If you’re planning to plant a flower garden in your home this fall, you’ve probably wondered which plants work well in pots. Here are some tips for fall-appropriate flowers in containers. These include heucheras, coral bells, and zinnias. These blooms are the perfect complement to any fall home or garden. You can also choose to plant crotons or other greenery to add height to your planter.
Zinnias
A favorite of fall gardeners, zinnias keep blooming until fall. To extend their flowering season, deadhead them as they begin to fade. You can also pinch off the lower leaves before plunking them into water. They can last for up to 10 days in water before needing a refresher. Whether you are planting a fall flower bed or an indoor container, zinnias are a perfect choice for the occasion.
To start your zinnia plants, sow seeds half an inch deep and water lightly until they sprout. Thin them out if they have too many seeds. Then, use a potting mix that contains a lot of compost. Zinnias can grow to about 16 to 18 inches tall and 20 to 24 inches wide. They may not reach their full height or spread if grown in cooler climates.
Since zinnias are difficult to transplant, you should start them from seed, either directly in the garden or in a pot. Sow seeds six weeks before the last spring frost, or a few weeks earlier. Seeds should be planted in moist soil and placed in a sunny area. You can transplant the seedlings into larger containers when the weather warms up. Zinnias are easy to grow from seed, so make sure to follow the instructions on the packaging.
Coral bells
If you’re looking for an easy-care plant that will provide plenty of color during the fall months, consider coral bells. This low-maintenance plant does best in moist, well-drained soil. Coral bells require about an inch of water per week. Divide them every three or five years in the early spring or fall. When they begin to lose their leaves during the winter, prune them back to encourage new growth.
When choosing the right location for your potted coral bells, you’ll want to consider the light conditions. Coral bells like four to six hours of direct sunlight, but older plants need mostly shade. When buying the plant, read the tag to determine how much direct sunlight they require. It’s best to choose a site with morning sunlight, but a few hours of afternoon shade is perfectly acceptable. If you’re limited on space, you can plant coral bells indoors.
The coral bells should be planted in containers with a drainage hole at least six inches wider than the root ball. They’re not tall, and do not require tall containers. They’re about fifteen to twenty inches wide. The flowers come in late spring or early summer, so you may want to select these plants based on their foliage rather than their flowering time. Although they’re known for being showy, coral bells are also great for pot gardens because they attract pollinators.
Heucheras
Heucheras are ideal for fall flowering in containers. Heucheras will do well in a container and should be kept on a stand with drainage holes. Heucheras should be watered regularly throughout the growing season. Avoid watering them too much in the winter and summer. A mulched surface will provide a moist environment while reducing watering needs. During late summer and fall, heucheras may be moved to a bigger container.
Heucheras have striking foliage, which is usually heart-shaped, rounded and variegated. They are deer-resistant and are an excellent choice for containers and mixed perennial beds. Heucheras also work well in containers and blend in well with other shade-loving plants such as hosta and impatiens. They can even be used in containers, which can be challenging to grow in containers.
Heucheras grow quickly, but their foliage may appear droopy in early spring. It’s best to divide them after about three years to ensure new growth. Divided plants should root well in spring, but if this doesn’t work, you should consider moving them to a cold greenhouse. If you have space in your garden, heucheras are hardy and tolerant of cold.
Heucheras are easy to grow and care for. Heuchera plants require little to no water once established. During summer, heuchera plants only need an inch of water a week, and little or no water during winter. Water your heucheras early in the morning. Heucheras are light feeders, but you may still need to use an all-purpose fertilizer in containers.
Heucherellas
Plant heucherellas in containers if you’d like a colorful accent in your garden. They are equally happy in mass plantings as well as in pots and containers. They make a beautiful border along walkways and should be planted approximately 18 inches apart. Because heucherellas are quite wide, you may want to consider spacing them further apart. You should also plant them at a depth of about 10 inches.
To care for heucherellas in containers, plant them in loam-based compost with plenty of drainage. Mulch with gravel or grit after planting to prevent soil from being trapped on the foliage. Fertilisers that release nutrients slowly into the soil should also be applied to the surface of the compost. Heucherellas require regular pruning to keep the foliage looking its best. Heucherellas are drought-tolerant, but they require a moist but well-drained environment.
Heucherellas are ideal container plants and are very versatile. They can act as fillers, spillers, or foils for annuals. Since they have such a broad genetic background, you can select from many varieties. Culture of heucherella is not complicated. They thrive in well-drained media and prefer a well-drained soil. Avoid high-peat mixes as they can drown the plant.
Coneflowers
Since they are perennial plants, coneflowers can be planted from the beginning of spring or after the last frost has passed in your area. During early fall, they can be planted in pots. Planting them in the fall should give them at least six weeks to establish their roots before the first frost is expected. This will allow them to bloom well. Once they have established their roots, you can transplant them to larger pots.
Most species of coneflowers are hardy in pots, and will survive the coldest winters in zones 9 to five. For those who live in colder climates, they can be cared for over the winter as long as the container is located in full sunlight. To care for your potted coneflowers over the winter, fertilize them and continue watering them until the soil is dry. During the colder months, you may also want to protect the potted plants from harsh temperatures by covering them with mulch.
Coneflowers are perennial plants that bloom from late summer through the fall. They are easy to care for and are a great choice for pots. Perennial coneflowers are suitable for zones with warm winters because they can tolerate a small amount of snow. Moreover, you can move your plants to a protected location when they are in the winter. You can also plant them as annuals if you prefer.
Goldenrod
The most attractive feature of goldenrod is its bright yellow flowers. Goldenrod can tolerate a variety of soil conditions, and it can be divided into smaller sections to create multiple plants. Most varieties grow best in full sun, although woodland ones will do well in partial shade. Most goldenrod cultivars prefer well-drained soil, but some tolerate soggy soil. This flower can be divided and transplanted into your garden as soon as new growth appears.
Growing goldenrod in a container can be a simple matter. The plant is relatively easy to grow, and it thrives in most garden soils, as long as it has a decent drainage. In addition to moist soil, it can thrive in clay, rocky, and sandy soils. Make sure to sow the seeds 6-8 weeks before the last frost date. After this, remove the spent flower heads and cut them for floral arrangements.
To get goldenrod in your container, start it indoors from seeds. Start them about six to eight weeks before the last average frost date. Make sure the seeds are damp and moist when planted. If you have a grow light, it can be set to the proper amount of time each day. Then you can add the plants to your pot and enjoy their beautiful flowers during fall. This versatile plant can grow in a pot or an outdoor container.