Creating a Fall Container Garden
Ideas for Assembling Beautiful Autumn Displays
As the summer heat gives way to cooler temperatures, it’s the perfect time to refresh your outdoor spaces with vibrant fall container gardens. These mini landscapes offer a wonderful opportunity to infuse your garden, patio, or balcony with the rich colours and textures of autumn. By selecting plants that thrive in the crisp air, you can enjoy a stunning display that lasts well into the season.
Choosing the Right Plants
For a fall container garden, it’s essential to choose plants that can withstand cooler temperatures and even the first light frost. Here are some top picks:
- Ornamental Kale and Cabbage: With their striking foliage in shades of green, purple, and white, ornamental kale and cabbage are the stars of any fall container. Their ruffled leaves add texture and interest, and they thrive as the temperatures drop.
- Pansies and Violas: These cheerful blooms are fall favourites for a reason. Pansies and violas come in an array of colours, from deep purples and blues to bright yellows and oranges, making them perfect for adding pops of colour to your containers. They’re also cold-tolerant, continuing to bloom even in chilly weather.
- Grasses: Ornamental grasses, such as fountain grass or blue fescue, bring a dynamic element to your fall containers. Their airy plumes and arching blades add height, movement, and a touch of elegance. Plus, they pair beautifully with the rich tones of fall flowers and foliage.
- Heuchera (Coral Bells): With their richly coloured leaves in shades of burgundy, bronze, and amber, Heucheras are excellent for adding depth to your container garden. They’re hardy and can withstand cooler temperatures, making them a great choice for fall.
- Chrysanthemums (Mums): Known for their vibrant colours, chrysanthemums are a quintessential fall plant. They come in a variety of forms, from cushion mums to daisy mums, and their long-lasting blooms can provide continuous colour throughout the season.
- Celosia: Celosia’s unique, flame-like blooms add a striking vertical element to your fall containers. Available in fiery shades of red, orange, yellow, and pink, Celosia thrives in the cooler temperatures of autumn and adds a bold pop of colour and texture.
- Ornamental Peppers: Ornamental peppers are perfect for adding a touch of drama to your fall containers. With their vibrant, colourful fruits in shades of red, orange, purple, and yellow, these peppers provide both visual interest and a playful element. They’re also quite hardy and can withstand cooler temperatures, making them a great choice for fall arrangements.
Assembling Your Container
When putting together your fall container garden, think about the classic “thriller, filler, and spiller” approach:
- Thriller: This is your focal point, usually the tallest plant. Ornamental grasses or a striking ornamental kale can serve as your thriller, adding height and drama to the arrangement.
- Filler: These are the mid-height plants that provide mass and colour. Pansies, violas, and Heucheras work well as fillers, offering vibrant hues and textures.
- Spiller: To add a cascading effect, include plants that spill over the edges of the container. Creeping Jenny or Silver Falls are perfect for this, softening the edges and adding a lush look.
Watch our video on how to make your very own Fall Planter. It’s easy!
Care and Maintenance
To keep your fall container garden looking its best, place it in a spot where it will receive adequate sunlight, typically 4-6 hours per day. Water the plants regularly, but be cautious not to overwater, especially as the weather cools and evaporation slows. A light frost won’t harm most fall plants, but if a hard freeze is forecasted, consider moving your containers to a sheltered spot or covering them temporarily.
As the season progresses, your fall container garden will continue to evolve, with the colours deepening and the plants growing fuller. With the right combination of plants, you can enjoy a vibrant and dynamic display that adds beauty to your outdoor space well into the autumn months.
Creating a fall container garden is a delightful way to celebrate the season’s beauty while making the most of your outdoor space. So, gather your containers, visit your local garden centre, and let your creativity bloom!
