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CONTAINER
PLANTING
Time to Plant Your Pots
They are a welcoming splash of color at your entrance, on your deck or patio. Pots can vary in size and can be combinations of sizes and heights arranged together to make a dynamic display. Sometimes just one kind of plant in several pots arranged together can be simple and elegant, such as one large hosta in a shade pot next to an impatiens pot. Or an acanthus plant in an urn. An advantage of utilizing planted containers allows you to be flexible with the arrangement.
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Tips for Planting Containers
In mixed containers the plants will be married together for the whole season so be sure they have similar requirements. Group full sun plants or shade plants together depending on your spot.
Annuals long bloom season offers a reliable consistency of color that keep your containers looking fresh through autumn. To elevate your pots and hanging baskets, try weaving in vibrant annual vines like Mina lobata (Firecracker Vine), Thunbergia (Black-Eyed Susan Vine), Cobaea scandens (Cup and Saucer Vine), or classic Mandevilla.
While we typically recommend annuals for containers because they offer non-stop blooms all summer long, don't rule out perennials! Many perennials boast spectacular foliage that looks stunning in pots all season, with the added bonus of a beautiful bloom window. For shady spots, Heucheras (Coral Bells) or Brunnera 'Jack Frost' offer incredible texture, and even a single, large Hosta can make a dramatic statement in a container.
Geraniums are an old time favorite. They are drought tolerant once established. Combine them with other drought tolerant sun lovers like Euphorbia Diamond Frost instead of the traditional vinca major.
Great container plants for sun include Verbenas, Calibracoa ‘Million Bells’, Petunias, Zinnias, Euphorbia Diamond Frost, Salvias, Sweet Alyssum and Sweet Potato Vine. A simple pot can just be Cosmos sonata, dwarf series. You could also try something new like Browallia americana or Cephalophora aromatica.
Great container plants for shade include Impatiens, Begonias, Fuschias, Four O’ Clocks, Nicotiana, Rudbeckia hirtas ‘Black eyed Susan’, Coleus, Lobelia, and Sweet Potato Vine.
Plant the taller plants in the center and the trailers around the outside.
An easy way to insure proper fertility is to put some Osmocote fertilizer on the soil surface when you finish planting your pots and then water with the hose. Otherwise mix a few tablespoons of water soluble fertilizer into your watering can and water them with fertilizer about once a week.
It is still early in the season and annuals grow quickly so don’t overcrowd them.
Most importantly have fun designing and planting your pots and watching them grow.
Add annuals to your perennial beds, containers & hanging baskets for color all season long!
COLOR COMBINATIONS
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When mixing annuals and
perennials, your color palette
can elevate the entire design.
Keep it simple but highly effective
with these basic rules of thumb:
Monochromatic Magic:
Layer different tones of the
same color together for an
effortless, sophisticated look.
High Contrast:
Pair deep, dark foliage with
bright white blooms for
an instant, dramatic focal point.
The Great Balancers:
Use cool blues, muted grays, and
rich greens to tone down louder,
vibrant colors like orange and red.
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HERBS
Elevate Your Containers with Fresh Herbs
Beyond traditional flowers, herbs make a spectacular and practical addition to container gardens. Now is the perfect time to plant a mix of perennial, annual, and edible herbs in your pots to create a complete sensory experience right on your patio, filling your space with incredible textures, rich aromas, and fresh flavors for summer cooking!
Herb Planter
Cilantro
Chives