By Donna Hessel
Versatile, age-friendly and space-saving, container gardening is a terrific way to grow flowers, vegetables and herbs while packing an eye-catching punch.
Container gardening is a good example where “size matters” applies. A large container works well in most spaces, while smaller pots have more impact when grouped together. A tall, slender container evokes elegance and adds height, while multiple short containers can lead the eye through a patio, walkway or garden.
Remember, a tall, narrow pot is less stable than a squat, low one. Tall pots are great for trailing plants that cascade over the edges and are not top-heavy. Shallow containers work best in front of a group of taller containers. Avoid planting into a narrow-necked pot (with a body larger than the neck); it’s difficult to get a plant out once its roots have spread. However, that same beautiful shape without plants in it and in a vibrant color could be the perfect focal point in a planted garden.
If you are investing in large containers, buy the best you can afford because they will be around for some time. For the same reason, select classic shapes and styles to complement your garden as it evolves over the years.
Color provokes mood. Bold hues of yellow or red create drama and excitement, while cooler tones of blue and green are more serene. If those brightly colored pots are calling your name, remember that they will restrict your planting choices, and you may soon tire of the trendy fashion statement. On the other hand, if you’re looking to create a focal point in your landscape, maybe that brightly colored pot is just the one you need.
Selecting a pot with hues similar to your home’s exterior connects the house with the landscape. When choosing containers, the materials and architectural details of your house can act as a starting point. A Craftsman or Victorian-style home is more suited to traditional urns, while a ranch or contemporary-style home is complemented by modern planters. Match warm brick walls with terra-cotta pots or a white-sided colonial style with classic lead-colored planters. Copper tubs or weathered wooden barrels would work well with a rustic timber home.
Plant containers come in many prices, sizes, colors, shapes and materials. Each material has advantages and disadvantages. Where you want to keep the potted plant, your climate, aesthetic value, ease of maintenance and cost are all factors to consider.
Large containers can be design features that reinforce the permanent structure of your garden. Small pots dotted throughout a garden tend to look lost. Keep them close to the house, in places where you can stop and admire small plants.
Use containers in the same color and size as a low-key way of directing visitors around the garden. Planters at different levels are the key to good group displays. Put terra-cotta saucers under pots where possible to prevent floor stains. Large saucers can be a feature in themselves with a layer of attractive pebbles. Raise pots off saucers or surfaces with pot feet. Try using plastic lids from peanut butter or mayonnaise jars as pot feet.
Treat yourself to some new containers this season. The right pot in the right place can transform even the most mundane space into something extraordinary.
