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Container Gardening Ideas: The Best Guide for You

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Container gardening ideas is a hot topic searched by many online. Although there are about thousands of solutions for it, still, no one can provide one definite answer.

Why?

Simple. Because gardening is a free space. In this, you can do just about anything you want, depending of course on the resources you have available. Needless to say, every container garden tells a different story.

That said, how can you make your container garden beautifully and uniquely yours?

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Container gardening ideas

When starting your container garden, it would be nice to research first into the various container gardening projects available online. Take inspiration from them and then twist and tweak their ideas according to your own style. The possibilities are endless. You can let them sleep on steps, breathe through windowsills, scatter around the corners and even let them hang on your walls—as long as you incorporate the right plants with the right containers and give them the right nutrition, your container garden is all set for success.

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How do you arrange a container garden?

In just about any course, you can never go wrong by beginning with the basics. Of all the components there are to think about when it comes to arranging potted plants, I’ve narrowed them down to three: selecting the right containers, clustering containers: the rule of odds, and combining the right plants: thrillers, fillers, spoilers.

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Selecting the right containers

Containers come in different sizes, colors, and even material. Know that choosing where to plant your plants make a big difference to your plants’ growth. A general rule you must keep in mind is to always give your plants adequate space to grow. The larger the container, the bigger the root space available, the better for mix-planting. Don’t forget your aesthetics too. Using the same colored pots can make your garden more unified. You can, however, always add a quick pop of color!

TIP: Don’t forget to add drainage holes to your containers!

Learn more about choosing the perfect containers.

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What does the rule of odds mean?

One famous rule in design is the rule of odds. This states that images are more visually appealing when you add an odd number of elements to a composition. This is a perfect rule that you can add to your long list of container gardening ideas. You don’t have to fill your entire space with plants. Instead, try clustering containers in odd numbers such as 3, 5, or 7. Incorporate this and instantly, spice up your container gardening arrangements.

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What plants go together in containers?

When mixing plants in containers, a common way to begin designing is to use the “Thriller, Filler Spiller” concept. This gardening design strategy utilizes three different plant types—perfect to create well-rounded and pleasing container gardens.

Thrillers

Thrillers are big and tall plants, used as the focal point of your container plant designs. Their height provides drama and vertical elements to your design, making them more eye-catching. They’re either placed at the center or sometimes at the back part of the containers. They can be flowers or ornamental grasses. Examples for this include:

  • Canna Lily. Canna lily is one of the best options that you can have as a thriller plant. Not only does it grow tall and bright, but it also thrives well even under the strong summer heat. Furthermore, its rich color is also a perfect addition if you wish to instantly warm your balcony up, along with other plants.
  • Asters. Asters can grow for up to 3-4 feet, perfect as centerpieces. Like Daisies, Asters have their starry-shaped flowerheads to thank.
  • Purple Fountain Grass.
  • Cosmos.
  • Salvia.
  • Dahlia.

Fillers

Fillers are more rounded plants used to enhance the thriller and fill the empty spaces. You can have one or two plant varieties as fillers, provided they aren’t too big or too tall to cover the thriller. Of the many plants that can fall under this category, try:

  • Angelonia.
  • Begonias.
  • Caladium.
  • Coleus.
  • Geraniums.

Spillers

Spillers are the plants that literally spill from the corners or sides of your containers. When viewed from all sides, place your spillers around your container as well. Moreover, when viewed only on one side, place your spillers in front of your container. Remember that they are what softens your design as they cascade beautifully over the containers. Well-chosen spoilers are what completes the whole design. Examples for this include:

  • Alyssum.
  • Bacopa.
  • Sweet Potato Vines.
  • Trailing Begonia.
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Container gardening tips and tricks

  • When planting different plants in one container, make sure that they have the same water and light requirements.
  • Remember to provide drainage holes to every container you’ll be using. Good drainage is a MUST.
  • Ceramic containers or terra cotta pots sips the moisture from the soil. With this, you would have to water your plants as much as you can. Do not overwater.
  • If you have a big planter to fill, make use of old cans, bottles, and milk jugs at the bottom of your container.
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DIY Container garden ideas

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