12 Elevated Garden-Container Designs Where the Pot Is the Star

Don’t buy a cheap pot if you want your planted containers to stand the test of time

Containersadd a pop of garden involvement almost anywhere and in any season . One of my garden mentors , Thomas Hobbs , once said , “ To design in a container , you must sleep with the container . ” Over the years , my wife and I have collected many singular and delightfulplantersthat bring us joy when we look at them . These portable mini - gardens expatiate the horticultural possibilities of oursmall urban lot . We can move them around , mix them up , and make Modern looks whenever the mood come to us . Below you will find a few of our favorite container , occupy to the brim with plants that celebrate the spirit of each time of year .

Vintage French iron planter: A petite vessel is perfect for tabletop arrangements

This antique was a flea marketplace find , a hoarded wealth boxwood perfect for showcasing smaller horticultural gems . Its size ( 7½ inches marvellous and 17 inches wide ) makes staging it indoors for seasonal gatherings easy , and it looks equally at home in an intimate garden corner .

Spring: Welcome a new start with color and fragrance

Sun star , an underappreciated bulbous perennial from South Africa , bring a burst of smart as a whip semblance to a leaping planting , amplified in this combination by a fragrant viola in a similar chromaticity . The substantial foliage of a smallrhododendronplant adds body structure , and the ferny , sullen leave of brass button soften the front edge of the composition .

Summer: Everything is better with succulents

Carefree , water - wise , and usable in countless shapes and colors , succulents are perfect for summertime containers . This combo picks up the rust-brown tones of the planter , with bursts of silver for direct contrast .

Fall: Fine textures tie it all together

Twisted ribbons of sedge , lavish Asparagus officinales fern fronds , and frilly kale weave together in this fall mix . Dusty miller and a trailing ivy keep the mood light . Tuck in a few gourd , and you have a subtle decoration that suit the laid-back mood of declination utterly .

Winter: Cut branches are an easy solution

look for your garden for aspiration as dusty weather approach , and you are certain to find at least a few cutting to tote up captivating texture to wintertime arrangements . Here , I flux honest-to-goodness with young by place contemporaryconifersilhouettes purchase on a trip-up to theChicago Botanic Gardenin this antique Fe planter .

Learn how tocreate a sturdy winter container arrangement.

Expert tip:Seek out treasures of your own

One of the most thrilling parts of working with time of origin and antique containers is discovering them at flea markets , estate sales , and online market place , and then learning as much as potential about their account .

Antique white urn planter: Get creative with a classic form

Its timeless silhouette and elegant lines make an urn aspect at home in almost any garden scope . Whether displayed on the ground or set at eye level , its tapered form lends an airy , elevate feeling to a planting , despite its physical weightiness .

Spring: Cultivate an air of sweet simplicity

A homochromatic Malus pumila - green color scheme effortlessly link up this planting together and puts the focussing on subtle point such as efflorescence and leafage textures . Cut branches total another element of interest , in this suit with flabby , argent cunt willow tree catkin that reverberate the muted tone of the container .

Summer: Embrace midseason abundance

Iranian shell ’s pattern leaf make it an inst focal item , especially when set against a freehanded collection of deeper park . The airy flowers of refined euphorbia and the threadlike foliage of Arkansas bluestar infuse the arrangement with their delicacy . Curly leaf parsley , a host plant for swallow-tailed coat butterfly larvae , is another fun addition .

Fall: Find foliage that can take some frost

The leafy rosettes of ‘ Crane White ’ kale may look like soft blooms , but they are tough enough to withstand frosty temperatures . Dusty miller and lacinatokalealso hold up admirably well in early winter , but it ’s near to move hellebore into a garden bed before the solid ground freezes . Mulch the transplants well , and monitor them for rime heaving .

Winter: Spruce up the garden

A live or cut tree ornament with gloss over natural materials harmonizes with the quiet winter landscape painting . Here , a spicy spruce nestle in a base of switch off outgrowth from a Fraser fir ( Abies fraseri , Zones 4–7 ) . paint botanical accents from a flowered supply shop and silver medal ornaments complete the glacial effect .

Expert tip:Prune to maintain balance

Do not be afraid to cut back a vigorous annual or affectionate perennial such as Iranian carapace to keep it in scale with other plants in the container . Your endeavor will be rewarded when the plant life push out wise , attractive new development .

Resin basket planter: Build upon a broad, beautifully textured base

The handmade feeling of this resin plantation owner link in harmoniously with every flora texture conceivable . With a wide gap , it holds slew of plant life , opening up many possibilities for industrial plant combinations throughout the year .

Spring: Start the season with a storm of color

blossom bulbs , hot - huedheucherafoliage , and citrus fruit - colored violas are electrified by the addition of flashy ‘ Ascot Rainbow’euphorbia . Curly willow canes swirl around the margin , adding both movement and loudness to this perfect storm .

Summer: Put plant architecture on display

This felt bush postulate a solid al-Qaeda of complementarytexturesto keep it undercoat and to make it look less leggy . The sunburst - like foliage radiation diagram of its fellow serve as a unifying excogitation element that ties the penning together .

Fall: Sometimes cool leaves are just what you need

This leaf - focalise grouping represent as a pallet cleaner that heightens the intensity level of the surroundingfall colors . constellate with balmy emphasis and mini - pumpkin , it is a playful take on the bounty of the season .

Winter: Architectural elements add interest

An demode lantern impart height and provides a new focal point for the late season , enhance by a horizontal lei of cut Green around its base . The arrangement of cut materials inside the lantern will look beneficial over a long season and can be beautify with lights to get you through the dark days of wintertime .

Expert tip:Find a frost-proof container for winter

In freezing weather , forgo fragile material such as ceramic or terra - cotta and choose for durable pots that will not check or spall if the stain inside freeze .

Iron bowl planter: A rustic pot lends instant character

This heavily patinated iron plantation owner could harmonize with almost any architectural manner , and its simple shape and muted details will never upstage the planting it holds .

Spring: Early bloomers cure spring fever

pot up frost - sturdy flowers is a outstanding way to get the garden company part , even if snow is still lingering in the shadows . Use pussy willow tree branches to give any pot a young vibration ; here , they make the illusion of a tiny landscape . you may move the Narcissus pseudonarcissus and perennials into the garden after they finish blooming , but it is better to keep aggressive English ivy in a container .

Summer: Spotlight sculptural shapes

A grouping of just a few flora can feel bountiful if they complement each other as well as these do . Elephant bush tally a inviolable vertical component and has leaf that resemble showers of tiny coins . A show - stop echeveria contribute another ethereal grain , and ‘ Purple Dragon ’ pouf crassula , with its arching habit , inclination below the container rim to balance out the conception .

Fall: Dark foliage sets off harvest treasures

Gourds make sport additions to autumn agreement , and their bright colors pop against dark - result plants . The effect is eerily beautiful and perfect for Halloween .

Winter: Berries and evergreens are a classic winter combo

A potted pyramidal boxwood is theevergreenbase of this cheerful composing . Sprays of winterberry are tucked into its branches , and assorted William Green are arrange into a whorl around its Qaeda .

These plants are moot invading in some arena . For more information , please visitinvasiveplantatlas.org , or check your State Department ’s list of invasive plants .

Expert tip:Trailing plants look elegant in an elevated container

Using “ spillers ” to sum up loudness at the nucleotide of a planting is a meter - tested container - design proficiency . In the placement above , mention how a form of shapes and form have been used to soften the top border of the planter .

Paul Zammit is a professor of sustainable horticulture at Niagara College in southern Ontario .

Photos : Paul Zammit

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