The Garden Crossings Blog

Archive for the ‘Container Gardening’ Category

Color brings excitement and creativity to container gardening. Use color to create impact, complement décor, and catch the eye of the viewer. If your color combination’s seem to fall a little “flat” you can take a little help from the color wheel available at your garden center or an art and craft store.

Reds, oranges, and yellows are warm colors while greens, blues, and violets are cool colors. Colors that are opposite on the color wheel are complementary. Analogous colors are those that sit next to each other on the color wheel. Monochromatic designs use different intensities of one color. Different shades of green can serve as a serene backdrop or pop a design with its bright color. Chose combination’s that will contrast to give a pop or create harmony to make a calm, tranquil display.

Play with colors for your mixed containers. There are guidelines to help but ultimately if you are pleased with your combination’s that is all that matters. Use the guidelines, create your own, or “borrow” ideas that will create container combination’s that make you happy!

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With careful planning and a good understanding of proportion and vigor your container combination’s will be eye catching and demand further examination. Your plants should have similar growth habits so that dominate plants won’t overtake those with much slower growth habits.

It is good to consider the maximum height of your plant in proportion to your container size. Low growing plants in a large tall container may not give the proper proportion you desire. Think thrillers, fillers, and spillers in proportion to your containers. A thriller is the tall center showpiece with medium height fillers around it. Spiller plants will trail down the edges of your container.

Texture is another dimension in container gardening. Texture adds movement and interest to containers. Grasses and lacy foliage are just a few possibilities. Texture will encourage the viewer to want to touch and admire your combination containers.

Plant placement may be determined on how your container will be displayed. Will it be seen from all sides or will it be set against a wall or fence? Your garden center professional is available to help and answer all your questions.

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Are you wanting to plant that eye catching, what’s in there, out of this world combination planter but just don’t know what will look good together? Let us help by browsing  through over 40 Proven Winners Combination Planters that are in full bloom.  From The Sunrise Splender to Afternoon Delight, or the Craze of Night don’t be a Dream Chaser have a Garden Party at your Home Sweet Home. And when the Party Time is done it will be Sweet Dreams for you.

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Keep in mind that your beautiful combination containers are really small scale gardens. Healthy plants, good quality potting soil, and fertilizer are great garden starters but with a little tender care your containers will remain healthy and gorgeous all season long.

Observe your containers regularly. Don’t forget to take down your hanging baskets to take a look inside. Some birds seem to think they are great nesting sites! Check the undersides of leaves and stem branches for bugs and insects. Remove any bugs you see and if necessary consult with your local garden retailer with any questions. Clean out any dead foliage to prevent rot and try to avoid excessive wet foliage and poor air movement to keep your plants healthy. Deadheading or cutting off spent flowers will improve the look of your plants and promote developing new flowers.

Most plants tolerate and even benefit from pruning and trimming. As the season progresses more vigorous plants can be trimmed back to blend in better and any untidy growth may be removed. A fresh reshaping of your planter will improve the look of your design and a healthy trim will produce a thicker, more lush new growth. Taller varieties of plants may also benefit from staking to improve the form of your combination containers. With a little TLC you can enjoy a full season of fantastic container gardens!

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Maximize the beauty of your container gardens with careful planning. Observe and measure the amount of sunlight your containers will receive so you can choose your plants accordingly. Drainage holes are a must for your containers!

A quality potting soil is a “must have” for container gardens. You will need a mix that offers good drainage but also has a good water-holding capacity. Too much water may cause root rot while some plants may not recover well from being too dry. Easy to install drip irrigation systems are available to help with consistency for your watering needs.

Your container plants not only need water but food for healthy growth and blooms. Fertilizer is a must! Slow-release as well as water soluble fertilizers are available to provide the nutrients your plants will require.

Your garden professional will be able to supply you with a quality potting soil and fertilizer to help you grow stunning garden containers and keep them fresh looking all season long.

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Once you’ve made the decision to grow in containers it’s time to choose the material, style, and color that is right for you.

Pots, hanging baskets, and window boxes come in all sizes, colors, shapes, and textures. Your choice of materials are available in terra cotta, plastic, wood, metal, and moss. Terra cotta planters are porous and promote good air flow to plant roots, but will dry out quicker. Wood containers are organic and blend well with plants but will need oil, stain, and an interior wood preservative. Metal containers are durable with many matte and reflective finishes. Plastic and synthetic containers come in an endless variety, are lightweight, and are usually less expensive to purchase. Moss and coco fiber baskets are natural looking and offer the option of sidewall planting for a fuller looking basket but be careful because moss baskets tend to dry out faster.

Research your options to find the right container for you. With proper care your investment will last for many years and create beautiful focal interest for your garden landscapes.

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Perennials, annuals, grasses, succulents, vegetables, and fruits. Overwhelmed with endless possibilities? Being informed will help you make the best choice for your combination containers.

Perennials are cold hardy plants that last for more than two growing seasons. Annual plants flower and die within the same growing season. Grasses can be perennial or annual and will add motion to containers. Succulents will create great texture in pots for those hot, dry, sunny areas. With too little space or too little time for a garden why not try container vegetable gardening. Even some small fruits work well on containers. Herb container gardening will offer wonderful aromas and fresh flavor in your cooking.

Perennials can stand alone in your container or be combined with colorful annuals. Graceful grasses will sway in the breeze. Pop sweet blueberries into your mouth or add delicious grape tomatoes to your salads. From simple small balcony containers to a landscape full of garden containers have fun and enjoy the endless possibilities!

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Container gardening lets you explore your creative side while offering versatility. Chose your favorite size, shape, and color container and fill it from a large selection of plants available for your choosing. Annuals, perennials, and even fruits and vegetables will fulfill your gardening wishes. Plants are available for sun or shade and with the option of decorating for the changing seasons your containers can provide year round appeal. Containers may be placed on decks and patios or along sidewalks and driveways. Containers may be grouped, placed in the landscape, or as container hanging baskets to be hung from your home or decorative plant hangers. Container gardening works well for large or small spaces, city environments or urban areas. Have fun. The possibilities are endless! Garden Crossings can answer your questions, provide combination ideas, and offers a large selection of plants. Check out our web site or stop in and see us at the garden center.

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