Maybe a kumquat or pomegranate is not the symbol of autumn a chrysanthemum is, but in California along with other spaces that are mild, they could put on a fall show of their own — and will flourish in containers for several years, not just a few weeks.
For the biggest effect, buy a good-size plant — 5-gallon or larger. As a rule of thumb, the pot needs to be 2 inches wider and deeper than the plant’s root ball.
Remember the basic principles of container gardening:
Start with good soil mix, industrial or homemadeGiven that origins can’t roam much for nourishment and moisture, water more frequently, sometimes daily in hot weather; and feed regularlyYou might have to attract more tender crops under cover on the coldest winter nightsIn the hottest climates, provide part shade during the heat of day even for heat-loversHere are just seven fall-performing shrubs or tiny trees which make outstanding, lasting container plants. Display several fall container plants together, or blend with strands of fall-blooming annuals like pansies or iceland poppies — or perhaps chrysanthemums.
More: What to do in your California garden now | Regional garden guides
Plants using thumb-size fruits such as glistening gems start to show color in fall and summit in spring. The bushy, shiny-leafed plants are small enough to reside in containers for several years. Transfer your container plant into a protected spot (or indoors) if winter nights get too chilly.
USDA Islands: 9-10 (find your zone)
Water requirement: Moderate, more often in hot climates
Light requirement: Full sun or part shade especially in a container in hottest climates
Mature dimensions: 8 feet tall, 6 feet wide (when grown in the ground)
Growing tips: Good soil mix is a must. Maintain leaves shiny green with citrus food; yellow leaves usually indicate deficiency of iron.
Donna Lynn – Landscape Designer
‘Iceberg’ and Other Roses
In California and several other mild climates, roses have an autumn bloom that is nearly as abundant as spring’s. Look around at a nursery in fall and see what roses are blooming nicely.
Container-friendly forms are normally the bigger, more streamlined Polyanthas, Floribundas, ground cover and shrub roses. ‘Iceberg’, shown here, is a Floribunda type.
Other good options for containers comprise ‘Appleblossom Flower Carpet’ (pink) ‘Caramba’ (red), ‘Bonica’ (pink), ‘Carefree Delight’ (pink), ‘Margo Koster’ (orange). When there’s room in the container at the base of this rose, plant fall-blooming perennials or annuals, like pansies or Iceland poppies.
USDA zones: 5-9, depending on species and variety
Water requirement: Moderate. Make sure soil never dries out.
Light requirement: Full sun or light shade
Mature dimension: is dependent upon variety. Dimension can be limited by confinement in pruning and container.
Growing tips: select a container that is large enough to encourage vigorous root growth: at least 12 inches diameter for miniatures and other tiny kinds; 14 inches or even a half-barrel dimensions if you want to plant annuals or perennials under.
First of all, remember that you aren’t going to harvest market-size red, shiny fruit which weighs up to a bowling ball — these come from full-size orchard trees tended by growers who really know their stuff. Here we are discussing rainbow pomegranates, such as ‘Nana’ shown previously, which have charms of their own, such as waxy bright reddish flowers for most of the summer, possibly even followed by tiny miniature fruit-lets, along with yellow autumn foliage. A dwarf pomegranate will be satisfied in a container for several years.
USDA zones: 7-10
Water requirement: Moderate
Light requirement: Full sun
Mature dimension: Dwarf types 2-3 feet tall by 4-5 feet wide
Growing tips: To restrain dimensions and keep plants bushy, prune in winter when leafless; cut out spindly branches, and cut back long stringy vertical branches.
Nandina domestica ‘Compacta’
Nandina is such a common landscape plant which it’s easy to overlook its natural beauty — imagine what you’d think if you had never before seen its elegant slender branches, red fall foliage and berries. Several container-size kinds of dwarf nandina share those very same attributes. Shop carefully, because some of those dwarfs look stumpy.
USDA zone: 6-11
Water requirement: Low to medium
Light requirement: Full sun or part shade in hot climates
Mature dimensions: Dwarfs 2-4 feet tall, 2-3 feet wide
Growing tips: Prune attentively to reveal the stems; cut off stems close to the base. Do not lop off branches close to the top, which will induce hairy, graceless shirts.
San Marcos Growers
Back in the 20th century, fringe flower was an underappreciated green-leafed, white-flowered tree generally called “elegant” or “subtle.” But the plant walkers got hold of it, developed varieties with colorful leaves and flowers, and razzledazzle names such as ‘Razzleberri’, or just ‘Hines Purple Leaf’, revealed here.
Especially in California, the purple kinds are some of the most widely used picture plants. They’re also good in pots — particularly in fall when the purple leaves and pinkish flowers add a jolt of color. Low-spreading forms seem best in a pot, where they could remain a couple of years; then move them into your backyard for a landscaping job.
USDA Islands: 8-9, can grow in colder climates but is decidous
Water requirement: Moderate
Light requirement: Full sun, part shade in warmer climates, particularly for crops in containers
Mature dimensions: 6-10 feet tall, equivalent spread (pruning retains it smaller)
Growing suggestion: Prune to control elevation; cut back upward branches to promote spread.
Dig Your Garden Landscape Design
This three-season, deciduous shrub — although vigorous and rangy — may give you a year or two in a pot. In fall, treasure its purplish leaves. In spring and summer, the bloated, evaporating flowers inspire the name that is smoky. When a plant threatens to outgrow its container, then move it into the backyard as a backdrop plant.
USDA zone: 4-9
Water requirement: Moderate; do not overwater
Light requirement: Full sun or light shade
Mature dimension: 10-15 feet tall, 10-15 feet spread
Growing tips: To restrain rapid increase in pot, prune when plant is leafless or pinch back throughout the growing season.
These all-around useful shrubs may also operate well in containers. They blossom earlier than the more prevalent Camellia japonica, from fall through the winter, and they’re smaller and more varied in size and contour. Opt for an upright or spreading type. Colors include white, pink, rose, red. ‘Shishi Gashira’, shown here, is an old favorite. An excellent choice for the holiday season is winter-blooming ‘Yuletide’, an upright grower with reddish flowers with yellow centres. Would it seem nice close to your front door in December?
USDA zone: 7-10
Water requirement: Moderate; do not overwater.
Light requirement: Part shade, particularly in hot climates. Will take more sunlight than ordinary Camellia japonica.
Mature dimension: Up to 10 feet tall, 10-15 feet wide (depends heavily on variety)
Growing tips: Camellias are well worth special soil; start with commercial camellia mix or make your own at least 50 percent organic matter. Pot size can also be important: diameter of 12-14 inches for gallon-can size plants, 16-18 inches for 5-gallon size.
More: California Garden Guide