Summer-blooming Container Plants that Maintain Vibrant Hues through Autumn - Revamp your Pots for a Continuous Spectacle of Color till Fall
Summer may be drawing to a close, but that doesn't mean your container garden has to lose its vibrancy. With a few strategic choices, you can extend the flowering season well into the autumn months. Here are some suggestions for long-lasting, creative potted summer plants that will not only provide abundant nectar and pollen but also extend the flowering season.
Dwarf Plume Celosia
A compact, bushy plant, Dwarf Plume Celosia produces vibrant, large flowers and is a popular choice for long-flowering annuals. It thrives in USDA plant hardiness zones 2-12, making it a versatile option for many gardeners. Plant these in full sun and be mindful of overwatering, as they are drought tolerant.
Chrysanthemums (Mums)
Chrysanthemums, or mums, are viewed as quintessential fall flowers for planters. Most varieties reach their peak growing season in late summer to autumn. 'Mammoth Daisy Red' Chrysanthemum plants can be bought from Burpee for a hot splash of deep red semi-double blooms.
Salvia
Salvia is a long-lasting plant ideal for blooming in containers through summer and beyond. Certain salvias are capable of lasting well into the fall. 'Caradonna' Salvia can be bought as live plants from Walmart for sensational summer flowers for pots that will last into fall.
Pansies and Violas
Pansies and violas are hardy in USDA zones 3-8 and ideal for late summer containers. They can handle cooling weather and offer long-lasting blooms into late fall. 'Cool Wave Raspberry Swirl', pink 'Sunrise', 'Plentifall Lavender Blue' and 'Yellow Blotch' are live plant pansy options available to buy from Burpee, while 'Brush Strokes' and 'Tiger Eye Mixed' are live plant viola options.
Autumn Crocus and Colchicum
Colchicum autumnale blooms at the same time as the autumn crocus and would pair well together in a container for more visual variety. Colchicum 'Waterlily' (autumn crocus) has delicate, tissue-paper like petals in pinks, purples, and blues and blooms in USDA zones 4-8. It can be grown from seeds available on Amazon.
Asters
Asters are a great choice for late summer-early fall container plants. Aster 'Wood's Blue' is a perennial aster that produces purple-blue blooms and is ideal for late summer-early fall container plants. It can be bought as a live plant from Walmart. For something more unusual, consider Honeysong Purple Stokes, an aster happy in full sun and well-draining soil.
Sedum 'Autumn Joy'
Sedum 'Autumn Joy' is a dazzling and enduring flowering option for large container plants in fall. It thrives in zones 3-9, requires little maintenance, and has richly tinted blooms that last for months.
Mums for Pots
Varieties like 'Brennpunkt', 'Coup de Soleil' and 'Bienchen' are ideal for reliable summer-fall mums for pots. These mums will inject fall colors into your yard before the seasons change.
Container Sets
To elevate your containers as summer transitions to fall, consider the Keter Resin Rattan 2-piece container set from Amazon. This practical and traditional set will add a touch of elegance to your garden.
Soil Moisture Meter
To ensure your container plants are receiving the right amount of hydration, consider investing in a soil moisture meter like the XLUX Soil Moisture Meter from Amazon. This will help you adjust the hydration needs of your container plants.
Pruning
Don't forget to prune spent flowerheads using shears like the Fiskars Bypass Pruners from Walmart. This will help your late summer container flowers flourish well into the fall.
By following these suggestions, you can create a stunning container garden that will continue to bloom as the autumn leaves begin to fall. Enjoy the extended flowering season and the beauty it brings to your outdoor space.
