As fall is fast approaching and summer annuals fade, it’s time to consider fall container plantings. White mums (Chrysanthemum sp.) are the traditional flower for fall; many other flowers will bloom even longer, from fall through winter and into spring. In addition, plants with colorful or evergreen foliage can add interest to containers.
Hayracks were planted with pansies and violas, along with colorful foliage accents, in this display at Gibbs Gardens.
Barbara H. Smith, ©2023 HGIC, Clemson Extension
Flowering Plants for Fall and Winter Containers
Pansies and Violas (Viola sp.)
Pansies and violas are the best annual flowers for cool-season color. Pansies have much larger flowers than violas, but violas produce more flowers and require less deadheading. They bloom best when the temperature is above 32 ºF.
Pansies and violas (Viola sp.) can be found in a variety of colors, including yellow, blue, purple, white, maroon, bicolors, etc. This Pansy Matrix® Coastal Sunrise Mixture has colors that complement one another.
Ginger E. Long, ©2024 HGIC, Clemson Extension
Sweet Alyssum (Lobularia maritima)
Sweet alyssum is a trailing annual with fragrant white, pink, or purple flowers. Plant along the edge of a pot or window box and allow it to spill over the side.
Purple sweet alyssum (Lobularia maritima) and red-veined sorrel (Rumex sanguineus) add more color to this deep blue pot.
Ginger E. Long, ©2024 HGIC, Clemson Extension
Snapdragons (Antirrhinum majus)
Snapdragons are available in short to medium height cultivars for containers. They bloom most heavily in fall and early spring, and less during the coldest winter days.
This combination of dwarf bicolor snapdragons (Antirrhinum majus) and silver-gray dusty miller (Jacobaea maritima) is a great pairing for fall, winter, and spring color.
Barbara H. Smith, ©2024 HGIC, Clemson Extension
Mums (Chrysanthemum sp.)
Mums are compact plants with blooms of yellow, gold, orange, burgundy, purple, and white. The flowers are short-lived and usually finished by December. They can be planted in the garden since they are perennial.
Mums (Chrysanthemum sp.) are available in garden centers in early September.
Ginger E. Long, ©2024 HGIC, Clemson Extension
Compact Asters (Symphyotrichum sp.)
Asters are dwarf perennials in shades of blue, pink, purple, and white that were bred for growing in pots in the fall but can also be planted in the garden.
Bright pink asters (Symphyotrichum‘ Pink Henry I’) are prolific bloomers.
Ginger E. Long, ©2024 HGIC, Clemson Extension
Colorful Vegetables and Herbs for Fall Containers
Plant cold-hardy vegetables and herbs for color and texture in fall, winter, and spring.
- Parsley can be found in flat and curly-leafed varieties. They provide a green backdrop for colorful flowers.
- Red mustard has large, deep burgundy leaves that contrast with other colors in a container.
‘Red Giant’ mustard (Brassica juncea‘ Red Giant’) has deep burgundy leaves that provide a tall backdrop for fall-blooming flowers.
Barbara H. Smith, ©2024 HGIC, Clemson Extension
- Swiss chard (Beta vulgaris) is available in a range of colorful stems, including red, yellow, orange, and white. It provides a vertical element to containers of lower-growing flowers like pansies.
A variety of cool-season plants were planted together in this container, including Swiss chard (Beta vulgaris), snapdragons, red-veined sorrel, ornamental kale (Brassica oleracea), violas, and mustard.
Ginger E. Long, ©2024 HGIC, Clemson Extension
- Ornamental cabbage and kale (Brassica oleracea) have colorful foliage and are as eye-catching as a flower in shades of white, purple, pink, and green.
Ornamental cabbage (Brassica oleracea) has ruffled, colorful foliage that is very showy.
Barbara H. Smith, ©2021 HGIC, Clemson Extension
- Culinary Sage (Salvia officinalis) is evergreen, and the tricolor variety has gray, purple, and white foliage.
- Rosemary (Salvia rosmarinus) is an evergreen herb found in trailing and upright, tall forms.
Evergreen Perennials for Container Gardens
There are many evergreen perennials that can add color and texture year-round in containers.
- Coral Bells (Heuchera sp.) is a perennial known best for its colorful foliage.
Add coral bells (Heuchera sp.) to containers for a pop of color.
Barbara H. Smith, ©2023 HGIC, Clemson Extension
- Creeping Jenny (Lysimachia nummularia ‘Aurea’) grows flat and trails over the sides of containers.
- Evergreen ferns like holly (Cyrtomium falcatum), autumn (Dryopteris erythrosora), and tassel fern (Polystichum polyblepharum) provide interest all through fall and winter.
- Ivy (Hedera sp.) can trail from pots and window boxes. Take care to confine it to containers since it will become invasive in the landscape.
- Japanese sedges (Carex sp.) have a grassy texture and are available in bright colors and variegations.
The bright lime green foliage of Evercolor® Everillo (Carex oshimensis ‘Everillo’ PP21002) stands out in a blue pot.
Barbara H. Smith, © 2023 HGIC, Clemson Extension
- Sedum (Sedum sp.) can be found in a range of sizes and colors. Look for small-leaved plants with foliage in shades of blue, chartreuse, and other colors.
- Tractor seat plants (Farfugium japonicum) have large, rounded foliage that makes a great display. It is also called leopard plant.
The tractor seat plant (Farfugium japonicum) has large, round leaves that resemble a tractor seat. In this container, it is paired with pansies, kale, ivy, and purple sweet alyssum.
Ginger E. Long, ©2024 HGIC, Clemson Extension
- African or Butterfly iris (Dietes sp.) is a tall, spiky plant that can add height to containers. They are cold-hardy along the coast in zone 9.
African irises (Dietes sp.) have foliage like an ornamental grass. The plant’s height balances a tall pot.
Ginger E. Long, ©2024 HGIC, Clemson Extension
