Container Garden Ideas and Recipes (2024)

FAQs

What are proven winners thrillers for containers? ›

Ornamental grasses, salvia, or even tomato plants are some examples of a thriller. Below are some varieties you can find right on Proven Winners Direct. Begonias, Supertunias, Heuchera, and so much more are great options to filler your container with color, texture and vibrancy.

The biggest drawback to growing plants in containers is that they need more maintenance. You have to keep your eye on them, especially in hot weather when they may need watering twice a day.

Some well-loved, vigorous perennials such as Shasta Daisies or Asiatic Lilies adapt beautifully to large containers – giving you strong foliage and great flowers. When containers are grouped together with larger shrubs such as hydrangea, you can create a formal look, stagger bloom times and block views.

Spiller plants are species that "spill" over the edge of the pot with a cascading growth habit. Combined with thriller flowers as the focal point of your container garden, spillers bring texture, color, and visual interest to the rest of the pot.

Mistake #1: Selecting the Wrong Gardening Container

Choosing the wrong container size leads to many problems, including poor plant growth, root-bound plants, and dry soil. For example, the soil dries slowly if your planting box is too large.

Keep the size and quantity of plants in proportion to the pot. Rule of thumb – The height of the tallest plant shouldn't exceed one to two times the height of a tall container or the width of a low bowl. When the container has a pedestal, it's usually not necessary to include it in the overall container measurement.

Garden soils are typically intended for use in the ground and contain minerals and organic matter. They are not a good choice for containers because the soil can quickly become compacted and waterlogged, reducing air space around the roots. This can lead to poor or stunted growth.

How do you start a container garden for beginners? ›

For container gardening, you need only need a few things: a container, plants, soil, and water. It's easy and not much different from gardening in a typical landscape garden bed. Many flowers and vegetables commonly grown in the ground can also be grown in a container garden.

Lavender, Geraniums, and Licorice Vine

These plants not only look great in a container but would look great together in a flower bed. Pair it with bold pink or red geraniums and then add a silver-colored licorice vine to trail out. This is a perfect combo of foliage and flower.

Containers can be grouped into vignettes the same way plants can. A triangular arrangement of pots will produce quick, pleasing results. In design terms, a triangle consists of a dominant central element flanked by components of smaller stature. This form is a staple of all art forms for good reason: It always works.

Tomatoes, peppers, okra, and eggplant are great options for container gardens. These vegetables will grow all summer, providing great side dish options for dinner. Avoid the temptation to plant too many plants in the same container. For large fruiting crops like those above, one plant per pot is generally the max.