‘Fall containers are truly the anchors of autumn décor, and now is a great time to do a little creative planting’
As we transition into autumn, designer pumpkins in pinks, blues, yellows and shades of white continue to be an important part of today’s front porch displays. Hay bales, cornstalks and lovely autumn mums are still popular as seasonal interest. Beautiful containers, however, have become the centrepieces of our fall décor.
The nice thing about autumn containers is they not only become the focal point during the fall season, but they can also continue to inspire our patios well into winter. By adding some cut greens traditionally used as Christmas foliage, these same containers can be transformed into stunning holiday porch pots.
There are so many different styles and plants that can be used to create seasonal magic. I like to use plants that play nicely together and ones that will look good all winter and well into spring. Conifers, broadleaved evergreens, hardy grasses and evergreen perennials are my favourites. I look for unusual shapes, unique foliage, interesting textures, colourful berries and if possible, winter flowers. They also need to be hardy, at least to zone 6, to ensure that they will tolerate our winters. If we experience extreme cold, all containers will have to be wrapped with a proper insulating fabric or be moved to an area that is well protected.
Fall and winter containers need to measure at least 18 to 24 inches (45-60cm) in order to accommodate a combination of larger plants. This size will also be able to retain more moisture. However, the soil must be very open and porous so that it drains well and heavy rain or overwatering will not be a problem.
As focal points, I love tall, narrow plants, like yews, Graham Blandy boxwood and Japanese holly, such as the Sky Pencil variety. Blue Arrow junipers are also attractive feature plants. Accent plants, like Euphorbia wulfenii and E. Ascot Rainbow, have nice foliage and spectacular chartreuse flowers in February. Bergenias and mukdenias provide great winter foliage that turns bronze in winter. Heucheras, with their wide range of foliage colours, from hot lime and deep purple to peachy orange, are some of the best accents.
Compact varieties of nandinas (Heavenly Bamboo) are nice because, in winter, they have fabulous red leaves. If I can find a small potted pyracantha with orange, yellow or red berries, I will use it to add colour and a rich texture to the container. Euonymus, especially the upright gold varieties, provide a dramatic punch of yellow that really shines in a winter planter. Winter-flowering heathers are just beginning to show some colour, and when those buds open up into lovely red, pink or white flowers, they will last into spring. Evergreen grasses, like the spill-over EverColor carex series of gold, white variegated green and many new colours, like the lime-gold Everillo, always add a nice touch. The addition of a few contorted willow branches will create an element of height and, as we start to lose our daylight earlier each day, some clear mini lights will enable you to enjoy your planter well into the evening.
Fall containers are truly the anchors of autumn décor, and now is a great time to do a little creative planting.
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