Quiet messages are conveyed when beautiful container gardens accentuate entryways, patios, decks, or special retreat areas.  By following a few simple tips you can create a unique and pleasing display to enhance your home and landscape.

Success begins with a great potting soil.  Fertilome Ultimate Potting Soil or Eko Potting Soil are wonderful mediums for containers and conveniently sold at our greenhouses.  While some chains sell their brand of “Deluxe Potting Soil”, be careful as so often it is not so deluxe.  Never use garden soil for your containers.  It is much too heavy with inadequate drainage and air circulation.

Suggestions for containers include antiques, hollowed out driftwood, moss baskets, ceramic pots, window boxes, clay figurines and whiskey barrels.  Choose a style that best suits your situation and personality.  For large open area, use a 14 inch wide container or larger.  For smaller areas, 5 – 12 inches wide are more than adequate.

Determine how much sun your container garden will receive over the course of the day and acquire plants with similar light requirements.  If the location receives four hours or less of direct sun a day, think shade or part-shade loving plants.  Five plus hours of sun should have you looking for the sun worshippers.

Visit either our Phelan or Sunset location to see great combinations in action or look at our Annuals or Perennials here to see our selection of Proven Winners that are superior performance plants in international field trials.  We encourage you to explore the world of contrast, color and texture in creating your own container gardens or simply select from our many garden choices. 

For any questions you have on this article, or any topic of concern, email us—or better yet, come by and talk to one of our professional staff members.  Remember, Phelan Gardens is open year-round!   

For additional information, check the following links:

• Container Gardens
• Container Gardening, G98-1363-A