Blooms to pretty up your patio
These vibrant floral displays make autumn days extra happy
Around a seating area:
A deconstructed display
“Layering plants creates such a powerful visual impact,” says lifestyle expert Mar Jennings, author of Life on Mar’s: A Four Season Garden.
“To create a beautiful focal point that draws the eye from any seat at an outdoor table, use three layers, arranging containers at ground level, eye level and slightly above eye level,” he advises. Also smart: Place leafy green plants (like ornamental cabbage and ivy) in contrasting fieryhued pots for a cohesive yet eye-catching look. Place pots in a spot that gets moderate sun, and water when the top of soil starts to feel dry.
Along a walkway:
Ornamental cabbage
A bright, oversized container brimming with ornamental cabbage is a stunning, low-maintenance way to usher in autumn, says Jennings. “Winding Chinese lanterns around the cabbage adds another layer of eye-catching interest, creating a visual bonus. The combination of living vegetation and dried lanterns creates a fall harvest feast for the eyes.” And opting for a vibrant fuchsia container brings out the color of the ornamental cabbage. Place the display in a sunny spot and keep the soil moderately moist. (Note: Chinese lanterns can be toxic to pets, so keep out of reach.)
In a bare corner:
A cascading “waterfall”
“An unexpected design strategy can create a vignette that’s perfect for spicing up an empty space,” says Jennings. And suspending plants on a pole adds life to a small area without making it feel overcrowded. To do: Fill a large pot halfway with premixed concrete; stake in a wooden fence post. Once dry, add river rocks, then affix 5 mountable planter holders (like Vigoro 6 in. Wall-Mount Planter Holder, $5, HomeDepot.com) to pole. Slip pots of asters in holders; wrap Chinese lanterns around pots. Water when soil starts to feel dry.