Houseplant Care

Outdoor Container Gardens

Houseplant Care

Rupert Foxton-Smythe
February 20, 2020
0

Discover the art of outdoor container gardens, where small plants come together to create stunning displays of color and beauty.

Small garden plants tend to look most effective when grouped, either as a mass of one type, or as a mixed selection but in the same colours.

Key Information:

Small garden plants look best when grouped together, either as one type or a mixed selection in the same colors.

Group plants of one species in a range of tones of one color for an effective display.
Grow plants that flower at different times to create a constantly changing container garden.
Choose high-level containers to showcase small plants and appreciate their delicacy.

Small garden plants tend to look most effective when grouped, either as a mass of one type, or as a mixed selection but in the same colours. Using high-level containers that bring them closer shows them off to the best advantage.

Massing one species

Small plants anywhere need to be used in numbers to create a display. A group of plants all of one species can be used very effectively if varieties in a range of tones of one colour are chosen.

The disadvantage of this method of display is that all the plants will be flowering at one time, leaving the container uninteresting for the rest of the year. However you can turn this disadvantage into an advantage if you grow a selection of plants that flower at different times of the year and replace one species by the next as soon as it has flowered. In this way the container provides a miniature garden that constantly changes in both colour and form. It is most economical to choose annuals, growing each variety from seed in succession in a number of individual pots. New plants can then be easily transplanted into the container when the previous group are past their best.

This garden could start in spring as a bulb garden of tiny yellow Narcissus or bright blue Iris. Or you could use a mass of Primroses in a mixture of colours to create a sunny effect.

In summer these could be exchanged for trailing and compact Lobelia. Choose from bright blue or pink with white centres, or dark blue mixed with light blue, or white used with a red trailing variety. Alternatively the pot could hold Pinks in all their wonderful shades from deep, dusky red, through pink to white. In late summer introduce a mass of gold, orange and brown Nasturtium which flower from mid-summer to mid-autumn.

A mixed plant container

The alternative to using a group of just one species is to plant the pot up with a range of small plants that have been chosen to provide colour throughout the summer, as one variety takes over flowering from another but the result will not be as colourful.

Containers to use

Small plants Come into focus when they are displayed raised above ground level, as you can then appreciate their delicacy. There are a number of ways of doing this.
Wall baskets grouped at eye level but at slightly different heights could be used very effectively to display small trailing plants.
Pots on stem, like stone urns allow you to place the garden wherever you want.
Legs for a container can be fairly simply made from a few leftover bricks. Use for an old sink, tub, even and old wash-hand basin.
Form a pillar from an old chimney pot or plant pots and position a low, wide container on top.
Use a table top to show off a group of miniature plants in tiny containers such as the shells.

More Information on Outdoor Container Gardens

Outdoor container gardens offer a versatile and visually appealing way to showcase small plants. Grouping plants together, whether of the same species or in a mixed selection of complementary colors, creates a striking display. To maximize the impact, high-level containers can be used to bring the plants closer and highlight their beauty.

One effective technique is massing one species of plants in a range of tones within a single color. This creates a cohesive and harmonious look. However, a potential drawback of this approach is that all the plants will flower at the same time, resulting in a less interesting container for the rest of the year. To overcome this, consider selecting plants that bloom at different times throughout the year. By replacing one species with the next as soon as it has flowered, the container becomes a miniature garden that constantly changes in both color and form. Annuals are a cost-effective choice for this purpose, as you can grow each variety from seed in succession.

Alternatively, you can opt for a mixed plant container, combining different small plants that provide color throughout the summer. As one variety finishes flowering, another takes over, ensuring a continuous display. While the result may not be as vibrant as massing one species, the variety and diversity of the container can be visually appealing.

When choosing containers, consider elevating them above ground level to appreciate the delicacy of the small plants. Wall baskets grouped at different heights can effectively display small trailing plants. Pots on stems, like stone urns, provide flexibility in placement, allowing you to position the garden wherever you desire. You can even repurpose items like old sinks or tubs with makeshift legs made from leftover bricks. For a vertical element, create a pillar using old chimney pots or stacked plant pots, placing a low, wide container on top. Another creative option is to use a table top to showcase a group of miniature plants in tiny containers, such as shells.

Outdoor container gardens offer endless possibilities for creativity and personal expression. By carefully selecting plants, considering their blooming times, and choosing appropriate containers, you can create stunning displays that bring joy and beauty to any outdoor space.

About The Author:

Rupert Foxton-Smythe

Horticulturist and avid plant enthusiast.

Rupert Foxton-Smythe is a seasoned horticulturist and avid plant enthusiast with over three decades of experience in the field of botany. As a leading expert at Houseplant Guru, Rupert brings a wealth of knowledge and a deep passion for all things green.