Fall has officially arrived, bringing with it a dramatic shift in landscape aesthetics across the Mid-Atlantic region. Garden enthusiasts and design professionals alike are constantly seeking fresh inspiration to transition their outdoor spaces from the vibrant greens of summer to the rich, warm hues of the autumn season. In the latest installment of seasonal garden spotlights, New Jersey-based garden designers Ellen Goldfarb and Tracy Buttrick have returned to share a stunning array of autumn container designs that capture the essence of the harvest season, featuring everything from narrow front porches to sweeping, tree-lined residential entrances.
Today’s showcase highlights four distinct autumn container arrangements crafted by Tracy Buttrick, demonstrating how thoughtful plant selection and creative vertical layering can elevate even the most challenging architectural spaces. Among the standout features of the collection are clever design solutions tailored for compact, narrow porches, as well as a breathtaking, matching pair of containers that frame a magnificent ginkgo-lined entrance in Saddle River, New Jersey.
The first featured container design addresses a common landscaping dilemma: how to bring maximum visual impact and seasonal flair to a narrow front porch. Situated in the charming community of Ho-Ho-Kus, New Jersey, this particular pot relies on dramatic height and contrasting textures to catch the eye of passersby without overwhelming a confined entryway. The vertical dimension of the arrangement is established using a combination of annual broom corn, scientifically known as Sorghum bicolor, yellow winterberries (Ilex verticillata, hardy in Zones 3 through 9), and the whimsical, oddly charming pumpkins-on-a-stick (Solanum aethiopicum, an annual).
Filling out the mid-level and adding a splash of rich color is the coveted purple-flowering plant known as ‘Mona Lavender’ plectranthus (Plectranthus ‘Mona Lavender’, suited for Zones 9 through 11). While this particular variety is a favorite among professional designers for its vibrant blooms, it can occasionally prove challenging to source during certain growing seasons. Horticultural experts note that ‘Mona Lavender’ also performs exceptionally well in shade gardens, though it exhibits a natural preference for initiating its flowering cycle as day lengths begin to shorten in the autumn months.
To complete the lush composition of the Ho-Ho-Kus porch container, Buttrick integrated traditional and unexpected foliage elements, including ornamental cabbage (Brassica oleracea cultivars, grown as an annual), purple sweet alyssum (Lobularia maritima, an annual), and trailing Algerian ivy (Hedera algeriensis, hardy in Zones 7 through 11). This rich tapestry of colors and leaf shapes ensures the container remains dynamic and visually engaging throughout the cooler autumn weeks.
Moving away from the front porch and out toward the driveway, the second featured container design takes a bolder, more textured approach to autumn curb appeal. This composition showcases a dynamic mix of green and brown millet, vibrant orange winterberries, and the familiar, reliable ‘Mona Lavender’ plectranthus. To add further visual excitement, Buttrick incorporated spiked celosia (Celosia argentea var. spicata, an annual), colorful ornamental peppers (Capsicum annuum, an annual), classic garden mums (Chrysanthemum × morifolium, hardy in Zones 5 through 9), additional ornamental cabbage, and hardy heather (Calluna vulgaris, suited for Zones 4 through 8). The resulting arrangement offers a robust celebration of harvest textures, bridging the gap between the natural landscape and the structured hardscape of the driveway.
The third and fourth designs tie into one of the most striking seasonal backdrops imaginable: an established allée of ginkgo trees in Saddle River, New Jersey. Positioned as a matching pair at the end of this grand, tree-lined entrance, these containers serve as a welcoming beacon for visitors approaching the property. The pots feature a striking color palette built around orange and yellow winterberries, chartreuse ‘Jade Princess’ millet (Pennisetum glaucum ‘Jade Princess’, an annual), whimsical pumpkins-on-a-stick, and ornamental peppers.
Softening the edges of the arrangement are Snow Princess sweet alyssum (Lobularia ‘Inlbusnopr’, an annual) and more ornamental cabbage. When paired with the surrounding ginkgo trees (Ginkgo biloba, hardy in Zones 4 through 9)—whose fan-shaped leaves turn a brilliant, luminous golden-yellow during the peak of autumn—the containers create an unforgettable visual harmony that celebrates the absolute height of the fall season in New Jersey.
The collaboration between Ellen Goldfarb and Tracy Buttrick continues to offer valuable inspiration for gardeners looking to maximize the seasonal potential of their outdoor spaces. As this segment of the design tour concludes, preparations are already underway to feature Ellen’s prolific cutting garden later in the week.
