Must-Have Fall Container Plants
When we review Fall container plants, they are separated in one of three categories based on the role they can play in your planter: thrillers, fillers and spillers. Thrillers provide height, visual interest and structure. Fillers bring colour, texture and most importantly, volume. Finally, spillers, as the name implies trail or cascade over the pot, creating motion and blurring the lines between pot and plant for an effortless and thriving look.
Purple Fountain Grass
Container Role: Thriller
This plant is the epitome of a “thriller”. It brings height and drama with its upright habit, the textbook definition of a perfect centerpiece to create around. Once planted it is very hardy, enjoys full-sun and is considered drought-resistant. If the light requirements are not met the rich burgundy hues will fade into a regular green.
Chrysanthemums, ‘Mums’
Container Role: Filler
Lush flowers mounded together, not many people know this is actually a perennial although mostly treated an Autumnal annual. Available in a large array of colours and sizes, the greenery i.e., the leaves and stems produce a distinct and earthy scent strongly connected to the season. Mums require consistent and very regular watering as they are susceptible to drying and dying quickly–something of a challenge as they prefer full sun. This is owing to their shallow root system.
Did you know that the mum is the birth flower for those born in November?
Ornamental Kale/Cabbage
Container Role: Filler or Thriller
Depending how you design your container garden these brassicas can fill either role. There are many cabbages that grow low to the ground in a rosette habit while the kale counterpart can add height and textures via ruffles as a thriller. Both do well in full to part-sun and regular watering. Unlike other annuals, following a frost expect a bright colour-development, something unique to them.
Swiss Chard, Bright Lights Variety
Container Role: Thriller
This specific variety is known and beloved for the wonderful colour display it provides. Considered an edimental, this upright, leafy and showy biannual is exceptional at tolerating the change of season. It can deal with the heat of early Autumn right into the first frosts that same season. Consider pairing 2-3 in your container garden for a breathtaking thriller that can double as extra greens for your Autumnal table.
Ornamental Peppers
Container Role: Filler or Thriller
Often pairing rich greens with bright peppers of varying sizes and colours, depending on the variety, they can work as either fillers or thrillers. Packed together with other vibrant options or placed in a central location to pull the eye together. Generally requiring full sun, they adore the residual summer heat and much be watered accordingly. Technically the peppers are edible but often bring very little flavour but a whole lot of heat.
Dusty Miller
Container Role: Filler
Another fall container plant classic, the dusty miller is known for its striking silvery foliage that aids in a contrasting the brighter, richer colours of other plants we often reach for. It does best in full sun which contributes to that sought-after colour. Too much shade and you can expect a transition to a regular green. It can additionally be negatively impacted by overwatering. Otherwise, considered a reliable performer, it will continue thriving through the season up until the first few frosts.
Trailing Pansies
Container Role: Filler or Spiller
Your typical varieties could fill out the base of your pots beautifully, but we often opt for a trailing variety that eventually provides that “spilling” we deeply admire. Pansies do well in full sun but also don’t complain if they have some afternoon shade to balance the temperatures. Do not let them dry out, instead regular waterings help them maintain all season. Deadhead as needed through the season.
Calluna Heather
Container Role: Filler or Thriller
Similar to the mums, this evergreen shrub is actually a perennial though sold during the season as a Fall annual. Depending on the size you initially purchase it can prove to be a fantastic thriller or filler given its rigid, vertical little flowers. Given full sun and it will remain tightly compact with the brightest colour. Like many fall container plants, it requires good drainage and like other evergreen shrubs an acidic pH to the soil (which can be achieved by mixing in some peat moss).
Things to Keep in Mind for a Thriving Display
Unlike planting throughout the rest of the year, because the temperatures are cooling daily, your plants won’t have all that much time to grow significantly. This means you can pack them into your containers. A luxurious and luscious display will hold for the remainder of the season. Pay close attention to how and when you water. Unlike in the summer where you can often guarantee frequent watering, always check the soil in the Autumn first. Deadhead regularly and avoid fertilizers as you’re trying to avoid new growth–simply enjoying how everything looks from the day you plant.
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