Container gardening is a practical, space-saving way of growing plants for busy city streets, rooftops, and balconies. Techniques range from an addition of color with pots of brilliant annuals brightening up a deck or patio to beautiful shrub roses and an assortment of small perennials adorning window boxes.
Whether you choose to plant them in a grouped arrangement for bold, massed effect or use a specimen planting to highlight a smaller space area, container gardens offer a remarkably easy and effective means of producing a restful green space.
First, there is great flexibility with the garden in terms of design. You can change your color scheme easily, and with a few tricks, visual interest. You may replace the individual plants after they are done flowering with others for continuous display of color. While selecting the plants, you might need to decide whether you would like to work with a unified color scheme or a play of complementary colors. More importantly, you must ensure contrast in plant heights.
Put together, tall strap-like leaves with very-low-growing wide-leafed plants make a nice vertical background. Leaf shape and texture also come into play with regard to aesthetic appeal; therefore, a mix of different foliage types creates a more varied sensory experience. Choose plants that will provide a long period of bloom, or embrace the option of replacement when their blooms fade.
One of the fun things about container gardens is the ability to use some very creative containers. You may also have special access to items like an antique porcelain bowl or an aged copper urn. Other newer materials that could be used as planters include timber and tiles.
If you are purchasing your container, the classic choice is a terracotta pot, though remember these do tend to absorb water. You may want to fix this by using a special sealer, which most hardware stores carry, inside of terracotta pots so you will not dry out your plants.
If you are on a tight budget, you can use cheaper plastic pots; just paint the outside with water-based paints to give them that personalized touch to suit your style. Just remember to get matching saucers for them to catch water drainage from the plants. This is for protection purposes to help protect your flooring from stains or damage, whether it is cement or timber.
Choosing a good potting mix for your container will be very important. A high-quality mix will ensure plants are at their best for growth and flowers.
Planning Your Container Garden When you are deciding where all your pots will go, especially if there are steps leading up to your front door, having decorative potted plants placed upon each step will invite anyone who comes to visit. Similarly, indoor pots containing plants or flowers add to the cozy ambiance of home.
Before buying the plants, take note of the conditions in the particular locations you intend to put your pots. You should avoid taking particular plants that like to bask in the sun for shady locations since they hardly thrive well. Also, consider the root systems of the plants; those plants that have a greater development of roots do better in an open garden other than in a container.
If you have space at your front door, group potted plants together for a more interesting display. One group looks more attractive than a pair of identical plants arranged on either side, which often appear monotonous. Odd numbers, such as three or five, are more attractive in an arrangement because of the variation in height and kinds of plants. Add large rocks to your grouping that are similar in type but vary in size for continuity. Pots of the same general type and color but different sizes can add a dramatic flair.
All in all, with a little planning and some imagination, you should be able to bring a container garden into your outdoor space that will beautify it as well as impress your friends and those walking by. Versatility in container gardening allows the expression of your personal style and delivers on the benefits of gardening, no matter how small your outdoor space may be.
Using these guidelines, you should be able to grow a thriving container garden-one that is testimony to your gardening ability and aesthetic sense.
