Welcoming Looks For Your Entryway

Many of the plants you've enjoyed in your planters this summer are likely about spent. But there's no reason to empty out the pots and store them away now. Early/mid fall offers plenty of great weather here in the Northwest, perfect for growing cool season flowers. Something new in your planters will bring a fresh look to greet visitors at your door, as well as spruce up the porch, patio or deck. What a perfect way to continue your joy of gardening!

Fall favorites for your containers…

• Pansies practically smile at you, making them the perfect little greeters for your entryway. And they thrive in cooler weather, bushing out for a full look in your planters. Plus they come in a variety of colors, from deep rich shades to brilliant white and soft pastels.
• Garden Mums are another favorite for fall color. They too thrive in the cooler weather and come in a great variety of colors. You'll also like them in your borders and for cut flowers.
• Many types of Asters make good fall container plants. You can transplant them into your garden later as this perennial will come back year after year, looking good particularly in rock gardens and along edgings.
• Kale and Cabbage are also great fall growers.
• Calendula , also known as pot marigolds, are a sure bet for easy-to-grow cool weather color. They offer familiar daisy-like blooms and staying power that can last into next spring if you're in a particularly mild winter area.

Give several of these varieties a try this fall and see what you think…

While much of the information in these tips is applicable in several gardening zones/climates, some of the plants and timing suggested are best suited to the Northwest, generally in the mild/wet growing regions found along the I-5 corridor. You should make appropriate adjustments or consult local gardening experts in regions whose climates differ from this area of the Northwest.