I love using containers in the landscape.  They can add a punch of color to any patio or front entrance to a home.  Containers allow you to better control the soil mixture.  However, in our Texas heat, they can dry out fast.  So, I recommend using large containers as they will retain moisture longer than smaller containers.  Here are some updates on containers that we maintain.

I love the look of the SunPatiens.   They are offered in great color selections.  And look at the size of these!  This container holds 3 Variegated Vigorous Coral SunPatiens.  The form is perfect… nice and round covering the soil.  In the Dallas area, I’ve had better performance using these in a semi-shaded area as the intense July / August sun can be a too much for them.

These fancy leaf caladiums performed wonderfully underneath the yaupon holly.  The fancy leaf caladium requires more shade than the strap leaf caladium.  Those that you see in the sun are a strap leaf variety.  You can identify the difference by looking at the shape of the leaf.  The fancy leaf caladium has a heart shape leaf whereas the strap leaf is arrow shaped.

For a bright flower that can withstand the sun and heat, we had success with the Cora Periwinkle.  This is the burgundy Cora Periwinkle.  These plants filled in the container.  I have found that they will bounce back quickly if they become dry which can easily happen in July and August.

Another great plant combination for a mostly sunny location is crotons and Zebrina pendula.  The colors are so vibrant ranging from reds to yellows and purples!

We almost always install a drip line from the existing irrigation system to each container.  You can run the tube through the bottom of the container or have it come up over the side of the container.  A drip line will save you many hours of hand watering.  And you can go on vacation knowing that your plants will look good on your return.

Containers have always been an interest of mine because of their diversity and visual impact.  They are a garden in themselves and can provide a visual focal point in areas where it may not be easy to achieve otherwise.

I like to use large containers as they can function as a focal point in the garden or an accent piece.  If you are going to use containers, go with a large substantial piece.  They may be heavy but you will gain in many ways.  First of all, they will not dry out as quickly as smaller containers.  Nor will they become lost in the landscape.  Objects tend to look smaller outside.  The scale outside is different than indoors.  That is because the sky which acts as the “ceiling” is much farther away and the “walls” are further out.  A bunch of small containers tend to look cluttered and visually get lost.  Besides, it is so much easier to tend to one large container than to several small pots.

5' Tall Container

In this photo, the blue container is 5′ tall.  Talk about impact!  It literally draws your eye to it.  The blue color helps as well.  To capitalize on the color, I selected plants with the same color of blue.  In this case, Plumbago auriculata, which is an annual in zone 7/8.   The lime green of the sweet potato vine is a great contrast to the blue.

These miniature gardens provide a way to create great arrangements because of their constrained size.  You can easily create impact of color because it takes fewer plants to fill the space even though you will be using large containers.

Low Bowl Containers

Take a look at these low bowl containers.  The pots are overflowing with color.  In this arrangement, the main color is purple with silver as an accent.  These containers are positioned on a wall so even though they are low bowls, they are positioned close to eye level.

As with any garden, water and feeding is a necessity for its success.  I highly recommend using irrigation drip lines to water your containers especially during the hot summer months.  Provide fertilizer as well as this will make your plants healthy and provide you with many blooms.