Potted Pleasures

For lush looks that are easy to care for, container gardens can't be beat. Here's some advice for showstopping success.

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Dig into one of gardening's greatest pursuits: container plantings. They blend beauty with low maintenance and mobility to create living works of art that you can place just about anywhere. The artist in you will love mixing and matching colors and textures. The result? Signature pots that complement your home, outdoor décor and landscape.

As soon as plants are snuggled into the soil, container gardens begin their color show. Before you handpick any selections to place in your pots, take note of our gardening secrets. They'll earn your containers rave reviews.

Pots

Select containers that suit your home's architectural style and color palette. Terra-cotta planters require more water than other types, but they are extremely versatile. Concrete planters are strong and sturdy, while plastic versions are lightweight and easier to move around. You also can enjoy the visual appeal of concrete or terra-cotta by selecting lighter look-alikes crafted from resin or fiberglass.

Soil

Purchase a potting soil designed for use in containers, such as Miracle-Gro Organic Choice Potting Mix (#78595). Mix in compost or topsoil (up to one-third the total volume of the potting mix) to reduce watering needs, especially if you garden where summer sizzles.

Water

Make watering less of a chore by mixing water-retention crystals into the soil when planting. You also can attach a water wand to the hose to extend your reach. For large container gardens, install an irrigation system (#191775) designed for pots and patios.

Fertilizer

Increase the flower show by using a bloom-booster fertilizer (#69685) and faithfully removing spent blooms. For lush foliage, use a high-nitrogen product. Organic options include blood meal and fish emulsion.

Foliage

For a different twist, design a garden using plants with interesting leaves. Beautiful options include coleus, scented geraniums, ornamental grasses or polka-dot plants.

Devonshire Sparta Glazed Urn Portofino Napoli Osaka it to Me





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Plants in the container gardens

Upright

  • 'Victoria' mealycup sage (Salvia farinacea 'Victoria')
  • Coleus (Coleus x hybridus)

Mounding

  • Common heliotrope (Heliotropium arborescens)
  • 'Golden Angel' and 'Grand Slam' pelargoniums (Pelargonium x domesticum 'Golden Angel' and 'Grand Slam')
  • 'Comedy' ivy geranium (Pelargonium peltatum 'Comedy')
  • 'Merlot' coleus (Coleus x hybridus 'Merlot')

Trailing

  • 'Marco Polo' petunia (Petunia x hybrida 'Marco Polo')
  • Creeping Jenny (Lysimachia nummularia)
  • Wandering Jew (Tradescantia fluminensis)
  • Garden verbena (Verbena x hybrida)
  • 'Limelight' licorice plant (Helichrysum petiolare 'Limelight')

Upright

  • Gaura (Gaura lindheimeri)
  • 'Cinnamon Red Hots' carnation (Dianthus)
  • Caryophyllus 'Cinnamon Red Hots')
  • Bidens 'Goldmarie'

Mounding

  • 'Blue Bird' nemesia (Nemesia fruiticans 'Blue Bird')

Trailing

  • Annual phlox (Phlox drummondii)
  • Petunia (Petunia x hybrida)

[Three smaller buckets:]

Upright

  • 'Baby Gold' helichrysum (Helichrysum apiculatum 'Baby Gold')

Mounding

  • Dianthus (Dianthus selection)
  • Swan River daisy (Brachycome iberidifolia)
  • Marigold (Tagetes selection)
  • Pansy (Viola x wittrockiana)

Trailing

  • Petunia (Petunia x hybrida)
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