Beyond Mums and Hay Bales: Rethinking Outdoor Fall Displays

Every year, we see a similar style in fall decorations—pots of mums, bales of hay, corn stalks, a pumpkin or two and maybe some unusual gourds for good measure. They’re classics, sure, but sometimes they feel a little too expected.

This year, I wanted something more personal, something that celebrates what’s actually growing and glowing here in our Hosta Heaven nursery in late October.

A fall display created with garden perennials.

We have the luxury of “shopping” our own nursery, so I wandered through the rows and took stock of what still looked great. Don’t get me wrong—plenty of plants are ready to give up the ghost by now. But there are always standouts that shine well past the season’s peak, and those are the ones worth celebrating.

Last year, H. El Niño and H. Forbidden Fruit caught my eye well into November. They were tucked in the shade with a bit of frost protection, and they still looked fabulous on November 4 here in Wisconsin. This year, I went exploring again—and found plenty of late-season beauty to work into our outdoor display.

Our fall vignette includes:

• H. El Niño and H. Paisley Border for their late-season color and perfect form.

• ‘Rocket’s Red Glare’ red hot poker, still living up to its name with fiery blooms.

• ‘Fusion of Fire’ mukdenia, turning deep shades of crimson that rival any maple.

• ‘Peppermint Patty’ bergenia, whose lush, oversized leaves bring unexpected texture.

• ‘Metallica’ Japanese painted fern, which refuses to acknowledge that the season is ending.

• Heucherella ‘Capture the Flag’, with its brilliant yellow and burgundy tones.

• ‘Autumn Joy’ sedum, because really—who can say no this time of year?

• A few ‘Apache Rose’ switch grass and ‘Kodiak Orange’ diervilla for structure and warm fall color.

We tucked everything into whatever containers we had—a big plastic pot left over from potting-up a ficus, a ceramic pot still waiting for its elephant ears, last year’s witches cauldron (which came filled with ornamental peppers), and a few metal cans and decorative containers I keep around for nursery displays. We just dropped the nursery pots in place and arranged them all on a garden bench under the maple tree. A tin jack-o’-lantern and a pineapple (a nod to hospitality) add the finishing touches.

Yes, our door knocker is a watering can and we have a hosta hanging on our front door.

And because I can’t resist adding a little greenery by the door.... Remember that El Niño hosta I mentioned earlier? I tucked a small pot into a tin door hanger stamped with the word autumn and a cut-out maple leaf. Presto—a living fall door display! The silvery blue leaves of El Niño look fresh and elegant, even this late in the season. Who wouldn’t love to be welcomed home by a hosta that still looks this good in October?

No mums. No hay bales. No cornstalks. No ornamental cabbage (which I love). Just a spontaneous mix of color, texture, and plants that earned their place by thriving late into the season.

The Apache Rose switch grass looks a little messy and distracts from the still vibrant blooms on Rocket's Red Glare. If I had several, they'd hold their own

We do have a pumpkin—it wouldn’t be fall without one—and I’m keeping an eye out for a few decorative gourds to complete the look. I genuinely love mums and asters (both proud members of the Asteraceae family), but we sold out of our asters this year—and honestly, I didn’t feel like shopping. Like so many gardeners, I already have a bounty at hand.

So here’s my challenge to you: take a walk through your own garden and look at what’s still beautiful. Maybe it’s the glossy leaves of bergenia, the fading plumes of ornamental grasses, or even seed heads catching the late autumn light. You might be surprised how much life your garden still holds.

I can't tell for sure, but I think that's Veronica (Ironweed) in the corner. If you don't have it in your garden, you should. It's a member of the Asteraceae family, drought tolerant, easy to grow, native and a pollinator magnet.

I recently saw a flower bed dressed for fall with pumpkins tucked in among black-eyed Susans, salvia and geranium still hanging on. It was gorgeous—simple, organic, and full of personality. Everyone who passed by stopped to admire it.

This season, let’s think differently about fall displays. Let’s celebrate what’s real in our gardens instead of relying on straw bales and scarecrows. Whether your inspiration comes from a nursery walk, a trip through your backyard, or a moment under a fiery maple, the best autumn displays are the ones that tell your story.

Your turn: What looks beautiful in your garden right now?