The fall season is one of the best times of the year to get into container gardening. As the weather becomes cooler, there are a number of plants that you can plant to give your garden a breath of fresh air. Some of these plants include kale, mums, Lantanas, and even ornamental grasses. If you want to add a splash of color to your containers, you can also plant some heuchera varieties and petunias.

Heuchera varieties

Heucheras are a wonderful addition to a fall container garden. They bloom throughout the season and are hardy enough to withstand the cold of winter. There are dozens of different varieties to choose from. Some are ideal for full sun, while others are better suited for light shade. In either case, you’ll want to choose a plant that is happy with a little shade. Luckily, the selection and breeding of heucheras has led to a range of robust varieties.

The foliage of heucheras is usually heart-shaped and tends to be variegated. Often, these leaves are bronze or silver. However, modern breeders have introduced new foliage colors.

For a potted plant, Can-Can has silver-purple foliage with deep green veins. This variety is heat and humidity tolerant and works well in part shade. It’s a nice complement to other copper or red heucheras.

Heuchera ‘Plum Pudding’ is a beautiful variety that will add color to your container garden all summer. Its long, leafy stems provide a textural interest to your pots.

Timeless Night is a beautiful heuchera that will grow well in the garden. Its dark foliage is striking. This heuchera pairs nicely with other plants such as ghost fern.

Color Dream is a great heuchera for an urban garden. This plant has silvery green and white leaves that can withstand four hours of direct sunlight.

Melting Fire has deeply ruffled, color changing leaves. The foliage can vary from purple to crimson. If you plant it in a full or partial shade area, the foliage may last for up to two months.

Aside from the leaves, heucheras also produce flowers. The foliage of a ‘Midnight Rose’ will be a dark wine colour. Likewise, ‘Sweet Tart’ has bi-color leaves.

Petunias

Petunias can be an excellent choice for your fall container garden. These plants provide plentiful blooms and are easy to care for.

Petunias are available in a variety of colors, including white, yellow, purple, orange, red, and pink. They also come in several different sizes. They are also drought tolerant, making them perfect for containers and hanging baskets.

Petunias can be grown as annuals in most areas of the country. However, they are also excellent perennials in some regions. In order to help keep your petunias healthy and blooming, make sure they receive regular watering and fertilizing.

You can feed your petunias with a liquid or granular fertilizer. Fertilizing your petunias every one to three weeks will keep them flourishing. If your container garden is in a sunny spot, watering them only once a week will be enough.

Petunias are best grown in rich soil that drains well. They like soil that is slightly moist, but not soggy. The plant can’t survive in soggy soil and will develop root rot.

Petunias are heavy feeders, so they need to be watered often. If your containers are dry, add some potting soil. It’s also important to cut back the petunias to half their height. This will encourage new growth and stimulate more blooms.

Petunias are a popular plant for decorating porches and outdoor living areas. They’re adaptable, making them a great addition to any area.

Many people use petunias to decorate their container gardens, and there are a few good reasons why. Their flowers are pretty, they are drought-resistant, and they aren’t susceptible to pests.

They’re easy to grow, too. They can be started as seeds in early spring. Once they’re planted, they should sprout in about 10 days.

Ornamental grasses

Ornamental grasses can make an interesting addition to your garden. They are versatile and easy to care for, adding texture, height, and color to your landscape.

Many ornamental grasses thrive in containers. If you want to try your hand at growing them, you’ll need to choose the right container for the plant and follow a specific planting plan. You can also use a potting mix made specifically for pots, which will help the grass grow more evenly and will keep it healthy.

In addition to the stipulations listed above, it’s important to water your ornamental grasses properly. The best way to do this is with drip irrigation. This helps the grass stay watered, without saturating the roots. Watering at least once per week, but preferably twice, will keep the foliage healthy.

In warmer zones, you can plant ornamental grasses in the fall. Planting in early fall gives the grass time to grow before temperatures start dropping.

A few types of grasses are more suited to fall planting than others. For instance, the dwarf Pampas Grass is one of the most popular ornamental grasses. It’s a native grass that is found in many parts of the United States.

Japanese sweet flag is another example. It’s a low-growing grass that grows in moist, sunny soil. During the fall and winter, the yellow-green foliage turns to orange and red. Eventually, it forms clumps of beige flower heads.

One of the most unique features of this ornamental grass is its ability to be propagated by division. This makes it a perfect choice for container gardening.

Another option is Pennisetum, a genus of perennial grasses that includes red buttons and fireworks. These plants come in a variety of colors, including green, blue, and gold.

Kale and mums

Mums and ornamental kale make great fall plants in containers. They add color and texture, while still remaining cold-tolerant. They also serve as a source of butterfly nectar.

You can use mums and ornamental kale together in containers or combine them in a large planter. The best varieties to use are those that are hardy in your area.

Kale is an edible plant. It’s a member of the Brassica family. In addition to its leafy center, it has ruffled, green leaves that can be harvested and used in soups, stews, or other dishes.

When planting kale, you’ll want to make sure to plant in well-draining, organic soil. You can start your seeds indoors in early July, and then transplant them into the garden in mid August. As the weather cools, you can expect your kale to mature to full size in about 12 weeks.

When purchasing a potted mum, you can choose from a wide variety. These plants come in a variety of sizes and colors. Many varieties grow well in full sun, and will look nice in pots as well as the ground.

To make your fall container look more interesting, consider adding other foliage such as pansies, violas, and heuchera. If you have a hardy grass, such as pampas, combine it with the kale.

Another fun way to decorate for the fall season is with dried seedpods. This is a popular decoration for the autumn.

If you’re worried about your fall container getting too warm, cover it with a frost cloth or garbage bags. This will keep the air around the plants warmer than the actual temperature.

Another thing to watch out for is dry, discolored stems. This may indicate a stress on the plant, which means you need to give it some TLC.

Lantanas

The lantana is a great plant to grow in your garden. These plants are drought resistant, have beautiful flowers, and produce abundant nectar. They are also very easy to care for. You can grow lantanas in containers or hanging baskets. If you are growing lantanas in a container, you will need to provide more frequent watering.

When planting lantanas in pots, make sure to use a lightweight potting mix. This helps them to absorb nutrients more quickly. It is also a good idea to add a few small rocks to help improve drainage.

Lantanas do well in warm, sunny locations. They do not require special fertilizers, but they will benefit from a light soil mix. For the best results, lantanas will benefit from a mix that has a slightly acidic pH.

To propagate lantanas, you can either grow seedlings or take stem cuttings. For seedlings, sow the seeds about an inch deep in a seed starting medium. Cover them with 1/8 inch of the mix. Keep them in a warm location and keep them moist.

Stem cuttings should be planted in a mix of perlite and peat moss. After a few weeks, you should see roots develop. Plant them in larger pots.

After lantanas bloom, they will need weekly watering. Watering too often can cause the roots to rot. Also, overwatering can reduce the flowering.

Lantanas are a favorite of wildlife. The berries can be eaten by humans and animals, but are poisonous. Be cautious with ripe berries, however.

A common problem with lantanas is powdery mildew. Using a spray formulated for plants will treat this disease.

During the fall, lantanas can be overwintered indoors. If you live in an area with temperatures below 55 degrees Fahrenheit, you may need to cover the plants.