3 Basic Principles to Creating Beautiful Containers

To  make your containers visually pleasing; choose plants from the following categories: Trailing, Mounding, and Erect (see chart for examples).

1. Erect plants are the tallest item in your grouping. They can be planted in the center or off to one side, and there is generally one of them.
2. Mounding plants occupy the most space. They will spread sideways and you will use a minimum of 2-3 of these.
3. Trailing plants drape over the side of the pot.

Additional guidelines for creating beautiful containers:

Plant selection:

• All the plant material selected for a pot should have similar water needs to be successful. Do not pair a drought tolerant plant with one that requires very moist soil. One of these plants will end up dying.
• The plants should occupy 2x the volume of the pot. Remember this is twice the VOLUME which takes length, width and depth into account.
• Consider color, texture, and size when selecting your plants. Combine plants with needle like foliage, with large leafed ones, darker greens with lighter greens….Color and texture are found in the foliage as well as in the flower.
• Plant the pot 1/3 -2/3 full to allow for the plants to fill in as they grow.

Containers:

• If your containers are outdoors and if it is possible, it is best not to use saucers under the pots, allowing the pots to completely drain. If you have to use saucers (on a balcony, or where the seepage may stain) they make sure to empty the saucers of water so they do not fill up and block oxygen from getting to the lower soil layers.
• The sun and wind can dry containers faster than your beds so water regularly. Dark colored pots attract heat and therefore may dry out faster.
• Clay pots are recommended, but they can split / crack in bad winters. Plastic pots tend to hold more moisture which is not always a good thing.
• Try to use large pots versus many small ones.
• You can plant pots within a pot! This is a great method if you need a very “full “ arrangement FAST! Perhaps you have a vintage pot that you would like to protect? Or this is a great way to insulate your plants as the air pockets will moderate the outside temperature.

Soil:

• For drainage as well as moisture retention, select a good quality potting soil that is a balanced mix of fine particles and larger chunks.
• Do NOT reuse potting soil. Most of the fine particles, which aid in moisture retention, will be washed out. In addition the micronutrients will be leached and mineral salts can be high in concentration.
• Use slow release plant food for the best results

But most important, have fun! Plant, pull, plant…experiment…”Living centerpieces” are not only economical (they last a whole season!) but they can reflect your tastes and personality.

If you end up in a bind, just call Gardens For Texas!