August 2008 Container Gardens Original by Bodie V. Pennisi, University of Georgia Modified by Georgia Agricultural Curriculum Office June 2006

August 2008 Common Terms Color Bowl – a small, round container placed on a table top to house compact, annual plants. Combination Basket – a hanging basket and usually holds mounding and trailing plants and excludes tall upright varieties. Container Garden – includes all shapes and sizes of container, usually sitting on the ground, sometimes massive enough to hold all types of plants, including woodies, perennials and bulbs.

August 2008 The concept – same principles of design and seasonal change as in the garden large pots display an array of interesting plant material artful techniques are employed dynamic qualities – ever-changing mini-garden Understanding Container Gardens

August 2008 Take up small space; also hanging baskets. Placement -- on the windowsill, by the backdoor, on the balcony or patio and around the garden. Moveable (mounted on castors) -- can be arranged in different groups; also take tender plants indoors for winter protection. Adaptable -- sun, shade, water garden, desert (cacti and succulents). Versatile – available in many shapes, sizes and colors. Containers are Versatile

August 2008 Try to select plants for optimal performance depending on seasons: Spring versus Summer E.g. most Argyranthemums, Lobelias, Diascias, and Nemesias look great in the Spring, but decline in Georgia summers Seasonal Container Gardens

August 2008 Design Principles: Focus

August 2008 Design Principles: Balance Asymmetrical Symmetrical

August 2008 Design Principles: Form

August 2008 Design Principles: Texture

August 2008 Design Principles: Rhythm

August 2008 Design Principles: Proportion

August 2008 Color Theory Color Echoing

August 2008 Definition: Lightness or darkness or strength of the color may vary, but only one color is used Color Harmonies: Monochromatic Effect/Use: Soothing

August 2008 Definition: Colors closely related to one another (next to each other) on the color wheel Color Harmonies: Analogous Effect/Use: More dramatic than monochromatic

August 2008 Definition: Colors opposite one another on the color wheel Color Harmonies: Complementary Effect/Use: Demands attention

August 2008 Definition: Black, Gray, White Color Harmonies: Neutral Effect/Use: Add depth to the composition; make other colors look brighter and deeper; divide colors that clash or are too strong

August 2008 Definition: Mixture of many colors Color Harmonies: Polychromatic Effect/Use: This works most of the time because flowers naturally blend together

August 2008 Flower Color Wheel

August 2008 Tips for Making Container Gardens

August 2008 Mix plants with at least three textures of foliage to make a container garden interesting.

August 2008 Use plenty of plants that are foliage plants (w/ no flowers)-- foliage color, leaf shape, and texture are just as important as the flowers.

August 2008 Some good foliage contrasts include: downy with glossy; dark with gray; small with large; yellow (or lime-green) with violet.

August 2008 Use Coleus cultivars as a colorful foliage; also to ‘echo’ the color of flowers in the container.

August 2008 Vary the shape of the flowers in the container to add interest -- petunia vs. verbena. Use bicolor flowers.

August 2008 Vegetative annuals mix well with other annuals, perennials, tropicals, and bulbs. Everything and anything goes as long as it pleases your eye!

August 2008 Plant Positions in Container Gardens Center plants: provide compact, upright growth to fill in the crown of the container. Filler plants: typically have compact, upright growth and round out the top of the container. Corner plants: grow well over the container’s edge and benefit from a corner position where they have maximum elbowroom. Edge plants: drape over the edge, softening the look of the container and filling out the space between its corners.

August 2008 Examples of Center plants: Salvia, grasses, dracaena spike, coleus, Persian shield, Alocasia, Colocasia, some perennials

August 2008ArgyranthemumGeraniumsColeusIresineCupheaBracteantha Dusty Miller Heliotrope Examples of Filler Plants:

August 2008PetuniaCalibrachoaToreniaScaevolaPlectranthusBidensBacopaHelichrysumFuchsia Ivy Geranium Examples of Corner Plants: Angel Wing Begonia

August 2008 Examples of Edge Plants: IpomeaBacopaCalibrachoa Vinca vine VerbenaPortulaca Ivy Geranium PlectranthusIvy

August 2008 Combination Gardens for Sun Ipomoea ‘Blackie' Sunlover Coleus Ivy Geranium CalibrachoaHeliotrope Argyranthemum Annual Verbena AgeratumSanvitalia

August 2008 Combination Gardens for Shade ColeusImpatiensCaladium Boston Fern

August 2008 Theme Container Gardens Ferns garden Succulents gardens

August 2008 Container Gardens How-To

August 2008 Great variety -- specialty baskets, wall baskets, window boxes, wooden baskets & terracotta. Moss or coco fiber baskets or plastic baskets. Both work equally well as far as plant performance is concerned. Choosing Containers

August 2008 The size of the container will restrict the size of the plant. Wide range of materials -- plastics, fiberglass, terracotta, stone, wood. Choosing Containers The style and shape should complement the plants grown. The style and shape also should complement other containers for best display.

August 2008 With used containers, make sure that they are clean, wash out any old compost, chemical or paint residues. To help prolong the life of wooden containers line them with plastic. The type of plants will determine the growing conditions you will need to create. Unless you are creating a bog garden, the container must have drainage holes. If not, the compost will become saturated and stagnant, killing the plants. A 3- to 5-gallon container should have at least four drainage holes. Drill drainage holes Do not use gravel on bottom because it impedes drainage!

August 2008 Moss - looks natural; allows easy planting through the base and sides of the basket. black plastic (polyethelene) liner - inside moss liner with holes pierced through: helps hold moisture while retaining a 'natural' effect. Coconut-fiber matting liners - woolly-textured, natural-looking coconut fiber, lasts several seasons. Biodegradeable liners - made from compressed fibers, and will last for 2 years or more. Holes need to be made in sides and base for trailing plants. Plastic - alone with holes pierced: effective, but only looks good if plants grow over to camouflage. Basket Linings

August 2008 What Mix to Use ? Soils for containers need to have three key elements – well- drained, good aeration, & retain enough water to maintain good plant growth. If you use moss or coco fiber baskets and use plants that need a lot of water, consider adding a water-retaining agent to the soil mix.

August 2008 Mix moisture-retaining agent in the medium (follow manufacturer’s recommendation for mixing rates) or purchase soilless medium with moisture retaining agent mixed in.

August 2008 Avoid exposed windy sites hrs of sun/day or 4-8 hrs/day select plants for fullFor locations that receive hrs of sun/day or 4-8 hrs/day select plants for full sun to partial shade. Choosing a Location hrs of early or late sun /day select plants for shade.For locations that receive hrs of early or late sun /day select plants for partial to full shade.

August 2008 Use strong performers in the center of the container Torenias and Bacopas – flexible stems – good for the edges of the planter Large leaves & excellent performance – Ipomea (sweet potato vine) Verbena & Petunia -- must have (sun gardens) Choosing Plant Material

August 2008 All plants combined in one container should have similar water, light & fertilizer requirements!

August 2008 Planting Combination Baskets trailing mounding mounding Use odd numbers of plants (3, 5, 7, 9, etc.) trailing

August 2008 Plants used: BacopaTorenia Veronica ‘Georgia Blue’

August 2008 Plants used: VincaPentasAngelonia Asparagus fern Sun Coleus Verbena

August 2008 Tall plants -- center of container Trailing plants -- edge

August 2008 Planted Container Garden

August 2008 Herb Garden

August 2008 Water thoroughly! Step back and enjoy! The Finished Product

August 2008 Maintenance of Container Gardens

August 2008 Baskets need more attention to watering than other containers. Air movement all around, so more water is required to replace that which is lost through evaporation.Baskets need more attention to watering than other containers. Air movement all around, so more water is required to replace that which is lost through evaporation. Clay containers dry out more quickly than those made of other materials. Tip -- use water-retaining agent. Upright watering cans with short spouts can be heavy and awkward to lift and tilt when watering hanging baskets. Use a hose with an adjustable spray nozzle. If your basket is fixed to a pulley system, it can be lowered and immersed in a bowl of water to soak. Watering

August 2008 Regular feeding – slow- release fertilizer and/or liquid form. Follow label directions when applying fertilizers. Do not use granular fertilizer or weed-and-feed formulations in containers; plant damage may occur. Fertilizing

August 2008 Nothing lasts forever! Container gardens need to be gardened. Plants need: trimming deadheading spraying for pests & diseases weed control (manual!) replacement General Appearance

August 2008

Don’t Forget to Have Fun!!!

August 2008 Bodie V. Pennisi Extension Floriculture Specialist Horticulture Department Copyright® 2005 The University of Georgia