It's the first week of October and today registered a HOT 98 degrees in Los Angeles.

Perfect weather for designing fall container gardens!

Oh, I'm not complaining about the perennial sunshine; I only wish "sweater weather" would set in soon.

No matter how warm it is in my town, my focus is on presenting garden and design information for the national audience that watches the Home & Family Show.

 

 

My latest gardening segment is on "Fall Containers: One Plant Wonders!"

I thought it would be practical to showcase plants that boast beautiful foliage, texture, or berries. They look great as one plant wonders in fall containers.

The last thing I want to do is care for a mixed fall planter, stuffed with a bunch of flowers that need deadheading.

What do you think?

 

Shopping for garden containers at Green Thumb Nurseries in Canoga Park, CA.

 

My approach to fall containers this year is simple and practical.

Pair a fall foliage plant with a colorful, contrasting jewel-toned container for maximum impact!

 

Take a look at a few of my favorite fall plants for containers featuring some First Editions® plants that I presented on the show.

I want to thank Bailey Nurseries for providing the plants and Green Thumb Nurseries for the colorful containers.

 

Daub's Frosted Juniper Tree

 

This Daub's Frosted Juniper is grafted as a small tree with bluish-green, lacy mature foliage and frosted golden-yellow new growth.

I like how the glossy white container and white Galaxy snowberry plant bring light to the evergreen tree.

Junipers are cold hardy and one of the most adaptable plants in the world!

You'll find them surviving under snow as well as braving the heat of the desert.

Find a sunny spot in your garden and enjoy the year-round beauty of this spreading but low-growing variety.

 

Harry Lauder Walking Stick Tree (Corylus avellana)

 

The stark, gray, twisted branches of the Corylus avellana, or "Harry Lauder Walking Stick" tree, transform the naked branches into a living sculpture in the fall and winter.

 I selected a textured, cobalt blue container with raised swirls to play up the contorted shape of the branches.

As the tree ages, the branches become thick and gnarled and bend into corkscrew configurations that are breathtaking and a hallmark of the plant.

When placed in a tall container, it elevates the tree to art status.

 

Harry Lauder Walking Stick is a member of the hazelnut family and is dormant through the winter.

 

Loropetelum, First Editions® 'Crimson Fire' Fringe Flower

Besides small trees, I selected some plants that are commonly used in the landscape but interesting enough to be featured as a specimen plant.

 

The dark ruby leaves of the Loropetelum, or 'Crimson Fire' Fringe Flower, persist throughout the year.

In the spring, the Crimson Fire boasts an eye-opening, neon pink flower.

When I combined this plant with a glossy, ochre ceramic container, I was impressed with the vivid colors.

Although the loropetelum is hardy to nearly 0 degrees Farenheit when planted in the ground, as a container plant it can tolerate cold temparatures near 20 degrees.

Take it indoors to a sunny room and enjoy closeup when temperatures dip less than 20 degrees.

 

First Editions® 'Red Fame' Hypericum

Don't I look like I'm enjoying the fall with my sweater?

I was boiling but I kept smiling!

 

 The fire engine red berries of the 'Red Fame' Hypericum tower over the dark green leaves, looking beautiful with autumn colors.

The purple container has a raised, knubby texture that mimics the round berries and reminds me of a cozy, cable knit sweater.

I wish!

 

Hypericum is related to St. John's Wart. This variety grows round and compact at 2.5 feet tall by 2.5 feet wide.

Give the Hypericum full sun and don't eat the berries!

They can be toxic to people and turn black in the winter.

 

First Editions® 'Tiger Eyes' Staghorn Sumac

The warm, orange ceramic planter sets off the golden and scarlet tones of the 'Tiger's Eyes' sumac.

 

Take a look at the rosy pink stems with chartreuse green and yellow fall leaves.

If this combination doesn't scream "Autumn," I don't know what does!

Tiger's Eyes is an award winning plant and can be planted later in spring in the garden as a shrub or small tree.

Find a spot with a lot of open space as the sumac tends to grow enthusiastically and cover some ground!

 

Questions From Home & Family Show!

 

Q:  Other than color, what type of containers are best for cold weather?

Containers that won't crack from freezing and thawing.
Wood, metal, fiberglass, stone and high-fired ceramic 

 

Q: What is the difference between a plant with a brand name such as "First Editions" and plants without special names?

Branded plants such as First Editions® have been bred to be an improved version over their common plant counterpart.

Some of these improved perks include: better disease resistance, more color choices, better size selection, more or extended bloom times.

If you like a plant but not its behavior, look for branded plants to see if they have improved version.

 

Q:- Any special care for fall container plants?

 

Water once per week if no rain

No need to fertilize

Use an "anti-dessicant" such as Wilt-Pruf to keep leaves from drying on cold, windy days

 

Leave me your questions about your landscape or garden below!