Planting in\ncontainers can be a complement to planting in the ground, and it has multiple\nappeals: <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Container\ngardeners soon develop their personal likes and dislikes, but if this approach\nis new to you, here are ideas to consider. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Plan plants and pots as complements:<\/strong> One method is to choose a container that you like,\nand then find a plant that would work well with it. The reverse strategy can\nwork too, but there are more plants than pots, so it\u2019s easiest to find the\nright plant for a given pot. Find complementary colors, textures, and sizes.\n(One rule of thumb: the plant \u2018s mature height should be about twice the height\nof the container.)<\/p>\n\n\n\n Think big pots:<\/strong> For a striking presentation, select large pots. A\ncollection of one-gallon plastic nursery pots will minimize cost, but will also\nminimize impact. Smallish decorative containers, even when individually\nattractive, still under-sell the horticulture. Big pots produce big results,\nand provide more root room and hold more moisture between watering sessions. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Think multiple pots:<\/strong> Just like planting in the ground, mass effects can\nbe pleasing to the eye and satisfying to the soul. A substantial array of\ncontainers can present an eye-catching display. Three is better than two, and,\ngiven lots of available space, fifteen is better than twelve. Multiple-pot\ndisplays could emphasize annuals or perennials, and can be particularly\neffective with bulbs. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Plan the overall look:<\/strong> It\u2019s too\neasy to accumulate both plants and pots one at a time, which leads to a\nconfusing conglomeration. Such groupings reflect piecemeal landscaping, which\nis all too popular and ultimately minimizes bang for the buck. The first step\nin planning for multiple pots emphasizes the overall effect, even when limited\ntime and resources requires building the display over weeks or even months. The\nplan should encompass the style of the containers. They need not all be the\nsame, but they should work together. A Talavera planter probably will look out\nof place among several terra cotta pots. The plan also should also consider blossom\ncolor combinations, e.g., complementary, analogous, triadic, etc. Search the\nInternet for \u201ccolor harmonies.\u201d <\/p>\n\n\n\n Plan individual containers<\/strong>: An important difference exists between a floral\narrangement, and a container that plays a role in a larger display. When\nplanning a standalone display, the \u201cthriller, filler, spiller\u201d design\nworks fine. When planning for a big, dramatic effect, however, plant each\ncontainer with one type of plant in one color. And fill the containers: for\nexample, a 12-inch wide pot can accommodate up to 30 bulbs. A more timid installation\nwill look, well, timid. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Consider the passage of time: <\/strong>When building a display of seasonal plants, keep\ntheir bloom period in mind. When blooms have faded, move the containers out of\nsight and bring in different, ready to bloom containers. An intermediate\napproach involves installing layers of bulbs with successive bloom periods.\nThis requires some planning, but the extended display can be gratifying. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Large-scale container planting takes some research. If you are considering a display of bulbs, right now is the time to order bulbs to be planted in the fall, for spring blooms. One good online resource is Brent & Becky\u2019s Bulbs<\/a>. I\u2019ve had the pleasure of having dinner with Brent and Becky Heath, so I\u2019m partial, but there are other very good online bulb nurseries, some of which offer wholesale prices for container gardening on a larger scale. <\/p>\n\n\n\n For design\ninspiration, search the Internet for \u201cbulbs in containers,\u201d and select\n\u201cimages.\u201d <\/p>\n\n\n\n Do you have a\nsuitable space for container gardening? <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Planting in containers can be a complement to planting in the ground, and it has multiple appeals: alternative to garden space that\u2019s limited (or lacking entirely); opportunity for creative combinations of pots and plants; supports either long-term or seasonal displays; … Continue reading