Choose your container wisely. When selecting your container, keep in mind that it must have adequate drainage. Without a hole for water to flow through, the plants will get soggy and the roots will rot. There are many different types and styles of planters available, made from cement, lightweight composite materials, pottery and classic terra cotta.

Bigger is almost always better when it comes to planters. Look for containers wider than 16 inches. You can fit more soil and more plants in bigger planters, and increase the visual impact of the display. Larger containers won’t dry out as quickly, either. A container that’s too small will force the plants to become root-bound (or potbound), with roots circling the pot seeking out soil and nutrients. Keep in mind a drawback to larger containers: portability. Urns and heavy containers need to be placed before you plant them, or you can use planter caddies to move filled containers. 

• Place the planter in its ideal location. Completed containers can hurt your back if they are too heavy to move.
• Fill the planter three-fourths full with a moisture-retaining potting mix that also contains a slow-release fertilizer.
• Remove the plants from their pots and loosen their roots. Never pull the plant out by the flowers or stems.
• Arrange the flowers in the container. Choose thrillers as the focal point, then place fillers around them. Next, let the spillers fall over the sides.  
• Using your potting soil with slow-release fertilizer and moisture control, fill in gaps and let the soil settle. 
• Feed your plants if needed. If you’re using potting soil without added fertilizer, feed with a slow-release fertilizer. Follow the package directions to know when and how much to use.
• Help your container retain moisture. Add 2 to 3 inches of mulch, moss or decorative rocks around the plant to retain moisture.
• Water when first planted and as needed. When the top of the soil is dry to the touch, water until it trickles out the drainage holes.

Tip: If you’re using a very large container, you may fill the bottom one-third of the planter with non-soluble filler materials such as aluminum cans, plastic containers, broken clay pots or packing peanuts.

Color and convenience are top of mind when selecting flowers for planters, but are not the only considerations. Fragrance and foliage add variety and dimension to your arrangements. An easy way to get fragrance into your container plantings is to add herbs like basil and mint to your arrangements.

Edibles like lettuces in spring and Swiss chard in fall add freshness to your arrangements. And a rosemary shrub makes a fine thriller element in a planter, surrounded by bright impatiens in summer and pansies in spring and fall.

Learn how to make an herb tower garden.

Fall is the time to rejuvenate front porches, decks and patios with the bronzy hues of autumn. Cooler temperatures, shorter days and more rain mean less stress on plants and less maintenance for you. Change out warm weather containers or treat yourself to new ones for a fresh, seasonal look.

Try these creative combinations:

• Select plants that suit your light conditions.
• Choose tall plants for the back and trailing plants to spill over the sides. Fill in with colorful mounding plants.
• Remove old plants from containers and compost. Clean containers.
• Soak plants in a bucket of water or with a hose.
• Fill container 3/4 full with moistened potting mix containing a fertilizer.
• Remove plants from original containers, loosen roots and plant.
• Top with potting mix, gently pressing down. Water and let soil settle.
• Mulch with decorative moss or pebbles to retain moisture.
• Water when soil is dry.
• Remove spent flowers to keep containers looking full and vibrant.

Keep in mind these reliable combinations for fall containers:

• Mums in assorted colors and sizes.
• Ornamental grasses, mums and flowering kale and cabbage.
• Snapdragons, pansies and lobelia.
• Grasses, ornamental peppers and calibrachoa.