Traditionally, containers and hanging baskets are planted with vigorous-blooming annual flowers, but increasingly, gardeners are using traditional garden perennials in their container garden designs. While plant species have varying soil needs when planted in garden settings, most plants do quite well in containers filled with ordinary general-purpose potting soil. Here are 12 good ornamental plants to consider for your fall container gardens.

USDA Hardiness Zones: 4 to 8Flower Color Varieties: Red, white, coral, pinkLight: Full sun to partial sunSoil Needs: Moist, loamy soilDeer Resistant: Yes

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USDA Hardiness Zones: 5 to 11Flower Color Varieties: White, pink, red, peach, lavender, blue, purpleLight: Full sunSoil Needs: Acidic soilDeer Resistant: Yes

USDA Hardiness Zones: 8 to 11Flower Color Varieties: Mauve, pink, lavender, pinkish-whiteLight: Partial shadeSoil Needs: Well-draining soilDeer Resistant: Yes

USDA Hardiness Zones: 2 to 11Leaf Color Varieties: Ornamental leaves in purple, rose, creamLight: Full sun to partial shadeSoil Needs: Loamy soilDeer Resistant: No

HaiGala / Getty Images Many of the fall-blooming Sedum (or Hylotelephium) species are classic plants for fall container gardens. Blooming in late summer to early fall, sedum is easy to grow in containers and there is a vast array of species and cultivars with different heights, textures, and flower forms. If you want to overwinter a fall container outdoors, sedum is a particularly good choice because the dried flowers can look beautiful, especially covered with snow or frost. Some varieties can grow quite tall and are great to use in the center or back of a container.

USDA Hardiness Zones: 3 to 10Flower Color Varieties: Pink to mauveLight: Full sunSoil Needs: Average soil with good drainageDeer Resistant: Occasionally

Although they are perennials, mums are more typically grown as annuals, discarded after blooming ends with the frost of late fall. But potted mums can sometimes be overwintered if you cut back the shoots and place them in a sheltered location over the coldest months. Put the pots back into a warm sunny location in spring, and keep them closely pruned again until mid-summer.

USDA Hardiness Zones: 4 to 9Flower Color Varieties:  Lavender, maroon, purple, white, yellow, coppery orangeLight: Full sunSoil Needs: Moist, well-drained soilDeer Resistant: Occasionally

USDA Hardiness Zones: 3 to 9Flower Color Varieties: Violet or blue with yellow centersLight: Full sunSoil Needs: Medium, well-drained soilDeer Resistant: Yes

USDA Hardiness Zones: 6 to 9Flower Color Varieties:  Many shades of blue and purple, rose, yellow, orange, maroon, white; solid and bi-colors often with darker centersLight: Full sun to part shadeSoil Needs: Moist, well-drained soilDeer Resistant: No

USDA Hardiness Zones: 3 to 7Flower Color Varieties: Golden yellowLight: Full sunSoil Needs: Average, medium moisture soilDeer Resistant: Yes

USDA Hardiness Zones: 3 to 8Flower Color Varieties: Purplish pink, white; other colors such as hot pink, orange, red, and golden yellow have been recently introduced to the marketLight: Full sun to part shadeSoil Needs: Average dry to medium-moisture soilDeer Resistant: Usually

USDA Hardiness Zones: 9 to 11Flower Color Varieties: Violet, blue, pink, red, magenta, yellow, bronze, whiteLight: Full sunSoil Needs: Rich, well-drained soilDear Resistant: Usually

USDA Hardiness Zones: 9 to 11Leaf Color Varieties: Burgundy redLight: Full sun to part shadeSoil Needs: Medium-moisture, well-drained soilDeer Resistant: Yes