Tips on Container Gardening

Category = Flower Gardening, Indoor Gardening, Pot Plants

For those that live in the city, container gardening creates an escape into the natural beauty of the outdoors when space is limited. Rooftops or balconies provide an excellent area for container gardens. In addition, container gardens provide an aesthetic quality of beauty to patios, decks, or windows. There is a variety of options available to create the beauty in which you wish to accomplish, such as the choice of numerous colors in shrub roses or perennials. Different arrangements, allow a variety of different effects.

You can easily choose from a variety of different colors when container gardening and as each plant has finished flowering you can replace it with another flower. With the variety of different colors available, you may choose simply to harmonize or contrast the colors, while varying the size of the plants. The shape and texture of the leaves is another thing to consider. Different leaves of the plant provide various viewing qualities. Tall strap-like leaves provide a vertical background to plants that are low growing and wide-leaved. It is also wise to choose plants with a long flowering season, otherwise be sure that you have a variety of other plants handy for their replacement.

There are many options for containers, which allow experimentation with a variety of different creative containers. You may use something from your home as an old porcelain container or make your own with timber or tiles. Terracotta pots are a wonderful option for those who would rather buy their containers. The only drawbacks of these are that they tend to absorb water so it is better to paint the insides of the pot with a special sealer to keep your plants from drying out.

Another option for those wishing to buy their containers, are the cheaper plastic container, which you can paint with water-based paints for a good effect. Always it is a good idea to buy matching saucers for the pots at the time of purchase. These saucers catch the water drip and save your cement floors from staining, or timber floors from rotting. Use a quality potting mix to ensure better growth for your plants.

For those that have steps to the door, lining them with attractive pot plants will warm and welcome visitors to your home. Indoors, pots with flowers or different flowers helps to establish a cozy and welcoming atmosphere inside. The decision of where to put the plants, you should make before buying the plants, so they fit it where you want them. Of course, you would not want to put plants that prefer sunlight in a shady area and those that have large roots in a small area.

Grouping plants together at the front door, offers more appeal than two small plants on each side, unless they are very appealing and quite spectacular. It also helps to group pots with varying heights in odd numbers, rather than even. Adding large rocks similar in appearance and a little different in size, adds to the overall appearance. Often, three to five pots of different heights with the same type and color add to the attractiveness. Acting in a creative manner will help to establish a container garden that others will envy.

eBay always have a fantastic selection of plants and containers, here’s a selection: