What to plant in containers for autumn/winter?

[tiokiko]

I have lots of containers with geraniums/pelargoniums etc for the summer and would usually have planted spring bulbs in the by now.

However we're planning to put our house on the market in the next few weeks so would like to plant something that will look good OK between now and December probably.

I don't like pansies so they're out. Am thinking about cyclamen but don't know how long they will flower for (we're in the midlands, it's a sheltered wall/patio area SE facing but gets sun almost all day in the bits where I put the pots).

Any ideas what would work? It doesn't have to be flowering, just something that will provide a bit of interest and look nice for a few weeks while we have the house on the market.

I've just put some variegated ivy and other foliage plants into my containers - we got ivy pretty cheapy that looks very effective spread out onto a trellis, plus sedum, thyme and something with red leaves that escapes my memory just at the moment! I reckon anything flowering is going to look bedraggled pretty soon, up here at least!

I've just seen some absolutely stunning containers planted up for winter - the best I think I've ever seen. However, they must have cost a pretty penny. They were, as far as I remember:

• big ornamental kale with purple fringed leaves
• big ornamental cabbage with smooth purple leaves
• chilis (presumably going to come out as soon as frosts hit)
• orange violas
• heuchera (creme caramel?)
• various other things I can't remember.

I'll see if I can dig out some photos to link to.

Thanks both, some really good ideas there - hadn't thought of the ornamental cabbages but have googled a few images and that could look pretty striking.

Perhaps some purple sage in there? Looks a bit different, and pretty hardy i think.

That's a good idea. I've also been wondering about sedums - I'm going to do my winter planters at the weekend, and will include bulbs for the bottom layer.

The plant I couldn't remember was chrysanthemums.

Cyclamen are good value they last a long time in dappled sun and shade and they don't need too much water, mine have been out for nearly a month already and still look happy, they like leaf mould.

Don't forget the biennials - wallflowers, stocks etc, plus any tough herbs: bay, sage, thymes etc.