With the onset of fall many opportunities begin to present themselves to local gardeners. As temperatures become cooler and Mother Nature brings us some much needed moisture, the colors of autumn begin glowing once again. The kids are back to school and a new routine begins for us parents. Who has band, where is soccer practice tonight and which bus stop again? Do not fret, as humans we adjust quickly and things will become the “new norm” soon enough.
There are a number of timely gardening activities that can be taken care of in the fall. Getting ahead on weeds, mulching, deadheading, and feeding the lawn with organic goodness to name a few. I might also suggest a quick fall walkabout, noting specimens that may need to be divided and/or transplanted once frost arrives. Another major task I really try to focus on in September is to freshen up all of my container plantings by adding some showy plants that will shine all through the fall and winter seasons. Summer annuals simply run out of gas around this time of year, giving us the perfect opportunity to send them to the great compost heap in the sky. Redesigning and/or tweaking container gardens with fresh foliage, textures and winter flower power will make them pop once again.
Let me start by stating the obvious, plants of any kind will thrive in a garden container, some for the short term and others for much longer. Whether the pot is on my patio, deck, entryway, or out in the landscape, containers are the way for me to flex my personal gardening style. You should be doing the same by incorporating specimens into your own containers that make you smile when you walk by them. Containers serve dual purposes for me and they can for you as well. First and foremost, they add color around the home – just about anywhere you need some interest. I have found over the years that a nice container is essentially an art piece and decking it out with seasonal treasures can make quite an impression. These pots can also serve as a rotating plant supply; a hardy plant can be cultivated in a container and then later transplanted into the garden somewhere while a fresh one can be used to replace it for a new look. This is the perfect way to feed any gardener’s addiction to leafy goodies while continuing to help their landscape evolve with time. Remember, there is always room for one more plant, or even pot somewhere… right?
Like with anything in the landscape, great container gardens start with quality soil and proper drainage. There are few great 100% organic mixes that I use from E.B. Stone Organics. ‘Edna’s Best’ is a peat based all-purpose mix suitable for just about anything. I am really liking their newer ‘Earth First’ mix as well, which has no peat and instead coir based. Another E.B. Stone specialty option is ‘Azalea, Camellia and Acid Planting Mix’ for a few specific things, especially when incorporating Conifers, Japanese Maples and other acid-loving plants into your mix. This is an example of the newer hybrid soils and is for both in-ground planting and for pots. Please do not use anything that is labeled with “moisture control” or the like. These hold too much water, making plants suffer long term and inevitably crash out from being too wet.
When pulling those old plants out, really look at the remaining soil. Old, tired, existing soil is never ideal, be sure to replace it or at least freshen it up. Often permanent plants (if present) can be carefully dug around and saved when removing tired summer annuals. Be sure to take out (as best you can) all of the old roots from the annual plants. If you are starting everything new, replace the soil entirely - I promise your new specimens will thank you immensely.
Fertilizing is always tough in the fall since plants need to slow down yet also need to be coaxed into blooming and staying vibrant. We cannot fast for the winter season and neither can our plants. I would avoid pouring on the liquid foods we often use in the summer and instead use a milder, organic granular food mixed in with the new soil or added on the surface. Something like ‘Sure Start’ or ‘Rose and Flower’ foods from E.B. Stone Organics are best.
Don’t forget bulbs! The maximum selection of spring bulbs is available in fall each and every year – not spring when we see them blooming. Tucking in some Tulips, Narcissus, Crocus, Hyacinth, Allium or others will add a spring surprise that can then be utilized in the yard long term.
With any container garden, it is always pertinent to start with one simple rule: make sure to have a thriller, some filler, and finally a spiller. Each pot should have a “thriller”, something that is exciting and catches your eye, adding interest and serving as the focal point. Then we utilize “fillers” to surround the thriller and fill in the body of the pot. Finally comes a “spiller”, specimens that trail or grow prostrate and cascade along the perimeter of the container. A well-balanced design will contain all of these elements and utilize plants that offer color, contrast, foliage, varying textures and some flower power as well, even in the darker days of fall and winter. The size of your pot will dictate the scale of what you choose, and many plants can serve multiple purposes. Our climate offers seemingly endless options, but my focus for now is on fall and winter. Here a few ideas I might suggest exploring…
For pure, unadulterated flower power it is all about Pansies and Violas. These beauties will continue to bloom through the cold season, perhaps freezing like little ice cubes at some point but then quickly bouncing back to bloom again. These are a must in all their color options for any winter pot.
Two unique seasonal fall items are Ornamental Cabbages and Kales, which sport lovely foliage color and make suitable fillers or thrillers. These represent examples of fall plants with great foliage that will keep its color and texture all winter long.
Hellebores are useful for shade and easily reusable from container to landscape. These will sport evergreen foliage, some are even variegated, and will also bloom reliably no matter what the weather is doing to them. A nice “filler” for foliage, texture, and various flower color options, plus a great selection is always around for the fall planting season.
Other evergreen perennials like Heuchera, Euphorbia, Gaultheria, Heathers (Erica-bloom, Calluna-foliage color) and numerous grassy options are perfect to add to varying textures and foliage in any pot. There is literally a proverbial rainbow of options will all of these plants, suitable for use as “fillers” or “thrillers” depending on the scale of your container.
Many plants can serve as spillers so think trailing habit here, as they have the ability to hang down and complement and/or contrast with your fillers and thrillers as they grow. Creeping Jenny, Wire Vine, variegated Vinca and trailing Euonymus are examples with interesting leaves that will last all through the winter.
I encourage all gardeners to walk around and investigate your container gardens. What is looking tired? How long has that plant been in the pot and it is time to transplant it into the landscape for a second lease on life? It is an ideal time month to do all of this so that your containers look fresh and vibrant until next spring. A quick visit to the garden center this time of year will open your eyes to all of the possibilities for fall and winter. Speak with a Professional Horticulturist about your specific needs and allow them to help you select the right plants for the right pots. I also invite you to join our free and fun class here at the nursery, this Saturday September 26th @ 10am, to gain even more container gardening insight and inspiration. When you are pondering all of your options, always remember that this is your container so show your style and do your thing!
Oops, I almost forgot… Happy Autumnal Equinox to all!
