Container Gardening: A Guide to Creating Beautiful Pots
Choosing the Best Plants for Your Containers
When selecting plants for containers, don’t just focus on whether they can grow in a pot. Instead, ask yourself:
- Will it bloom repeatedly?
- Does it have interesting foliage?
- Is it evergreen?
Foliage is especially important because it lasts longer than flowers.
Creating Stunning Container Displays
To create a visually appealing container display:
- Choose plants with different colors, shapes, and textures.
- Repeat plants and colors to tie the display together.
- Avoid having too many different types of plants, as it can make your pots look cluttered.
Potting Up Techniques
When potting up plants:
- Choose a pot that is large enough for the rootball and allows for some growth.
- Fill the pot with good quality compost and shake it down to remove any air pockets.
- The top of the rootball should be 2-2.5cm below the rim of the pot.
- Don’t bury the plant deeper than it was in its old pot.
Drainage Considerations
- Pots with drainage holes do not need a drainage layer.
- Using a drainage layer can actually impede drainage and reduce the amount of compost available to the plants.
Tips for Success
- Observe your container plantings and take notes to track their progress.
- Pot up vigorous plants into larger pots in the spring.
- For climbers, use a pot that will accommodate their ultimate size.
- Avoid overwatering and use good quality growing media.
