As the days shorten and your summer flowers fade, you don’t have to settle for an empty front porch or patio. With a little creativity, you can design a beautiful fall and winter container that adds color, texture, and a festive touch to your home all season long. The best part? Most of the supplies you need are easy to find at local Boise nurseries, garden centers, or even in your own yard. 

Choosing Your Container 

Start with a sturdy container that can withstand freezing temperatures. Ceramic and terracotta pots can crack in cold weather, so opt for resin, plastic, or wood planters. If you’re reusing a summer container, just remove spent plants and freshen up the soil with a top layer of potting mix. 

Fall Container Ideas 

For autumn, think warm colors, seasonal textures, and natural accents. 

Plants to try: Ornamental kale, pansies, violas, asters, mums, and grasses like feather reed grass or fountain grass.

Accents: Add pumpkins, gourds, or colorful branches like redtwig dogwood for extra height and interest. 

Tip: Cluster several containers of different sizes near your entryway for a layered, abundant look. 

Winter Container Ideas 

Once hard frost arrives and most flowers are gone, swap out fall accents for evergreen branches and winter décor. 

Plants and greenery: Fresh-cut spruce, fir, or pine branches are widely available in Boise garden centers in November and December. You can also clip from your own evergreens. Mix in juniper or cedar for fragrance and texture. 

Accents: Pinecones, birch logs, and dried seed heads (like coneflowers or allium) add interest. For a festive look, tuck in red berries (real or artificial), holiday ornaments, or weatherproof ribbon. 

Tip: Moisten the soil before arranging branches. As the soil freezes, it will help anchor your design through winter winds. 

Supplies Checklist 

• Cold-hardy container 

• Fresh potting soil (or top layer refresh) 

• Seasonal plants (fall) or evergreen branches (winter) 

• Natural accents: pinecones, branches, seed heads 

• Decorative accents: pumpkins, ribbon, ornaments 

The “Thriller, Filler, Spiller” Formula 

If you’re not sure how to design your pot, this simple formula is a tried-and-true method for creating a balanced, eye-catching container. 

Thriller (the star of the show): 
Choose one bold, tall element to create height and drama. This could be ornamental grasses in fall, evergreen branches or redtwig dogwood in winter, or even decorative items like birch poles or curly willow. Place your thriller in the back of the pot if it will be viewed from the front only, or in the center if the pot is meant to be seen from all sides. 

Filler (the supporting cast): 
These are medium-height plants or greenery that surround the thriller and add bulk. In fall, try mums, ornamental kale, or pansies. In winter, use cedar, juniper, or spruce boughs. Think of fillers as the cozy middle layer that ties everything together. 

Spiller (the finishing touch): 
These plants (or decorative accents) trail over the edge of the pot, softening the look and adding flow. For fall, ivy, vinca, or trailing ornamental peppers work well. In winter, you can use cascading garland, ribbon, or even faux berry stems that spill naturally over the edge. 

By mixing these three elements, you create balance, texture, and movement in your design. Once you get the hang of it, you’ll start to see endless possibilities for each season.