Shady Garden Containers

Often we only consider sun filled container locations, however, they can be spectacular in shady locations to create excitement – try a topiary boxwood surrounded by trailing ivy or impatiens variety suitable for shade.

Beautiful Shade Plant Container

This is one of our favorites, simple yet stunning. Start with Carmen Bronze Carex or Sedge, and then add your Key Lime Pie Coral Bells and Melon Symphony Osteospermum. Use a small 12” container for tabletop planters or go grand with a large 16” for the deck or patio.

Elegant and Exciting Garden Planter

Start with a Square Planter – the perfect stage for classic boxwood topiary. In a shady location, the Planter will fade into the background unless you add some white impatiens or variegated leaf ivy to bring it back into view. The white maintains the simple elegance of this garden container.

How Much Shade is Shade

When reading about plants suitable for shade, what kind of shade are they talking about. Well, “Bright Shade” is usually considered when the location receives between 4 and 6 hours of unobstructed morning sun or well reflected light from nearby walls or buildings. Don’t forget, you can move your garden planters and containers to achieve the best light for your plants.

Attractive Container Plant

Just when we thought we knew every great container plants, along comes a new one – the Lo & Behold “Blue Chip” Buddleia. It is a true dwarf and it blooms continuously from early summer through to Fall. Keep the “Blue Chip” in full sun and ensure that it is consistently moist and you will have a wonder all season.

Fertilizing Those Containers

Since container plants usually require more water, they lose nutrients through the soil quicker than plants in the garden. Use a water-soluble slow release fertilizer when potting, and then feed weekly with a good liquid fertilizer such as seaweed extract.

Outdoor Planters in the Shade

One of the best plants for shady areas is the Rockapulco impatiens. It has mini rose-like blooms and does appreciate the low light areas. It is wonderful for your containers and also in your backyard garden.

Sensational Plant for All Pots

The Gaura lindheimeri or Wand Flower has star shaped blooms along its wispy stems that go from dark to light pink. Although suitable for zones 6 – 9, they are wonderful in planters and containers and do winter over in colder zones. Another plant idea for your pots and garden urns.

Window Box Design

Always looks for something a little different for our window boxes – if you have one near the kitchen, think about planting Parsley or other culinary herbs and then intersperse with Marigolds. Looks great and the Marigolds keep the bugs away.

Veggies & Flowers in the Same Container

Yes, you can grow your wonderful Beefsteak Tomatoes together with Basil, Chamomile and Petunias (for color, not eating), then add Nasturtium for the trailer. The best combination – looks good and tastes even better. Add height to your container with a trellis or bamboo support for your Tomato plant.

Important Tip – Watering Your Planters

Now that we have all these wonderful garden planters and urns filled with beautiful plants, they need caring. Firstly, be sure to check them every day, the soil dries out quickly and they need more water than garden or in ground plantings. Just stick your finger into the soil and if it is dry, then time to water.

New Plants for Your Containers

We love to create our own garden container arrangements and growing your own plants for your garden planters is one way to increase the pleasure. Take Lavender cuttings from this year’s growth and start new plants. This is one way to have your favorite plants for your pots “free”.

Garden Urn Arrangements

Sometimes we forget that garden urns can look so elegant especially placed in that small niche in the garden. One spectacular arrangement includes one of each: Superbells or Calibrachoa in White, a Nemesia Bluebird and the mini Supertunia in Blue. Simply gorgeous looking garden urn.

Gorgeous Hanging Planter

It is fun to utilize grasses in your containers; they add such stature to your plantings and such easy case. In the centre of your garden pot, plant the Red Riding Hood Penniseturn grass surrounded by red Verbena and Superbells Calibrachoa, and edged with Bacopa in white. A stunning combination.

Another Garden Planter Suggestion

Here is another suggestion for your garden planters and containers, ever think of place a “Globemaster” allium in your pot – it is a spectacular thriller with its large deep violet head and just a little different from the ordinary.

Romantic or Dramatic Containers

Did you know that yellow and purple combinations for your planters and pots can either be romantic or dramatic depending on the shade you choose. Bright yellow used with deep purple is the dramatic one while a pale yellow flower with soft lavender color is definitely more subdued – your choice!

Gardening Investment Return

Yes, you can consider plants and gardening a great investment. A well kept house does sell faster and usually at a higher price. A very smart way to get the results you want without major landscaping costs, just place your garden containers, planters and garden pots in strategic groupings and you will have the desired effect instantly.