Benefits of Including Planters

Adding planters to your outdoor space isn't just about good looks. They provide a wide range of benefits including:

• Instant Gratification: Unlike waiting for seeds to sprout and plants to mature in the ground, container gardens offer immediate visual impact. You can create a stunning display in a single afternoon and switch it up as the seasons change.
• Flexibility: Refresh your garden spaces by simply moving your container gardens around! This is also the perfect solution to protect delicate plants from harsh weather, follow the sun, or change up your landscaping.
• Microclimate Mastery: Container gardens allow you to create specific growing conditions for plants that might not thrive in your native soil or climate. Acid-loving blueberries? No problem! Just create the perfect acidic environment in a planter.
• Pest and Disease Control: Keeping plants in containers can help isolate them from soil-borne pests and diseases, making it easier to manage potential problems.
• Extending the Growing Season: By moving containers indoors or to a sheltered location, you can extend the growing season for certain plants and enjoy their beauty for longer.
• Vertical Interest: Container gardens aren't just for the ground level! Hanging baskets, wall planters, and tiered arrangements add vertical dimension to your outdoor space, creating a more dynamic and visually appealing landscape.
• Showcasing Special Plants: Have a prized plant you want to highlight? A beautiful decorative planter is the perfect way to give it the attention it deserves.

Where to Add Planters

Like we mentioned, one of the benefits of containers is that you can move them around until you find just the right spot. Let's explore some of the best places to incorporate planters into your existing landscape:

• Entryways and Porches: Create a welcoming statement with vibrant containers flanking your front door. Consider using symmetrical arrangements for a formal look or asymmetrical groupings for a more modern vibe.
• Patios and Decks: Transform your outdoor living space into a lush oasis with container gardens. Use them to define seating areas, create privacy screens, or simply add pops of color.
• Poolside Paradise: Container gardens can soften the hardscape around your pool and add a tropical touch. Choose plants that tolerate splashing and will enjoy the sunny conditions around your pool.
• Balconies and Small Spaces: Even the smallest balcony can become a thriving garden with the right container choices. Opt for compact plants and vertical gardening solutions to maximize space.
• Along Walkways and Pathways: Line your walkways with colorful containers to create a charming and inviting path through your garden.
• Problem Areas: Have a bare spot in your yard that's difficult to plant in? A strategically placed container garden can instantly transform it into a focal point.
• Near the Kitchen: Grow herbs, vegetables, and even small fruit trees in containers for easy access and pest control. Place them near your kitchen for convenient harvesting.

Choosing the Right Container: Form Follows Function (and Style!)

The container is more than just a vessel—it's an integral part of your garden design. Here's what to consider when selecting the perfect pot:

• Style: Select containers that complement your existing landscape design and personal taste. Consider the color, shape, and texture of the pot. You can get matching pots, or mix it up with a variety of styles to complement different plants.
• Material: There are a lot of different material options for pots, and they all have their uses. Here's a few of our favorites and why they're great.
• Terracotta is the classic garden pot, and the porous material allows for good drainage. These pots dry out quickly, so they may require more frequent watering
• Plastic has the advantages of being lightweight and affordable, in addition to retaining moisture well. Choose high-quality plastic to avoid cracking and fading
• Resin is durable, weather-resistant, and available in a wide range of styles. If you love terracotta or stone, but find they're too heavy, you can find a resin pot that mimics the look without the weight.
• Metal adds a modern or rustic touch to your landscape. Be aware that metal pots can heat up quickly in direct sunlight, so choose light-colored metals or line the container.
• Wood is another classic go-to with its natural look. Keep in mind that wood requires regular maintenance to prevent rot.
• Size: Choose a container that's appropriately sized for the plants you intend to grow. Too small, and the roots will become cramped. Too large, and the soil may stay too wet. If you're unsure, check your plant's tag for its expected mature size and planting information.
• Drainage: Ensure the container has adequate drainage holes to prevent waterlogging. If not, drill some yourself in the bottom of your container. Don't forget saucers to catch drainage water!

Choosing Plants for Your Containers

This is where your creativity can truly shine! When choosing plants for your containers, consider the following:

• Sunlight: Match the plants to the amount of sunlight the container will receive. For full sun planters try adding lantana, petunias, geraniums, canna, mandevilla, or hibiscus. If your planter will be in shade, consider using coleus, impatiens, fuchsia, ferns, hostas, heuchera, and begonias.
• Water Requirements: Group plants with similar watering needs together. Plants like begonias, fuchsia, caladiums, and sweet potato vines prefer their soil to be consistently moist, while succulents, lantana, lavender, coneflowers, and yarrow tolerate drier soils.
• Size and Growth Habit: Choose plants that will complement each other in size and shape. When deciding on how many plants to use, consider their mature size to avoid overcrowding.
• Color and Texture: Create visual interest by combining plants with different colors and textures. If you want your planters to stand out, choose plants with bold, hot colors like red, yellow, and orange. For a more muted planter, use plants in cooler shades of pink, purple, and white. Don’t forget about foliage; use ferns, palms, coleus, and ornamental grasses to add texture and dimension to your containers.
• Seasonality: Select plants that will provide blooms and interest throughout the growing season. In spring add pansies, violas, sweet alyssum, and hellebores. For a tropical feel in summer try planting sweet potato vine, palms, mandevilla, canna, or elephant ears. Incorporate mums, ornamental cabbage, pansies, sedum, and asters for fall interest.

A successful planter garden starts with the soil. Before planting, fill your planters with a quality potting mix, like Miracle-Gro® Potting Mix, which provides the perfect growing environment for your plants’ roots. To help protect against over and under watering, use Miracle-Gro® Moisture Control® Potting Mix, or for an organic option, use Miracle-Gro Organic™ Outdoor Potting Mix.

Thrill, Fill, Spill: A Recipe for Stunning Planters

This straightforward design approach is a reliable guide for creating container gardens. By following the "thrill, fill, and spill" formula, you can effortlessly design stunning container gardens that will enhance any outdoor space.

Thrill: The centerpiece of your container garden, the thriller plant commands attention with its height and striking presence. It's the element that instantly draws the eye and sets the tone for the entire arrangement. Consider incorporating ornamental grasses for their graceful movement, salvia for its vibrant blooms, snapdragons for their vertical appeal, or even small shrubs for a touch of structure.

Fill: Filler plants serve as the supporting cast, surrounding the thriller and adding depth, texture, and a variety of colors to the composition. They play a crucial role in creating a sense of fullness and visual interest within the container. Petunias offer a profusion of blooms, geraniums provide bold color, impatiens introduce a touch of delicacy, and coleus adds vibrant foliage.

Spill: The spiller plants bring a sense of movement and softness to the container garden, cascading over the edges and creating a graceful flow. They soften the hard lines of the container and add a touch of whimsy. Verbena offers a delicate trailing habit, petunias can spill over the sides with their abundant blooms, sweet potato vine adds a lush, cascading effect, and ivy creates a classic, evergreen drape.

Care for Your Planters: Simple Steps for Lasting Beauty

Planters require a bit more attention than in-ground gardens, but the rewards are well worth the effort.

• Watering: Container gardens dry out more quickly than in-ground gardens, so water them regularly, especially during hot, dry weather. Check the soil moisture by sticking your finger into the soil. If it feels dry an inch or two down, it's time to water.
• Fertilizing: Container plants rely on you to provide them with nutrients. Starting about a month after planting, provide your container plants with a regular supply of nutrients. If you prefer to feed while you water, add Miracle-Gro® Water Soluble All Purpose Plant Food to your watering can (following label directions) every 1 to 2 weeks. For a longer-lasting feeding option, use Miracle-Gro® Shake ‘n Feed® All Purpose Plant Food or Miracle-Gro Organic™ All Purpose Plant Food. One application will feed your plants for up to 3 months.
• Deadheading: Remove spent flowers to encourage more blooms and keep your plants looking their best.
• Pruning: Prune plants as needed to maintain their shape and size.
• Pest and Disease Control: Inspect your plants regularly for signs of pests or diseases. Treat any problems promptly with the appropriate product.

Planters are a fantastic way to add a new dimension to your outdoor spaces. With a little planning, creativity, and care, you can transform your patio, deck, or balcony into a vibrant and inviting oasis. So, grab your gloves, choose your containers, and let your imagination run wild! The possibilities are endless, and the rewards are truly beautiful.