The best pot plants for autumn colour..

It’s fair to say we’ve not had the best of summers. Looking on the bright side, you’ve not had to increase your water bill by the daily watering of your patio pot plants. On the less bright side, you perhaps haven’t had the opportunity to enjoy all that summer colour as much as you might have in previous years. All is not lost, however, most of your planting will last well into October – as long as we don’t get any freak frosts…

So, what should you be doing with your patio pots now? We may be heading into the (officially) colder months, but you still have some planting options to maintain some colourful displays into autumn and even winter.

Summer annuals

You’ll know when it’s time to empty pots of your summer annuals – they get straggly, stop producing as many flowers and generally look worn out. Begonias, petunia, lobelia, all start to lose their vim and vigour. If you chose to plant pelargoniums (often called geraniums) this year, they will happily keep going however (as long as you keep dead heading) right up until those first frosts. And they’re very low maintenance if you want to keep them over winter, too. Simply give them a good water, then move the pots into a shed or porch, and leave them alone till March, when you can start watering again, before returning them to the garden as soon as the last frosts are past. A brilliant way to get your patio and front doorstep kickstarted at zero cost! You should be able to do this for a few winters, but eventually they start to look a bit oddly-shaped and straggly, so then it’s time to start again.

Autumn colour

Some flowers seem designed for autumn – chrysanthemums for example, in jewel tones of ruby red, citrine yellow and vivid topaz orange. A single plant will produce masses of flowers in a spreading cushion of colour. These don’t love getting very wet, so are best placed in a sheltered spot, on your front doorstep for example.

If you want something in a cooler colour range, have a look at winter pansies, or viola. Traditionally in tones of violet, purple and white, you can also get them in warmer yellows and oranges, and a pot filled with an assortment will provide colour and pleasure all winter long, as they can survive frost and snow.

Another long lasting plant is the cyclamen. At this time of year you’ll find Cyclamen hederifolium, the autumn flowering type, in garden centres, DIY outlets and even supermarkets. They come in shades from white to pale pink to deep pink and will add a pop of colour to any pots.

Another option for autumn and winter planting, though more for interest and texture than the vivid pops of colour we want from flowers, is to consider ornamental grasses. 

Ornamental grass to plant in pots

One very pretty grass that also brings a pop of colour is pheasant’s grass (named for its colourful drooping blades). This doesn’t get too big and performs well all year round. New growth starts off green, but then yellow, orange and terracotta, getting more intense during the winter months. When spring arrives, get in with your fingers to tease out any dead leaves from the base of the grass, and then wait to enjoy the sprays of airy flower heads it produces. 

Or consider the grey-blue grass, blue fescue. Set it in a terracotta pot for bold contrast, or a blue glazed pot for elegant toning. It doesn’t get too big – 30 to 45cm – and as long as you keep the base free of dead foliage will provide colour, shape and texture all year round.

If you are considering grasses for pots check when you’re choosing that they are not deciduous. For winter interest you need to make sure you choose evergreen grasses, or all your hard work will come to nothing till next spring.

Eddie – Friday 1st September 2023. (Image used from Provis Road, Chorlton Green).