Tips and Ideas on Container Gardening

Container Material Options

• Symmetry can be enhanced in a container garden by choosing containers made of a single type of material or mixing different materials in equal numbers. Visit garden stores, yard sales, flea markets and other places to collect containers made of stone, fiberglass, earthenware, metal and wood in addition to the enormous selection of terra cotta pots available.

Varying Containers

• A mixture of different styles of containers is an easy way to add interest and style to your container garden. Arrange containers of varying heights in groups to keep your garden from getting boring. Other ways to add some pizazz to the container garden is to mix foliage, shrubs, flowers and trees. Play around with different color combinations to create one that acts as a showcase.

Plant Balance

• Balance your garden by choosing plants appropriate for container growth that provide an adequate amount of variation. This can be accomplished by an integrated selection of tall and short plants, using shrubs or evergreens as a backdrop, using perennials, annuals and bulbs, and choosing plants of all types that give your container garden a multiplicity of textures and shapes.

Floor Standing Container

• A more expansive container garden can benefit from the introduction of a large floor standing container. When using this type of container it is important to make sure that it has adequate drainage from one end to another.

Securing Window Boxes

• Window boxes are an efficient choice for a container garden limited by lack of outdoor space. The beauty of plants raised in a window box is achieved with a potential risk for destruction easily addressed. Securing the plant boxes to the window with metal clips can reduce the possibility of a fall.

Drip Irrigation System

• Multiple containers in a garden can create a maintenance requirement big enough to quickly become a headache. Fend off the potential for inadequate watering of all your containers by using a drip irrigation system. Properly installed, a drip system can water many separate containers more efficiently than might be accomplished by hand watering.

Hanging Containers

• Don't forget to add a few hanging baskets to your garden. A major benefit of hanging containers is their ability to add color, texture and shape without using up space on the ground.