Empty planters left after geraniums can decorate your windows, terrace, or balcony long after summer ends. Get inspired by twenty autumn arrangements combining heathers, ornamental foliage, trailing plants, grasses, pumpkins, and natural decorations.
What You’ll Need
- an empty planter or another suitable container
- potting mix appropriate for your chosen plants
- autumn plants according to your selected composition
- small pumpkins, pinecones, twigs, moss, or fruits for decoration
- gardening gloves and a trowel
Before you start planting, clean the planter and check that excess water can drain safely. First, arrange the plants in their pots, placing taller varieties at the back or center and trailing ones at the edges. Only then plant them, fill the gaps with potting mix, and water the arrangement moderately.
1. Heathers with Pumpkin and Ivy: Arrange white, pink, and purple heathers in a dark planter. Place a small orange pumpkin in the center and plant trailing ivy at one end to soften the strict shape of the container.
2. Autumn Basket with Apples: Fill a wicker basket with vibrant heathers and plants with colorful leaves. Top with moss, pinecones, apples, and a piece of birch branch for a natural, rustic look.
3. Light Balcony Composition: Alternate white-blooming heathers, silvery plants, and ornamental cabbage in a long, light planter. Plant ivy at both ends and let its shoots cascade freely over the railing.
4. Planting with Ornamental Grasses: In a metallic-looking container, place delicate clumps of grass at the sides, with heathers and a plant with burgundy leaves in between. Two small pale pumpkins add a subtle seasonal touch.
5. Heathers in an Old Wooden Planter: A weathered container stands out with a simple row of purple heathers. Fill the gaps with ivy and let several shoots trail over the front edge to break up the regularity.
6. Chrysanthemum as the Main Feature: Plant a large yellow-flowering chrysanthemum in a wooden planter and balance it with heather, trailing greenery, and dark foliage. An orange pumpkin ties the yellow blooms to autumn shades.
7. Elegant White-Green Planter: Complement two white heathers with a silvery plant in the center. Let ivy grow over the front and place two small pale pumpkins on top. The result is understated and suits even a modern home.
8. Galvanized Container with Rosehips: Pair purple heather with ivy, pinecones, and a twig with red rosehips. Add the decorations after planting and secure them so the wind doesn’t blow them away.
9. Rhythm of Heathers and Ornamental Cabbages: In a terracotta planter, alternate white heathers and purple ornamental cabbages. Add ivy at the edge, letting its long shoot trail down the wall.
10. Burgundy Leaves for Striking Contrast: Add a plant with large burgundy leaves, a tuft of delicate grass, and ivy to pink heather. The different heights and shapes create an impressive display even without extra decorations.
11. Woodland Arrangement with Pinecones: Arrange white heathers around a taller clump of grass. Cover the bare soil with moss and decorate with several pinecones and short birch twigs.
12. Wooden Crate with Chestnuts: Plant white and pink heathers with colorful foliage in a crate. Place a striped pumpkin in the center and add shiny chestnuts at the front.
13. Autumn Planter with Cyclamen: Group pink and white cyclamen together, add low heathers and greenery in between. A small striped pumpkin and trailing ivy give the arrangement a more relaxed look.
14. Long Planting Under the Window: In a large wooden planter, alternate pink and white heathers with silvery plants. Fill the gaps with orange pumpkins and let ivy trail over the front edge.
15. Basket with Jute Lining: Line a wire basket with jute and plant heather, ornamental cabbage, and silvery foliage. A pinecone at the front highlights the natural character of the decoration.
16. Colorful Fruits in a Green Planter: Complement white and pink heathers with plenty of ivy and twigs with orange fruits. A pale pumpkin in the center creates a calm spot among the vibrant colors.
17. Symmetry with Ornamental Cabbage: Plant purple heathers at both ends of a brown planter, with a taller silvery plant in the center. Place two ornamental cabbages in the front row and let ivy trail between them.
18. Grasses and Small Pumpkins: Place a tall, airy clump of grass at the back, with pink heathers in front. Decorate the black container with several pumpkins of various colors and ivy on the sides.
19. Warm Tones with Chrysanthemum: Combine an orange-flowering chrysanthemum with pink heather and a plant with coppery burgundy leaves. Moss and a striped pumpkin at the edge help cover the soil.
20. Country-Style Composition with Branches: Plant several white and purple heathers in a grey wooden planter. Add an evergreen plant, ivy, a small pumpkin, and upright birch branches to give the arrangement height.
Final Tip
Water autumn containers moderately, but don’t let the root balls dry out completely. Water needs depend on the weather, location, and chosen plants. Regularly check pumpkins, pinecones, and other decorations, removing any damaged pieces. For planters on windowsills or balcony railings, always ensure they are securely fastened, and when choosing plants, consider local temperatures, as not all varieties tolerate frost equally well.
