The latest edition of the Magnolia Journal for autumn 2025 has arrived, and within its pages, Joanna Gaines shares her insights on her seasonal planter designs for this year, along with tips on how you can achieve a similar look. Her stunning, harmoniously colored collection of flora, featuring rich purples, greens, and gentle reds, is showcased in terra-cotta vessels and wooden outdoor planters, perfectly suited for the season.
Should you feel inclined to transform your own front porch or patio into a haven for autumn planters, Gaines’ seasoned guidance is at your disposal.
The journey begins at your local nursery, where you can explore the plant varieties that flourish in your region during fall. Gaines advises autumn gardeners to have a general idea of their desired plants during their shopping trip, yet to remain adaptable.
“Head to the nursery with a plan to avoid confusion, but leave room for unexpected finds,” Gaines expressed in the Magnolia Journal’s autumn 2025 issue. “Having a plan is beneficial, but so is the thrill of discovering something new on the spot. I create a mood board with photos and a color scheme in mind before I go. I select one or more colors to feature in each planter to ensure a cohesive look.”
Ensure you have a budget in mind and a designated planting area before heading to the nursery. You can either pre-plan your color scheme or plant selection or let chance guide your choices by wandering around, letting the plants speak to you, and consulting with the nursery staff for potential ideas.
Always aim for a balanced assortment of plants to create a professional-looking planter. Gaines adheres to a method when arranging her planters: incorporating thrillers, fillers, and spillers. Thrillers are the showstoppers, often tall and immediately captivating. Fillers act as the backdrop, akin to a ground cover, filling in any gaps and adding fullness. Spillers are the trailing plants that extend beyond the planter’s boundaries, adding depth and vitality.
Remember, a planter can never be too full. “When arranging your plants, if you’re aiming for a lush, full look, plant two or three of each variety per planter—don’t hesitate to pack them in,” Gaines advised. “This will help you identify which plants may overtake others, allowing you to make informed choices for next season.”
Gaines also suggests grouping multiple planters together rather than placing a solitary one. She notes that clusters of three to six planters can form a harmonious focal point, whether on your porch, patio, or backyard. Experiment with planters of different heights, sizes, and shapes to enhance the visual appeal.
It’s also a great opportunity to experiment with the color and texture of your planters. If you’re not keen on matching sets, opt for complementary hues and vary the textures to add visual interest.
Ultimately, Gaines reminds us that gardening is about embracing experimentation and perhaps a touch of trial and error.
“Embrace the process when things don’t go as planned,” she commented. “Gardening is a grand experiment where failures lead to valuable insights. Even if your favorite plants don’t thrive as expected, their brief burst of beauty is worthwhile.”
Planters offer a perfect canvas to experiment with new plants and ideas. Since your arrangement is self-contained within its pot, it’s easy to remove plants and try again. Even if it takes a season or two to achieve your dream planter, the joy of gardening is found in the process, not just the final outcome.
You can now purchase your own autumn 2025 issue of Magnolia Journal at Magazines.com. Additionally, you can read the full article on autumn planting on the Magnolia blog.
