Oh no!. Here comes fall. My containers although still lovely are causing more and more maintenance. Deadheading, fertilizing, cutting back, etc. I’m ready for a change. I LOVE fall color, BUT not the traditional. When at the nursery I walk by the mum’s and asters, leave the pansies alone too. I don’t try to get something that will ‘survive’ into the winter but plan on changing out the containers for winter too. I get something that is all about the fall in terms of color but still has form and interest in foliage color and texture. I sometimes get plants that are not hardy in my area (zone 7, sometimes zone 8). These are often on sale at 50% off because they will not survive without a greenhouse. They will however survive until a really hard frost which we sometimes don’t get until November. The prices are about the same as annuals so why not.? I do have a greenhouse so I will try to overwinter them if I love them but space is often limited (by the size of my red banana). Just like shopping at the end of season sale at the local hardware store you can find great plant bargains.
These containers sit on the deck and they are very rustic. I love the neutral color that lends itself to any color palette in the plantings. They are in full sun and sometimes wind, with a forgetful water person that results in a dry soil.
This one has kalanchoe beharensis (Velvet elephant ear), Dicilptera suberecta, Kalanchoe orgyalis,(copper spoons), salvia discolor and a small callistemon pityoides ‘Corvallis’. (San Marcos Growers in California and Xera Plants in Portland).
This is the grouping with the medium sized container growing: Adenanthos Xcumminhamii, Hakea microcarpa, Kalanchoe beharensis ‘Fang’, Leonitis methifolia ‘Savannah Sunset’, and salvia discolor
The small cement basin has a single dasylirion wheeleri, and Sempervivum arachnoides var. pittonii both from Xera Plants and hardy in zone 7.
Seems like succulents are becoming more and more popular. I really like the colors and textures in these lovely little plants. They are fun by themselves and mixed with other plants. They are happy with little care (perfect for busy summers), and bloom too.
Fall wedding are a fun even to plan for. This total redo of a landscape for a fall wedding included containers for accent pieces.
The modern shape on one group of containers (light weight) was a great neutral foil for the foliage and flowers we did there. New sun loving coleus in red and green bring out the dark red of Canna black knight and Burgundy Rudbeckia. Accent of bright green heuchera lime rickey, and metallic sheen on the begonia ‘Silver Splendor’ pulls the pot color in.
The base on this container has a good blend of red/brick and gold. Orange Coleus, burnt orange coreopsis ‘Sienna Sunset’, Begonia ‘Bonfire Orange’, Crocosmia ‘fairy twilight’, and a burgundy rudbeckia all pull together to say yummy warm fall. the begonia and coleus are not hardy but the others are.
More of the metallic gray containers this time planted simply with Astelia 'Silver Shadow' The metallic looking leaves have both silver and bronze in the coloration. This brings out the bronze in the light fixture which also adds in the silver from the container. It is an arrangement that will help keep dogs out of this area. Rock mulch and a silver/blue ceramic bird bath top (from owners) blends the area together.
I suggest you go out and explore the nurseries now. There are some great things to add to containers now. Let me know what combinations you find. Just because it is fall doesn’t mean the garden has to stop.
GREAT POST! Love the pots. Your Kalanchoe beharensis is AWESOME. I had a good sized one in Mississippi, but I gave it away to move back to Missouri. I did take a leaf cutting, nowI have 6-7 babies.