The nights are getting cooler, the days are getting shorter, and for us, at Van Wilgen’s that means mums, fall foliage, corn stalks, and of course, pumpkins everywhere! Unfortunately for our summer container gardens, it also means it’s time for a change.

Here are a few tips to add a touch of fall to your container gardens:

Pick your mums strategically. There are dozens of varieties in each color so you can get the most out of your fall mums. Pick some that are in color now for a little immediate satisfaction, and mix in a few with more buds than flowers for an added pop later.

Your favorite ornamental grasses are great for fall containers! In colors that are rich and plummy, to white with a silver sheen, they add just the right amount of height and texture to any fall container combo!

Load up on our adorable ornamental cabbages and kales! These plants may look delicate with their intricately lobed leaves and perfectly white to pink to purple coloring, but watch them freeze and thaw and outlast the winter’s snow in your container gardens this year!

Let us help you put together a custom design for your fall containers!

As if a greenhouse full of pansies wasn’t enough for our spring season, we’ve crafted some fun spring Custom Containers as well! We filled our favorite little twig baskets with outdoor spring favorites, like pansies and forget me nots, and violas with bright English daisies. With a festive pick and a dash of green moss, they make a great gift for on the go! And don’t worry, we’ve got twig baskets for indoors too! Spring plants are a great way to say happy spring to a neighbor, thank your holiday host, add a splash of color to your porch, or simply plop on your kitchen table as a festive decoration!

Grab a basket of spring at our Guilford Garden Mart or our North Branford store right next to the potting bench in our greenhouse. Come visit me at the potting bench for container tips and tricks, or even a custom planting, big or small, of your own. I’d love to help you add a splash of spring to your home!