Container Gardens
Spring
This container arrangement includes contrasting foliage colors and various textures for added interest. The terra cotta color of the container are echoed in the orange tones of the heucheras. St. Ambrose Episcopal Church. Garden age: unknown Glenn Wagstaff CC BY-NC 2.0- Plants in this photo:Plants in this photo
- Description
-
Name: Container Gardens
County: Various
USDA Hardiness Zone: Various
Extension Demonstration Garden? No
Approximate year the garden/landscape was established: Various
What to look for:
The containers in this Design Gallery show how containers of all shapes and sizes can be used for growing plants that fit in various landscape themes. Plant selection varies, but many container gardeners use three kinds of plants in their designs: Thrillers, Fillers, and Spillers. Thrillers are the focal points and are tall, upright plants. Fillers are plants that fill the container, add bulk to the planting, and cover the soil surface. Spillers are trailing plants that cascade over the edge of the container.
Horticulture:
Care for containers depends on the kinds of plants used and the potting medium; however, in most conditions, containers dry out more rapidly than plants in the ground. Plants in containers may need frequent watering. Annual vegetable crops grown in containers, such as tomatoes, may need additional fertilizer during the growing season, as the plants can quickly exhaust the nutrients in the potting medium.
Spring
This container arrangement includes contrasting foliage colors and various textures for added interest. The terra cotta color of the container are echoed in the orange tones of the heucheras. St. Ambrose Episcopal Church. Garden age: unknown Glenn Wagstaff CC BY-NC 2.0- Plants in this photo:Plants in this photo
Spring
This container arrangement includes contrasting foliage colors and various textures for added interest. The terra cotta color of the container are echoed in the orange tones of the heucheras. St. Ambrose Episcopal Church. Garden age: unknown Glenn Wagstaff CC BY-NC 2.0- Plants in this photo:Plants in this photo
Spring
Pitcher Plants. Medium is silica sand and peat, with no added fertilizer. The container is watered with rainwater or distilled water. The plastic container sits in a shallow tray. It is surrounded by Zephyranthes. Garden age: 4 years Kathy Sill CC BY 4.0- Plants in this photo:Plants in this photo
Summer
Containers allow you to arrange plants and feature those that look their best in the front. Tropical plants can be enjoyed outdoors in the summer. Alcantarea odorata, a tropical bromeliad (Bromeliaceae), is the large, tall, silvery plant. Garden age: mature Kathleen Moore CC BY 2.0- Plants in this photo:Plants in this photo
Summer
Tropical epiphytes on a branch affixed to the container. Garden age: mature Kathleen Moore CC BY 4.0- Plants in this photo:Plants in this photo
Summer
A vertical container garden with tropical climbers and epiphytes. The teal container and gray Tillandsia echo the surrounding structure, while the lime-green Pothos and Pilea provide contrast. These plants are not hardy. Garden age: mature Kathleen Moore CC BY 4.0- Plants in this photo:Plants in this photo
Summer
A vertical container garden with tropical climbers and epiphytes. The teal container and gray Tillandsia echo the surrounding structure, while the lime-green Pothos and Monstera provide contrast. These plants are not hardy. Garden age: mature Kathleen Moore CC BY 4.0- Plants in this photo:Plants in this photo
Summer
These succulents are drought tolerant, cold hardy, and provide year-round interest. Their fleshy leaves have a coarse texture and interesting shapes. The plants contrast nicely with the red containers. Craven County. Garden age: unknown Carol McHale CC BY 4.0- Plants in this photo:Plants in this photo
Summer
The Thriller element is one Cordyline ‘Electric Pink’ plant with one pink wave petunia and one scented geranium (Pelargonium 'Citrosum'). The petunia can get large in the summer and have to be deadheaded daily. Garden age: unknown Wendy Diaz CC BY 4.0- Plants in this photo:Plants in this photo
Spring
A grouping of containers. The iris is planted in a container supported by a floating foam ring. Garden age: 8 years Kathy Sill CC BY 4.0- Plants in this photo:Plants in this photo
Winter
The floating container of irises. They are dormant for the winter. Garden age: 8 years Kathy Sill CC BY 4.0- Plants in this photo:Plants in this photo
Spring
This container arrangement includes contrasting foliage colors and various textures for added interest. The terra cotta color of the container are echoed in the orange tones of the heucheras. St. Ambrose Episcopal Church. Garden age: unknown Glenn Wagstaff CC BY-NC 2.0- Plants in this photo:Plants in this photo
Spring
This container arrangement includes contrasting foliage colors and various textures for added interest. The terra cotta color of the container are echoed in the orange tones of the heucheras. St. Ambrose Episcopal Church. Garden age: unknown Glenn Wagstaff CC BY-NC 2.0- Plants in this photo:Plants in this photo
Spring
Pitcher Plants. Medium is silica sand and peat, with no added fertilizer. The container is watered with rainwater or distilled water. The plastic container sits in a shallow tray. It is surrounded by Zephyranthes. Garden age: 4 years Kathy Sill CC BY 4.0- Plants in this photo:Plants in this photo
Summer
Containers allow you to arrange plants and feature those that look their best in the front. Tropical plants can be enjoyed outdoors in the summer. Alcantarea odorata, a tropical bromeliad (Bromeliaceae), is the large, tall, silvery plant. Garden age: mature Kathleen Moore CC BY 2.0- Plants in this photo:Plants in this photo
Summer
Tropical epiphytes on a branch affixed to the container. Garden age: mature Kathleen Moore CC BY 4.0- Plants in this photo:Plants in this photo
Summer
A vertical container garden with tropical climbers and epiphytes. The teal container and gray Tillandsia echo the surrounding structure, while the lime-green Pothos and Pilea provide contrast. These plants are not hardy. Garden age: mature Kathleen Moore CC BY 4.0- Plants in this photo:Plants in this photo
Summer
A vertical container garden with tropical climbers and epiphytes. The teal container and gray Tillandsia echo the surrounding structure, while the lime-green Pothos and Monstera provide contrast. These plants are not hardy. Garden age: mature Kathleen Moore CC BY 4.0- Plants in this photo:Plants in this photo
Summer
These succulents are drought tolerant, cold hardy, and provide year-round interest. Their fleshy leaves have a coarse texture and interesting shapes. The plants contrast nicely with the red containers. Craven County. Garden age: unknown Carol McHale CC BY 4.0- Plants in this photo:Plants in this photo
Summer
The Thriller element is one Cordyline ‘Electric Pink’ plant with one pink wave petunia and one scented geranium (Pelargonium 'Citrosum'). The petunia can get large in the summer and have to be deadheaded daily. Garden age: unknown Wendy Diaz CC BY 4.0- Plants in this photo:Plants in this photo
Spring
A grouping of containers. The iris is planted in a container supported by a floating foam ring. Garden age: 8 years Kathy Sill CC BY 4.0- Plants in this photo:Plants in this photo
Winter
The floating container of irises. They are dormant for the winter. Garden age: 8 years Kathy Sill CC BY 4.0- Plants in this photo:Plants in this photo
