Fall flowers for pots and hanging baskets add color and interest to the interior or patio. They do well in container gardens as well as ornamental gardens.
What are the different varieties of fall flowers included in these fall planters and what ideal conditions are required for the fall plants to bloom in a fall container garden?
Read on for advice!
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A Selection of Fall Flowers for Pots Garden Ideas
Container gardening or window boxes are fun ways to showcase your plants. The ideal varieties of flowers for fall containers, hanging baskets, or fall planters include those which are prone to autumnal blooming or have a long-lasting bloom. Consider flowers for your planter ideas with a good tolerance for cooler fall temperatures.
1. Ornamental Cabbage
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Ornamental Cabbage is just another variation of ornamental kale. Although they are genetically identical, gardeners distinguish the two due to the rounded leaves of cabbage as opposed to the spiky kales. It typically takes these annuals twelve weeks to reach full-color maturity. And when cooler weather finally arrives, they perform at their best.
These plants are cool-season biennials. However, these quickly-growing plants are typically grown as biannuals due to their spectacular leaves. Despite being edible kinds, these ornamental varieties were bred more for aesthetics than flavor.
Regardless of their mild bitterness, they are frequently used as a garnish. They resemble giant flowers more than vegetables because of the way their leaves create rosettes in hues of purple, rose, and creamy white.
2. Chrysanthemum
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These plant species, also known as garden mums, are herbaceous perennials. They are the stars of any autumnal garden as they enhance visual appeal.
Long, tubular florets arranged in a compact button-like cluster surround the center of these daisy-like blooms. They produce a single or multicolored, 4-inch flower. Florists use mums in decorative floral arrangements.
Many have alternating stems of straightforward fragrant leaves. While some have neither ray nor disc flowers in their heads, others don’t have either. The flower heads of wild species are substantially smaller than those of cultivated species and hybrids.
While some have neither ray nor disc flowers in their heads, others don’t have either. The flower heads of wild species are substantially smaller than those of cultivated species and hybrids.
3. Purple Fountain Grass
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Purple Fountain Grass, also known as Pennisetum setaceum ‘Rubrum,’ is a popular ornamental grass in gardens and landscapes. This fall plant is named for its profusion of long, slender, burgundy-colored leaves, which gracefully shoot out like arcing spikes with nodding purple flowers.
It can add vibrant color and texture to any space. In the fall, the plumes turn a smoky-pink color, which creates a stunning contrast against the deep burgundy foliage. Purple Fountain Grass is also deer resistant, making it a great option for gardeners in areas with high deer populations.
In addition to its beauty, Purple Fountain Grass is a low-maintenance plant that is convenient to grow and care for in addition to its beauty. It does require regular watering and may require it to be cut off in the spring to encourage new growth. However, it is a hardy plant that can withstand heat and drought.
One interesting fact about Purple Fountain Grass is that it is considered invasive in some areas. It has the potential to spread quickly and outcompete native plants, which can negatively impact the local ecosystem.
Therefore, checking with your local gardening center or extension office before planting Purple Fountain Grass is essential to ensure that it is not considered invasive in your area.
These tropical ornamental grasses are native to Africa and Asia and can grow well in colder climates. This plant’s beauty makes it a common focal point in container gardens and mixed beds. Several of the plants can be massed together to provide a stunning border.
This plant produces gorgeous autumn seed heads favored in fall flower gardens. The flowering stems of this grass are loaded with fluffy seeds. Later, the feathery seed heads, popularly known as “plumes,” can be trimmed for dried flower arrangements.
4. Black-eyed Susan
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The plant is named so because the dark brown center of this daisy-like flower head is referred to as the plant’s “black eye.” Originally from eastern North America and a member of the aster family, these plants grow well in landscapes, borders, butterfly gardens, or containers in the garden. They make excellent cut flowers as well.
It is also known as Rudbeckia hirta and is a popular perennial plant in gardens and landscapes. It is often used for its bright, cheerful blooms that can last from mid-summer to early fall. These plants are also a great option to attract insects and pollinators like bees and butterflies to the garden.
In addition to its beauty and pollinator-friendly qualities, it is also a low-maintenance plant that is easy to care for. It is drought-tolerant and can withstand hot and dry conditions. It does benefit from deadheading to encourage more blooms and may need to be staked to prevent it from flopping over.
One interesting fact about Black-eyed Susan is that it has a wide history of medicinal uses by Native Americans. The plant was used to treat a variety of ailments, including colds, flu, and snakebites.
The plant is still used in herbal remedies and is considered a natural immune booster. However, it is noteworthy that the plant can be poisonous if ingested in large quantities, so it should be used with precautions and under the guidance of a healthcare professional.
These ornamental fall plants have stalks over 8 inches long, flowers with a 2 to 3 inches diameter, and leaves at least 6 inches long. They can grow to be 1 to 3 feet tall.
The flowers have nectar; therefore, butterflies, bees, and insects are drawn to them. As they consume the nectar, they spread pollen from one plant to another, causing the latter to produce wind-resistant seeds.
5. Coral Bells
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Bell plants, native to North America, grow into rounded mounds with a woody rootstock or crown at their base and tiny bell-shaped blooms. These nectar-rich blossoms also make lovely cut blooms and attract butterflies and hummingbirds. They can be used in various ways in the garden, such as in borders, rock gardens, or as ground cover.
In addition to their aesthetic appeal, Coral Bells are a low-maintenance plant that is easy to care for. They are deer resistant and can tolerate various soil and light conditions. However, they do benefit from regular watering and may be required to be divided every few years to maintain their vigor.
One interesting fact about these plants is that they are beautiful and edible. The leaves of some varieties, such as Heuchera americana, have a slightly sour flavor and can be utilized in salads or as a garnish.
These blooms are edible and can be used to decorate cakes or other desserts. However, it is noteworthy that some varieties may be toxic or cause mild stomach upset, so it is best to research before consuming any part of the plant.
Depending on the environment, they feature spherical, lobed, hairy, evergreen, or semi-evergreen leaves. Newer types of bell plants feature leaves other than the conventional green color, including purple, rose, lime green, gold, and more.
6. Toad Lily
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Toad plants bloom in various speckled hues in the axles of the plant, adding beauty to the shaded landscape. Depending on the type of growing species, flowers may have a star or bell form.
In addition to their beauty, Toad lily is a low-demanding plant that is easy to care for. They can tolerate various soil conditions and are fairly drought-tolerant once established. They may require to be staked to prevent them from flopping over, and deadheading can help encourage more blooms.
One interesting fact about Toad lilies is that they are a popular plant in Japanese gardens and have a special significance in Japanese culture. They are known as “Hototogisu” in Japanese, which means “cuckoo” or “nightingale,” and are believed to be a symbol of autumn and the changing of the seasons.
Toad lilies are also associated with the Buddhist concept of impermanence, or the idea that everything constantly changes and evolves. True lilies, members of the lily family, produce flowers on some varieties of the toad plant. If the plant is appropriately positioned, its maintenance is low.
7. Dusty Miller
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Dusty miller is the popular name for various plants with silver or gray foliage. The one that is frequently used as an annual bedding plant is a Mediterranean perennial subshrub. Usually, it is planted for its decorative leaves.
In addition to its aesthetic appeal, it is also a low-maintenance plant that is easy to care for. It is drought-tolerant and can withstand hot and dry conditions. However, it does benefit from regular watering and may need to be deadheaded to encourage more blooms.
One interesting fact about this plant is its extensive use in herbal medicine. The plant was traditionally used to treat various ailments like fever, coughs, and wounds.
Today, the plant is still used in some natural remedies and is considered to have anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties. However, it is critical to consider that the plant can be poisonous if consumed in large quantities, so it should be used with caution and under the guidance of a healthcare professional.
It is more likely a perennial half-hardy, with some varieties more tolerant of cold than others. These herbaceous leaves look felted or wooly, silver or white, because of the small matted hairs that coat them.
Conclusion
Fall potted plants for the porch, patio, or garden uplift the visual appeal due to their vibrant colors and aesthetic shapes. Various late summer and early fall pot flowers include shade, sun, and winter-loving plants.
Here are some points you should keep in mind when planting these perennials.
- If you want to grow plants that bloom all season, the best option is cabbage, kale, or mums.
- If you prefer growing fragrant plants in the fall, the most feasible option is the chrysanthemum.
- All the above plants love full sun, prefer well-draining soils and grow well in dry and cool climates.
We hope this exhaustive list of autumnal plants has equipped you with the necessary information.
References
- https://www.chicagobotanic.org/plantinfo/plants_fall_containers
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