Fall Container Planting Ideas

Fall containers celebrate everything we love about the season: color, texture, and the artistry of natural design. By blending the bounty of the harvest- think pansies, goldenrods, and dahlias- with cool weather favorites and unexpected edibles, containers create a lush, layered look that thrives well into the cooler months.

Containers are a mode for creativity, perfect to lean into the themes of fall abundance. For a full look, follow the “thriller, filler, spiller” method. Thrillers offer structure and anchor the container – for fall, ornamental grasses like fountain grass or switchgrass do this while also adding height. Fillers provide mass and texture, which can be a prime place to highlight autumnal colors. Some fall flowers for pots include coneflower, goldenrod, and pentas. Lastly, spillers drape over the edges for a rich look – here ivy or creeping jenny would work wonderfully.

Don’t forget to nestle in a few pumpkins! They’re not just for front porches. With their myriad of colors, textures, shapes and sizes, gourds add seasonal flair to containers. The result is a natural arrangement that feels abundant, full of autumnal energy, and serves as a lovely ode to fall crops. Floral iron stakes that mimic natural flowers bring unusual texture and dynamic height to otherwise monotone plantings.

As you prepare your plants for the future, take time to look at the past. Cooler evenings are perfect for taking stock of your garden and reflecting on what functioned versus what didn’t. Which plants flourished? Which struggled? Were there surprise shade spots, overgrown corners, color combinations you didn’t love? Use this time to be honest as you ponder and prepare on what you can change. Note where more light is needed or where blossoms didn’t happen; think about soils and amendments that might help keep your gardens healthy from now until spring. These moments of contemplation will guide your planning throughout the colder months – and make spring’s return all the more plentiful.

Take a peek at weather-ready planters in all materials, from frost-resistant barnacle planters to lightweight fiber pots. Don’t forget the tools–our garden shed is fully stocked with trowels, shovels, hoes, weeding forks, and beyond.