Friday, May 29, 2009

Hot and Dry Climate Containers

To help your plants survive in a hot and climate be sure to use a pre-mixed soil that contains water retention polymers, they are soft granules that hold the moisture. A Great storage system for water. The consider plants that do not mind hot, dry conditions such as Bracteantha bracteata (Strawflower), Euphorbia and Ornamental Grasses.

Wednesday, May 27, 2009

Garden Planters with Thrillers

Thrillers are those bold and exciting plants in your garden containers; they are usually the tallest and should be planted off to one side of your pot. Add the lower layers of plants surrounding your “thriller”, don’t forget some with bold colors too. To complete your arrangement, add a few plants to trail over the side so that the planter seems connected to the ground.

Tuesday, May 26, 2009

Ditzy Little Garden Containers

Always buy larger containers and planters than you think you will need. Those small ones look like little pots dotted over the surface, get a great splashy effect with large containers. Like all forms of gardening, scale is very important and little ditzy pots just won’t do justice to your space. Buy planters that will last for many many years and you can add to your collection over time.

Monday, May 25, 2009

Independence Day Container


Just couldn’t pass up an opportunity to get with the celebrations. Here is a garden planter combination suited for the occasion – start with your 12” pot or container and in a triangle, plant one of each of your Supersun Plum Parfait Coleus, then a Supertunia in white and ending with your Trailing Dark Blue Lobelia. Looks stunning.

Friday, May 22, 2009

Great Container Arrangement


We are always looking for something a little different for our planters and containers – here is an easy but very interesting looking one. Start with Blue Angelonia Summer Snapdragons in the center of your 22” pot, place two Mini Blue Supertunias at 6 & 12 o’clock, and then at 3 and 9 o’clock add two Creeping Jenny. Easy but very beautiful garden planter!

Thursday, May 21, 2009

Rooftop Gardens

Lightweight containers are ideal for rooftop gardening. The strong winds however can dry the soil and snap stalks and branches. We recommend starting with compact, low growing perennials and small shrubs such as boxwood. See how they do and then experiment with lavender, hardy roses, yews and conifers. Create an oasis by incorporating many planters, pots and containers.

Wednesday, May 20, 2009

Herbs in Pots


Your planters and pots are great places to grow your herbs. Herbs such as Peppermint and Thyme have a tendency to overgrow when planted directly in your garden. Just plant those wonderful herbs next to the kitchen door in your containers and planters and you will have fresh herbs for all your summer dishes.

Friday, May 15, 2009

Plant Preferences for Your Pots

When you select or group plants, think about how much sun they will get and place the sun loving ones together and the shade types in another planter. Start with your compact or spreading plants at the rim of the garden planter. Plant your fillers behind the pot’s outer rim and then of course, choose a tall dramatic plant or grass for the focal point. As always, group both plants and pots in odd numbers – such as one, three or five.

Thursday, May 14, 2009

Large Container Combination


When you have one of those 24” Garden Planters or Pots, here is a great suggestion for a wonderful look. Facing your Planter, start with the Supertunia at the front, then on either side and a step back, place Cream Symphony Osteospermum on one side and Black Heart Sweet Potato Vine on the other. Closer to the centre at the “rear” of your Container place two Summer Snapdragon in Blue Bicolor and behind each of them plant one more Black Heart Vine and one more Osteospermum. You will be so pleased with the result!

Wednesday, May 13, 2009

Simple and Elegant Garden Planter


When you want to create a “wow look” for your garden containers, sometimes the simpler the design the better. Here is a suggestion for a very elegant garden pot planted with just four (4) Dolce Key Lime Pie Heuchera.. The tall 18” planter pot offers sophistication together with the spectacular showing of the Coral Bells.

Tuesday, May 12, 2009

Everything in Your Garden Planter

Yes, any annual can be planted in a pot or container rather than in the ground. Even vines such as Morning Glory and Sweet Peas will succeed if provided with a trellis or tepee of bamboo poles for them to climb. Not all garden pots and planters need to include flowers.

Monday, May 11, 2009

Copper Twist Container Arrangement

Bring out the copper color in your container with this arrangement. Start with two (2) Diascia, in the centre of your Planter and the other off to the side. On the other side plant your Supertunia in Magenta and behind that your Toffee Twist Sedge and Euphorbia. Then in the front of your Planter, finish off with Silver Plectranthus. There you have it, another wonderful looking garden pot for the deck, patio or balcony.

Friday, May 8, 2009

Garden Planters for Last Minute Make Over

Are you having a party or just a get together for lunch? Spruce up your entrance or patio with garden pots and garden planters. Add a splash of color from annuals that will catch the eye or place your containers where there is a bare spot in your garden. This only takes a few minutes and your home and garden look great when people arrive.

Thursday, May 7, 2009

Container Rooftop Gardening

There is nothing like seeing the city landscape through pots and containers on your rooftop planted with small shrubs, grasses and flowers. Be sure to consider lightweight planters and soilless potting mixes with moisture retention gel to make them easy to move. Perhaps even place your planters and pots on feet to prevent water from sitting underneath.

Wednesday, May 6, 2009

Traditional Container Combination


This combination works well for those over-wintered Geraniums that you want to get out into your garden planters and containers. Plant the Soft Rush Juncus grass or similar foliage grass in the center of your pot, surround with three of those leftover Geraniums and then finish off with another three Sky Blue Lobelia. Very traditional and always looks great.

Tuesday, May 5, 2009

Add Garden Focal Points

When you have an abundant mixed border of plants, perhaps there is so much to look at that the whole scene blends into the background. One way to create interest is to add a focal point. Perhaps a large garden urn with a burst of Spring colors, or a garden planter or container peeping out from the foliage.

Monday, May 4, 2009

Lavender Planter

Lavender and herbs make a wonderful planter combination. Be sure to place this pot or container near a window, or a seating area to take advantage of the wonderful scent that emanates from the lavender. Use a compact variety of lavender and surround with herbs such a thyme or oregano.

Friday, May 1, 2009

Lighten Up Your Container Combinations

Do you just want that light and airy feeling with your garden planter, pot and container combinations; think about the use of white and green. They give a restful look to your container garden, pot up and place beside those bold color planters that would otherwise dominate an area.