Refurbishing Tired Containers

Now that my summer containers are looking a little bedraggled, it's time to explore options for fall containers.

Heuchera sanguinea 'Firefly'
Item # 58690 		Heuchera sanguinea 'Firefly'
Coral Bells

each $5.49
3 to 6 $5.29
7 or more $4.99
Aster x frikartii 'Mönch'
Item # 23570 		Aster x frikartii 'Mönch'
Mönch Hybrid Aster

each $4.99
3 to 6 $4.79
7 or more $4.59

Item # 99535 		Liatris and Solidago Sampler

Each $34.44
  • Topic: Container Gardening
  • Author: Mary Ann Walz
  • Keywords: containers, fall planting, Fall Gardening, gardens, planters
  • Date: August 2003

© All articles are copyrighted by High Country Gardens. Republication is prohibited without Permission.

Now that my summer containers are looking a little bedraggled, it’s time to explore options for fall containers. I like to use plants that will be blooming until frost and that may tolerate an early light freeze. A few varieties that meet this criteria include:

  • Heuchera (Coral Bells)
  • Asters
  • Diascia (Twinspur)
  • Echinacea (Purple Coneflower)
  • Rudbeckia (Black Eyed Susan)
  • Solidago (Golden Torch)
  • Liatris (Meadow Blazingstar)

Grasses also look great in these containers and remain so during the early winter. Depending on the variety, they can add height and a texture that begs to be touched as you pass by.

Small trees with color include Maples, Aspen, and many fruit trees. For shrubs try Chrysothamnus nauseosus (Chamisa or Rabbitbrush) for yellow and Rhus (Sumac) has pretty red and orange leaves.

Small trees and shrubs can remain in containers for a few years and then be moved to a permanent location in your yard. Dwarf conifers are another useful container element due to their year-round interest.

Cacti and succulents are other choices. Some of the foliage on many succulents turn interesting colors in fall. Succulents with spectacular fall blooms include Sedums. Arthur Branch and Autumn Joy are two great varieties that also look nice in dried arrangements. Generally, cacti and succulents should not be planted in the same container with perennials because of different water requirements.

Some annuals that work great for fall containers include Pansies, Violas, Chrysanthemums, Ornamental Cabbages and Kale. Geraniums can be nice as their foliage turns a pretty red when nights get cold. Parsley adds brilliant green foliage and stays green nearly all winter if in a protected location.

As the days get colder and some of the plants go dormant, add seasonal ornament. A branch of colored leaves, colorful gourds, pumpkins, or evergreen branches can keep a container looking full and beautiful even if just a few plants remain. And don’t forget that grasses and seedpods from some perennials remain decorative long after the plants are dormant.