Container gardening is the bomb, there is almost nothing better in the spring than sitting down with a few bags of potting soil, some time-released fertilizer, a slew of pots and a bounty of colorful plants.  It is one of the most creative ways to express your individuality and if you are anything like me, my persona seems to be different ever spring.  One year it may be all about the tropics with hot colors and broad leaves like cannas and caladiums, another season the dainty, delicate old-fashioned arrangements may be beckoning with baby’s breath and trailing petunias, or possibly the need to feed is the flavor of the moment with basils, nasturtiums and peppers.  The world of flora is truly your oyster when it comes to creating the perfect pot. 

One of the more appealing attributes of container gardening is it gives the planter the ability to add color and texture where it once did not exist.  A window that was formerly square and pedestrian can be transformed with a window box into a rainbow of delights, a drab patio, porch or deck can suddenly come alive with the clever placement of lush, over-flowing containers.  The element of surprise is keen with container gardening simply with the placement of your creative concoctions you can add surprise and whimsy.  When a four-foot potted Elephant Ear is tucked into the landscape next to a Black Eyed Susan rooted in the earth the juxtaposition is intoxicating and totally unexpected.

Fashioning gorgeous pots is a must for people who have no garden space to speak of; suddenly they can load up the balcony or get that roof top looking like a portable Garden of Eden.  But possibly the most alluring draw to constructing a cornucopia of floral pleasures is the instantaneous gratification that the creator receives. 

Pam Hamill, owner of Hamill Country Gardens and container-creator extraordinaire, agrees that the expression behind a pot ensemble is paramount, she states, “Creating colorful pots is an easy way to express your self. The type of container you choose and the type of plants all say something about your personality. Container gardening is popular with those people who are less mobile or simply do not have the space or time for plants in a garden. They don’t need to be weeded.  You can create new ideas every year, it is a great way to experiment with unknown plants, and it allows you to personalize your outdoor living space with color.”

Pots

Starting from the ground up, find a good pot, if you have simple terracotta pots you may opt for more elaborate plants with frilly edges and trailing habits.  If your pots are as exciting as the flora in them, you may take a more simplified approach to the plants and steer clear of viney, trailing plants that will only cover the stunning container.  Also keep in mind that small vegetation may get lost in large containers and large plants might not grow to their full potential in smaller spaces.  Plants should be sized to the pot correctly, a good rule of thumb is a plant should be more than twice the height of the pot and 1 ½ times the width.  Hamill thinks the pot says a lot about the inhabitant of the home, she says, “The container you choose should be an expression of your personality. Some people want to create certain looks such as modern, country, Asian, or use a color of container that matches the exterior of their home. Whatever you choose should have good drainage, the plants do not want to stand in water. Containers should be an expression of who you are as much as the plants are.”

Color

One of the enthralling aspects of tantalizing containers is the hopes that color will be a continuous companion to the outdoor space. Hamill agrees, “Constant color gives us beauty every day. For me it is calming to sit down and enjoy the colors, scents of plants. It gives a dramatic presentation and a sense of style.”  It is said that no two people see colors the same but if you are trying to illicit drama you might select opposing colors.  For the artist’s out there, complimentary colors like red and green, blue and yellow, and purple and orange will make a bold statement.  If harmony is more of what you seek, you may opt to have containers that are monochromatic like various shades of purples.  But don’t overlook foliage as a main color source; in fact it can often supply the most interesting color and texture schemes.

Needs

Hamill has some helpful tips in creating pots that will flourish, she espouses, “You need to first of all consider how much sun your container will receive each day. What are the plants moisture requirements? You would not want to plant sun lovers with shade lovers, or plants that like to stay wet with those that need less water. The type of soil is very important I suggest a good soil less potting mix. Dirt from your garden should not be used in a pot because it will become too hard and not let the roots develop.  Fertilize weekly or use a timed release fertilizer. Plants in containers are very hungry and need to be fertilized often to keep constant blooms. Plants that work together in a container need to have color, texture, and habit. You also need to consider the size of your container, if you have a short pot you would not want to plant something that would trail 3 feet beside a walkway or someplace you couldn’t walk around it.”  Fairly basic but when you are in the nursery it is easy to get carried away, try and keep Hamill’s suggestions in mind for the ultimate guide to a successful container season.

Rule

There is one loose rule to creating eye-catching, jaw-dropping pots, rooting one tall plant, one filler plant and one trailing plant in each container.  The eye will move upward, the middle section of the area in question will become lush and full and the eye will also move downward giving the viewer the complete container experience.  Here are some suggestions for tall flora, filler plants and trailing vegetation:

Tall:

• Agave
• Amaranthus
• Bamboo
• Canna
• Dracena
• Dwarf Alberta Spruce
• Elephant Ear
• Feather Reed Grass
• Fountain Grass
• Hibiscus
• Yucca

Filler:

• Basil
• Caladium
• Celosia
• Coleus
• Fuchsia
• Lantana
• Ornamental Kale & Cabbage
• Persian Shield

Trailers:

• Alyssum
• Sweet Potato Vine
• Creeping Jenny
• Ivy
• Vinca
• Wave Petunia
• Verbena
• Nasturtium