Things You'll Need:
- Containers
- Flowers and plants
- Growing medium
- Trowel
- Gardening gloves
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Step 1
Select some containers for growing flowers. Terra cotta and plastic pots are inexpensive and come in a variety of sizes. Glazed earthenware, wood and decorative metal are more costly but can contribute to a striking display.
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Step 2
Choose a single, large ornamental container as a bold feature in your space and consider how you want to arrange your containers. Use several pots in varying sizes or stagger their height with a plant stand for a lovely cluster. Add window boxes or hanging plants as additional decorative elements.
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Step 3
Look at the light conditions in your gardening space. Choose plants that like full sun if your flowers will receive more than six hours each day of direct sunlight. Choose plants that like partial sun if they will get three to six hours each day. Select shade-loving plants if your space gets little direct light.
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Step 4
Think about a color scheme. A monochromatic scheme uses flowers all of the same color. An analogous scheme uses two or three colors next to each other on the color wheel, such as pink and purple. A contrasting scheme uses colors on opposite sides of the color wheel, such as yellow and purple.
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Step 5
Select plants with similar growing requirements if you are planting them in the same container. Plants grouped together in a single container should have the same light, water and fertilizer needs.
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Step 6
Use a lightweight growing medium for containers. This helps promote good drainage and aeration, and it allows the roots to spread more easily. It also will make the container lighter in case you need to move it. Use potting soil mixed with vermiculite and peat moss, compost, or a soilless mixture.
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Step 7
Arrange your displays by putting taller plants in the center or back of containers, with shorter, bushy plants around them, and trailing plants along the front edges. Mix annuals with perennials and evergreens so your planter will never be empty during any season. For example, plant a small evergreen shrub in the center of a large planter, with annual flowers surrounding it. Change the annuals in the spring and fall to complement the season, but the evergreen will remain beautiful throughout the winter.
