12 ways to create a stunning container garden

Summer is almost here! Whether you're a seasoned green thumb or a newbie to the gardening world, it's never too late to bring some life to your living space with a beautiful potted garden. While some may have already started their seedlings indoors, there's no need to worry if you're just now getting started - there's still plenty of time to grow good things this season!

Creating a container garden doesn't have to be difficult; with some basic knowledge of design principles, container and soil conditions, and maintenance, you can create a container garden that will provide not only aesthetic pleasure, but can also keep you supplied in fresh herbs, fruits, and vegetables this summer and beyond. Here are 12 tips for planting, growing, and displaying a container garden that will look stunning in any space.

Designing your Container Garden

1. Plant with a Plan

Before you start planting your container garden, it is important to have a plan. Consider the amount of sunlight and space you have available for your plants, in addition to the type of plants you are looking to grow. Make sure that all of your plants will be able to get adequate light and air circulation within the container. Additionally, consider the color palette and texture of the plants you choose to combine. Think about how the plants will look together as a whole, rather than adding just one type at a time.

Most container gardens can be transformed into eye-catching displays by the simple formula of thriller, filler, and spiller. The thriller is usually a large focal point plant right in the center to create visual impact. It is often a plant that grows vertically. Some examples include flax, coleus, ferns, hyacinth, daffodils, or crocus. Filler plants are then used to fill out the container and make them look lush and colorful. Euphorbia marginata, calibrachoa, and lantana are some examples of good filler plants. Finally, spillers give depth to the planting design by creating an interesting hanging element. Sweet potato vine, ivy geranium, lobelia and sweet alyssum all make good spiller elements.

When creating a container garden or flowerpot design with thriller, filler, and spiller plants it’s important to consider their growth habits, how much sun they require, as well as whether they can be grouped together for maximum color impact. Take into account factors such as soil type and climate too—knowing ahead of time what you’re working with will help you achieve a successful planter design.

2. Don't Use the Same Soil for Everything

When choosing soil for your garden, don't just rely on what's beneath your lawn. Many plants require more nutrients, aeration, drainage, and moisture retention than is available in regular soil found in nature. Using potting mix is the best way to ensure that these needs are met and your plants will thrive.

Potting mix is ideally soilless and sterile, free of fungus and other plant diseases. It comes in a variety of forms to suit different types of plants with different needs. All-purpose potting mix is often suitable for most garden varieties, however it's important to do research into the specific type of plant you're growing to determine if any special requirements need to be met. Different plants may need more drainage or an especially high or low pH which can all be adjusted according to the required parameters with the use of specialty potting mixes.

Making sure your container garden has access to good quality soil is essential for success and health of plants. Regular soil has trouble providing the necessary nutrients needed for potted plants as well as protection against disease carrying fungi or microbes which can stunt growth and reduce productivity in edible gardens. The correct potting mix will solve most issues associated with regular soil by providing proper nutrition, air circulation, and moisture retention.

3. Create a vignette with your containers

Creating a vignette with multiple containers is an easy way to add flair and visual interest to your garden. You can make a small grouping of containers, or create a grand display with multiple sizes, shapes, and colors of containers. Place them in different heights to create depth and texture. Add some accessories such as figurines, birdbaths, or other decorations for fun pops of color and visual interest.

When creating a vignette, make sure to choose containers that complement each other in color and style. Consider how the colors of your pots will look when grouped together – try to stick with shades within the same color palette for a more cohesive look. If you’re using tall and short containers, group them together so they stand out against one another. Creating a triangular arrangement of different pots or containers is one effective layout: this arrangement consists of one large central item flanked by two containers of lesser size. By using this simple triangulated arrangement, you can create a stunning combination that offers contrasting colors, shapes and sizes.

Finally, don’t forget to consider how the containers will fit into your overall garden design. Creating more depth with climbers climbing over trellises and walls in addition to vessels on tabletops or within gardens can add texture while making a striking impression when grouped together.

4. Display a collection of pots and planters

Adding a collection of pots and planters to a blank wall can be an excellent way of dressing it up and adding visual interest to your garden. The repetition of brickwork or the starkness of a plain wall can be softened by masses of lush foliage, with their calming colors and gentle lines. Adding plants with striking foliage to bright ceramic, glass, terra cotta, metal, or wooden planters in different sizes and shapes will create an eclectic look. 

A line of small clay pots planted with trailing vines will bring an uplifting energy to the design, while overflowing and oversized bursts of color draws the eye in immediately. By using a combination of unique materials, you can add texture and depth to your design. A mixture of floral clusters in bright reds and oranges contrasts sharply against any dull or neutral background, while warm colors draw attention without overwhelming your senses.

Match larger terracotta pots with small clusters of flowers to give outdoor spaces a polished look that will easily blend with its surroundings. Whether planted with climbing ivy, shrubs, or colorful annuals, these combinations bring charm and vibrancy to any garden design scheme. 

You can also customize your container collection by planting flowers in unexpected containers: a vintage rainboot or a painted tin can adds a bit of whimsy. A small woven basket filled with succulents also looks great on any windowsill. If you want something more complex or intricate, you could use plastic plant hangers or ceramic pots and create unique ‘living walls’ of greenery in your outdoor area. Get creative with your containers and have fun putting together beautiful combinations of plants – this is one of the things that make container gardening so much fun!

5. Use a Color Scheme

Using color in a way that is visually striking is an essential part of creating a stunning container garden. The right combination can provide vibrant bursts of energy and beauty to any outdoor setting. Combining colors wisely is not always easy, since everyone has their own preferences and interpretations of complementary hues. Although certain color combinations work well in any setting, there are some specific guidelines that you may find helpful when attempting to create a harmonious palette for your garden.

First, pinks, blues and purples have the most versatility when it comes to combining colors for your garden. These shades blend seamlessly with one another without appearing to be too contrasting or harsh. Second, when combining yellows and oranges with reds that are darker in tone, try to stick with warmer pigments so they don’t overpower each other. Third, white and silver look wonderful in any arrangement, and fourth, combining very pale yellow and chartreuse-colored plants can bring a lot of harmony to your garden's layout. By adhering to these principles, you can create container garden displays that are both tranquil and breathtaking.

6. Use shelving or steps for a tiered display

A tiered display is an interesting way to add dimension to your container garden without taking up too much space. Using shelves or steps, you can arrange plants at different heights and create a visually pleasing contrast between the various levels. This can be especially effective if you have limited space in which to work with, since tiered displays can create an eye-catching look in any garden, regardless of size. 

Victorian gardens often boasted auricular theatres filled with tiered displays. Today, broken down ladders make great units for those on a budget, while if you have some steps or walls lying around these will do just fine as well. Make sure to pick a set of the same type and size of pot so your display looks neat and tidy. Once you’ve chosen the perfect space for the project, try moving the pots around to find the best balance which keeps each plant at eye level so they look their best. With this clever tiered display idea, you can turn an ordinary space into something extraordinary that brings structure, color and texture to your outdoor oasis.

What to Plant in Your Containers

7. Grow your own vegetables

Growing vegetables in containers is one of the best ways you can ensure you'll have a supply of fresh produce all season long. Growing vegetables in containers is not only great for urban or small spaces (you can even grow an abundance of vegetables on a sunny balcony), it makes harvesting easier than growing in ground.

A wide variety of edibles can be grown in containers, such as lettuce, radishes, spinach, peas and herbs, as well as bigger plants such as tomatoes, peppers, cucumbers and root crops like carrots, beets and potatoes. Additionally, using vibrant edible foliage plants like Red Swiss Chard add depth and complexity to your containers.

When planting your container vegetable garden, make sure you choose a pot with good drainage holes and use an appropriate amount of potting soil mix (not ground soil) so that your vegetables have access to good oxygenation while still allowing excess water to escape. If you choose a soil that doesn't have fertilizer already included in its mix, you can add an all-purpose organic 10-10-10 pellet fertilizer to the soil at the time of planting. Allow adequate room between each plant for air circulation so they do not become overcrowded. Finally provide plenty of sunlight and water them regularly but take care not to over-water as it can lead to nutrients leaching out of the soil.

8. Keep It Low-Maintenance with Perennials

The work that goes into maintaining a stunning container garden can put some people off. It's true that container gardens can be high maintenance because of the need for frequent watering and trimming. To make gardening in containers less work, plant some perennials. Perennials come back every year, so you won’t have to constantly replant them like you do with annuals. Perennial plants can still be challenging to grow in pots because of their larger root systems, but the reward of being able to enjoy an arranged perennial garden all year long makes it worth the effort.

Whenever you're working with perennials, it's important to choose varieties that are native to your climate so that they will thrive over the years, not succumb easily from cold or heat, and not spread to your neighbors' yards, since some plants can be invasive and easily implant themselves where you didn't intend. You should also arrange your perennial container so that each plant gets enough light and space - overcrowding won’t give any of your plants a chance at survival! 

Some good choices for perennial plants that you can enjoy year after year in containers include salvia, alyssum, calendula, and plants in the mint family.

9. Herb Appeal

Growing herbs in a container is an easy way to bring life and flavor to your kitchen. With little effort, you can spruce up your home with lush foliage and fresh ingredients that will add flavor to your meals. Herbs like cilantro, basil, and parsley are well suited for smaller pots as they don’t get too big or live very long. These herbs often require frequent harvesting so growing them in a pot allows you to prune it more easily without taking up much space or endangering other plants.

Shrubby herbs such as rosemary and sage do better in larger planters however, as they need more space to grow and can last for many years if properly cared for. The great thing about containers is that they can come in fun shapes and colors which help enhance the natural beauty of the herb itself against the backdrop of your garden or balcony. Plus, when cared for properly, these hardy herbs will provide you with delicious fresh flavors for many seasons to come!

10. Pot plants for pollinators

Having a few pots of flowers in your garden that are beneficial to pollinators can substantially help bees, butterflies, hummingbirds, and other creatures to thrive and interact with the natural world. Nectar rich plants, such as fuchsias, borage, echium, lavender and echinacea will bring color to your patio or balcony while also helping to support the pollination process.

Fuchsias attract bumblebees and hummingbirds in their native habitats because of the abundance of nectar resources they provide; they’re a great focal point in containers or pots. Aside from fuchsias, fill your pots with borage, which is an attractive plant with blue, white, or even pink star-shaped flowers, or lavender, which provides a range of colors from dark purple to light lilac and has low watering needs. Match either of these plants with some echinacea for large display units. All of these plants will do a great job by providing honeybee populations with a food source during difficult weather conditions or when flower resources are scarce.

11.Aim for year-round action

Not only are container gardens adaptable to various climates, but they can also be changed up for virtually any season. With the right strategy and selection of plants, you can keep a container garden blooming and beautiful all year long. Start by planting bulbs such as snowdrops, crocus or irises in pots for early spring color, then fill these containers with summer bloomers like cosmos, coneflowers or black-eyed Susans throughout the summer months.

To keep your garden blooming through fall and winter, opt for leaf lettuce or pansies - both thrive in cold weather - before ending the season with winter herbs such as chives and oregano. The beauty of planting in containers is that you can better control moisture levels and prevent invasive species from becoming overwhelming since they are planted separate from other garden beds. 

Whatever the season, take care to protect your plants by providing them the right growing conditions for the season. For example, in spring can benefit from a light fertilizer - go easy on the nitrogen, though for your fruiting and flowering plants, or you'll end up with lots of foliage and little to no flowers or fruits.

In summer, protect your plants from the harsh sun by mulching with straw. This also cuts down on the amount of water you'll need to use.

Before the ground freezes in winter, cluster pots together in a sheltered part of your property, or bury them in the ground to prevent your plants from dying during a hard frost. In this case, too, mulch will help protect plants from the frost. Some growers move their potted plants indoors for the winter. If you do this, be sure to get rid of any pests on the plants with an organic insecticidal soap spray or bath and isolate them from your other indoor plants for a couple of weeks to make sure that they are pest-free.

Maintain the Beauty of your Container Garden

12. Groom Bi-Weekly

Groom your containers every two weeks during the growing season to keep your plants healthy and accommodate those that are growing vigorously. During the bi-weekly grooming session, deadhead spent blossoms and any diseased specimens need to be removed promptly. If necessary, trim back straggly stems so they don’t choke out other plants in the container. Also, replace any sick or dying plants with healthier specimens before they spread their fungi or pest problems to other plants in the container.

Container gardening offers more advantages than ground plantings, but it also comes with some risks if regular maintenance is not practiced. Air circulation can become compromised in tight quarters and problems like infestations can quickly spread from one plant to the next- making it paramount that you check for insects, weeds, and diseases on a weekly basis. Regularly grooming your containers every couple of weeks can help keep these issues from getting out of hand while allowing you to keep your garden looking lush and colorful all season long.

Want to know more about container gardening?

If you are new to container gardening or just want to know more, you will benefit from one of our online gardening courses. The Art of Food Gardening, our free course, consists of 7 written lessons you can complete within 2 weeks. It contains information on gardening in the ground, in raised beds, and in containers. 

For a comprehensive, dynamic, and bonus-filled multimedia course experience, take a look at the curriculum for our newly redesigned course, Container Garden Like a Pro. It is packed with information and suitable for beginner as well as experienced gardeners.

Sign up to the mailing list to get notified about course updates and for access to members-only discount pricing. In the meantime, by signing up, you’ll also be able to access our free resource library, which contains planting guides and recipes for all those delicious dishes you’ll be able to make with your homegrown food!

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