November is here, and for many gardeners, that means the season is winding down. But it’s also the perfect time to start planning for 2026. If you’re dreaming of a garden that’s still packed with late color next fall, there’s one person to steal inspiration from: Ina Garten.
I’m still thinking about a post from late September where I was stunned to see so many gorgeous fall flowers alive and well in cook-turned-gardener Ina Garten’s garden.
It wasn’t just a few blooms here or there – she had many different types of flowers on display.
In a series of snaps posted this fall, Ina showed off her envy-worthy garden, with all its lush hedges, climbers, and blooms.
“Care to take a stroll through the garden with me?,” she penned in the caption, as fans complimented her greenery as being “absolute perfection”.
Ina’s Planting Palette
If you’re wondering which of Ina’s flowers held on the longest this year, you’re in luck. We’ve identified the star performers from her garden to explain why they’re so long lasting. They’re great picks if you’re hoping to see more flowers in your yard at the end of next year. Think of this as your 2026 planting plan.
1. Sweet Autumn Clematis
(Image credit: skymoon13 / Getty Images)
Ina’s garden features a wooden seating area, surrounded by a trellis abundant with sweet autumn clematis. It’s the perfect little nook to escape to for reading, shelter from full sun, or to simply enjoy existing in the outdoors.
This plant is Clematis Ternifloracommonly known as sweet autumn clematiswhich is a vigorous, late-flowering climber. It creates beautiful clouds of small, star-shaped white blooms and lush green foliage. It’s perfect if you want to create a romantic, cottage-garden look.
This clematis variety blooms from late summer into early autumn, often holding onto its flowers well into October or slightly later, depending on climate. It’s a true late-season superstar.
2. Dahlias
(Image credit: Alex Manders / Shutterstock)
The second and third snaps posted by Ina show different varieties of dahlias. I especially like the pink one and its tighter petal formation. It’s so intricate!
According to Tatyana Dimitrova of Fantastic GardenersIna’s dahlias are still thriving because they’re able to bloom up until the year’s first frost.
“Dahlias tend to peak in late summer through early autumn and keep flowering until the first frost, if they are well taken care of,” says Tatyana.
“Deadheading them regularly by removing any spent blooms right down to the stem joint and feeding them weekly with a high-potash feed, for example, tomato feed, will help them stay healthy for as long as possible.”
3. Verbena Bonariensis
(Image credit: Alex Manders / Shutterstock)
In the fifth slide, viewers can see Ina’s purple verbena blooming beautifully. They stand incredibly tall compared to other flowers in the bed, and can bloom up until the first frost.
Verbena bonariensis blooms from mid-summer to the first frost, so it’s a great choice for anyone looking for a prolonged flowering season in their yard. It self-seeds easily, too, so you can often see them popping up in multiple spots, which is a bonus for a natural, cottage-garden feel.
4. Geraniums
(Image credit: Iva Vagnerova / Getty Images)
The shorter purple flowers sitting happily under the verbena are hardy cranesbill geranium “Rozanne”. This specific variety is known for its extended bloom time and requires little maintenance to flower again and again.
“Ina’s geranium Rozanne typically flowers for months, often from June to October,” says Tatyana. “Give them a mid-summer trim if they look messy and they will regrow and reflower.”
5. White Climbing Roses
(Image credit: Maryviolet / Getty Images)
And lastly, Ina’s final slide shows a pretty climbing bush of white Iceberg roses. Roses are now beginning to die down for the year, but in warmer climates where the winter cold hasn’t yet set in, these romantic roses may be able to hold on for a little longer.
“Ina’s Iceberg roses are known for their profuse white blooms, light scent, and repeat flowering in blooming flushes from early summer into autumn,” says Tatyana. “Deadhead them to encourage these repeated blooms, feed them with a rose feed in early spring for a growth boost, and prune them in late winter to maintain structure.”
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