4 Festive Ideas for Fall Container Gardening

Now is a great time to freshen up your garden containers with the rich colors and textures of the season. There are plenty of late-season bloomers and fall foliage beauties that will keep your containers looking gorgeous up to the first frost and even beyond.

We asked our friend, Nonie Daniel, of Nonie’s Garden Floral Design, to create four no-fail fall containers for us. Her strategy is simple: cluster three to four different plants together in one pot, varying height, color and texture for instant impact. Grab your best containers and let’s get started!

1. Supporting Act

Freshen up the base of an existing potted tree to add seasonal punch to your porch. Pansies are the easiest way to add long-lasting color. These hardy blooms will last through the first couple of frosts, and their low-growing, mounded shape makes them great fillers for containers. The deep purple color and bold texture of kale create a great counterpoint.

2. Fine Foliage

Filling your container with mostly frost-hardy, leafy plants is a great strategy for lasting looks. Ornamental grasses and evergreen accents are dependable choices. Golden creeping Jenny is a reliable year-round performer that cascades beautifully over the rim of the pot. Lastly, tuck in some easy fall bloomers, like violas and sweet alyssum, for a splash of color.

3. Autumnal Showstopper

This arrangement’s bold fall coloration and accents make it a welcoming addition to the front porch. The burgundy beauty, Hawaiian Ti, adds great height, and it’s surrounded by a winning combination of mums, ornamental cabbage and loropetalum for an explosion of texture. Pile on the pumpkins for a fun and festive accent.

4. Shade Lover

Ferns may not be at the top of your list as a fall container thriller, but it should be. This shade-loving evergreen will hold up well through the winter—and pair well with autumnal favorite and hardy perennial, Heuchera. The white pumpkin adds subtle seasonal flair.