Container plants for fall that will pay off in the spring

Containers of orange pansies and red mums are among the clearest signs that autumn has arrived in the garden.

But the problem with falling back on these tried-and-true annuals is they don’t last more than a couple of months.

If you’re willing to get more creative, you’ll find a host of shrubs, perennials and grasses that offer vibrant autumn colors with an added benefit: They survive through winter and can be planted in the garden in spring.

Here are some container plants you can reuse when the ground thaws.

Box honeysuckles

Create visual texture in a planter by tucking lower-lying varieties, such as the lemon beauty box honeysuckle, around a more vertical centerpiece. This shrub is evergreen in zones 8 and above, but overall hardy to zone 6. It boasts tiny, variegated leaves that grow in lateral branches, which can be trimmed as needed.

After winter has passed, plant a box honeysuckle in part to full sun in your garden. It looks stunning when contrasted with dark green shrubs.

Because box honeysuckles grow in a mound shape, they also look attractive beside taller accents such as Wichita blue junipers or pyramidal arborvitaes.

Coral bells

For punches of orange, rust and ruby red, consider coral bells, a versatile perennial. These herbaceous plants offer big, rounded foliage and bold colors, plus tiny flowers that attract hummingbirds. What’s most unusual is coral bells’ veins are often darker than the leaf color, making for luxurious patterns.

Since they grow about a foot tall at most, coral bells function best at the front of a garden’s border. Plant them in an area with partial sun and well-draining soil. They may lose foliage from the winter cold but can often be revived with compost or fertilizer in spring. Most are hardy to zone 4.

Dog hobbles

The oddly named dog hobble or leucothoe (pronounced lew-coth-oh-ay) is one of the most overlooked but reliable shrubs out there. These shade-loving evergreens come in various sizes and variegations. An adorable cultivar is Curly Red, sporting leathery leaves with red tips. It’s dense and twisty, adding unique interest to a fall container.

Designers often use leucothoes in dappled sun and lightly shaded areas. Though hardy to zone 5, they need protection from harsh winds in colder climates. With intermittent watering, taller specimens form a nice evergreen backdrop, and smaller ones can be grown near the front of a partshade border.

PHOTOS BY KAREN HUGG FOR THE WASHINGTON POST Fire Alarm coral bells.

Lemon beauty box honeysuckle.

Dog hobble.