Getting Started with Containers

Decorative containers are a great way to add warmth, color, and interest along a street or broad sidewalk – especially ones that do not have any space for in-ground plantings.

When selecting plants for containers, remember that it is a creative process. There is a fun guideline that is helpful. Use a “thriller” as the centerpiece. Tall and striking and perhaps even colorful, bold tropical foliage such as Alocasia, Colocasia, banana, or a palm is a good choice. If a hardy plant is preferred, select a cold hardy evergreen as the “thriller.” Next select the “fillers.” These grow upright and mound as they fill in between the “thrillers” and the “spillers” to come. The third group of plants are “spillers” that cascade down the sides of the container. These are often the ones that would also do well as a hanging basket flowering plant.

For maximum color, select plants with flowers that perform well over a long season and are self-cleaning/no dead heading. Also pay attention to the foliage size and color. Select plants for heat tolerance, drought tolerance, wind tolerance, and pest resistance. Soil should be well-drained, so the plants can thrive. To keep these containers healthy for a long period, provide regular watering and fertilization. If plants dry out, they lose their vigor.

The eye-catching pizzazz that floriferous containers provide shows people care about beauty and a well-kept community. The eye-catching pizzazz that floriferous containers provide shows people care about beauty and a well-kept community.