Your favourite container plants for autumn colour

[RockingMyFiftiesNot]

I've been Googling plants for autumn colour to put in pots. Lots to choose from! But we've a busy few months ahead so want to minimise plant care if possible. Am not a knowledgeable gardener hence coming on here to ask.

By 'colour', I don't necessarily mean flowers as I know there are some beautiful plants that don't flower.
I would like some flowering plants too, for these I am looking for those that will last the longest.

In addition, we have a shady area that would benefit from some pots - if you can recommend any shade loving plants for autumn I'd appreciate it. I think the shady area needs some higher plants too but would need to be in a container too.

Thank you !

I don't know how much I can help you but I am going to try to plant some autumn / winter hanging baskets and containers soon.

I have some ivy I can move and dot around so will be using that. Then I am planning to get some violas which I always love in autumn and will flower again next spring usually.
For in the depths of winter I am going to see if I can get some sort of small foliage plant that gives winter interest but really not sure what I will be able to pick up. This is what I also need help with!

Is there anything suitable for a small container or hanging basket that has berries in autumn and winter?

I am also going to plant up some bulbs in containers, and if I see some cheap cyclamen I will get them for a small pot near the front door.

I would really like to get two big bay standards for either side of the front door but I don't think that's in budget as would need to get new, big pots for them as well.

Good luck with yours!

My favourite garden plant is a Boston Creeper , they go the most gorgeous red in Autumn ..but then the leaves shed literally in a day , so that's over .
I planted a new one a couple of years ago (in a huge pot) to cover a wall , it is green at the moment but I'm waiting for the colour change

Boston IVY

Asters last ages, even the annual ones, they usually bloom until the first frosts.

Sarcococca or Christmas Box to give it its common name . Not colourful but glossy evergreen smallish leaves and just after Christmas tiny insignificant white flowers that you can smell from ten feet away. Should be ok in a decent size pot for a couple of years and then you can put it in the garden. Ideally near the front door where you'll get the most benefit from its fragrance.

Cyclamen, nothing like them, gorgeous brilliant colours, last for months. I always give them a sniff before buying new ones as some have a very faint scent, you never smell it when they are planted but I like knowing it is there. Pinch off dead flowers to stop them setting seed.

Sedum are lovely for autumn, I have one with reddish leaves and stems, deep pink flowers, does well in a pot, lovely late pollen plants for bees as well.

Sarcoccoo as above ( always get lost with the c and the o) have winter flowers and small black berries later.

don’t forget Holly, some lovely ones about not sure how they would do inpots though.

Thank you all, some lovely suggestions

Hellebores!

I was clueless on this. Asked on here and still didn’t really get it. This is my first time gardening and have spent hours walking round the garden centres learning the names and seeing what was out there.
Then autumn came and I’m re starting my knowledge again.

In the end I went to my local dobbies ( do u have one of those?) I spent a lot of time wandering round not having a clue. Then I asked a sales assistant to help me.

She was amazing. Spent over half an hour with her. Talked me through tons of stuff. Together we put two hanging baskets together. ( I took photos of how she placed them ) I would go and ask. Nothing better than in person chat.