Fabulous Annuals for Fall Containers

These colorful options are great for filling holes in the border but truly shine in any kind of pot

One of the estimable thing about garden in Northern California ( and the wider Pacific Northwest ) is that there ’s seldom any true downtime . With our wonderful atmospheric condition , we can enjoy our garden every day of the yr with chores to perform , duties to carry out , and flowers to establish . declination is a particularly magical clip — the last warmth moving ridge is but a dim memory , sunlight bathes everything in gold tones , and our much - anticipated showery season has returned .

In my garden , October inspires me to pop a whole slew of nerveless - season annuals into any gaps in my perennial borders and container garden . I ’ve got my must - have favorites of these easy - to - grow annual ( interpret further for those ) , but what I know about these charmers is that they promise day-and-night pollyannaish color as we point into the winter months — and will even continue bloom all the way into spring in milder areas . Do n’t occupy if your outdoor space might be on the littler side or your horticulture is hold to planters ; most fall yearly are perfect for all your container needs .

Tips for Selecting and Growing Fall Annuals Successfully

Before launching into the best cultivar , permit ’s begin with a few practicalities to ensure you get the most out of your annual this fall . The follow is a list of thing to consider before buying your first plant life .

Favorite Varieties of Fall Annuals

Violas and Pansies(Viola cornutaand cvs. &Viola × wittrockianaand cvs.)

It is almost impossible to narrow down favorites from the endless varieties of colourful milksop and violas , but the bantam and adorable gem‘Sorbet Coconut Duet’(V. cornuta‘Sorbet Coconut Duet ’ , exposure left ) is irresistible and a pure window boxful addition . The larger - flowered , gently trailing‘Cool Wave Strawberry Swirl’(V. × wittrockiana‘Cool Wave Strawberry Swirl ’ , photo middle ) is fabulous adjoin any container or spilling out of a hanging basketful or window loge . Then there ’s the spectacular , richly hued‘Matrix Midnight Glow’(V. × wittrockiana ‘ Matrix Midnight Glow ’ , pic right ) pansy , which summate elegance , grace , and depth to any colouring material compounding .

Snapdragons(Antirrhinum majus)

Any of the delicious , colored , hardy 18- to 24 - column inch - tall‘Sonnet Mix’snapdragons ( photograph left ) provides erect sake to your midsized fall containers , whereas the‘Chantilly’series ( photo right ) shot work marvellously in something larger . These mantrap look just as good in a flowered arrangement as they do in a pot .

Pot Marigold(Calendula officinalis)

‘ Sunset Buff’is one of the prettiest pot marigolds , with openhanded , doubled , delightful bloom in sunset hue of peachy emollient , each petal vacate in red ( photo left ) . For a more classic orangeness ( pure for Halloween ) , the fabulous‘Balls Improved Orange’is a great choice ( photo powerful ) . Like all pile marigolds , both are edible and owing in bloom arrangements .

Sweet Peas(Lathyrus odoratus)

In a big container and with at least a 6 - foot - magniloquent supporting treillage , obelisk , or tuteur , any of the taller varieties of sweet-scented pea will make a statement . My personal favorite is the mythic , fragrant‘Elegance Lavender’(photo left ) . For smaller containers or hanging baskets , dainty‘Little Sweetheart’sweet pea ( photo right ) are adorable . For the best results , sweet peas should be planted in free fall in our area and will cater leafy inflammation all autumn and wintertime long but wo n’t start flower until March .

Icelandic Poppies(Papaver nudicaule)

For a papery , crinkle pop of semblance held aloft on fuzzy , wiry stems , the amazingly clean colors of the Champagne Bubbles ® series of Iceland poppies are the room to go . ‘Champagne Bubbles Orange’(pictured ) is my absolute favourite , reaching 12 to 18 inches improbable and blossom all the way of life through spring in my sphere . These make great baseball swing flowers too !

To discuss these plants or ask other horticulture inquiry , chat with the author on theGardening Answers forum .

To read more on Pacific Northwest gardening , go here .

Photos : Fionuala Campion

— Fionuala Campion is the owner and manager of Cottage Gardens of Petaluma , in Petaluma , California .

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