This summer has been beautiful, and no doubt your outdoor containers are looking amazing right now. But in a few weeks, we’ll welcome a new season, and things will begin to change. Don’t let your containers simply fade away as summer changes to fall – you can breathe new life into your outdoor displays with all new arrangements. On Saturday, August 24th, at 9a-10a, join us for the next seminar in our DIY series, Fall Container Design. At the seminar, container designer Jenny Beukenhorst will share ideas for seasonally-inspired container combinations featuring beautiful plants that take center stage in the cooler weather – plus a few other fun and fall-inspired accessories too. Here, we share what makes fall such a great time to plant outdoor containers – especially if you’re new to container gardening.
Inspiration is Everywhere
Brisk breezes, colorful trees, and the scent of woodsmoke and fallen leaves make fall an exciting time for the senses. The changing trees and late-summer blooming perennials provide a rich color palette of oranges, reds, and yellows that make everything seem warmer even as the temperatures drop. Bare branches, smooth pumpkins, and maturing grasses add texture to the scene too. With all the creative inspiration that comes with the new season, the pink petunias that were so perfect in your containers this summer may start to look a little out of place – and the time feels right for a change.
Simple or Complex
Fall’s natural landscape is a dynamic one. If you’re new to container gardening, this is a good thing. Fall-inspired arrangements can be just as free and easy to put together as an autumn day – almost any combination of fall flowers, foliage, twigs, vines, and colorful leaves looks perfectly natural. But if the cornucopia look doesn’t appeal to you, fall lends itself to simpler designs too. One of our big, round, bloom-covered mums looks so clean and sophisticated as the only plant in a tall pot – or line up a neat row of identical mums in a low, horizontal one. A single tall grass, a group of identical kale, or a colorful bunch of pansies also create a dramatic and beautiful statement without all the complexity.
Easier Maintenance
Another reason fall is a great time to plant containers – especially if you’re just getting started in the hobby – is ease of maintenance. Cooler fall temperatures mean less watering, a more limited selection of plants makes designing easier, and the shorter growing season means plants have less of a chance to get out of hand and need trimming. Even the bugs go away, so fall containers are more likely to stay just as perfect as the day you planted them through the whole season.
Find Your Fall Inspiration
If the thought of the approaching fall has you excited for the opportunity to get creative with your containers again, we hope you’ll come to Fall Container Design on August 24th at 9a-10a. It may still be summer, but it’s never too early to start planning for the next beautiful season.
