Container gardens are an exciting and versatile option for homeowners. They are inexpensive to maintain, easy to move, and beautiful to look at. However, they require the right tools to make the most of your space. You’ll find that there are a few factors to keep in mind when it comes to choosing containers, as well as the types of plants you want to use.
Perennials
If you’re looking for a way to save money and get a little green in your garden, planting perennials in a container might be the best choice for you. Container gardens can be planted inside, or outside. For the most part, you’ll need a pot with drainage holes.
In fact, some plants are better suited to container life than others. Some perennials are best left in the ground, such as clematis, while others are perfect for containers.
To successfully grow a perennial in a container, you need to find the right combination of size, shape, and drainage. A good quality potting mix is also essential. Watering your plant regularly will help it stay happy and healthy. You’ll also want to make sure it gets plenty of sun. Plants in direct sunlight will need more watering than those in more shaded locations.
For maximum effect, choose a large container. This will give your plants the room they need to flourish.
While you’re at it, consider adding a little fertilizer. A slow-release, or a liquid version, will work well. The best ones should be chemically-based and contain a balance of nitrogen, phosphorous, and potassium.
For some plants, the best way to keep them alive is to keep them from getting too cold. Putting a layer of mulch between them will provide a little extra protection.
When it comes to choosing the best plants for your container, make sure you pay attention to their shape, color, and foliage. It may be hard to tell whether a plant has the best color scheme or texture for your particular pot.
Remember, you’ll have to repot your perennials a few times over the course of their lifetime. But they’ll be worth the effort. Plus, container gardening is a great way to add interest to a small garden without all the fuss.
Annuals
Annuals are a great way to add a little color to your landscape. They are also very easy to care for. You can get a large variety of flowers from the same pot.
The best time to plant annuals is after the danger of frost is over. When planting, choose a plant that can handle the shade and humidity of your region. Generally, annuals thrive in hot weather, but some grow well in cooler weather.
Gerber daisies are a good option for a container garden. They’re heat and wind resistant. These daisies come in a wide variety of colors. You can also use them in mixed planters.
Sweet alyssum is an excellent plant for a summer container. Its tiny flowers are fragrant, and it grows fairly tall. Alyssum can tolerate a little shade, but it works better in full sun.
Coleus is another annual that is perfect for a container. They have a bushy habit, and they come in a wide range of colors. For example, Breathless Blush has burgundy-speckled leaves.
Angelface summer snapdragons are another great option. They are easy to grow and they don’t die when you forget to water them.
You can purchase plants online or from your local nursery. They’re available in several colors, including pink, blue, and white. Some are even drought tolerant.
If you have an outdoor deck, a statuesque container will be the perfect backdrop for a colorful flowering garden. Packed with snapdragon, calibrachoa, and delphinium, this container is sure to create a focal point.
Gerber daisies are also ideal for outdoor pots. Their long, cone-shaped spikes will reach about 18 inches. They are commonly used in hanging baskets.
Spillers
Container gardens are a fantastic way to enjoy the great outdoors all year round. Whether you’re interested in growing your own plants or you want to add a splash of color to your landscape, it’s easy to get started. Choosing the right plants is crucial to making your container garden stand out.
One popular way to arrange your container plantings is the “thriller, filler, spiller” method. This technique uses three different types of plants to create an overall impressive look.
The thriller is the tallest and arguably the most eye-catching plant in the container. A thriller may be any of a variety of flowering or foliage plants. For instance, canna lilies, pineapple lilies, bamboo, or elephant ears.
Fillers are the mid-size, rounded plants that fill in the gap between the thriller and spiller. These include small ornamental grasses and herbs. Fillers also make an effective focal point in a container.
Spillers are trailing plants that cascade over the sides of the container. They soften the edges of the container and provide a finishing touch.
One plant that is often touted as a good filler is coleus. While coleus is a good choice, it can overtake the container if it’s not pinched back regularly. However, a well-chosen coleus will still be visible even after being cut back.
To make sure your containers stand out, it’s important to choose plants that complement each other. Also, keep in mind that light is an important factor in container gardening. Choose drought resistant plants to avoid over watering your plantation.
A Thriller, Filler, Spiller container garden can be a fun and easy way to add a splash of color to your yard. It’s a fun and low-maintenance gardening activity that’s perfect for beginners.
Thrillers
Container gardens are a great way to add drama to outdoor spaces. But it can be intimidating to create a container garden. Fortunately, there’s a simple and easy way to make yours look stunning.
A good first step in creating a container garden is to select the correct plants. If you’re unsure what you’re looking for, read a gardening guide before starting. You may also consider hiring a professional. Besides the cost, you’ll be able to pick out plants that are suited to your climate.
In addition to selecting the right plant, you’ll need to know how to choose the right size pot. For a small pot, you don’t want to select a plant that’s too tall. Also, you’ll need to consider the rain conditions in your area.
To achieve a well-balanced container planting, you’ll need to select thriller, filler, and spiller plants. The thriller and filler plants will anchor your composition, while the spiller will draw the eye down and soften the edges of the pot.
Fillers are mid-sized mounding plants that will fill in gaps between thrillers and spillers. They can be petunias or impatiens. These are sun-loving plants with a natural mounding habit.
Thrillers are tall, upright plants that will add height and a vertical aspect to your container. They can be foliage plants, flowering plants, or ornamental grasses. Some of the best thrillers are colocasia, Echinacea (Coneflower), Dahlia, bromeliads, and agapanthus.
To create a successful container garden, you’ll need to consider the lighting and watering requirements of all your plants. Make sure you’re choosing plants that will get along and don’t compete with one another.
It’s also important to remember that yellow is one of the hottest colors for 2021. If you choose a variety of yellow plants, be sure you’re contrasting their textures with the other plants in your garden.
Drainage
Drainage in container gardens is a key factor in keeping plants healthy and happy. If the soil is too wet, the roots of plants will rot. Similarly, if there is too little drainage, the plants will suffocate.
There are several ways to improve drainage in a pot. One way is by adding sand or perlite. Another is by using packing peanuts. But these can be messy and hard to clean up.
To achieve the best results, you need to choose the right materials. The most effective drainage is achieved by mixing particles of varying sizes. This is especially important when planting in a pot with a shallow depth.
One way to improve drainage in a plant container is to drill holes. Depending on the material, you can use a variety of drill bits. For terracotta, masonry bits work best. Metal drill bits are also suitable. You should also consider the weight of your pot. Lightweight containers are more likely to tip over when exposed to wind.
Aside from a hole, you might consider using gravel. Gravel encourages the soil to stay wet for longer. And, since the pot isn’t touching the bottom of the soil, you can also prevent water from building up around the root system.
Other materials include fine-plastic or wire mesh. These materials can be used to create a false bottom for your planter. Alternatively, you can cover the drainage hole with coco fiber.
If you’re planting a plant with a large root system, you should consider using packing peanuts. However, these will quickly break down if you water the pot.
Some container gardens include gravel in the pot’s drainage hole. This isn’t a good idea, though, because it will prevent the soil from flowing out of the pot.