As the days grow shorter and the nights longer, gardeners start to feel the pull of autumn’s palette. One of the best ways to embrace these seasonal changes is by planting a fall container garden that will provide a splash of color as other blooms start to fade. Here are some of the best plants to consider for your autumnal display:

Chrysanthemums, or ‘mums’, are almost synonymous with fall color. Available in a wide array of colors, including yellow, red, orange, and purple, these hardy flowers can withstand cooler temperatures and are perfect for giving your container garden a traditional autumn feel.

Pansies are another staple for the fall container garden. Pansies can survive light frosts and even continue to bloom through snow! With their happy faces and rich colors ranging from deep purples to bright yellows, they offer long-lasting color in your container arrangements.

Ornamental cabbages and kales add an unexpected and whimsical touch to your containers. They don’t bloom like traditional flowers but offer brilliant foliage in shades of cream, pink, red, and purple that intensify as the weather gets cooler.

Ornamental peppers provide not only striking leaf colors but also showy fruit that can range from yellow to fiery red. While these peppers are typically edible, they are generally grown for their decorative value rather than being harvested for consumption.

Heucheras, commonly known as coral bells, are fantastic for adding a touch of elegance with their mounded foliage that comes in a variety of colors like peach, purple, lime green, and rust. These perennials also have delicate bell-shaped flowers that rise above the foliage on slender stems.

Sedum ‘Autumn Joy’ is an excellent choice if you’re looking for easy care and drought resistance. Its succulent leaves look great throughout the season, but it’s in late summer and fall when it stands out with pink flower clusters that later deepen to rust-red.

Lastly, grasses such as Pennisetum setaceum ‘Fireworks’ add height and texture to your containers. Their plumes persist well into winter providing structure and movement on windy days.

When creating a fall container garden with the above plants, be sure to choose containers with adequate drainage holes. Combine plants based on complementary colors and varied textures for captivating displays. With careful selection and maintenance, you can enjoy bursts of autumn color right up until frost sets in.