How to Design a Container Garden

One of the easiest ways to add color and interest to gardens of any size is with container gardens. They are perfect within landscapes as well as on patios, balconies or decks. Using a few simple design principles, gardeners of every experience level can create beautiful and flourishing planters.

Selecting Plants for Container Design

The first thing to consider when planning a container garden is where the container will be located. Will the planter be in full sun, full shade or somewhere in between? Obviously if the planter is in full sun, shade plants are out of the question and sun plants will not do well in the shade.

Next, consider the ease of watering the container. If the planter is located far away from a water source and will prove to be difficult to water, choose plants with low water needs. Save plants that need lots of water for planters near a water source.

Also, check each plant’s mature size and growth habit to be sure the container they are planted in will be big enough. Avoid planting vigorous growing plants with slower growing ones. Fast growing plants will inevitably take over the whole container garden. Choosing plants with the same vigor results in a well-balanced container where each plant will perform as expected.

Basic Design for Container Gardens

Besides choosing plants based on light and water requirements, successful container gardens rely on good design. This is easier than it sounds. Gardeners don’t need to be expert designers to create a beautiful container. By using a simple design recipe that incorporates plants with different growth habits, anyone can plant a flourishing and interesting planter.

Vertical or upright plants are sometimes referred to as the focal point or thrillers. This plant draws the eye to the container by adding height and drama and is generally planted in the center of the container. Some choices for thrillers are ornamental grasses, angelonia, coleus, snapdragons and upright fuchsias.

Mounding plants or those with lower growth habits are perfect for filling in a container at the soil line. These plants are appropriately called fillers. Suitable plants include alyssum, trailing verbena, oxalis, petunias and lobelia, impatiens and begonias.

To complete the container design, add trailing plants which are also known as spillers. The plant will fill in the container some at the soil line but will also trail over the edge of the container. This adds more texture, movement and drama to the overall look of the planter. Good choices for spillers include vinca vine, creeping jenny, calibrochao, bacopa and sweet potato vine.

Choose plants with similar light and water needs. This goes a long way to planting a successful container garden. By using this simple design recipe, gardeners can create colorful and stunning planters easily.

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