White Fall Outdoor Planter

Linear Style Planting

I wanted to use the linear style and arrange the plants in rows. The first thing I needed was a square container. I would have liked an antique crate, but didn’t have one that I wanted to use for dirt and plants. A square galvanized wash tub worked great. I thought it might be too large, but the proportions turned out well.  You need it to be big enough to really give the effect of rows.

Birch Logs

My first row was my birch logs.

I went to the forest and cut down a little tree and sawed it to the right lengths. I realize that not everyone has a forest at their disposal, so here’s a few other options.

You could buy birch poles to another good option  would be to use twigs.  Dark brown twigs would look great and give you the height you’re looking for in the back. Another good option would be fountain grass.

I stuck my branches into the dirt, since they weren’t too tall. If you’re worried about them falling over, you can cement them into an insert container, like I did for my Christmas urn here.

Kale

For my next row I used kale, I liked it’s texture, and the height was good. I found a large pot of 3 at the garden centre for $10 and split it to make a row. You do feel a little like your killing the plant, but just go ahead and pull it apart it will be fine, really.

I stuck with the white here, but was tempted to use the purple -which would be great with the purple mums, oh the possibilities!

Fall Mums

Next I planted a row of the quintessential fall mums. I went for the white again (catching the theme?), 3 for $10 can’t go wrong, and I wanted small ones that I could plant in a row rather than a large one anyway.

Cinnamon Sticks and Mini Pumpkins

After I planted the mums I added in the cinnamon sticks and the pumpkins. I was able to get these great long cinnamon sticks from my florist sister, but you can also find them at a bulk food store. They smell AMAZING, and while I was photographing them this morning I started thinking about cinnamon buns and then realized it must be the smell of the cinnamon sticks. Also, you can save them and use them in other floral arrangements or pots afterward.  

Another good option if you didn’t have these would be small twigs, or maybe a row of large pinecones -you get the idea.

I finished up with a row of mini white pumpkins. Love them. Nothing says “I’m the fall arrangement” like sticking a pumpkin in it. I think it helps it read as fall and not winter wonderland white.

I love it, I know I’m biased but I love it. The rows just make it more modern. And, it was inexpensive and easy -my two other favourite things. I already have visions of something similar for Christmas.

With a fall outdoor planter like this, life really is a party!

See how I made the fall doormat here.

You might also like the pinecone wreath tutorial here. 

You might also like my Christmas version of this liner outdoor planter here.