Container Gardening
Late Spring 2004, Vol. 17, No. 2

Nothing seems to intimidate a gardener more than an empty pot or window box. The leap beyond spike surrounded by red geraniums seems to be enormous. Planting containers can be loads of fun if you view them as miniature gardens. A collection of them is a portable landscape. Take your garden tastes and personal sense of style to a smaller scale. Still paralyzed? Look at how Mother Nature decorates her nooks and crannies. Observe the subtle color combinations. Pay attention to the effect of light on color. Study natures architecture. Height and depth are gradually achieved. Plants slowly emerge to their moment of beauty. As one plant fades another bursts forth capturing your attention.

Your plant choice will be determined by a few things: size of the container, sun exposure, wind, and soil and water requirements. Remember that sun heats up containers. Some plants roots do not like hot wet soil. (Lobelia is one.) Plants that need shade will burn in the hot July sun. Sunlight reflecting off a white house can burn sensitive leaves. Plants that like to dry out between waterings should not be paired with plants whose roots like to be kept evenly moist. Sun lovers will get leggy and flower sparingly in the shade. Wind can topple containers and shred large leaves.

Potted gardens have the same rules for success as any garden: height, texture and color. Keep these in mind as you break them. Use shrubs, roses, tall perennials and grasses for height. Annual vines can be trellised. Many perennials and annuals have lovely foliage that add texture and soften the overall effect. Trailing annuals and groundcovers will cascade over the sides of the container. This will actually shade roots, helping to keep them cool.

Color combinations are very personal. Everyone is drawn to different styles, hot colors, cool colors, monochromatic or opposites on the color wheel. Try to combine plants that complement each other rather than compete. Be sure the foliage works with the flower color.

When you are designing your container, first place the plants while still in their nursery pots into the container. This will give you a sense of the overall look as well as help you figure out spacing and quantities.

In a wheelbarrow, mix 2 parts potting soil to 1 part bagged topsoil. Add a couple of shovels full of compost. Look at your container and the plants. Be sure your container will be adequate for root growth. If you are using a large container for shallow rooted plants, first fill the bottom third with empty soda cans. This provides good drainage and cuts down on soil costs. Feed with a water soluble fertilizer once a week. Snip off dead flowers throughout the growing season to encourage continuous blooms. Never let your plants dry to the point of shriveling.

Terra cotta pots and cedar boxes are classic choices for container gardens. Flea markets or yard sales will present other quirky possibilities. Use your imagination. That collection of clementine boxes, the leaky watering can, or the red wagon no one uses any more are waiting for their second life as a planter.

The gardeners at Horsfords are always looking for a new challenge. If you feel like experimenting with a new vessel, bring it to the nursery and Susan or Eileen will help you select the best plants. We also have lists of recommended annuals, perennials, shrubs, roses, and grasses. Ask for our list of plant combinations. If your container is too bulky, measure the dimensions.
Have fun!

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