How to Create a Container Design

Container gardening is an art. It can be a bright accent to your existing landscape and can highlight the architecture of your home. Keeping a few simple things in mind will make your container design simple to do and beautiful. Think of it like painting with flowers and foliage.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Beautiful Container
• Gardening Gloves
• Gravel
• Soil
• Plant Fertilizer
• Plant Material

1. 
    

   Decide where you want your pot(s) to go. Make sure you know what kind of light they will be receiving, so you know what plants to select. Make sure that they will receive adequate water (think about installing drip irrigation in your pots to insure that you will not kill the plants).

2. 
    
   Nurseries, Garden Centers, and Pottery Stores have a wide variety of Containers.

   Select a container. Make sure that the container has drainage holes or drill them yourself (this could crack the pot). Take into consideration where you are putting the pot when selecting the size and style of pot. Does it match the architecture of your home? Does the size allow for easy access around and the pot? Where will the water go when it drains out? If it is going on concrete, stone, or any other type of hardscape make sure that you select a saucer for the pot as well. If you don’t care about staining, you can elevate the pot on “feet” for better air circulation. If the pot is in a bed, it can drain right into the soil.

3. 
    
   Adding Gravel improves drainage and the health of your plants.

   Add gravel to the bottom of your pot. This helps with drainage and saves on soil. Any type will do. You can also add broken terra-cotta pot shards to the bottom.

4. 
    
   Make sure to use Potting soil for all Containers.

   Fill the pot up with potting soil (even for outdoor plants do not use garden soil). Add some slow release fertilizer and mix it in with the top few inches of the soil.

5. 
    
   Kumquat and other Dwarf Citrus work well in pots. In cold zones put them on wheels and roll to

   Select a centerpiece for your pot. This will be the main accent that will pull the eye to the pot. Make sure you select a plant that will not become too large for the pot you have selected. This plant should the tallest, or brightest (or both) of your selections.

6. 
    
   Variegated Agave is accented by colorful Zinnias and cascading Thyme.

   – If the pot is large enough surround the centerpiece with lower plants that will accent the centerpiece. These should be medium sized (about 1/3 of the centerpiece plant) plants that can surround the centerpiece. If your centerpiece is at the back of the pot, use an odd number of plants to surround it. If the centerpiece plant is in the middle of the pot, use an even number of plants.

7. 
    
   Shrubs like this Euonymus make long lasting centerpieces. The Lotus adds texture and the promise of color.

   Add draping plant material to the edge of the pot. As these grow they will cascade over the edge of the pot.

Tips & Warnings

• If you are working with a large pots you should consider putting it on wheels.
• Step 6 will be omitted if you only have enough room for two “layers”. Stick to an accent and some draping plants.
• Step 7 will be omitted if your pot is a sculpture unto itself and will be the focus of your landscape. Don’t cover up the gorgeous details!
• Don't use poisonous plants if children or animals can get at them.
• Avoid putting plants with spikes or thorns adjacent to your pool or jacuzzi.

[crosswised]

on 8/17/2009 This was a great article! Thanks for the information. Rated 5*

[Mitestarossa]

on 7/29/2009 Great ideas, I love container gardening.

[greatgreat8]

on 7/15/2009 great article 5*

[AnneZ]

on 7/14/2009 I love colorful pots! Especially when they are well done! You are right, it can be an art making them! *****

[velosity]

on 7/13/2009 Excellent article. Very well written and understandable.