Bright Colours for Sun

The art of container gardening is not new.  However, this trend has been gaining momentum over the past few years.  With an increase of smaller gardens, condos and balconies, the amount of gardening space is diminishing.  Even the tiniest outdoor space can be made beautiful with containers especially when combined with hanging baskets.  Containers are great for decorating patios, decks, porches, defining walkways or hiding worn-out spaces in landscapes.  There is no need to restrict pots just to hard surfaces.  Place them in gardens, along walkways or any place in your landscape where you want to make a statement.

Gardening in containers is great for people of all ages and abilities.  It is great for seniors who may have limited space but still want to enjoy a few fresh tomatoes this summer to children who want to have a few fun flowers of their own.  There is no holding back on the creativity of the plant selection.


- where are the pots going - sun or shade
- size of the space and determine the amount of pots
- budget for plants, fertilizer and don't forget the soil
 

- what is your style - square or round, tall or short, one focal pot or groupings?
- material - clay, metal, concrete, fibre glass or wood
Choose containers that offer ample space for roots to develop, as small pots are too light to provide good anchorage for plant roots.  Large containers can be heavy so to make it easier to move, place the container on a movable base with wheels.  


- window box, hanging baskets, old wheelbarrows, boots, a hollowed-out log, wicker basket or even an old sink or footed bathtub!  
Before planting, ensure your newest addition has drainage holes so the roots will not be sitting in water.  If your container isn't pre-drilled, drill a few holes or plant your creation in a secondary pot to place inside.
 
All containers need a thorough washing to make sure they are clean and pest-free.  Wood would benefit from a treatment of a wood preservative that isn't poisonous to plants.  Terra-cotta and synthetic containers welcome a scrub in warm soapy water and then a hose down.  Check metal containers for weakened rust areas and apply an anti-rust treatment.  

Begonias for Shade

- group the plants according to their light and water requirements
- remember  'thriller, filler, spiller' with a tall dramatic plant for a central focal point (or obelisk, trellis, sculpture); then a filler plant to show off the middle ground then spreading plants at the rim that will drape down the edges of the pot like a curtain

Thriller:
- ornamental grasses
- tropicals
- morning glories or sweet peas will succeed if provided with a trellis or tepee of bamboo poles for them to climb

Fillers:
- almost anything!
- don't feel that it has be flowers - foliage containers are very much the trend this year
- choose from perennials too as long as they are re-planted in the garden at the end of the summer to over-winter

Spillers:
- ivies, groundcovers and ferns for the shade
- cascading annuals or perennials

Many houseplants and tropicals would enjoy the fresh air of your outdoor gardens during the summer months.  Make sure you respect their light preferences and condition them before leaving them outside in the hot summer sun.


Growing vegetables in containers has always been popular!  Many vegetables already come planted in containers ready for your patio. Grouping herbs together in a pot for a certain recipe makes it fun for the cooks of the house!  Try grouping basil, oregano and onions for spaghetti sauce. The combinations are endless!
 

- gather all of the materials together; container, small stones or gravel, hand spade, appropriate plants, good commercial potting mix, fertilizer and a watering can.  
- start with drainage at the bottom of the container.  
- place 1" deep layer of small stones or gravel to enhance drainage and prevent soil compaction.  
- if the container is on a deck or table, use a saucer to protect the surface.  
- fill the pot about one-third to one-half deep with potting soil.
- add special moisture-holding crystals or micro gels to slow evaporation (some potting soils have this included).  These water-absorbing polymers suck up moisture when you water and slowly release it back in to the soil.
 
- gently remove plants from their original pots, place them in the new container and add more potting mix.
- it is important to keep root balls at the same levels they were in their original pots.  
- press down firmly around the root balls to ensure they are secure.
- add some good quality time-release granular fertilizer, according to the package directions (some potting soils have this included).  
- water thoroughly as it's important to give it a good first-time soaking to collapse possible air pockets and also help the flowers through their 'transplant shock'.

Display your containers as they are or place an unattractive plastic container in a more appealing pot or urn.  Ensure that both containers have drainage holes so the plants are kept well-drained and not soggy.
 
If creating an herb garden, keep them handy for harvest.  Make sure you place your fragrant flowering containers close at hand where you can enjoy the perfume.  Place a colourful pot as a focal point in the landscape.  The best place is at the end of a view such as a walkway or patio so that even a tiny garden will seem bigger.  Line up several pots together to define or edge a section.  Choose a pot spilling over with colourful flowers or foliage in front of a hedge or fence, where it will definitely stand out.  Group several pots with the taller ones in back and smaller ones in front for a strong statement.  Place your containers on a stairway for visual drama.
 
Creating a wonderful outdoor room now includes the addition of accessories and nothing completes the look like lush container gardens.
 
Place your containers where you can care for them and enjoy them.  Containers dry out more quickly than landscapes and will need frequent watering.  Remember that in the heat of the summer, your containers will need to be watered daily, especially as plants mature.  A layer of mulch over the top of your container slows the evaporation of moisture from the soil.
 
During the summer some plants like coleus may get leggy, therefore, pinch back the growing stems to maintain attractive shape and keep plants bushy.  Flowering plants will repeat blooms faster if they are deadheaded (spent blooms removed).
 
Be aware of plant pests before their number escalates and eliminate them with blasts of water, horticultural oil or insecticidal soap.  Don't forget to examine and spray undersides of leaves where most pests hide, not just the top surfaces
 
Above all, have fun!  Container gardening allows so much creativity.  Experiment with colour and play around with texture.  Happy Gardening!

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