Designing ContainersCreate gorgeous planters full of flowers, veggies and more
Creating successful container gardens is not something that ’s left to hazard . Whether showcasing a single specimen such as a small tree or bush or combine plant together , right selection can transform the mundane into something extraordinary .
Container " formula " are like cookery . For a compelling end result , planning and the correct fixings are in order . For container arrangements with pizzazz , include mounding flora as " fillers , " trailing varieties as " spiller " to drape over the sharpness , and anchor with a dazzling upright accent as a " thriller . " Get start here :
See more : Container Garden Ideas
FULL SUN PLANTS FOR POTS
Superbells ® Pomegrante Punch ™ calibrachoa . Photo by : Proven Winners .
CALIBRACHOA
Zones:9 - 11 , grow as an annual in most regionsExposure : Sun to partial shadeHabit : mound spreading habitHeight / Spread:6 to 12 inches tall , 12 to 24 inches wide , up to 30 inches long
One of the most versatile plants for containers , with flowers that hail in an eternal range of colour and patterns . Color co-ordinate with a ceramic corporation and combine as a “ shedder ” with a leaf “ makeweight ” such as silver artemisia or golden licorice works , and a “ thriller ” such as angelonia or small cosmetic smoke . Learn calibrachoa .
Pictured : Superbells ® Pomegrante Punch ™ calibrachoafrom Proven Winners .
Summersong ™ Firefinch ™ coneflower . Photo by : Proven Winners .
CONEFLOWER
Zones:
3 - 9 , depending on the smorgasbord
Exposure:
Full sun
Habit:
Height/Spread:
Varies , 2 to 5 feet marvellous , 1 - 1/2 to 2 groundwork wide-cut
With daisy - like blooms in bluff colour and a sturdy erect habit , coneflower bring native magic spell to big containers . They ’re drouth - large-minded and darling by bee , butterflies , and birds likewise . Learn coneflower .
Pictured : Summersong ™ Firefinch ™ coneflowerfrom Proven Winners .
Virtuoso ® Rad Raz ™ dahlia . Photo by : Proven Winners .
Dahlia pinnata
8 - 11
1 to 6 foot tall and 1 to 3 ft wide
Among the most pop summertime flowers , with thousand of change in a wide regalia of bloom colors and forms . Most often farm in the ground ; however , dahlias are also easy to grow in containers . Use as a stand - alone accent or combine with other late - season plants . Learn dahlias .
Pictured : Virtuoso ® Rad Raz ™ dahliafrom Proven Winners .
Fruit Punch ® ‘ Classic Coral ’ genus Dianthus . photograph by : Proven Winners .
DIANTHUS
Zones:3 - 9 , reckon on varietyExposure : Full sunHabit : Mounding , spreading , or upright habitHeight / Spread:4 to 36 inches improbable and 4 to 24 inch wide
This easy - concern annual or perennial lends cottage - elan appeal with scented flowers in nearly every color imaginable , from livid to nearly black . Place a container near a terrace , deck , or entryway where the scent can be love up close . Combine with coral bells , geranium , artemisia , or miniature roses . Learn dianthus .
Pictured : Fruit Punch ® ‘ Classic Coral ’ dianthusfrom Proven Winners .
Euphorbia Diamond Frost ® . Photo by : Proven Winners .
EUPHORBIA DIAMOND FROST ®
Zones:10 - 11 , treat as an annual in most regionsExposure : Sun to partial sunHabit : Mounding habitHeight / Spread:12 to 18 in marvellous and broad
Clouds of airy white flowers bloom throughout much of the growing season . This versatile annual can be integrated into any style garden . Plant as a “ filler ” element in a container in combination with give chase pussyfoot Jenny or cherubic potato vine and add a marvelous accent such as purple jet grass or ‘ Victoria Blue ’ salvia .
Pictured : Diamond Frost ® euphorbiafrom Proven Winners .
Boldly ® Dark Red geranium . Photo by : Proven Winners .
GERANIUM , PELARGONIUM
Zones:9 - 12Exposure : Full sunHabit : Mounding , upright , or trailing habitHeight / Spread:6 to 36 inches grandiloquent , 6 to 24 inches wide , trailing 12 to 36 inches long
Geraniums come in a stove of flower colors and forms , including zonal and trailing ivy . The scented leafage can be greenish , amber , variegated , or patterned . Suited to hang basket and windowpane box , aggregate with “ spiller ” such as trailing vinca or silver dichondra , and “ filler ” such as seraphic genus Alyssum or annual lobelia . Learn geranium .
image : Boldly ® Dark Red geraniumfrom Proven Winners .
Truffula ™ pinkish genus Gomphrena . Photo by : Proven Winners .
GOMPHRENA
Zones:9 - 11 , usually grown as an annualExposure : Full sunHabit : Mounding habitHeight / Spread:6 inch to 4 feet tall , calculate on variety
earth - mould blossom in graphic pinko , purple , and Edward Douglas White Jr. make gomphrena a cheerful increase to container gardens . It ’s heat - tolerant , long - blooming , and hold its physique well in mixed planting . Learn genus Gomphrena .
Pictured : Truffula ™ pinkish gomphrenafrom Proven Winners .
scrumptious ® Citrus Blend ™ lantana . picture by : Proven Winners .
LANTANA
Zones:9 - 11 , grown as an yearly in most zonesExposure : Full sunHabit : Mounding , spreading , or upright habitHeight / Spread:4 to 36 inches tall and 4 to 24 inches encompassing
This leisurely - tutelage yearly or recurrent lends cottage - style solicitation with perfumed flowers in nearly every color imaginable , from white to nearly black . Place a container near a patio , pack of cards or entryway where the fragrance can be enjoyed up close . meld with coral bell shape , geraniums , artemisia , or miniature roses . memorize lantana in containers .
visualise : delectable ® Citrus Blend ™ lantanafrom Proven Winners .
‘ Aurora Yellow Fire ’ marigold . pic by : Rock Giguere / Millette Photomedia .
MARIGOLD
Zones:9 - 11 , grown as an annual in most regionsExposure : Sun to fond shadeHabit : Mounding or upright habitHeight / Spread:6 to 48 inches tall and 6 to 24 inches wide
sweet marigold are a staple of kitchen and bungalow - style gardens , originate for their bright , pollinator - friendly bloom . Plant in a container with other cottage - trend annual such as red salvia , nasturtium , and calendula . admit as part of a mini herbaceous plant container garden alongside Basil of Caesarea , oregano , and thyme . acquire marigold .
Sunstar ® Pink pentas . Photo by : Proven Winners .
PENTAS
Zones:10 - 11 , grow as an annual in most regionsExposure : Full sunHabit : Upright mound habitHeight / Spread:1 to 2 feet improbable and wide
These maven - shaped flowers blossom nonstop in hot atmospheric condition and are a pet of butterflies . Compact and colourful , pentas expand in sunny containers and blend well with other heat - loving yearly . Learn petunias .
Pictured : Sunstar ® Pink pentasfrom Proven Winners .
Supertunia ® Royal Velvet ® . photograph by : Proven Winners .
PETUNIA
Zones:10 - 11 , turn as an yearly in most regionsExposure : Full Lord’s Day to fond shadeHabit : Mounding , spreading , or trail habitHeight / Spread:6 to 24 inches marvelous , 12 to 36 in spacious , up to 36 inch long
This old - fashioned favorite has enjoyed young popularity as new hybrids in a multitude of colors and blueprint have been insert . A staple for windowpane boxes , hanging baskets and container , aggregate as a “ trotline ” with spiky dracaena or purple fountain grass , filling in with vervain , African daisy , or diascia . Learn petunias .
envision : Supertunia ® Royal Velvet ® petuniafrom Proven Winners .
Dwarf mugo true pine . Photo by : APugach / Shutterstock .
pine tree
Zones:2 - 10Exposure : Full sunHabit : unsloped or spreading habitHeight / Spread:2 to 130 ft grandiloquent and 1 1/2 to 40 feet wide
This divers chemical group of evergreen plant coniferous tree is grown for its attractive needles , twelvemonth - stave appeal and carefree nature . Slow - growing nanus forms desirable for containers include dwarf mugo pine tree , ‘ Blue Shag ’ eastern white pine , and dwarf Scots pine . home in a container as a stand - alone dialect near an entryway or compound with other seasonal plant life with similar cultural needs .
Rockin ' ® Fuchsia salvia . picture by : Proven Winners .
SALVIA
Zones:5 - 9 , for most varieties ; some develop as annualsExposure : Full sunHabit : Upright habitHeight / Spread : Varieties 1 to 6 foot tall & wide-cut , with most average 2 to 3 feet
Known for its spiky efflorescence and long salad days sentence , salvia add perpendicular stake and attracts pollinator in droves . warmth and drouth tolerant , it ’s perfect for sunny pots and yoke attractively with trailing industrial plant . select smaller assortment for better fit in pots . Learn salvia plant .
fancy : Rockin ' ® Fuchsia salviafrom Proven Winners .
Rock ' N Low ® ' Boogie Woogie ' sedum . Photo by : Proven Winners .
SEDUM
Zones:3 - 11 , depending on the varietyExposure : Full sun to fond shadeHabit : vertical , mounding , or trailing use , depending on varietyHeight / Spread:2 foot tall and wide for good varieties , 2 to 6 column inch marvellous for groundcover or trailing types
Succulent parting and starry bloom make sedum a low - alimony standout in container gardens . Choose give chase smorgasbord for a cascade down event , or upright types like ‘ Autumn Joy ’ for construction and late - time of year color . pick up sedum works .
Pictured:‘Sweet Caroline Light Green ’ sweet potato vinefrom Proven Winners .
‘ Sweet Caroline Light Green ’ sweet potato vine . pic by : Proven Winners .
SWEET POTATO VINE
Zones:9 - 11 , grow as an annual in most regionsExposure : Full sunshine to partial shadeHabit : Mounding chase after habitHeight / Spread:6 to 16 inches tall , 3 to 6 feet wide , up to 10 feet long
One of the good trailing annuals for containers , grow for its exotic - looking foliage in a variety of leaf physical body and color . Use as a cascading accent in windowpane box , advert baskets , or containers with other ardent - season annual in completing color , such as flame nettle , petunias , purple outflow grass , or African daisy . Learn mellisonant tater vine .
Superbena Sparkling ® Amethyst verbena . Photo by : Proven Winners .
VERBENA
Zones:8 - 11 , grow as an annual in most regionsExposure : Full to partial sunHabit : mound trailing habitHeight / Spread:6 to 12 inches tall , 18 to 30 inches blanket
These low - turn bloomers surrender vibrant color all season long , attracting butterfly stroke and hummingbird with their clusters of diminutive flowers . They love full sun and well - debilitate filth , making them ideal for containers in hot , gay spots . get a line vervain .
‘ profuseness ’ zinnia . Photo by : Janet Loughrey .
ZINNIA
Zones:9 - 11 , grown as an annual in most regionsExposure : Full sunHabit : Mounding or unsloped habitHeight / Spread:6 to 48 inch marvellous and 12 to 24 inches wide
Bright upbeat flower and farseeing flush clock time make zinnias a favorite of gardeners . Place a decorative container on a gay deck or patio with a mounding form such as ‘ Profusion ’ as a “ makeweight ” . Combine with an upright piano salvia or canna lily and a “ shedder ” such as trailing lobelia , calibrachoa , or mellifluous potato vine . con zinnias .
Get inspire with morefull sun container recipe from Proven Winners .
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Janet Loughrey is a seasoned garden writer and photographer with over 25 years of experience , contributing to major publication like Garden Design , Better Homes and Gardens , and Sunset . A former Master Gardener , she brings hands - on expertise from garden in a wide reach of climates , from upstate New York to the Pacific Northwest .
ONLINE:DESIGNING ABUNDANT CONTAINERS
watch the hallmarks of a well - contrive container garden from professional graphic designer Karen Chapman in this award - gain on-line shop . You ’ll acquire about layer leaf and flowers , creating a cohesive colour palette , and more . Chapman walk you through the steps from planning , to soil , to shopping for plants , and last planting .
