.
From tried-and-true favorites to unexpected choices, there’s a wide range of annuals that can elevate your mums and keep your garden looking its best. Here are 15 top annual companions for your perennial mums and unlock the secrets to a show-stopping late summer garden.
1. Marigolds
Marigolds are a classic companion for mums, sharing their warm color palette of yellows, oranges, and reds. Their pungent scent helps repel pests like deer and rabbits while attracting beneficial wasps that prey on leaf miners.
Planting Guide:
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- Plant marigolds 12-18 inches apart in full sun
- Deadhead regularly to encourage continuous blooming
- Water when the top inch of soil feels dry
2. Zinnias
Zinnias come in a rainbow of colors and pair beautifully with mums. Their bright, daisy-like flowers attract pollinators and provide a stunning contrast to the more mounded shape of mums.
Planting Guide:
- Sow zinnia seeds directly in the garden after the last frost
- Plant in full sun, spacing plants 12-18 inches apart
- Deadhead spent blooms to prolong flowering
3. Asters
Asters and mums are a match made in heaven, blooming at the same time and thriving in similar conditions. Asters’ star-shaped flowers in cool shades of purple and pink provide a lovely contrast to the warm hues of mums.
Planting Guide:
- Plant asters in full sun to partial shade
- Space plants 1-3 feet apart, depending on the variety
- Pinch back stems in early summer to encourage bushiness
4. Celosia
Celosia’s unique plume-like flowers add texture and interest to the fall garden. Available in vibrant shades of red, orange, and pink, they make a striking companion for mums.
Planting Guide:
- Start celosia seeds indoors 6-8 weeks before the last frost
- Transplant outdoors after danger of frost has passed
- Plant in full sun, spacing plants 10-12 inches apart
5. Cosmos
Cosmos are airy, graceful annuals that bloom prolifically from summer through fall. Their delicate flowers in shades of pink, purple, and white provide a soft backdrop for bolder mums.
Planting Guide:
- Sow cosmos seeds directly in the garden after the last frost
- Plant in full sun, spacing seeds 12-18 inches apart
- Deadhead regularly to encourage continuous blooming
6. Nasturtiums
Nasturtiums are charming, low-growing annuals with bright, round leaves and cheerful flowers in shades of yellow, orange, and red. They make an excellent ground cover around the base of mums.
Planting Guide:
- Sow nasturtium seeds directly in the garden after the last frost
- Plant in full sun to partial shade
- Space seeds 10-12 inches apart
7. Petunias
Petunias are classic annuals that bloom non-stop from spring through fall. Their trumpet-shaped flowers in a wide range of colors provide a beautiful contrast to the more structured blooms of mums.
Planting Guide:
- Start petunia seeds indoors 10-12 weeks before the last frost
- Transplant outdoors after danger of frost has passed
- Plant in full sun, spacing plants 12-18 inches apart
8. Salvia
Salvia’s spiky flowers in shades of red, purple, and blue attract hummingbirds and butterflies to the garden. They make a striking vertical accent among mounded mums.
Planting Guide:
- Start salvia seeds indoors 6-8 weeks before the last frost
- Transplant outdoors after danger of frost has passed
- Plant in full sun, spacing plants 12-18 inches apart
9. Verbena
Verbena is a spreading annual with clusters of small, colorful flowers that bloom from summer through fall. Its trailing habit makes it an excellent choice for filling in gaps between mums.
Planting Guide:
- Start verbena seeds indoors 8-10 weeks before the last frost
- Transplant outdoors after danger of frost has passed
- Plant in full sun, spacing plants 12-18 inches apart
10. Calibrachoa
Calibrachoa, also known as million bells, is a petite annual with masses of small, petunia-like flowers. It’s perfect for adding a pop of color at the front of the border or in containers with mums.
Planting Guide:
- Start calibrachoa seeds indoors 8-10 weeks before the last frost
- Transplant outdoors after danger of frost has passed
- Plant in full sun, spacing plants 6-12 inches apart
11. Gomphrena
Gomphrena, or globe amaranth, produces charming, clover-like flowers in shades of purple, pink, and white. Its drought-tolerant nature makes it a low-maintenance companion for mums.
Planting Guide:
- Start gomphrena seeds indoors 6-8 weeks before the last frost
- Transplant outdoors after danger of frost has passed
- Plant in full sun, spacing plants 12-18 inches apart
12. Cleome
Cleome, or spider flower, is a tall, striking annual with airy clusters of pink, purple, or white flowers. It provides a beautiful backdrop for shorter mums and attracts pollinators to the garden.
Planting Guide:
- Sow cleome seeds directly in the garden after the last frost
- Plant in full sun, spacing seeds 12-18 inches apart
- Stake taller varieties to prevent flopping
13. Sunflowers
Sunflowers are cheerful, sun-loving annuals that make a bold statement in the late summer garden. Their large, golden blooms pair beautifully with the jewel tones of mums.
Planting Guide:
- Sow sunflower seeds directly in the garden after the last frost
- Plant in full sun, spacing seeds 6-12 inches apart
- Provide support for taller varieties
14. Dahlias
Dahlias are show-stopping annuals with large, showy flowers in a dazzling array of colors and forms. They bloom from mid-summer through fall, providing a stunning companion for mums.
Planting Guide:
- Plant dahlia tubers in the garden after the last frost
- Choose a sunny location with well-draining soil
- Space tubers 18-24 inches apart, depending on the variety
15. Ornamental Peppers
Ornamental peppers are unique annuals with colorful fruits that ripen from green to shades of yellow, orange, and red. They add a fun, unexpected element to the fall garden and pair well with mums.
Planting Guide:
- Start ornamental pepper seeds indoors 8-10 weeks before the last frost
- Transplant outdoors after danger of frost has passed
- Plant in full sun, spacing plants 12-18 inches apart
By incorporating these 15 annuals into your late summer garden, you’ll create a vibrant, pollinator-friendly display that will keep your outdoor space looking its best well into the fall season. Mix and match colors and textures to create a one-of-a-kind composition that showcases the beauty of your perennial mums.
Nancy has been a plant person from an early age. That interest blossomed into a bachelor’s in biology from Elmira College and a master’s degree in horticulture and communications from the University of Kentucky. Nancy worked in plant taxonomy at the University of Florida and the L. H. Bailey Hortorium at Cornell University, and wrote and edited gardening books at Rodale Press in Emmaus, PA. Her interests are plant identification, gardening, hiking, and reading.