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