Hydrangea Garden

PHOTO: ELENALEONOVA / GETTY IMAGES

When the end of summer is on the horizon, preparing your landscape for winter is likely at top of mind. But we recommend holding off on packing away your planters for just a little bit longer. Sure, winter is coming, but still to be enjoyed is the coziest season of the year—fall—and all of the jewel-toned, late-season bloomers it has to offer.

Since the season is so short, the easiest way to get the most mileage out of your fall plants is to leave them in their containers. A successful fall container garden, comprised of a combination of autumn stars, can give your doorstep, porch, or window boxes a few months of new life. To elevate your landscape this autumn, consider these fall container plants that thrive throughout the brief but beloved season.

01of 10Chrysanthemum

PEARS2295/GETTY

The crown jewel of fall containers, these late bloomers are super compact, covered in long-lasting flowers, and come in every autumnal tone you can imagine. “Chrysanthemums’ bright and beautiful, yet highly hardy, blooms add color to any fall container arrangement,” says Kelly Funk, of Jackson & Perkins and president of Park Seed.

Our Guide to the USDA Gardening Zones—Plus, the Best Plants to Grow in Your Region02of 10Helenium

NIGEL BURKITT/GETTY IMAGES

Grab the eye of any passerby with this sun-loving perennial that blooms in only the brightest shades of red, yellow, and orange. “Helenium is great for container gardens because of its compact size and ability to attract pollinators,” says Funk.

Zones: 3 to 9

Mature Size: 1 to 4 feet tall x 1 to 2 feet wide

Growing conditions: Full sun to partial shade; well-draining soil

03of 10Pansy

LEONID SHKURIKHIN/GETTY IMAGES

Think of something cheerier than a pansy—not many flowers can compete. Their miniature habit means you can tuck them anywhere, adding pops of color (and joy) to even the smallest of spaces.

Zones: 4 to 8

Mature Size: 6 to 9 inches tall and wide

Growing conditions: Full sun to partial shade; well-draining soil

04of 10Heuchera

SALLY JANE PHOTOGRAPHIC ART/GETTY IMAGES

Because it can’t all be flowers, heuchera is a good option if you’d like to add colorful foliage to your fall container display. “Heuchera is an excellent plant for fall container gardening because it is low-maintenance and adds color and texture to any container through its blooms and foliage,” says Funk.

Zones: 4 to 9

Mature Size: 8 to 12 inches tall x 12 to 18 inches wide

Growing conditions: Partial shade; rich, organic well-draining soil

05of 10Salvia

RON EVANS/GETTY

They’ve been performing all summer in your garden, and guess what? There’s no stopping your salvia now, either. They’re a perfect season-bridging plant, and their blooms will carry you straight into fall. Many can handle a touch of drought once established.

Zones: 3 to 8

Mature Size: Up to 4 feet tall and wide (depends on the variety)

Growing conditions: Full sun; well-draining soil

06of 10Aster

DEBI DALIO/GETTY IMAGES

For a commendable grand finale, be sure to tuck asters into your containers. The blue, pink, purple, and white flowers are one of the last nectar sources for pollinators, meaning you get a package deal: wildlife and blooms.

Zones: 3 to 8

Mature Size: Up to 8 feet tall x 4 feet wide (depends on the variety)

Growing conditions: Full sun; well-draining soil

• The Best Plants for Attracting Pollinators

07of 10Stonecrop

ELIZABETH FERNANDEZ/GETTY IMAGES

Fleshy leaves and persistent clusters of flowers comes in a variety of sizes and colors, but their real selling point is their drought-tolerant nature, making them ideal candidates if you’re prone to neglect. “Stonecrop is a hardy and versatile plant that is easy to grow in the garden and has unique foliage and flowers that act as a foundation for any fall container,” says Funk.

Zones: 3 to 9

Mature Size: 6 inches to 2 feet tall and wide

Growing conditions: Full sun; well-draining soil

08of 10Lamb’s Ears

GETTY IMAGES

While most of this list has you covered on flowers, lamb’s ears brings the texture. “Whether you are looking for a low-maintenance plant with a soft texture or a plant with pollinator benefits, lamb’s ears are an excellent choice for a fall container garden,” says Funk. “It is a low-growing plant that provides a great place for insects to overwinter in.”

Zones: 4 to 8

Mature Size: 12 to 18 inches tall x 12 to 14 inches wide

Growing conditions: Full sun to partial shade; thrives in various soil conditions.

09of 10Ornamental Cabbage

GETTY IMAGES

The ornamental version of your favorite vegetable adds green, purple, or white in a rosette form that can withstand frost without batting an eye. Ornamental cabbages can handle full sun and appreciate regular water.

Zones: 2 to 11

Mature Size: 8 to 18 inches tall and wide

Growing conditions: Full sun; well-draining soil

10of 10Black-Eyed Susan

GETTY IMAGES

Black-eyed Susans have it all—they’re easy to grow, pest- and disease-resistant, and widely adaptable. “These upright plants can grow to between 2 to 3 feet tall and provide beautiful blooms from the middle of summer until late fall,” says Funk.