| Give a gardener a
big enough pot and there’s virtually no plant that can’t
be grown out of the ground. There are hundreds of species of
flowering and foliage plants that grow contentedly in pots,
and there is an innumerable number of combinations one can
use.
Container gardening offers the
plant lover a chance to sharpen his or her design sense. A
container planting is a garden microcosm. Each plant decision
should be considered carefully. The first thing to attend to
is not appearance, but cultural requirements. Remember, these
plants will be squeezed together in the same environment. They
must have similar needs for sunlight, water and soil. In other
words, don’t try to plant a Hosta with a cactus.
When choosing plants to share a
pot, also consider form. Combining upright plants with
trailing ones works well. Keep in mind the flower shape and
size. Be aware that there are several ways to use color
combinations. It depends on the kind of statement you are
trying to make. For an elegant look, confine pots to a single
color or a pair of pastel colors. For a more informal and
energetic look, combine primary colors. Don’t forget
foliage: green or variegated foliage helps to separate bright
colors and refresh the eye.
Blooming season is important.
When there’s room for only a few plants, they all have to
work hard. You can’t afford the luxury of plants such as
many perennials that bloom for only a few weeks. Or, if you
do, you must combine them with plants that will do yeoman’s
duty all season long.
Here are some ideas for
container combinations to try in your own garden:
- Hanging baskets or
containers offer the gardener a great opportunity to
combine form and flower in an interesting way. Bright red
upright fuchsias will offer an interesting contrast to
trailing purple petunias, red verbenas, and pink and white
impatiens.
- An early spring flowering
container made up of orange or yellow Primulas,
with dark blue to purple Siberian iris will allow you to
move "spring" to anywhere in your garden you
want it. Or try tulips underplanted with pansies for a
"classic" spring combination.
- The delicate flowers and
foliage of a yellow French marigold combine perfectly with
the chartreuse green leaves of Helichrysum ‘Limelight’,
and the white flowers of a dwarf Nicotiana
(Flowering tobacco).
- Planters can be pretty as
well as practical. Red cabbage, combined with nasturtiums
and marigolds, will provide a feast for the eye…and the
salad plate. Or try a miniature eggplant underplanted with
lettuce.
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