Even though we have officially welcomed fall - there is still a lot to enjoy in the garden. Here are a few tips, and pictures, on how to spruce up your pots for the cooler weather.
Use perennials: As the nurseries slow down they are looking to get rid of inventory. This means you can buy perennial plants (usually for the same price as seasonal annuals, or LESS) that will stay vibrant until they go dormant for the winter, longer then a cold sensitive annual that will go brown once the thermostat reads anywhere near 40 (or 50) degrees.
And here is the big bonus - use those perennials in your pots now, then come spring plant them in your garden - double for your money! You could of course use perennials
in your pots as a semi permanent fixture (most perennials will last a few years in pots before they need to stretch their legs), I have a few examples of this below.
Here's a list of a few Perennials that still have some "show" in them for the fall (using common names): Coral Bells, Grasses (such as Fescue, Sedge and Carex), Asters, Sedum, Gaura, and Ground Covers such as Variegated Thyme and Ajuga.
Container garden at The Lamp Co. Designed
by dig using primarily perennial plants
Use Cold-Hardy Annuals: There are some annuals that are able to combat Mr. Jack Frost. Using these annuals now will allow you to enjoy your pots until the snow starts to melt and in most cases, again in the spring. These would be annuals such as Pansies (of course) and many of the flowering cabbages will keep their color through the winter as well.
Before and during shots of The Graham Residence
fall pots using cold hardy annuals and perennials.
Some of The Graham Residence Fall Pots
Accessorize your containers: By incorporating a mulch such as gravel or attractive rock you are not only helping to retain water but also adding an element of interest to your container garden. Another fun thing to do would be to add gourds, squash or pumpkins to your fall pots to make them a little "festive".
