Tuesday, June 30, 2009

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.

Monday, June 29, 2009

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.

Wednesday, June 24, 2009

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.

Tuesday, June 23, 2009

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.

Monday, June 22, 2009

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.

Friday, June 19, 2009

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.

Thursday, June 18, 2009

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.

Wednesday, June 17, 2009

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.

Tuesday, June 16, 2009

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.

Monday, June 15, 2009

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.

Friday, June 12, 2009

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.

Wednesday, June 10, 2009

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”.

Tuesday, June 9, 2009

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.




Friday, June 5, 2009

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.

Thursday, June 4, 2009

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.

Tuesday, June 2, 2009

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!

Monday, June 1, 2009

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.