Fall is a season of transition. Cooler air, warm soil, and rich autumn color create the perfect conditions to plant. With the right combination of plants, a fall container can turn a porch, patio, or entryway into a bold seasonal focal point.
Together, Better Boxwood™, Autumn Majesty® Encore Azalea, and purple mums create a container that looks refined, seasonal, and full of life. Below, we’ll walk you through why this combination works, how to plant it step by step, and tips to keep it thriving all season!
The Planting Trio
Better Boxwood™: The Foundation
Boxwoods have long been appreciated for their neat, evergreen presence in the landscape. Better Boxwood™ offers improved disease resistance and low-maintenance growth. In this container, it serves as the foundation, adding year-round greenery that keeps the arrangement looking polished even after seasonal flowers are gone.
Autumn Majesty® Encore Azalea: Jewel-Toned Color
While many plants wind down in fall, Autumn Majesty® Encore Azalea comes to life. Its deep purple blooms bring a bold pop of color that contrasts beautifully with boxwood’s rich green foliage. Compact in size, it fits perfectly in mixed containers while still delivering big visual impact.
Purple Mums: Seasonal Accent
No fall container feels complete without mums. Purple mums echo the tones of Autumn Majesty® while adding softness and texture. Positioned near the edges of the planter, they bring fullness and traditional seasonal color to the overall design.
How to Plant This Combo
Step One
Choose a Container: Start with a large, sturdy container that has proper drainage. A rectangular container makes it easy to layer the plants, but a round pot works well if you prefer a classic layout.
Step Two
Pre-hydrate and Stage the Plants: Water each plant in its nursery pot before planting. This ensures the root balls are evenly moist but not soggy. At this point, it's also a good idea to stage your plants inside your container to ensure everything will fit as desired.
Step Three
Prepare Your Container: Use a high-quality, all-purpose potting mix. Make sure it’s well-draining. It should feel light and fluffy, not dense or compact. Fill the container about two-thirds full.
Step Four
Arrange the Plants: Similar to step two, lay out your plants on top of the soil again before planting; this helps you finalize spacing. In this arrangement, Better Boxwood™ goes near the center, Autumn Majesty® sits slightly to the left, and the purple mums are positioned to the right or along the front.
Step Five
Prep and Plant: For each of the plants, do the following:
- Remove the plant from its nursery pot by holding the base of the plant firmly and tipping the pot to slide it out. Tap or squeeze the sides of the container if the root ball resists.
- Inspect and prepare the roots by looking at the bottom and sides of the root ball. If roots are densely circling or pot-bound, gently loosen only the outer roots using your fingers.
- Place the plant into your container on top of the soil base you added earlier. Adjust the soil height underneath so that the top of the root ball sits level with or slightly above the rim of the container.
- Fill in around the plants with more potting mix until the soil is just below the rim of the container. Gently press the mix in with your hands as you go to eliminate large air pockets, but do not pack tightly. Make sure to leave about 1 inch of space below the container rim to make watering easier.
- Finally, water slowly and thoroughly until excess water drains from the bottom of your container. This helps settle the soil around the roots and ensures good contact.
Step 6
Admire you beautiful new container planting!
Care Tips for Success:
- Place the container in full sun to partial shade. Both boxwood and azaleas appreciate morning sun and some afternoon protection in hotter climates.
- For the first 2–3 weeks, check moisture daily and water when the top 1–2 inches of mix is dry. Never let your container sit in standing water.
- Avoid heavy fertilization. Most nursery plants are already well-fed, and high nitrogen late in the season can push soft growth that can get easily damaged in the colder months. Instead, plan to feed the following spring.
- Remove spent mum blooms to extend flowering, and trim lightly as needed to keep plants tidy.
This fall, skip the short-lived displays and create a container that combines timeless structure with bold seasonal color.
Ready to get started? Shop the Better Boxwood collection online now or use our Garden Center Locator to find a retailer near you.