GARDEN TALK

Cue the colorful containers

Atrue beauty of gardening is the inspiration and ideas that spark from seeing plants growing in landscapes, gardens and stores. Recently, my eye was drawn to the colorful containers for sale at retail stores and local plant nurseries. Upon closer observation, I noticed more and more homes, porches, decks and patios are being decorated with colorful plants and pots. Container gardening seems to be a popular trend in 2022 with a burst of color as the main theme.

I will admit that container gardening is not my favorite type of gardening, but I do know pretty when I see it. What I am seeing today is just flat out beautiful. Big pots, little pots, all showing out with color. Even the pots themselves now come in a variety of shades and styles that complement the arrangement of plants. Hanging baskets continue to be a popular choice but are not necessarily limited to just a single plant or color. The options are much greater with a combination of two, three or even four

different plants, colors and textures, all featured in a large hanging basket or unique container.

Seeing such beautiful creations may inspire you to go buy some planted pots or baskets, so you could adorn your patio or porch with color, too. Or you might like what you have seen and be motivated to create and arrange your own lovely container garden.

One major advantage to container gardening – and the reason for its popularity – is that homeowners can still enjoy plants in limited and small spaces. Many plants, including houseplants, vegetables and flowers, can all be successfully grown in containers as long there is soil, proper drainage and sunlight. With container gardening, a variety of plants can be grown indoors in kitchen windows or outdoors on porches, patios or decks.

No matter how small the garden, steep the area, or poor the soil is around the home, container gardening gives you the chance to grow plants anywhere.

Start by choosing the right container. Plants can basically be grown in almost anything, as long as it holds a growing media and has proper drainage. Pots are a big deal, as the options are many with some being quite large and expensive, so choose wisely. Containers can be terra cotta (clay) pots, plastic pots, fiberglass, hanging baskets, wire baskets lined with sphagnum moss or fibrous liners, concrete planters, planter boxes, whiskey barrels, 5-gallon buckets, tubs and bushel baskets. How and where the container will be used might influence your choice of material and type. Regardless, it is best to choose a container that is durable and will last many seasons.

Express your creativity when choosing a container or pot. Selecting a container that fits the look you wish to create

GARDEN TALK is part of the fun. Your choice should accent the colorful plants. Social media and internet searches may offer some good, fun and even wacky ideas. In addition, old tires, an old boot, an abandoned boat, a rusty wheelbarrow or even an abandoned toilet could be used as a container. Keep these important tips in mind when choosing a container for plants: n It must have bottom holes for adequate drainage, preferably on the sides. n The container must be large enough to hold the minimum amount of medium required for mature plants to grow. n Coordinate container color with plant materials. Containers can be painted to create a

Shane Harris different look or to create a cooler surface that will reflect heat. n Consider whether you may want to move the container to a different location later. If so, keep in mind the weight factor. n Keep in mind that plants like and need water, but they will not survive if their roots are sitting in a pool of water. Next, for a successful colorful container, one must select the proper growing media. Lightweight porous mixes of potting soil and other mixes of peat and perlite from garden centers is preferred. From basic to premium potting mixes, there can be too many options and confusion. It is important to select a growing medium that drains well Color Your World with Plants but also will keep plants Previous Pages: A variety moist without drying out between waterings. One negative to potting soil is that it typically has of colorful pots and flowers make a spectacular display on porches, patios and decks; Below: A mixture of leaf colors also makes a very few nutrients in it. great show.

Supplemental fertilizer would have to be added. Also, potting soil can be expensive, especially if you have a large container garden and a lot of soil is needed.

The biggest chore with containers is keeping the plants well watered and happy. Summer heat can be brutal and deadly on containerized plants. Those growing in containers require more watering because the soil dries out quickly. Watering daily or even twice daily may be necessary. Apply water until it runs out of the drainage hole. It is most critical that the colorful plants in the pots and containers not suffer or die of thirst.

Gardening in containers is one of the most versatile and creative forms of garden design. Once you have your pots, potting mix and plants, the exciting part of plant arranging can begin. Think of planting a container garden as creating a floral arrangement. Let the artist and ideas in you come out.

For large plants, maybe one or two of the same plant type is preferred to give that big splash of color. Or add one, two or three colors of different plants for an exciting combination. Don’t forget a mixture of leaf color, as well as flower color, can produce a spectacular display.

Honestly, there are really no set rules on how to display plants for a colorful container; however, a general design concept for containers is sometimes expressed as having “a thriller, a filler, and a spiller.” The “thriller” is simply the main plant or centerpiece of the container. It is the attention-getter or star attraction of the display. It may be unique, big or tall, with interesting foliage or flowers. Start with the thriller and place it in the center or back of the container.

The “filler” is used to compliment the thriller and add mass and color to the container while hiding the soil. Decorate the pot with additional colorful filler plants that bring attention to the entire arrangement but do not dominant or compete with the thriller. Plants with colorful foliage or smaller flowers are often great choices.

The “spillers,” as the name implies, are plants that fall or sprawl out and over the sides of the container. Common plant choices for spillers, with or without flowers, have trailing or vining growth habits. They help soften the floral arrangement. Spillers provide some amazing interest on their own and may even draw interest to the container itself.

Garden Tips and Tricks

Top: Sometimes, the pot is as pretty as the plants in it; Bottom: Using multiple colors of one flowering plant type, like these sunpatiens, makes a vibrant display.

Having beautiful flowers in our lives and growing them in personal living spaces definitely provides us with peace and happiness. May you be inspired to grow them or surround yourself with them. Plant a garden. Start a flower bed. Make a floral arrangement. Go shopping for something neat that catches your eye. Or grab a fancy pot and be inspired to assemble a wild and colorful container of just beautiful plants.

For help on other home and garden questions, contact your local county Extension office or visit us at aces.edu.

~ Shane Harris is the county Extension coordinator for Tallapoosa County.