Container gardening is a winner for fall landscapes

The rich hues of fall don’t have to stay in the landscape. Cheerful planters brimming with seasonal color can greet family and guests at your front door, porch or patio.

Even if you don’t have much time to spend in the garden during the holiday season, these thoughtfully arranged containers can make your home warm and inviting.

Container gardening isn’t just for spring and summer.

Many cool-season flowers thrive in fall and winter arrangements. I love using pansies, violas, flowering kale or cabbage, dianthus and chrysanthemums to provide long-lasting color during the colder months.

To add texture and greenery, I mix in trailing plants such as variegated ivy, jasmine or asparagus fern. Sometimes I will use small shrubs like juniper or ligustrum for structure and height. Even edible plants like ornamental lettuce or Swiss chard can add unexpected charm.

Herbs make delightful and practical additions to fall planters.

Try oregano, lemon thyme, parsley, cilantro, chives, mint or upright rosemary tucked among flowers. You can snip the leaves and use them fresh in holiday dishes, or dry them for later cooking.

I have noticed many local garden centers have a great selection of herbs this time of year, and these are perfect for adding fragrance and flavor to your container displays.

When selecting containers, choose ones large enough for roots to grow comfortably but not so oversized that soil stays soggy. Keep in mind the mature size of your plants and follow recommended spacing.

Deep pots retain moisture better than shallow ones, meaning less frequent watering. Small pots or hanging baskets tend to dry out quickly and are more vulnerable to cold damage, so consider using larger containers when possible.

I always use a high-quality, well-draining potting mix in my containers. It’s worth the investment for you to do the same.

Avoid heavy, inexpensive soils that hold too much water, as they can make large pots difficult to move and may harm plant roots. The best ready-made mixes are lightweight, weed-free and often include slow-release fertilizer to keep plants growing strong.

Planting in containers follows the same principles as planting in the ground.

Position bedding plants, shrubs or small trees so the top of the root ball is level with the soil surface. Begin by placing your largest plants first, then fill in with smaller flowers and greenery to create balance and flow.

Don’t be afraid to experiment. Container gardening is a wonderful way to express creativity.

Keep containers well-watered as plants establish, remembering containers dry out faster than garden beds. For best results, feed with a time-release granular fertilizer or supplement with diluted liquid fertilizer during watering.

One of the great advantages of container gardening is flexibility.

You can tailor the soil mix for nearly any plant, move pots to take advantage of sun or shade, and even bring them indoors or under shelter during cold snaps. Lightweight containers designed to look like traditional clay are widely available and budget-friendly, making it easier than ever to enjoy portable beauty around your home.

With a little care and imagination, your colorful fall containers will brighten your home and spread holiday cheer to your family and friends visiting throughout the holiday season.