I always like going to this site for inspiration..........

Here is a link that might be useful: rainyside

Look to more permanent plantings rather than annuals. In addition to not having to replant every season, incorporating mostly evergreen perennials, ornamental grasses and small shrubs together in container combinations can result in year round interest for your entry porch or patio.

Too often, the focus is just on flowers to provide color and interest. Evergreen perennials like various euphorbias, heucheras, hellebores, cascading groundcovers and colorful grasses or small shrubs (heathers, hebes, coprosma, dwarf conifers) will offer a wide range of foliage color choices that are much longer lasting than seasonal annuals. And you can always include a couple of those - like winter pansies or cyclamen, etc. - to provide a more intense spark of color.

A visit to a good local nursery at this time of year should provide inspiration and all sorts of plant choices. Follow the same principles you do with your more seasonal containers - a taller, centerpiece plant, lower spreading filler plants and something drapey and full to cascade and soften the edges and you're good to go!

Here's a short list of some great container plants that I like and you can find right now that will take you through fall and winter:

Euphorbias (spurge): 'Rudolph', 'Blackbird', Helena's Blush', 'Bonfire', 'Efanthia'

Heucheras (coral bells): 'Obsidian', 'Frosted Violet', 'Crimson Curls' (all deep red/purple), 'Creme Brulee', 'Peach Flambe', Caramel', 'Georgia Peach', 'Marmalade' (harvest colors of toffee, orange, bronze) or 'Green Spice'.

Hellebore 'Ivory Prince'

Grasses or grass-like plants: Carex dipsacea (autumn sedge) or testacea (orange sedge), black mondo grass, Juncus 'Elk's Creek', phormiums (NZ flax), libertia.

Small shrubs: fall or winter blooming heathers (Calluna vulgaris, Erica x darleyensis - LOTS of color to choose from, both flowers AND foliage), hebes, coprosma (mirror plant), dwarf conifers like many of the Chamaecyparis cultivars or the lemon cypress, Cupressus macrocarpa 'Wilma Goldcrest'. Even deciduous shrubs like twig dogwoods or dwarf Japanese maples can be included and will provide year round interest.

Groundcovers or cascading plants: fancy-leaf ivies, vinca, lysimachia, Veronica 'Georgia Blue', wire vine (Muhlenbeckia).

This is by no means a complete selection - there are scores of other plants that can be included. You are really only limited by your imagination and your pocketbook :-) And check out the current seminar schedules at your local nurseries - most offer classes on fall and winter container plantings that are far more creative than the staid and stale cabbages, kales and mums. Windmill Gardens in Sumner has one coming up tomorrow (Sat, 10/4) and Swanson's in Seattle (a bit of drive but worth it) features the entire month of October as 'Container Month' with a container design class Sunday, 10/5 and more the following weekend featuring award winning container designers as instructors. Classes are free.

Here is a link that might be useful: Swanson's October class schedule