As cooler weather sets in and summer annuals fade, it's time to repot for fall and early winter. A well-planted fall container still follows the classic formula: spillers, fillers, and thrillers combined so the plants play well off each other.
Best Spillers for Fall Pots
Spillers trail over the edge of the pot and soften its lines. Good fall options include:
- Lysimachia nummularia 'Aurea'
- Helichrysum
- Sedum rupestre 'Angelina'
- Sedum rupestre 'Blue Spruce'
- Cascading pansies
- Sedum ternatum 'Coral Reef'
Both annuals and perennials work well in this role.
Best Fillers for Fall Pots
Fillers add volume and fill the space between spillers and thrillers. Strong choices for fall include:
- Ornamental peppers
- Mums
- Ornamental cabbage and kale
- Pansies
- Violas
- Heuchera varieties
- Helleborus species
- Swiss chard
- Kale, especially Toscano, for foliage effect
- Spilanthes
- Strawflowers
- Asters
Best Thrillers for Fall Pots
Thrillers are the tall, eye-catching centerpiece of the arrangement. Perennial options include:
- Ornamental grasses, especially Schizachyrium (little bluestem)
- Panicum
- Juncus
- Asters, including the Jindai variety
- Carex 'Red Rooster'
- Carex 'Toffee Twist'
- Andropogon
For larger pots, red or yellow twig dogwoods make a striking thriller for late-season color, and a camellia works well too.
Cold-Tolerant Standouts for Fall Containers
Ornamental cabbage and kale actually become more colorful as the weather gets colder, making them one of the best payoffs for a fall pot.
Celosia is another great cold-tolerant annual, lasting until a hard frost. It comes in a range of colors and heights, with flowers in fan-shaped or wheat-shaped forms, and foliage that can be dark green, light green, or speckled.
Finishing Touches
Tuck small Jack-Be-Little pumpkins or mini gourds in among the plants for a final seasonal touch.
Browse garden supplies for pots and planting tools, or stop by for seasonal decor pieces to round out your fall display.
For more seasonal planting ideas, visit the Garden Blog.
FAQ: Fall Decorative Pots
What are spillers, fillers, and thrillers?
They're the three roles used to design a well-balanced container. Spillers trail over the edge, fillers add volume in the middle, and thrillers provide height and visual interest.
What plants get more colorful in cold weather?
Ornamental cabbage and kale become more vibrant as temperatures drop, making them ideal for late fall and early winter containers.
How long do fall annuals like celosia last?
Celosia is cold-tolerant and will typically last until the first hard frost.
What can I use to decorate a fall pot besides plants?
Small Jack-Be-Little pumpkins or mini gourds tucked among the plants add a nice finishing touch.
