Autumn Pots & Containers
It always seems hard to accept that summer is over and your annual container plants are now on the compost heap. It doesn’t have to be the end though, as the garden centres are packed with late-flowering plants with which you can re-fill your pots and stretch the season. The autumn and winter months, when there are less flowers in the borders, are just the time when you will appreciate a bit of extra colour and life in the garden by using pots.
When it comes to colour, autumn is the time to go wild and have a final fling using bright dahlias, autumn-flowering chrysanthemums and asters. The colours of this season are bold and vibrant, and include not just reds, burnt oranges and gold but also bright purple, blue and mauve, so it’s not a season to be shy with colour! In the pot above a Japanese maple nestles amongst a spotted aucuba, variegated dwarf bamboo and shocking purple asters. For more plants ideas see the article on Planting Ideas for Autumn Containers.
Once you’ve put your summer bedding on the compost heap wash out the pots to ensure the pests and diseases don’t overwinter. Good drainage is essential if your plants are to thrive, and it’s vital that each pot has a drainage hole in the bottom covered with crocks (broken clay pots, washed grit or polystyrene). Old compost can harbour pests and diseases too, so invest in a bag of fresh compost. For more information see our guide on How to Plant a Patio Pot.
Don’t forget to feed autumn-winter flowering plants with soluble fertilisers from September to March and remove dead flowers to encourage more blooms.
Handy Hints:
- September – November is “bulb planting” time. Add tulip, crocus or daffodil bulbs to your pots. They’ll emerge as a wonderful surprise in spring.
- If your borders are looking bare why not fill the gap with a pot of colourful flowers?
