Container gardening has been elevated to an art form, one that can easily be employed in gardens of every size. Whether you have a large yard or an apartment balcony at your disposal, there are plants that thrive in containers.
Areas with poor soil conditions and those that are too wet or too dry can make finding just the right plant a challenge. Rather then fight natural garden conditions, outsmart them with containers. This is a versatile way to add color, texture, and interest to a to a trouble spot. A well-planted urn of colorful annuals on a pedestal can add visual interest and height to a horizontal flower bed. It becomes a focal point where there once was none. A beautifully decorated container will blossom and stand out when planted with a simple, understated foliage plant and it will go far in brightening up the shady corner of a deck, patio, porch or balcony.
Choosing the right container
There are many types and sizes of pots and containers on the market to choose from. There are expensive, decorative ones and very inexpensive liner-type containers used by nurseries. Consider where you will be displaying your containers and pick accordingly. If I plan to display pots in my ivy bed to add a splash of color, I use less-expensive liners since the pot can't been seen because of the ivy foliage. If I'm using pots for the patio, I try to group interesting pots together to make a bold statement. The beauty of container gardening is if you don't get it right the first time, you can simply rearrange your pots until you come up with a grouping that is aesthetically pleasing to you. In short, you can't lose. Just remember, if it can hold soil and drain water, the sky's the limit. Let your imagination run wild and consider the things you have around you.
Choosing the right potting medium
Remember to choose a good all-purpose potting medium. Potting soil is usually a sterilized, lightweight, inert medium in which to grow plants. Adding a bit of garden soil or compost provides naturally occurring minerals for optimal plant growth. When mixing the two, keep in mind the difference in weight between soil and potting medium and plan accordingly if you intend to move your containers to different locations. Hanging pots and those suspended on a fence or wall will need to be light. Those placed in the garden or on a deck can afford the added weight of soil. Keep in mind the final destination of your container and plan accordingly.
If you're hesitant to try container gardening because you're unsure of which plants work well together, you might want to begin by using the same plant in different colors or with different growing habits. For example, you might try a pot of petunias for a sunny spot and vary the colors of the flowers and the flower size itself. Combining "Wave" petunias and double-flowering petunias with trailing petunias in the same pot will give you the variety of texture and color you seek. All have the same water and light requirements, so it's a win-win situation. In no time at all you'll feel comfortable enough to combine different types of plants and you'll marvel at the endless possibilities.
Tips:
Herbs love to grow in containers and can withstand full-sun conditions. They don't mind drying out, so they're a perfect choice for carefree container gardening.
Plastic pots and other types of synthetic manufactured containers won't dry out as quickly as clay pots that are porous. Keep that in mind when planting so you can minimize watering chores.
Keep an assortment of pots on hand, such as the liner-type that you get your plants in from the nursery. They come in a variety of shapes and sizes and fit well into baskets and decorative pots. When I see my perennials spreading or sending off new shoots, I dig them up, pot them up and grow them on in the pots till they mature. I place them where I need to add color and interest. This is an inexpensive way to get plants and you can trade them with your friends for plants you don't have.
There are water-absorbing gels and pellets on the market that can be mixed with potting medium to increase the water holding capacity so your pots don't dry out as quickly. They're a good investment. You mix it in when you prepare the pot for planting and reap the benefits all season long.
You might want to invest in a slow-release plant food in the form of pellets to mix in as you prepare your potting medium. This takes the worry out of remembering to feed them throughout the season. If you need to add more, it can easily be spread on top of the soil as the plants mature with the same results.
Water pots regularly and deadhead flowers as needed, and you'll be rewarded with cheerful color all season long.
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