Design Tips for Container Gardening

Container gardening is the most cost effective way to add some life to your inside or outside area. By using a few easy design tips you can achieve a great result with little effort.

FEATURE POTS

A successful small gardens best kept secret – just add a feature pot. One pot is all you need to add some warmth or visual interest to any area.

Image credits: maisonetdemeure.com, deborahsilver.com

The feature pot on the left, offers interest to the pool area setting. Given its exposed environment to both sun and salt water spray from the pool, selecting a hardy plant is crucial.

The beautiful green glazed pot on the right is planted with philadendron congo and under planted with a variety of ferns – the perfect pot for a shady position in an outdoor area.

Great for a small space balcony with morning sunlight. This designer planter with independent planting spots would be perfect for growing herbs or succulents.

ASSORTED PLANTERS

This example demonstrates how easy it is to achieve the wow factor in any space. An assortment of coloured pots are teamed with a variety of different leaf textured plants to brighten up a bland corner.

Here are two great ideas using pots for indoor or outdoor living wall art.

The white handmade ceramic planters are a feature in themselves. The over hanging green foliage makes a striking vertical garden. The red wall planters create a mix and match effect, achieved by the different shapes and positioning – some on the wall and some on the floor, creating a stylish display.

Image credits: westelm.com, stylizedesign.com

REPITITION

Here are two examples showing just how effective repitition can be in creating a striking planter display. The main difference between these two examples is the scale of the pots and plants. The example on the left uses medium sized pots and architectural plants to contrast against the decorative timber and splitstone wall. The example on the right uses oversized pots with small plants. This gives impact all on its own.

Image credits: toodyaystone.com, dutchdesigngarden.com

The final example offers dual functionality. It’s all about the plants during the day but at night the pots are the hero – illuminating within the garden – great for parties!

Image credit: bloompot.com.au

SMART TIPS FOR SUCCESSFUL CONTAINER PLANTING

• For assortment planting use a variety of pot shapes, colours and sizes as well as plant leaf texture. Make sure to place the larger pots and plants towards the back and then place medium size in front of them with the smaller pots and plants in the front to give a layered appearance.

• Feature pots – choose whether you want the pot to be the feature or the plant to be the feature. The scale of the plant or pot will define this.

• Choose appropriate plants to suit your environment eg shade, full sun.

• If you are time poor select plants that require minimum maintenance. Succulents and cactus varieties are best suited to your needs. Make the planter the hero of your area – it doesn’t need much care at all and will still look great.

• Always use good quality potting mix WHICH IS SUITABLE FOR YOUR PLANTS. For example shade tolerant plants have different potting mix requirements to succulents and cacti.

• Make sure your planters have drainage holes in them. If they don’t, drill some holes in the bottom for drainage.

Watch this space! The Small Garden’s online store is coming soon.

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