14 Stunning Purple Fall Container Garden Ideas

When fall rolls around, I’m always hit with that familiar gardener’s dilemma: what do I do with my summer plants now that the season’s shifting?

My old fall container garden setup felt tired, and to be honest, after a long summer of vibrant growth, I wasn’t even sure if I had the energy or creativity to start fresh.

It didn’t help that my Persian Shields were looking more green than purple, and my sweet potato vines were leggy and sad. I found myself standing over my planters, scratching my head. Was it time to start over, or could I breathe new life into what I already had?

That’s when it hit me: this was the perfect moment to experiment and go bold with purples. I decided to lean into the dramatic side of fall: dark coleus, almost-black sweet potato vines, and that stunning “Dark Side of the Moon” astilbe.

I even tucked in some purple knight alternanthera and red rubin basil for color and texture. This wasn’t just a fall container garden refresh; it was a whole new look.

The best part? I could propagate and reuse so many of the cuttings from my summer plants. I skipped the water propagation this time and went straight into soil, just like I’d seen others do. It took courage, but with sunlight and some patience, the results spoke for themselves.

Now, my recycled wood pallet garden is thriving with moody purples and rich foliage that bring a luxurious vibe to my backyard. I’ve even gotten compliments from neighbors walking by and one or two garden envy DMs on Instagram.

I keep an eye on the fullness of the planters, rearranging them when needed (because the beauty of pots is they’re never permanent). The takeaway?

When your fall container garden feels uninspired, don’t ditch it; revamp it with a bold palette and a few experimental swaps. Fall might not bring rapid growth, but it can bring serious beauty.

14. Purple Fountain Grass with Ornamental Kale

Combine the dramatic arch of Pennisetum setaceum ‘Rubrum’ with the cool ruffles of purple ornamental kale.

Tips:

• Use a tall container to showcase the fountain grass’s height.
• Add white pansies or dusty miller as contrast fillers.
• Keep in full sun for best color vibrancy.

13. Heuchera ‘Black Pearl’ and Violas

Layer dark burgundy-purple coral bells (Heuchera ‘Black Pearl’) with trailing violas in lavender and plum shades.

Tips:

• Choose a wide, shallow fall container garden to highlight foliage texture.
• Add creeping Jenny for golden trailing contrast.
• Fertilize biweekly for continuous blooms.

12. Purple Asters and Sweet Potato Vine

Combine the bold clusters of fall-blooming purple asters with the trailing vines of Ipomoea batatas ‘Blackie’ or ‘Sweet Caroline Bewitched.’

Tips:

• Use purple-toned pots or glazed ceramic for cohesion.
• Place aster in the center with vines spilling over.
• Deadhead asters weekly to extend bloom.

11. Cabbage, Pansies, and Creeping Thyme

A trio of textures, flowering cabbage in dusky purple, velvety pansies, and purple-flowered creeping thyme, creates a dynamic fall container garden.

Tips:

• Use a square container for structured design.
• Alternate plant heights in a triangle layout.
• Water consistently, but avoid soggy soil.

10. Lavender and Purple Sedum Mix

Pair fall lavender (Lavandula angustifolia) with purple-leaved sedum like ‘Purple Emperor’ or ‘Matrona.’

Tips:

• Ideal for sunny, dry spots.
• Choose fall container garden with good drainage and a gravel base.
• Add decorative rocks to enhance the rustic look.

9. Calibrachoa ‘Cabaret Purple’ with Silver Falls

Vibrant calibrachoa in a rich purple shade pairs elegantly with Dichondra argentea ‘Silver Falls’ for cascading contrast.

Tips:

• Choose hanging baskets or pedestal pots.
• Use a slow-release fertilizer at planting.
• Rotate for even sun exposure.

8. Purple Celosia and White Mums

The feathery plumes of celosia create vertical drama alongside the dense, rounded blooms of white chrysanthemums.

Tips:

• Position the celosia at the back of the fall container garden.
• Use white to balance and amplify purple tones.
• Include small pebbles on topsoil for decor and moisture retention.

7. Angelonia and Dusty Miller Combo

Angelonia’s upright purple spikes contrast beautifully with the frosty, soft foliage of dusty miller.

Tips:

• Best for tall urn-style fall container garden.
• Add purple basil for added foliage dimension.
• Deadhead angelonia to promote re-blooming.

6. Coleus Mix with Purple Haze Accents

Use multiple coleus varieties in deep purples and pinks with green edging like ‘Dark Star’ and ‘Wizard Velvet’.

Tips:

• Use in partial shade to avoid color fading.
• Pair with purple petunias or begonias for added bloom.
• Pinch back coleus to encourage bushy growth.

5. Purple Scaevola and Mini Pumpkins

For a playful autumn look, pair the fan-shaped purple blooms of scaevola with white or miniature striped pumpkins.

Tips:

• Choose a neutral or charcoal-toned fall container garden.
• Add ornamental millet for vertical contrast.
• Swap out pumpkins as they age to keep it fresh.

4. Ajuga ‘Black Scallop’ and Creeping Phlox

A ground-hugging duo perfect for a low-profile fall container garden or as base layers in tiered arrangements.

Tips:

• Keep in partial sun to prevent wilting.
• Ajuga’s dark purple foliage enhances the brightness of phlox.
• Use moist, well-drained potting mix.

3. Hydrangea ‘Tuxedo’ and Ivy

The black-stemmed, purple-blooming Hydrangea macrophylla ‘Tuxedo’ pairs beautifully with green and purple variegated ivy.

Tips:

• Use a wide urn for stability and space.
• Prune hydrangea blooms when they dry for decorative use.
• Add sphagnum moss on topsoil for moisture control.

2. Salvia and Purple Gaura Combo

Combine tall spikes of salvia with the delicate, airy blooms of Gaura lindheimeri in a burgundy or soft purple shade.

Tips:

• Ideal for deep pots or window boxes.
• Deadhead regularly to encourage rebloom.
• Add white alyssum around the base for a cloud-like look.

1. Purple Snapdragon and Artemisia

Snapdragons provide bold color, while artemisia’s silvery foliage adds contrast and elegance.

Tips:

• Water at the base to avoid mildew.
• Use tall pots to prevent crowding.
• Combine with trailing ivy or vinca for extra dimension.

Conclusion

By thoughtfully curating color, texture, and plant variety, we transform fall containers into bold seasonal statements that embody the elegance and richness of autumn.