We’ve made plant combinations at the farm to suit many pots for patio use for many years. Here are a few of our best tips for helping you plant your garden:
Then, wait until all risk of frost is gone
If you reside in a cold climate, ensure all danger of frost has disappeared before planting your containers with your favorite fall and summer plants.
Corral your containers
Take a moment to observe the size, style, and shade of the pots you are considering. Sometimes, they can be the most effective source of inspiration for what plants to place inside.
Place each pot in the location where it will be displayed, and then determine the sun’s exposure
After placing each pot, note the hours of direct sunlight it will experience daily. Are they fully sun (6 plus hours of natural daylight each day) or in partial shade (3-4 hours of direct sunlight), or in full shade (reflected light only, with limited or no direct sun)? Knowing the location of each pot’s exposure is crucial to deciding on plants that thrive in the environment.
Check out the surrounding of every pot
Be aware of what’s around the container and in front of it if it’s in front of a structure like a garage, a house, or a fence. What type and hue is the system? If it’s located on the terrace, what is the color of the trees and shrubs behind it? These questions can aid you in choosing the color palette and style for each mix you design. Be aware of your angles of view from where the container will be seen. The pot and plants be visible from all angles or just one or two points of view?
Look at the formula of 3
A variety of successful container combinations are made using three types of plants:
This theatrics plant will likely be the most impressive or tallest plant in the mix.
Filler “filler” will fill the middle space.
Its spiller will flow across the sides of your pot, softening its lines and adding aspect to the display.
Select a style and color scheme for each combination
Be aware of the styles and shades of your containers, your home, and any other background elements, strive to create a class for your garden, and choose your color scheme.
Do you prefer to go with a fashion that is classical or minimalist? Bohemian or formal? Garden or cottage?
In terms of hues, do you like pastels, hot shades, two-tone designs (such as white and green), or mix?
Don’t forget foliage
Flowers attract the most attention. However, equally important are foliage plants that offer solid shades, attractive patterns, or a stunning texture. They generally flatter and help their flowering counterparts. However, foliage plants can also achieve star status. A few of our favorites are Canna Lilies, Begonias (such as ‘Gryphon, which is shown above to the right), Coleus (a red type shown above in the center), Grasses, and Sedums.
Make sure to fill your container with the potting mix
We fill our containers on the farm with 2/3 potting soil and 1/3 compost. (You can put both into a pot and mix them or use a wheelbarrow or a large trug to combine them in a bowl to make a larger batch.) You could put some mulch on the bottom of the container is huge. This aids in drainage and also requires fewer pots of soil.
Do not overcrowd your plants
When choosing plants for your container, be aware that they require space to spread out and grow over the year. Give each plant a bit of elbow space so that it can expand and perform at the best show.
Make sure you take care of your container combinations
Watering: Check your pots frequently to ensure they are adequately moist. Remember that some containers, like clay pots, are porous; the water evaporates more quickly and requires more frequent watering.
Fertilizing Feed the majority of ornamentals and annuals periodically with a blossom booster such as the All-Bloom Fertilizer.
Pinching Cut or pin back plants to maintain their proportions to their pot-mates.