Designing Beautiful Fall Containers
Are your summer blooms looking worn out and tired? Did they get chewed on by something or bit by the cooler temperatures? (It’s also okay to just admit you want to look at something fresh and new, by the way!) Now is a great time to refresh your container plantings and pot something gorgeous up for fall—but where to start? Spring and summer are easy, given that most things are bright and blooming, but there is a special charm about fall containers, rail baskets, and hanging baskets that our warmer months just can’t seem to replicate. Read on for some of our favorite, fool-proof design combinations that will make your garden or porch stun this autumn!
Some of the containers one of our owners, Rhonda, potted up!
A Recipe for Success
Anchor Plants: These are larger, more impactful plants that create a backdrop or height—think of it like the background in a painting. This can be any number of things, but in the fall beautiful grasses, like muhly grass, dwarf fountain grass, or feather reed grass are great options (bonus if you choose a perennial grass you can replant elsewhere in your garden!) Another unique option we’ve been enjoying is dwarf nandina, like Flirt™ Nandina which not only provides pops of red and burgundy but is also perennial and evergreen!
Seasonal Flowering Plants: Here are where your mums come in! Mums are great for containers; they simply can’t be matched when it comes to providing not only dozens of blooms but also brilliant pops of color in a variety of shades to suit any palette. Not wanting to work with mums? Pansies are also a great option that reward you not only with beautiful and consistent color, but longevity as they spill into winter due to their hardiness.
Pop of Color: And here’s where we can get creative! There are several options to consider, including everything from pansies, to coleus, to grasses, to heuchera, to decorative cabbages and kales. Don't be scared to go bright and bold when choosing the color for these plants, you need to really break up the planting with a complimentary color to your seasonal flowering plant. If planting in threes, use this as an opportunity to incorporate unique texture as well.
Unique Perennials: We just want an excuse to spotlight one of our most favorite and versatile perennials—heuchera, commonly called Coral Bells. If there ever were a perennial that truly thrives and embodies fall, it's these little beauties. Their ruffly, maple-shaped leaves and autumnal palette make them an all-star to add to fall containers! (Make sure to overwinter these guys for next spring to plant in your garden!)
Plant for Texture: When most are thinking of flowers, you can’t discount the other fall seasonal annuals like decorative cabbages and kale! Hardworking and easy to care for, decorative cabbages and kale truly are the workhorses of autumn and can grow to an exponential size when given the chance for greater impact. You can enjoy pops of cooler green and purple to compliment your warmer colored blooms.
Fool-Proof Combinations
If You’re Planting by Three
Anchor Plant
Seasonal Flowering Plant
Pop of Color
If You’re Planting by Five
Anchor Plant
Seasonal Flowering Plant
Pop of Color
Unique Perennial
Plant for Texture
Finding Inspiration
Look around, it’s everywhere! Or rather, it’s right at your fingertips. There’s no shame in looking at magazines, Pinterest, or Google, for some inspiration—these are all great places to find ideas. You can also check out our own plantings we’ve cooked up!