There Are Three Basic Elements To Consider
When Designing A Container Garden

The three basic elements are: the container (or containers) you want to use; the plants; and the location where you'll place them. If we pay attention to making sure all aspects compliment each other, then we've pretty much accomplished the pleasing end result.

With the popularity of container gardening nowadays, I don't believe I need to educate you on WHY gardening in a pot or planter is such a great idea, but with all due respect you may be reading this because you're completely new to the concept. Well then ... welcome!

I thoroughly enjoy this extension to my gardening abilities. I am quite hooked on container gardening and will be adding more when the growing season begins once again in spring. So, let's get you enthusiastic about designing a container garden, too.

Alright Then, Here's A Few Great Reasons
To Try Your Hand At Container Gardening

• You can bring plantings to almost anywhere in your outdoor living space.
• They're portable! You can rearrange your containers when needed.
• You can grow plants that are not suited for your soil by offering them a specific soil blend.
  Click here for more information: Container Soil Recipes
• Empty areas or "eyesores" can be hidden with container plantings.

Let's address some important considerations:

• Basic size, weight and shape: will the container be appropriate for the anticipated plants? (Think about a few months on up the road when the plants have grown.)
• What is the pot or planter made from? Plastic, terra cotta, concrete, hypertufa? Will you need to bring it in for the winter? Or can the container survive a winter freeze?
• Will the container be stabile when planted? Is it heavy enough to not topple over if a big gust of wind comes along? (This is especially important if you are planting something tall.)
• Once planted, will you be able to physically move it if need be? I have a containerized brugmansia that weighs at least 50 lbs. even when the soil is dry! I MUST have help when I drag it into a sheltered location for winter.
• What is the long-term durability of the container? Will it crack if left outside for a few years? (Like terra cotta.) Or will it survive almost no matter what? (As concrete or hypertufa.) Think about your investment in your containers!

Let's look at some considerations about what plants to choose:

• First and foremost: where are you planning to place the container(s)? Sunny or shady location, for instance? Plants MUST be chosen to survive under the conditions you will be giving them.
• Containers usually look better if some foliage and flowering plants are combined. Normally, foliage plants are used to add height, for visual interest.
• Think about a color theme. Visualize how your desired plants will look planted together. Do the colors blend harmoniously? Do you want the plants to be the focal point or the container? What do you want the eye to be drawn to?
• Are your plants, if perennials, expected to be able to survive the winter in the container and left outside? Here we can go back to the question "have you chosen the appropriate container?"

Another Consideration ... Planter Location

Now we get down to a very basic, but final thought for your planning and designing of your container garden:

• Is the container or container grouping well suited in size, color scheme and over-all relationship to the area you've chosen? The nice thing about containers is that they are MOBILE. f it doesn't look good in the spot you anticipated ... you can move them somewhere else.

And the Final Component When Designing
A Container Garden … Take the Time to Plan Ahead

This may sound too simplistic, or possibly I should have made this Consideration #1. Whatever, don't waste your efforts, and more importantly your hard earned money, on designing a container garden project without really giving all design elements consideration. Plan it out. Think about what I've discussed. Colors, shapes, sizes, durability, types of plants ... these all need to go hand-in-hand for the best results.

You know, the prettiest pots and/or the showiest plants can end up looking out-of-place, or even garish, in the WRONG setting. Trust me. I painted a rather bold colored blue pot this year. I thought it would be a wonderful color accent for a spot on my deck. No way! It stuck out like a sore thumb!

But hey, the good news is that it was an easily remedied situation. I found another spot for it where it did look good. And then I had to contemplate decorating another container for the now empty spot on my deck   : - )

Here are some other guidelines and ideas to help when designing your container garden:

• Winter Considerations: Container Survival Guidelines
• Winter Considerations: Containerized Plants and Their Special Requirements
• Water Gardening in a Container: Basic How-to's