Three autumn container garden combinations to inspire your next pot plant display

Autumn might not have the same association with flowers and plants that spring and summer does, but there are still lots of colourful varieties around.

Plus, there are heaps of autumn plants hitting garden stores over the next few months to look forward to, including chrysanthemums and cyclamens.

The best and easiest way to make a stunning display using autumn flowers is to use the thriller, filler, spiller formula.

This container display incorporates thriller, filler and spiller plants.

A thriller is a taller plant that is placed at the back or in the centre of a pot display to add height.

Then you add a filler plant in front of, or around that to add bulk. And the spiller plant goes in front or around the the filler to cascade over the edge of the pot.

You’ll need at least three different plant varieties for this in contrasting or complementary colours.

When choosing plant combinations keep in mind the light and watering needs of the plants, as they will need to be the same or similar for all plants to thrive.

Container displays allow you to feature more than one plant in a pot.

The spot you plan to put the container in (sunny, shady or a bit of both) is also important for plants to grow and look their best.

To get you started and inspire your own autumn container garden displays, Corey Jackson,  horticulturalist, and Creative Director at The Greenery Garden & Home shared his top autumn container combinations with 9Honey Living.

“For each combination select a 40 to 50cm width pot and use good quality potting mix which will contain fertiliser,” he said.

“Ongoing care requirements are simple: deep, regular watering, remove finished flowers and add a slow release fertiliser to the top of the soil every three months.”

Full sun autumn combo

Embrace autumn colours with these plants.

Thriller: Dahila

Filler: Seaside daisy

Spiller: Dichondra emerald falls

“In season and readily available now, this plant combination loves full autumn and winter sun. Choose a strong dahlia colour such as deep pink or red to contrast with the small white flowers of the seaside daisies. Adding in the trailing dichondra emerald falls will soften the pot with a beautiful green foliage accent,” Jackson said.

Shade autumn combo

Bring colour to a shady corner with these plant options.

Thriller: Plectranthis Mona lavender

Filler: Cyclamen

Spiller: Hedera helix ivy

“This grouping will provide colour and texture in a shaded position all winter long. The plectranthus and ivy are permanent plants; when the cyclamen finish at the end of winter replace them with a warm-weather flowering plant such as impatiens, extending the life of the display,” Jackson said.

“Plectranthus Mona lavender refers to its deep lavender-coloured flowers, which sit well next to the deep green, lush foliage of the Ivy. White cyclamen contrast well with the purple plectranthus and add to the classic look of this container planting.”

Part sun/part shade autumn combo

These plants can create a classic or bold display, depending on colour choice.

Thriller: Cineraria

Filler: Pansy

Spiller: Lobelia

“You can go colour wild with this container, or keep it classic white. Choose the cineraria colour first, use a pansy colour for contrast and add a blue or white trailing lobelia,” Jackson said.

“My favourite combination is a deep blue cineraria, bright yellow pansies and white lobelia. Alternatively, using all white flowers will give you a more formal and elegant look.”

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