Are you dreaming of spring, summer, and fall filled with colorful blooms, stunning foliage, and maybe even some delicious fresh veggies? You can have it all—and you don’t need a garden plot. Container gardening makes it easy to bring the beauty of plants to all your outdoor living areas. We cover the basics of planting in pots, then give you a fail-proof formula to mix and match plants like a pro. Whether you want a gorgeous container planting for your porch or patio, a pretty hanging basket, a happy window box, a one-pot kitchen garden, or a hangout for pollinators, we have the inspiration you need to get growing.
GETTING STARTED • Whether you want to plant one pot to perk up your porch or dozens to enliven every one of your outdoor spaces, we've got you covered with container gardening basics.
FAIL-PROOF FORMULA • CREATING AN IMPRESSIVE CONTAINER GARDEN IS A CINCH WHEN YOU FOLLOW THE “THRILLERS, FILLERS, AND SPILLERS” METHOD. WE SHOW YOU HOW.
THRILLERS • USE ONE TALL PLANT, LIKE ANY OF THESE, THAT WILL CATCH THE EYE FIRST.
FILLERS • PACK YOUR CONTAINERS WITH MIDSIZE PLANTS AROUND THE THRILLER SO THEY DON’T COMPETE.
SPILLERS • ADD ANY PLANT OR PLANTS THAT WILL HANG OVER THE EDGE OF THE CONTAINER.
GORGEOUS GROUPINGS • Want to really grab some attention? Don't stop at one pot! Create a combo of several containers that work together to forge a dazzling focal point.
NO-BLOOMS, ALL IMPACT • SURE, BEAUTIFUL BLOOMS LOOK STUNNING IN ALL SORTS OF CONTAINERS. BUT SO DO COLORFUL FOLIAGE PLANTS, TREES, AND SUCCULENTS.
LIGHT ON THE MATTER • PICK THE RIGHT SPOT FOR YOUR PLANTS, AND THEY’LL PRODUCE BEAUTIFUL BLOOMS OR LUSH FOLIAGE. BUT POSITION A SUN-LOVING PLANT IN THE SHADE, OR VICE VERSA, AND IT WILL STRUGGLE TO THRIVE. HERE’S HOW TO GET IT RIGHT.
SUN WORSHIPERS • THESE COLORFUL BEAUTIES WITHSTAND—EVEN THRIVE IN—FULL SUN.
SHADE SEEKERS • TRY THESE PICKS TO BRIGHTEN UP A SHADY SPOT IN YOUR OUTDOOR LIVING AREA.
SCENTS AND SENSIBILITY • WE ADMIRE BEAUTIFUL BLOOMS AND VIBRANT FOLIAGE, BUT DON'T FORGET TO PLANT FOR FRAGRANCE, TOO.
AMAZING EDIBLES • YOU CAN GET REALLY BIG TASTE FROM A REALLY SMALL SPACE! CREATE A NEAT LITTLE EDIBLE GARDEN IN A CONTAINER NEAR THE KITCHEN—THEN GRAB A HANDFUL OF INGREDIENTS FOR DINNER TONIGHT.
EASY HERBS • HAVE YOU EVER SPENT TOP DOLLAR ON A PACKAGE OF HERBS ONLY TO USE A BIT OF IT WHILE THE REST ROTTED IN THE REFRIGERATOR? INSTEAD, CREATE YOUR OWN BACKYARD HERB GARDEN! HERE ARE SOME EXCELLENT CHOICES TO CONSIDER.
TROPICAL PUNCH • ESCAPE TO THE TROPICS WITHOUT LEAVING YOUR OWN BACKYARD! BOLD HUES AND FLAMBOYANT FOLIAGE CREATE THE MOOD OF AN EXOTIC PARADISE IN THESE CONTAINERS.
BUTTERFLY ATTRACTION • IF YOU ENJOY WATCHING BUTTERFLIES FLITTING PAST, PACK YOUR GARDEN CONTAINERS WITH BLOOMS THAT THESE BEAUTIFUL CREATURES LOVE.
PRETTY POLLINATORS • EXTEND AN INVITE TO BIRDS, BUTTERFLIES, AND BEES BY ADDING A FEW OF THESE.
WINDOW DRESSING • FLOWER-FILLED WINDOW BOXES ARE A FABULOUS WAY TO BRIGHTEN UP YOUR HOME. THE BEST PART? YOU CAN ENJOY THE BLOOMS WHETHER YOU’RE OUTSIDE OR INSIDE!
CREATIVE CONTAINERS • FOUND AND VINTAGE ITEMS CAN BE REINVENTED AS HOMES FOR PLANTS WITH A LITTLE IMAGINATION AND KNOW-HOW.
HANGING AROUND • IF YOU HAVE LIMITED SPACE—OR JUST WANT TO ADD A BURST OF COLOR TO A PORCH OR PATIO—HANGING PLANTERS ARE A BEAUTIFUL OPTION.
Container Gardening
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