STORY BY JOANNA GAINES
PHOTOGRAPHY BY RUTHIE MARTIN
The most restorative breath I take all day is the one on the brick steps leading up to our front door. When I’ve reached the wooden landing, a dog or two just starting to perk up after a long afternoon nap, I know I’m home. I especially love what’s waiting for me around this time of year: whimsical varieties of coralbells, coleus, and Swedish ivy spilling out of their planters.Â
Spring and summer are my seasons to experiment and take risks with what I grow at the farm, but fall? That’s its own kind of homecoming. I want to return to the same vines, bushes, and blooms that I’ve planted one, two, and too-many-to-count falls before. I always think, What’s the story of the season here? It’s a fun challenge to use all of fall’s colors and textures and discover different ways the season can really shine. I want to find that beauty around every corner, so I’ll place groups of planters on the front porch, near the garden shed, even outside the chicken coop—and everywhere I can.
I’m breaking down a few planter combinations I love, along with some tips I’ve learned along the way, in hopes you give fall a place to flourish this year—a warm homecoming of your own making.
SHOWSTOPPERS
To add height and make this entrance feel complete, I added Japanese maples to our front porch. These coneflowers were too good to pass up, even though they need lots of sun and a shaded porch isn’t the best place for them.Â
Other varieties shown: coralbells, thyme, ‘Limelight’ hydrangea, coleus, ‘Brilliance’ autumn fern, ‘Autumn Joy’ sedum, begonia
SEASONAL FAVORITES
- ‘Brilliance’ Autumn Fern
- ‘Limelight’ HydrangeaÂ
- ThymeÂ
- ColeusÂ
- ‘Autumn Joy’ SedumÂ
- ConeflowerÂ
- CoralbellsÂ
- Begonia
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CONSIDER COLOR
Before going to the nursery, I’ll create a mood board with photos of what I’m going for, including a color palette. I’ll choose one or more colors to highlight in each planter so the grouping feels cohesive. For these, I leaned into deep purples and greens.Â
Varieties: Weeping redbud tree, Loropetalum, Swedish ivy, potato vine, ‘Brilliance’ autumn fern, coralbells, maidenhair fern
THE CLASSIC THREE
When planting, I tend to stick with the classic formula: thrillers (upright focal points), fillers (for lush understory), and spillers (to trail off the pot).
Varieties: Thrillers—Loropetalum, Eustacia Vye rose, coneflower. Filler—coleus. Spiller—potato vine.
KEEP IN MIND
When you go to the nursery, leave room for spontaneity. Going in with a plan is helpful so you don’t feel totally lost, but a variety that catches your eye in the moment may be worth trying, and that’s part of the fun. When it’s time to style the plants, if you’re going for a full, lush look, plant two or three of each variety per planter—don’t be afraid to cram them in there. This will help you see which plants overtake each other so you can decide what you’d like to try next year. Depending on the area you’re working with, group three to six planters together to really create a statement. When things don’t go as planned, embrace the process. Gardening is one big experiment where failures lead to helpful discoveries. Even if your favorite varieties don’t take off like you hope, their one burst of beauty is worth it.Â
Varieties: Lady Banks rose, crepe myrtle, coleus, bunnytail grass, purple potato vine, coneflower
This story has been adapted from the fall 2025 issue of Magnolia Journal. To see it in print, pick up your copy here or on a newsstand near you. Then, start a subscription for inspiration year-round. Â
