The Case for Fall Containers

By Dylan Crawford

This fall we were tasked with sprucing up a client’s containers for a few events they were hosting. Given that the events were later in the season, we were limited in our planting options – we wanted the containers to last at least from September – October and include blooms and structure. The idea was to make the planters feel celebratory and the strategy was to pack in a dense combination of whatever looked good at the nursery. We reviewed the online inventory list at the nursery and knew they would have plenty of cabbage, kale and chrysanthemums. We chose to stick solely with annuals because of the size of the containers and the immediate effect needed.

There is a lot of improvising that happens in plant layout based on site conditions, inventory availability and the quality of the inventory when it is available. Containers require more improvising than normal because you can’t wait for the plants to grow in – they have to be effective immediately and there is limited space to ad lib.

When we arrived at the nursery, we admired the sea of Kale ‘Crane White’ and the picked through Cabbage ‘Pigeon Purple’. Could we find a use for the quantity that was available?

We spent time laying out different combinations with a range of chrysanthemum colors until the right match was made, then we revised planned quantities based on changes made in field. The goal was to have a cohesive palette with slight changes between the containers to create further visual interest. Once we got on site, we continued to test layout and improvise.

After finishing the layout, the client’s dedicated maintenance crew went to work on the install. The final product paired familiar performers in fresh, high-contrast compositions. In the past, I’ve considered fall planting more limiting than spring or summer. This project reinforced the opposite: a narrower seasonal palette can elevate clarity and creativity, and fall containers have quickly become a new favorite.