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The Art of Fall Container Gardening
Sep
As the air turns crisp and the leaves begin to change, it’s the perfect time to refresh your porch or patio with the colors of fall. Container gardening is an easy and rewarding way to celebrate the season, and with the right combination of plants, you can create bold displays that last well into the cooler months.
At Redwood Nursery, we love helping gardeners discover the joy of seasonal planters. Here’s a step-by-step guide to crafting your own stunning fall container.
Step 1: Choose the Right Container
Start with a pot that has good drainage and is large enough to hold a variety of plants. Fall arrangements are often full and abundant, so don’t be afraid to size up — larger containers not only make a statement but also hold more soil to protect roots from fluctuating temperatures.
Step 2: Select Your Plant Combinations
A great fall planter blends color, texture, and height. Here are some tried-and-true favorites:
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Mums (Chrysanthemums) – The star of the season, mums bring rich jewel tones like gold, burgundy, orange, and purple. Their compact mounds provide a strong base of color.
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Ornamental Peppers – These playful plants add pops of red, orange, yellow, or even black fruit. They’re heat-lovers that thrive in the warm days of early fall and complement mums beautifully.
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Ornamental Grasses – Tall grasses like fountain grass or carex add movement and texture. Their wispy plumes and upright growth make the perfect “thriller” in your container.
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Proven Winners® Annuals – Extend the season with hardy selections like Supertunia Vista® Bubblegum for trailing color or Angelface® Angelonia for upright blooms that handle cool nights with ease. These top performers are bred to last longer and look better in every season.
Pro tip: Follow the classic “thriller, filler, spiller” formula — tall grasses as the thriller, mums and peppers as fillers, and trailing Proven Winners® annuals as spillers to cascade over the edge.
Step 3: Planting Your Container
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Fill your container with high-quality soil, such as Espoma Organic Potting Mix or Coast of Maine Bar Harbor Blend, which provide rich nutrients and good drainage.
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Place your tallest plant (usually an ornamental grass) toward the back or center, depending on where your container will be viewed.
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Surround it with mums and ornamental peppers for bold blocks of color.
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Add Proven Winners® trailing annuals near the edge to soften the pot and let blooms spill over.
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Water thoroughly after planting, making sure soil is moist but not soggy.
Step 4: Care and Enjoy
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Watering: Containers dry out faster than garden beds, so check daily and water as needed.
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Feeding: Use Espoma Organic Plant Food every couple of weeks to keep blooms vibrant.
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Tidying: Pinch off spent flowers and trim back peppers as needed to maintain a fresh look.
A Seasonal Welcome
A thoughtfully planted fall container doesn’t just add beauty — it creates a warm, seasonal welcome at your front door. Whether you prefer classic mums and grasses or bold Proven Winners® color combinations, the possibilities are endless.
Stop by Redwood Nursery this fall for fresh mums, peppers, grasses, and Proven Winners® favorites, along with expert advice and everything you need to create your own masterpiece.
