By summer's end, container plantings have often seen their day. There are still plenty of plants, in the nursery and your own gardens, that will see your containers through the cooler months of fall. There are plenty of pansies, mums and asters available. But don’t stop there. You can create wonderful unique fall flower pots using foliage and flowering plants in the colors of autumn, if you just look around and notice what catches your eye in the landscape. Here are some of my favorites.
1. Heuchera
Purple and frosty silver coral bells add a depth of color to fall pots. They blend beautifully with other autumn tones and can often be overwintered in the pots. (USDA Zones 4 - 9, 1-2', Sun to Shade)2. Sedum
Sedum bloom from late summer through fall in rich, deep pinks and magentas. They are easily grown in containers, being so drought tolerant. Try Sedum 'Vera Jamison' as an alternative to foliage trailers. She'll sprawl and spill over the sides of your pots. (USDA Zones 3 - 9, 1-2', Sun to Partial Shade)3. Sweet Potato Vine (Ipomoea batatas)
Chances are your vines have grown so long, they’re taking over. Snip a few sections off the ends of the vines and root them quickly either in water or directly in the soil of a new fall container. The bronze varieties blend well and good old ‘Margarita’ complements the other colors magnificently. (Annual, Vine, Sun to Partial Shade)4. Bugleweed (Ajuga)
Although it has beautiful foliage, I'm not usually a big fan of bugleweed since it spreads everywhere as soon as you look away. But a container is the perfect solution. The deep purple leaves will grow up and under other plants. They're great for trailing over pots and softening edges as well as hiding the less than stellar foliage of fall bloomers. (USDA Zones 3 - 9, Ground Cover/Trailing, Partial Shade).5. Coleus
The orange and rust coleus are naturals for an autumn container. You don’t have to worry about bloom time and the leaves of coleus act as prisms in sunshine. (Annual, 1-3', Sun to Partial Shade)6. Firethorn (Pyracantha rogersiana )
Pyracantha grows quite well in pots, although it won’t reach the size it does in the ground. The long-lasting red, orange or yellow berries are a natural for fall. They can be trained on trellis supports or allowed to grow through other plants. Just be careful of the thorns when pruning. Excessive pruning will result in less flowers and berries. (USDA Zones 5 - 8, 1-3' in pots, Full Sun).7. Snapdragon (Antirrhinum)
Snapdragon Antirrhinum You probably planted some in the spring and haven’t seen much action from them during the summer, but snapdragons usually rally again in early fall. The yellow, red and rust colored varieties are the easiest to work into a fall color scheme. Snaps will keep blooming through a bit of frost. ((Annual, 8 - 12"', Sun to Partial Shade)8. Red, Gold and Purple Grasses
- Curly Top Sedge (Carex buchananii) Bronze red foliage. (USDA Zones 6 - 9, 1-2', Sun to Partial Shade)
- Golden Japanese Forest Grass (Hakonechloa macra “Aureola’) Gold variegated bamboo-like foliage. (USDA Zones 5 - 9, 2', Partial Shade)
- Japanese Blood Grass (Imperata cylindrica 'Rubra') Red tipped blades. (USDA Zones 6 - 9, 1-2', Sun to Partial Shade)
- Purple Fountain Grass (Pennisetum 'Rubrum') Burgundy foliage and flowers. (USDA Zones7 - 10, 2-3', Sun)
