What better way of creating a natural sanctuary in a limited space whether in a busy city street, on a balcony of a flat or on a roof terrace then use containers. You can also use containers to help accentuate the look of a deck or patio in your garden by using colourful pots full of annual plants. You can even great a warm and inviting look to the front of your house by filling window boxes with shrub roses or any other small perennials that you feel will suit. Whether you make an arrangement of a group of pots to mass effect or whether you use a single one to highlight a smaller space, you will be delighted with the results that you create.

With container gardening you are able to vary the colour scheme and as each plant finishes flowering you can replace it with another variety. But whether you choose to harmonize or contrast the colours that you use, you should ensure that you include a plant in each container that varies in height. You also need to consider the shape and texture of the leaves of the plants as well. For example a tall strap liked leaved plant will provide good vertical background to any low growing wide leaved plants that you use. Also choose flowers that will last longer or if not then ensure that you have other plants ready to replace when they have finished blooming.

Next it is a good idea to experiment with the containers. You may find that an old porcelain bowl or copper urn that you have lying around will make the perfect container or you may decide to go something that is really modern and is made from timber or tiles. But should you decide to by a container already made then you could do no worse than purchase a terracotta pot, not only do they look wonderful, but they tend to absorb water as well. So if you want to make sure that your plants do not dry out, then I suggest you paint terracotta pots with a special sealer which you will find available at most hardware and DIY stores.

Then if you really have a tight budget, consider buying cheaper plastic ones. You can paint them on the outside with a water based paint to good effect and it also means that you will be able to tie them into the scheme that you have designed. However, when purchasing plastic pots do not forget to also purchase the matching saucers that go with them which catch any excess water. This will prevent your cement floors from being stained and also stop timber floor from rotting.

Whenever planting pots in containers always ensure that use a high quality potting mix as this will ensure that you get the best performance possible from your plants.

Just think how attractive your front door steps will look to any visitors if you place an attractive plant pot on each one or just at the top by the front door. You also find that indoors plants or flowers in pots help to create a warm and cosy atmosphere which any guest to your house will find welcoming.

It is best if you decide ahead of time exactly where each pot is to be positioned in the space you have available and then purchase the plants afterwards. Certainly there is no point in buying plants which love the sun for a shady area or vice versa. You will also need to consider that those plants which require a lot of space because they have a large root area should only be used in an open garden, as a container will restrict the root growth and eventually the plant will die.

However, if you find that you have ample space by your front door it might be wise to invest in a number of potted plants that are off to one and will be look more appealing than if you decide to just pot plants in similar pots on either side of the door. You want the space to look spectacular not boring.

It is an idea to group pots of plants together in odd numbers rather than even and make sure that you vary the types and heights of them also. If you want to tie the group together to give some uniformity in your garden then by placing large rocks that are similar in appearance and only slightly different in size you will be able to achieve this. So you may find that by placing 3 to 5 pots of the same style and colour together but in different sizes will also look very effective.

So all you need is a little creativity and a small amount of determination and soon you will have a container garden that will not only be the envy of your family and friends or any strangers that see it as well.

Every Garden can benefit from the addition of container gardens. They add interst and variety, plus are easily moved around. If you live in an apartment or have a small area to work with this may be the only solution for you.

Your Container

Your container can be pretty much anything and is only limited to your imagination. Just make sure there is adequate drainage for your plants. I love old buckets, discarded kitchen pots and baskets for a rustic feel. For a formal garden choose a more traditional container.

Regardless of your choice of container, make sure it’s not to big or too small for your planting.

Your Soil

Do not use garden soil for your container plants. Garden soil is too heavy, dries out too quickly and will not provide the needed nutrients your container plants need. You can find good potting soil at your local garden center or you can mix your own.

To mix your own make sure you include soil, peat, sand and a slow release fertilizer.

Maintenance

You’ll need to pay close attention to your container grown plants — much more than plants in your garden beds. The soil will dry out more quickly so frequent watering it a must. You’ll also need to fertilize more often. Water in the morning or evening whenever the soil is almost dry and water thoroughly until water comes out the bottom drainage holes.

One thing I really love about container gardening is mobility. If a particular grouping doesn”t work you can simply move your pots and change your garden design.

Have fun, experiment and be creative!

J. Dow has been an avid gardener for the last 15 years. She faces the challenges of New Mexico’s high desert a 6800 feet.
Resource websites are http://www.bulbandseed.com and http://www.agardenwalk.com

Today it is becoming increasingly popular to grow herbs either for decoration or for cooking. Herbs can be grown in the garden or in a container. Container planting comes into its own if there is lack of garden space, to ensure the survival and confine a plant or just for easy access.

Container planting enables you to position herbs where they can delight the sense of smell, prolong their growing season and create a visually appealing environment that is a constant source of interest.

Herbs do thrive more vigorously in the ground but with a certain amount of care and common sense they can be grown in pots either outside or indoors.

If placing a container on a balcony or free standing structure be sure to make sure that it is sturdy enough to support the weighty combination of soil and water.

Herbs in a group of pots can provide a focal point and look more pleasing to the eye than one lonely specimen. They also seem to enjoy each other’s company and benefit from the microclimate that grouping creates. By changing the position of the pots seasonal gaps can be filled or the appearance of the garden can be changed.

Herbs in pots are an excellent way to create different color schemes in large or small areas. For a silver or moonlight garden, plant artemisias, santolinas and curry plants. To create a golden garden, use lemon thyme, variegated lemon balm, calendula, lady’s bedstraw, nasturtiums and variegated sage. For a blue garden choose hyssop, borage, catmint, rosemary and sage.

The space needed by particular species will dictate how many plants can be put in a planter. A container 1 meter long can hold four or five low-growing herbs that will benefit from being kept well trimmed, such as sage, thyme, marjoram and salad burnet. A tub or barrel filled with culinary herbs; such as rosemary, chives, sage, mint (in its own container), or lemon balm make a delightful addition to a barbecue area.

These plants, though, are dependant on care and are more vulnerable than plants in open ground.

If general guidelines are followed you can grow herbs in a container quite successfully.

First of all always start with a clean container and make sure that the plants will have good drainage. Make sure that the soil is friable and porous. It is best not to use ordinary garden soil but use a good commercial potting mix.

It is important to ensure that the container size and the plants are compatible. Small plants flounder in large pots and large plants will be stifled in a small pot.

Check indoor herbs regularly to see if they need watering. They should never be allowed to become bone dry. For instance rosemary never fully recovers if left to dry out completely. By contrast, though, sage will collapse if watered too frequently.

To aid vigorous growth keep the pot weed free, remove deadheads and trim the leaves back.

Herbs should be fed through their leaves or the soil every two weeks during the growing season, easing off as their growth rate slows.

If a herb looks sorry for itself, check if it needs water, or feeding and whether it is standing in a draught or not receiving the correct amount of light.

Michael Russell

Your Independent guide to Gardening