| There are many reasons for growing plants in | | | | increases the size as they grow. Bulbs can |
| garden containers, flower pots and planters. | | | | be grown in planters, about two to three bulb |
| An obvious one is if you are growing exotic | | | | widths apart, though the fall bulbs will need |
| plants that can be placed outdoors in summer | | | | some exposure to the frost since they need a |
| in a location that suits each plant, and then | | | | low temperature for a strong root growth. |
| taken indoors or into a more shaded spot in | | | | |
| the fall and winter. They are also very | | | | Annuals are ideal for color, especially if |
| convenient for people who live in mobile | | | | you get a lot of frost in the winter, and |
| homes. | | | | they can be replaced each year. If you plant |
| | | | them fairly close together in garden |
| People who rent their homes and tend to move | | | | containers or planters, you can design a |
| around with their job can grow their own | | | | lovely looking garden, or a fine display for |
| plants that can move with them. Plants grown | | | | a patio. Planters are available in a wide |
| in garden containers are portable, and to | | | | range of colors and shapes, and can be made |
| many people this is big advantage. Not only | | | | of concrete cast into a variety of shapes or |
| that, but you arrange your garden as you | | | | stained or painted wood to suit their |
| please rather than the plants being in fixed | | | | surroundings. |
| positions. Using containers and flower pots | | | | |
| it is possible to plant a whole garden that | | | | Hardwood planters fitted with a trellis are |
| can be rearranged to suit the flowering | | | | ideal for climbers, and can be free standing |
| patterns of the plants. | | | | units suitable for outdoor use, or even for |
| | | | hallways, vestibules and conservatories. |
| No more bare patches in spring due to some | | | | Cedar is popular, but so also are cypress, |
| plants flowering late, or in summer when the | | | | oak and cherry. They are suitable for a |
| short-lived flowers die off quicker than | | | | number of climbing plants from sweet peas to |
| their longer lasting or hardier cousins. You | | | | cyclamen to passion fruit. |
| can fill in the bare patches with new pots or | | | | |
| planters, and arrange the colors to suit your | | | | Most annuals are suitable for garden |
| preference. You can decorate your veranda or | | | | containers, pots and planters, some |
| patio with the flowers that are in season, | | | | particularly attractive choices being |
| and are not restricted to the same ones all | | | | petunia, tobacco plant (nicotiana) with its |
| year round. | | | | wonderful smell, and begonias. The latter |
| | | | two are particularly suitable for growing in |
| While this all sounds like a very good reason | | | | shaded areas, as is impatiens or 'Busy |
| for using nothing but pots and planters, | | | | Lizzie'. Other flowers suitable for |
| there are certain aspects using them that | | | | containers are lavandula, gaura and salvia |
| have to be considered. Potted plants are | | | | which provide colorful opportunities for any |
| totally depended on you for their water and | | | | type of garden design. Cigar Plants (cuphea) |
| nutrition. Their root growth is restricted | | | | love lots of sun and have unusual flowers. |
| and you have to know which plants are | | | | These shrubs are ideal for tubs in sunny |
| suitable for this type of environment. You | | | | climates. |
| should also consider the overall look of your | | | | |
| garden and the shape and color of your pots | | | | Many people use containers for window ledges |
| and planters. | | | | and balconies, and if you have decking, then |
| | | | deck rail planters are an attractive means of |
| First the plants. Pots are restrictive and | | | | hanging plants from the handrails. Many |
| the size will depend on the requirements of | | | | people prefer the look of natural terracotta, |
| the plants. Ferns, for example, grow better | | | | but keep in mind that earthenware pots and |
| when the root system is crowded whereas roses | | | | planters dry out very quickly, and so need a |
| prefer a bit more space in which to grow, | | | | lot of watering. The plastic equivalents are |
| especially climbing varieties. Cyclamens too | | | | much more practical, if not as attractive. |
| prefer more space, and so would be more | | | | |
| suited to large pots or planters. Trees | | | | Garden containers, flower pots and planters |
| prefer large pots, and the larger garden tubs | | | | are an attractive and very practical way of |
| would be more appropriate for the larger | | | | decorating your garden, patio or |
| varieties. | | | | conservatory, and a little bit of imagination |
| | | | can work wonders. They also provide a very |
| The same is true of shrubs and larger | | | | practical means of planting for those that |
| perennials such as hydrangeas. You can start | | | | like to frequently rearrange their garden, or |
| these off in smaller pots, and gradually | | | | are often on the move. |