How to Design a Container Garden

There are a number of reasons to grow a container garden. Here are some design ideas to fit into each reason for having a container garden.

Instructions

1. 

   If you don't have a garden space and want to grow plants on your patio or balcony, a container garden is perfect. In a small space you want the most impact from your arrangement. Choose pots with drainage that are decorative and group them to form interesting designs. You can even surround your groupings with ornamental items like driftwood or rocks or sculptures.

2. 

   If you want to grow special plants that need a more regulated environment try a container garden. Exotic plants may have to be moved into shelter or indoors for the winter, but when grown in pots, you can enjoy their unique beauty outdoors while the weather permits and indoors when it turns cold. For larger plants, set the pots on a plant dolly so you can wheel them in and out.

3. 

   If you want vegetables or herbs growing finger-tip close, a container garden will work. Design your garden close to the kitchen for easy access. Large pots will be needed for bigger vegetables. Long containers are excellent for herbs. And if you have a sunny wall, try putting up a trellis to grow peas, beans, cucumbers, squashes and other climbers.

4. 

   Or use container gardens to highlight walls, stairways, open areas or to accent entries. Choose pots that blend into the cement, stonework or material of the landscape theme.

5. 

   Container gardens are perfect ways to grow plants along walls or other areas that are softened by adding plant profiles but don't offer open soil areas to plant into.

6. 

   Use container gardening to add a stately grace to a formal garden.

7. 

   Plant interesting sculptures or decor to decorate your outdoor space and give it character.

8. 

   Have fun with pots. Use decorative or colorful ones to add cheer to a dull area. Or find a theme or effect that will add ambiance, humor or creativity to an otherwise dull area.

9. 

   Arrange pots and plants to create forests or interesting integrated-garden effects, or use a big, impressive potted plant as a focal point. Grace outdoor furniture with interesting potted plants or frame a doorway with pots on either side. March potted plants down a stairway to dress it up while creating a sense of boundary to the step edges. There are many ways to design with plants in containers. Just use your imagination!

10. For more information on growing plants in containers, please see the sister article; 'How to Grow a Container Garden.'

Resources

• Gates & Croft Horticultural Design info and ideas
• How to Grow a Container Garden