As the season shifts to fall, cooler temperatures bring outdoor activities and bursts of color that accentuate gathering spaces and outdoor areas like patios, porches and decks, as well as outdoor hearth and living spaces. Many people like to shop and select what they plant and how they arrange items, but others can rest easy and rely on experts to help them create fantastic focal points and inviting areas to enjoy. These local botanical experts help us make the most of our spaces and the season.

Julie Oetting, manager of Stutzmans at Cambridge Market

What plants and flowers work well for patio areas in autumn?

JO: Autumn, with its cooler temperatures, often allows many summer annuals to revive and put on a brilliant final show. An example would be lantana, which lasts until we experience a frost. 

Remove spent plants and replace them with cool-weather options. Nothing speaks of fall more than the chrysanthemums. Mum options for color, (fuchsia, brilliant yellow, orange, rust) size, and shape are broad and spectacular. The life expectancy of any mum should be four to six weeks. Choose the variety according to when you want the most brilliant show. Knowledgeable garden center employees can assist you in discovering which mum best suits your objectives.

Asters, typically a transition between late summer and early fall, can be featured earlier in the season before most mums come into bloom. Ornamental kale and pansies are the workhorses of the season. They thrive in a cool climate. Their colorations only improve as it grows colder and lasts well beyond the fading fall.

If someone has front porch pots that flank a door or entryway, what might one choose for those particular pots this fall?

JO: Autumn is the perfect opportunity to include props in your planters. Pumpkins and gourds can be displayed amongst living plants. Natural foliages such as willow branches, birch poles, and cattail help provide height in a display. Monkey pod, dried seed heads, grasses, and faux floral can be included for filler and drape. Decorative elements speaking to the season are an opportunity to add whimsey and interest. Formal to fantasy — have fun with it!

Dressing your home or business entry for fall is limited only by your imagination. Use bigger, bolder elements when you are concerned with it being seen from the street. Color in mass is more effective when being viewed at a distance. Smaller details are more noticeable the closer one gets to the design. Use the same rules used for interior design to create the most effective display. Scale, balance, texture, etc., all play a part. 

Mum tips: Don't overwater your mums, meaning do not water over the top of the plants. The water pressure will eventually cause the canopy to split. Plus it lessens the longevity of the blooms. Also, allow the plant to dry somewhat between waterings. They will not be happy with having constantly wet roots. Drainage is key. Avoid having your plants sit in water.

Sara and Taylor Lewis owners of Traditions

What furnishings does Traditions offer that would create an inviting outdoor area for autumn? 

SL & TL: We definitely offer a variety of outdoor furniture that can be perfect for enjoying a morning coffee or an evening beverage, but I’d like to call attention to our accessories. One of the biggest ways to impact and create an inviting outdoor space would be through throw pillows and rugs. These anchor the areas and frame patios, decks and hearth gathering spots. Selecting items in a fall color scheme helps transition each space to the cozy, fall aesthetic we love so much.

What Traditions items could be used to accentuate these areas for the season?

SL & TL: Lanterns are still a strong decor item after summer, creating soft lighting to enhance an evening atmosphere. We like to add a ribbon or sprig to the top for a seasonal touch. Consider selecting a caramel, burnt orange, rust or gold colored candle to blend beautifully with the natural colors of the season.

Do you offer outdoor lighting touches that enhance the feel of outdoor spaces?

SL & TL: We do offer outdoor lighting, and like moonlight or a sunset, it sets the mood of the space. We carry wireless, portable lanterns that can be helpful as the sun is starting to set earlier each autumn night.

Janet and Charles Harding owners of Bloom KS

What kind of pots or planters do you prefer?

JH & CH: At Bloom KS, we love working with our customers, helping them find the right plants and flowers, and choosing the appropriate pots for their planting and design desires. Recently, durable resin pots are a great way to go since they look beautiful and won’t crack or break. These planters can provide a high-end feel or a very casual look. We like to use tall, stately planters in simple, classic colors: Black is a cool choice for a front porch, walkway or entry, while white accentuates pool areas beautifully. A 50-pound sandbag in the bottom will help fortify them against the Kansas winds.

What tips and services would you like to share with customers?

JH & CH: There are steps we can take to make our clients’ lives easier: provide planters, focus on pot maintenance throughout the various seasons, as well as replacing struggling flowers with new blooms for the coming season. We can also help homeowners plan and prepare for the months ahead. For instance, now is the perfect time to think about planting bulbs so that, come spring, daffodils, alliums and tulips can grace flower beds and walkways. Plantings that support monarchs, other butterflies and bees are lush and fragrant like Autumn Joy Sedum, lobelia and mint. The power of grasses is so cool visually as they move and dance with the wind. Choosing jewel tones in chrysanthemums and other fall favorites is a bold and beautiful segue to the colors of the Christmas season.