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Enhance
Container planting can be stunning, with pots full of thriving flowers and foliage. The right mix of plants arranged correctly in a pretty planter can be pure magic. Don't be afraid to mix up different types of plants, such as annuals, perennials, vegetables, and even small shrubs. The important thing when container gardening is to choose plants that prefer the same light conditions.
These six simple steps will show you how to create a beautiful arrangement every time. Then, all you'll need to do is keep things watered and enjoy the colorful display all season long.
2. Select Color Schemes and Plant Combinations
Establishing a color theme for your container garden can be a delightful way to curate a harmonious mix of plants. You might draw inspiration from the hues of your container or focus on the colors of the flowers and foliage you intend to incorporate. When pairing plants in your containers, ensure they share similar light and watering requirements. Arrange them in odd numbers and aim to include at least one "thriller," "filler," and "spiller" plant for visual interest and balance.
Thriller: These plants add vertical drama and height to your arrangement. Consider foliage-focused plants, ornamental grasses, or upright flowering varieties. Thrillers typically occupy the central position in a container.
Filler: Fillers create a lush, full appearance and are often rounded or mounded in shape. They are positioned in front of or around the thriller plant to fill out the container. In longer, narrower containers like window boxes, fillers are placed between the edge and the thrillers.
Spiller: These plants cascade gracefully over the edges of the container, softening its appearance. For containers that are visible from all angles, incorporate spillers around the entire perimeter.
4. Fill the container with potting mix
Prepare your container for planting by filling it two-thirds full with an all-purpose potting mix. Avoid using garden soil, as it tends to be too dense and poorly draining for container gardening.
For larger planters, conserve potting mix by placing smaller empty containers upside down at the bottom. Fill the gaps around them with potting mix until the container is two-thirds full.
Consider placing a shard from a broken clay pot over the drainage hole to prevent soil from escaping while still allowing water to drain freely. Avoid adding a layer of rocks at the bottom, as this impedes drainage rather than aiding it.
6. Water Your Plants
After planting, water your container garden thoroughly to help settle the soil. Add more soil if necessary to ensure all roots are adequately covered. Maintain the soil level a couple of inches below the container's rim to prevent overflow.
In the days following the initial watering, monitor the soil's moisture level by checking the top inch. If it feels dry to the touch, it's time to water again. Ensure proper drainage by allowing water to flow out of the drainage holes. If you're using a saucer underneath the pot, remember to empty it regularly to prevent root rot caused by stagnant water.
More tips:
15 Container Garden Plants That Breeze Through Summer's Heat
25 Colorful Container Garden Recipes for Shade That Are Easy to Grow
Choose the right container
Selecting the perfect container for your garden is crucial, much like choosing the right plants. Factors such as weight, weather resistance, and aesthetics should be taken into account. Consider your budget, available space, and personal style when deciding on a container. Remember, larger containers require less frequent watering. Regardless of your choice, ensure that the container has drainage holes at the bottom to prevent water logging.
3. Limit the Number of Plants You Use
Be careful not to overfill a container garden. If the plants are overcrowded, growth can be stunted both above and below the soil. To lessen the chances of overfilling a container, you will generally want to follow these plant to pot size ratios:
10" to 12" pot can hold 3-4 plants
14" to 16" pot can hold 5-7 plants
16" to 20" pot can hold 6-9 plants
5. Place the plants in the container
When it's time to plant, gently release the root ball from the nursery containers by squeezing them around the sides. Avoid pulling directly on the plant to prevent damage. Loosening the roots encourages outward growth once planted.
Position your plants on the potting mix so that the top of their root balls sits a few inches below the container's rim, facilitating watering.
Surround the plants with additional potting mix, ensuring that the stems are at the same depth as they were in their nursery containers. Gently press down on the mix to eliminate any large air pockets.