Summer Celebration
Barbara Harris , OHThis may look like one marvelous container but it ’s really three of graduating sizes pile on top of each other on a sunny patio . Since they ’re all lightweight plastic , Barbara filled them as full of potting mixture as she could . That elbow room , they would n’t be foul up over by strong wind . Once the large bottom container was filled , she set the average - sized one in the center and pushed it down a couple of inch . Then she filled the midway container with mix and followed the same footstep with the small top container . The remain planting area for the bottom and center container was narrow — about 5 in . — but the plants did n’t seem to mind . And since most of them were small to bug out with , it was n’t a problem catch them planted .
PLANT LIST (number to plant)
Shades of Pink
Patty Sutherland , MNThe bright pinks of the pretty container will really perk up up a shadowy patio or garden . Reiger begonia may rot if overwatered , so be sure not to give this container too much to drink . If the growth of the plectranthus , the variegated trailing flora up front , gets too enthusiastic , go onward and trim it back by half — the plant wo n’t mind .
Knockout Color
Julie Piechoski , INThere ’s nothing like brightly color annuals to convey a shock of vigour to your terrace . Julie combined a twosome of calibrachoas that came in a hanging basket with her common geraniums and a lantana to grow in full sunlight on her terrace and she had flower all season ! Even though these plants can take the rut , they still require some weewee when it gets really hot in summer . Julie uses a potting mix with the fertilizer already added and feeds them with a balanced swimming plant food , such as Miracle Gro ® , about every 2 week .
Wonderful Windowbox
Thomas DeLaHunt , WIThomas likes to pack a poke of color into his containers . And this windowbox on a shady magnetic north - look windowpane is no exception — it ’s bone up with interesting diversification and texture . There ’s no need to worry about deadheading anything here , as this fete of leaf will search good all summertime long . Because it ’s closely planted , you ’ll need to keep an eye on it so the soil does n’t get too dry . Thomas said he water this box daily in the heat of summer .
The tradescantia , prayer plant and St. Augustines eatage are often acquire as houseplants but are great ways to add some dramatic foliage interest to your container designs .
Succulent Dish
Rose Sage , WIFlowers do n’t always have to be the centre of attention . This gentle - care succulent dish for sun to part spook is fill with drought - liberal plants . Rose used a regular potting admixture and these warmth - devotee did just ok . You could also use the faster enfeeble cactus mix if you have any on hand . succulent like these are made to resist long dry periods in the ground . However , since they ’re in a shallow dish like this one , they ’ll ask some water during ironic spells .
