Everyone knows chrysanthemums as the classic autumn annual, but people often wonder just how long they will last, and when all those buds are going to open. The answers to these questions depend heavily on temperature and the intensity and duration of sun exposure. However, we can narrow down a window where you can expect to have a nice display of beautiful fall color from your mums!

Chrysanthemums do best in a full day’s worth of direct sun but will tolerate down to a part shade setting, and they prefer cooler days.

When chrysanthemums have more buds than flowers, it takes cooler nights and sunny days to help their blooms fully open. How long that takes depends on how nice Mother Nature is to us.

When in color, under optimum conditions, you can expect your mums to bloom for about 4-6 weeks. We have early, mid, and late-season bloomers; if timed correctly, your early blooming mums will provide color from August to September, the mid-season bloomers from September to mid-October, and the late-season bloomers will finish the season off from mid-October to the first frost.

What is the number one must-have for fall decorating? It’s the pumpkin of course! It’s a mandatory staple for Halloween, but pumpkins are versatile when it comes to decorating, and they can take you all the way through the fall into Thanksgiving! Most of you are probably familiar with Howden pumpkins which are ideal for carving, or Sugar pumpkins which are common in baking, but we carry some lesser-known ‘unique pumpkins’ which make a statement in any home, or on any stoop. We’ve rounded up a list of a few of our favorite gourd-gous pumpkins just in time for fall!

Howden

One of the best pumpkins for Halloween carving or roasted seeds.

Casper

Don’t be scared, this ghostly white pumpkin is named after the friendly ghost Casper! Perfect for carving and even better for painting. Caspers provides great contrast in fall gourd and pumpkin displays. The flesh is super sweet, making it a great choice for pies and baking too!

Peanut

The French heirloom Galeux D’Eysines Pumpkin is a very popular variety right now! It has a beautifully warted exterior which is a very soft muted buckskin color. It also makes for a delicious pie!

Red Warty Thing

Don’t be fooled by the peculiar appearance! Not only is this a super fall decoration, but it also has stringless, fine-grained flesh that’s excellent for eating, similar to a hubbard squash. Carve a face into it and make the most bizarre and spooky jack-o-lantern on your block!

Fairytale

These can be used in any pumpkin recipe. Puree to make the perfect pumpkin butter or soups or try roasting or grilling to enhance the sweet flavor.

Sugar

Sugar Pumpkins are great for making soups or stuffing. It’s also great as a homemade pumpkin puree for pies.

Cinderella

Yes, the name derives from the fairytale as the shape of Cinderella’s carriage! This variety was reportedly cultivated by the Pilgrims for the first Thanksgiving dinner with perfect flavor for pies or winter squash recipes.

Blue

Sweet flavoring lends itself well to pie fillings, scones, and cakes. You can also use roasted pieces in risottos, salads, and pasta dishes. Dice and add to curries, soups, and stews. To showcase the unique exterior color slice into wedges leaving the skin attached and serve roasted or grilled.

Pink

Very eye-catching for holiday decorations. Deep-orange sweet flesh can be used for pies, soup, and gourmet culinary delights.

One Too Many

This pumpkin, which resembles a bloodshot eye, features delicate orange veining throughout.

Striped Tondo

This stunning ornamental squash/pumpkin features speckled, deep green stripes atop a beautiful creamy gold.

Cheese

This long-lasting pumpkin looks like a flattened wheel of cheddar. Higher in nutrients and sugars, it’s always smooth-grained and has a denser flesh that will result in a better custard. You can also use chunks in your winter roasts and stews.

As our days get shorter and the nights get cooler, it’s time to start thinking about fall colors and decorating for the season!

One of our staple fall plants here at the garden center is traditional fall mums. They’re available in a wide range of colors, which means you can create a beautiful fall container to match any décor. So what pairs well with mums? Mum buddies! (Or at least that’s what we call them.) There’s really no shortage of mum companion plants, especially given the large variety of colors. We’ve rounded up a short list of just a few of our favorites.

Mums

What goes better with mums than more mums? Mix and match colors for a striking combination.

Cabbage & Kale

We love using these hearty, leafy plants in containers since they’ll continue to look great even as temperatures start to drop. They’re even known to withstand snow.

Grasses

There’s a wide range of grasses you can use in your fall containers to add a touch of color, texture, and interest with varying heights. We especially love varieties that turn red and burgundy as it gets cooler.

Aster

Daisy-like blossoms, with a resemblance to a star, will give your garden a fresh new shade of color. While many fall color pallets are in the conventional red, orange, yellow, Asters offer some cool alternatives in purples, whites, and pinks.

Croton

For bright fall color which nearly resembles tie-dye, we love using Croton in our containers, and later bringing it back inside as a houseplant.

Pansies

One of our favorite spring flowers makes a comeback in the fall! With lots of colors available you can match your flowers to any arrangement, or add a contrasting pop of color.

Celosia

Celosia offers fun textures for your fall containers or landscapes that last all the way into the fall.

Heather

These late bloomers are great for adding fall color right as more tender plants begin to die back.

Sedum

Stunning fall texture comes from both the foliage and flowers of sedum. Both drought and heat tolerant, sedum is especially ideal for late summer/early fall containers which may still be exposed to hot temperatures.

Ornamental Peppers

With constantly ripening fruit, you can expect to see a range of colors on one single plant, for an evolving fall display.

Once you have the perfect fall container planted up with mums and their buddies, you can pair it with pumpkins, cornstalks, hay bales, and even some Indian corn. Your space will be feeling like fall in no time! Need Help? Stop by the garden center and we can give you a hand selecting your fall plants and accessories!

Oh my gourd, pumpkins are here! That means it’s time to get decorating for fall! To get you inspired, we’ve rounded up a few of our favorite ways to use pumpkins inside and out this season.

Traditional Carving

Okay, we can’t have an article about decorating with pumpkins without mentioning pumpkin carving. Carving is a classic fall activity, but if you want to mix things up, try using one of our unique pumpkins for something with extra personality.

Add Height By Stacking

We love pumpkin towers! If you’re short on time or don’t want to carve, this is the perfect solution for decorating your front stoop. Add a stack to either side of your door, and combine with a potted mum for instant fall charm.

Floral Pumpkins

This easy fall DIY combines two of our favorite things: flowers and pumpkins. Simply drill holes into the pumpkin and add some of your favorite flowers from around the yard.

Botanical Pumpkins

These decoupaged pumpkins feature leaves and flowers pulled right from your garden or yard. This activity is great for the whole family (especially if you’re looking for a knife-free alternative to carving). Pro tip: When choosing a pumpkin and plants look for smoother pumpkins, and thinner, pliable plant material (ferns work really well). Try to avoid stiff, waxy leaves.

Tablescaping with Pumpkins

Get creative with fall decorating by including pumpkins and gourds as part of your table setting. You can create a centerpiece in the center of the table, or even write place settings directly on smaller Jack-Be-Littles. Mix and match with plants and other natural elements for a beautiful sophisticated setting. The sky’s the limit!

Layer With Other Fall Favorites

To have your front stoop be the envy of the neighborhood, create a layered look with your pumpkins by combining them with hay bales, corn stalks, mums, pansies, and all of your favorite fall decorations. Mix heights, colors, and textures for a space that really pops.

Repurpose Urns and Pots

Are your summer containers looking a little sad? Rather than put those planters away for the season, use them to elevate a pumpkin stack for extra drama.

Pumpkin Succulents

Give your pumpkins a classy look by combining your pumpkins with succulents. This option makes great centerpieces, and is sure to stand out!

Pumpkin Man

For something a little different and slightly more ambitious, stake together several pumpkins and gourds to create a whimsical fall pumpkin man! Have fun and try adding in a straw hat or other accessories.

Think Outside the Box

With fall decorating there are no rules! We love that you can repurpose items found around your home and use them in a new way. Here we’ve repurposed a small planter, added in some Jack-Be-Littles, and snipped off a branch from a nearby hydrangea for a unique fall look. Sometimes all you need to do is look around your house or yard to be inspired. So get out there, and enjoy decorating this fall!

What is the number one must-have for fall decorating? It’s the pumpkin of course! Everyone loves the jack-o’-lantern. Spooky, silly, or just plain cute, the carved Halloween pumpkin is a staple for the front porch in October.

But why stop there? Colorful gourds, squash, and pumpkins make excellent accents for Thanksgiving decorating too! After all, Thanksgiving is about giving thanks for many things including a bountiful harvest. Fill a large wooden box or basket with colorful gourds and you have an instant fall centerpiece that’s casual, quick, and easy. For a more traditional look, try stuffing a cornucopia with a mix of gourds, small pumpkins, and squash. Looking for something a bit more formal? Stick with a simple grouping of all white. Choose ghost pumpkins, white jack gourds, and pale green, white or yellow squash. Simply scatter on a table runner, arrange in a decorative container or try placing the small pumpkin-like gourds atop candlesticks for an elegant accent.

Need place-card holders? Grab some mini pumpkins with a tall twisted stem, place one at each table setting and prop a name card atop the pumpkin leaning against the stem. It’s that easy.

If you have a little more time on your hands and are looking for a fun and creative DIY project check out Stacy’s video for step-by-step instructions on how to create an adorable pumpkin planter filled with succulents. What a great way to put a personal, one-of-a-kind centerpiece together for your family gathering or perhaps to give as a hostess gift!

There are so many choices for fall decorating including and beyond the traditional orange pumpkin. Unique pumpkins are shades of pink, green, and white. Colorful Turban squash and of course gourds with an endless variety of shapes, sizes, and colors to choose from.

Bring the beauty of the outdoors in and celebrate with the fabulous colors of fall.