As summer begins to fade, it’s time to start thinking about refreshing your planters for the fall season. Fall, eventually, will bring cooler temperatures, so it is the perfect opportunity to replace tired summer annuals with plants that thrive in cooler weather.
When designing fall containers, we like to combine plants with different colors, textures, and heights. Some of our favorite choices include:
No fall planter is complete without garden mums. Available in shades of yellow, orange, bronze, red, burgundy, white, and purple, mums provide the classic fall color that instantly transforms a container.
Mums work especially well as the main focal point in larger containers or grouped together for a bold seasonal display.
Ornamental kale and cabbage are excellent choices for Midwest fall planters. Their large, colorful leaves add texture and remain attractive as temperatures continue to drop.
Look for varieties with green, purple, pink, and white centers to create a striking contrast with mums and other fall plants.
For long-lasting fall color, pansies and violas are hard to beat. They perform well in cool weather and come in a wide range of colors, including purple, yellow, orange, blue, white, and burgundy.
They can be tucked around larger plants to add pops of color throughout the container.
Ornamental grasses add height, movement, and texture to fall containers. Varieties such as purple fountain grass can provide dramatic color, while other grasses create a softer, more natural look.
Their foliage and seed heads can also add interest as the season progresses.
Heuchera, commonly known as coral bells, are a great foliage plant for fall containers. Their leaves come in shades ranging from deep burgundy and purple to lime green and caramel.
They provide beautiful contrast against flowering plants and can help give a planter a fuller, layered appearance.
For a trailing element, creeping Jenny is a popular choice. Its bright green or golden foliage spills naturally over the edge of a container and creates a beautiful contrast with darker fall foliage.
The silvery foliage of dusty miller provides a cool-toned contrast to traditional fall colors. Its soft, textured leaves pair particularly well with mums, ornamental kale, and grasses.
If you’re looking for something different, ornamental peppers can add vibrant red, orange, yellow, and purple fruit to a fall container. They provide a unique texture and a pop of color that complements traditional autumn plantings.
Plants aren’t the only way to give your containers a seasonal feel. Natural elements such as pumpkins, gourds, branches, pinecones, and decorative twigs can complement the plants and add another layer of texture.
These accents can turn a simple planter into a beautiful seasonal focal point for an entryway, patio, or business.
Fall planting season arrives quickly. And the options are endless, the right combination depends on several factors including, light, location and desired feel. Planning ahead gives you the opportunity to select the right plants, colors, containers, and placement before the season gets underway.
Whether you’re looking for classic mums and ornamental kale or a more unique combination of grasses, pansies, heuchera, and seasonal accents, professionally designed fall planters can make a big impact.
Ready to give your property a fresh fall look? Contact us today to start planning your fall annual planters.