At a time when the summer garden is dying and flowers are fading away, a fall container garden will brighten up your porch and help you celebrate the season. Container gardens should include “thriller, spiller, and filler” plants: some that look thrilling, some that spill over the side, and some that fill in the gaps. Options for cool weather include ornamental or edible kales, asters, pansies, and violas.
When planning your fall container garden, consider the following:
- Location. Will your container be in the sun or shade?
- Varieties. Are your plants hardy enough to handle the cold and keep looking beautiful?
- Container(s). Where will you display your pot? A small pot may be lost in a garden space, whereas a grouping of small pots or large pot makes a statement almost anywhere. Remember: the container needs good drainage!
- Number. Does it matter how many plants you use? Yes! The “rule of odds” in design says that odd numbers look more balanced in a display than even numbers. Plant three or five different varieties in your container.
- Density. Can you overcrowd your plants? In the fall, plant growth slows, so go for instant gratification and cram those beauties in.
Here are suggestions from Botanical Interests:
- Alyssum Tiny Tim or another cascading filler plant
- Snapdragon, Pansy, or another birghtly colored cool-weather flower
- Red Winter Kale or other edible fall greens