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Mixed containers or pots provide a great way for you to garden in limited space areas like outdoor patios or porches. Designing a mixed container is easy. There are only a few basic rules. Start with a large pot size – 10 inches or larger. This will give you ample space to use a nice variety of plants.
Make sure all the plants require similar conditions. Use an odd number of plants; like planting bulbs, this is more aesthetically pleasing. Use plants that will grow to different heights, too as this adds interest.
A mixture of tall ones in the back, shorter in the middle, and trailing plants for the edge works best. Bolder, brighter colors are more visible from a distance. Plants with white flowers or chartreuse, gray, and variegated leaves enhance the brighter colors, making them seem more vibrant. |
| Village of Warwick Planting Diagram for Planters and Containers for 2007 >> |
When choosing plants for your combination containers decide where the planter or baskets will be located. Figure out the number of houses of sun the location provides, how much direct wind it is subject to, and how easily water can be accessed from it.
For example, you don't want to place a container of Impatiens and Lopbelia in a windy location that receives sun all day, as these are shade-loving plants and both are very susceptible to wind damage. If you choose the plants that thrive in the conditions for that spot, they will live longer and your life with be easier. |
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| Watering is the most important task for container gardeners. If you start out with quality plants and good soil, the only thing that can ruin your season is improper watering. As the summer progresses, your pots will dry out more quickly and will have to be watered more thoroughly as well as more often. Three things you should remember: |
| 1) Smaller pots dry out faster than larger ones; |
| 2) Clay pots dry faster than plastic ones; |
| 3) The older the plants get during the season, the more water they need. |
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