Johnsons's Garden Centers Text File document - copyright 2007
PDF file available at http://www.johnsonsgarden.com/newsletter/flowers.html

Contain Your Excitement!
April / May 2007
Lee Ann Mies, Johnson's West 13th Greenhouse Manager

    Whether placed on your front porch, on your deck, or within your
garden, containers can enhance the beauty of any location. Small pots
may be tucked into corners or proudly displayed on tables. Mid-sized
pots can soften harsh corners, or bring balance to sitting areas. Large
containers bring drama and awe to your garden.

    Making a dramatic container is easy if you follow three simple
steps.

    - You need height, drama and shape ... an architectural form to be
the star of your masterpiece. Think of bold Canna leaves. A Banana plant
(if protected from the wind). Miscanthus or Red Fountain Grass for an
airy feel.

    - Surround this centerpiece plant with finely textured, colorful,
flowering plants. Choose several different plants to mass around the
centerpiece in your container. Coleus, New Guinea Impatiens or Begonias
for shade. Lantana, Vinca or Angelonia for sun.

    - Every container needs those uncontained plants that cascade over
the edge. Again, choose more than one kind. For shade choose Ivy,
Torenia or Fiber Optic Grass. For sun choose Sweet Potato Vine,
Asparagus Fern or Ivy Geraniums. Try planting these at an angle to
promote their cascading effect.

    Don't be afraid to put too many plants into your container. We have
a short growing season and you don't want to wait until October for your
container to be a sightseeing attraction. Crowding your plants is OK.
Make sure as you are planning your container that watering and sun
requirements are the same for each plant. It is impossible to provide
different growing conditions within the same container.

    Traditional containers come in varied colors of clay, giving the
impression of old world elegance or Southwestern decor. Ceramic pots are
wildly colorful and add to your artistic design. But containers do not
have to be clay or ceramic pots. Line a wire basket with sheet moss,
then fill with ferti-lome Ultimate Potting Mix and flowers. Use leaky
buckets, watering cans, wicker baskets, or fill an old birdbath with
sedums and hens and chicks. Be creative, venture outside the box.

    Art pieces can also be part of your container. Maybe you have an
ornamental plant stake that can serve as your height. Topiary forms can
support colorful vines. Whimsical wind art can be your focus. Just
remember to work with your three forms; height, fill and cascade.

    Perennials, shrubs and small trees also work in containers. Colorful
heuchera or hostas make great fillers for a shade container. Cotoneaster
or Emerald Gaiety Euonymus cascade nicely over the edges. Japanese
Maples or species evergreens are a dramatic centerpiece.

    Use your artistic eyes. Combine colors to evoke a peaceful setting
or exciting drama. Make layers and use leaf texture or variegation to be
part of your display. Be bold, be different, do something unique. Let
your personality show through.