Make the most of the mixed container plants



One of the best things about being a container designer is the time I spend in nurseries looking for unique and interesting plant material. Strolling through your favorite garden center is an easy way to get creative and create your own design. I enjoy tapping into my instincts as I methodically walk each nursery aisle, keeping in mind the container's size, appearance, and planned placement. Which plants catch my eye? Which colors are most interesting to me? Is there a theme I can explore based on a recent trip or a client's favorite color? I often pick up plants that I particularly like and keep them with me when I shop. Sometimes it's helpful to start by identifying the largest or most important elements of your design, but this isn't a hard and fast rule. Keep an open mind as you roll your cart through the displays in the nursery. Trees are natural focal points, and small plantings can last in their containers for several seasons. shrubs,

Flowers, in particular, offer many great height and color options. Perennials are hard-working fillers that add interest as the seasons change, and you can move them into garden beds when you're prodding the gardener. Annuals are useful for filling flowering gaps, and lend something from the succulent or tropical aisle. A touch of texture and artistic whimsy. To get your creative juices flowing, here are some of my favorite displays that I designed with plants from every corner of the garden center.


1. Embrace some seasonal magic



As nurseries bring in new spring stock, look for pots of green bulbs starting to emerge from the soil. At this point, bunches of bulbs are easily teased and tucked across a container, where they fill beautifully. Happy pansies And nemesias will reliably provide consistent color until the heat of summer arrives. Bushy willow stalks are another frequent seasonal item

In the annual section or near the log, they are useful for creating early season height and interest. Dense Hellebores have a long blooming life, from early spring to late spring or early summer. When they bloom they can be added to a garden bed. Euphorbia is evergreen and can live in a container year-round in mild winter climates.


1. 'Dutch Master' Trumpet Daffodil

(Narcissus 'Dutch Master', Zones 3–8)

2. 'Magnificent Cornelia' Hyacinth (Hyacinthus

orientalis 'Splendid Cornelia', zones 4-8)

3. 'Dark Dimension' Hyacinth (Hyacinthus 'Dark

Dimension', Zones 4–8).

4. Frostkiss® Pippa's Purple hellebore (Helleborus

‘RD09’, Zones 5–8)

5. 'Ascot Rainbow' Euphorbia (Euphorbia ×

Martini 'Ascot Rainbow', Zones 5–9)

6. Sun Glow™ Purple Bicolor Nemesia

(Nemesia 'PENB24', Zones 9–11)

7. Sorbet® Lemon Chiffon pansy (Viola cornuta

'PAS872977', year)

8. 'Delta Premium Violet' Pansy (Viola ×

Vitrokiana 'Delta Premium Violet', annual)

9. Creeping Jenny (Lysimacia nambularia*

'Arya', Zones 4–8)



2. A long-blooming shrub is effortlessly entertaining



Hydrangeas are some of my favorite shrubs for multi-season interest. From early spring to early fall, they reliably provide unchanging displays of foliage and flowers. 'Limelight' looks particularly attractive when draped with free-blooming annuals such as Angelonia. euphorbia, and fan flower; These are planted here in layered layers that soften the edge of the container.


1. Bobo® Panicle Hydrangea (Hydrangea

paniculata 'ILVOBO', Zones 3–8)

2. Archangel™ Dark Purple Angelonia

(Angelonia angustifolia 'Balarkle',

Zones 10–11)

3. Whirlwind® Blue fan flower (Scaevola

Aemula ‘Scaplatis’, zones 10–11)

4. Diamond Frost® euphorbia (Euphorbia

Hypericifolia 'Inuptia', Zones 10-11)

5. Whirlwind® White Fan Flower (Scaevola

Aemula 'Bomi Wit', Zones 10–11)


3. Unique leaf patterns add a tropical vibe


This shade of feminine texture has an amazing combination of patterns and colors. Ferns give containers a woodland feel and can be found in either the perennial category or the annual category, depending on the type.

For this combination I first bought plants to add the fullness and then looked for color in the annual section. Coleus, caladiums and rex begonias (sometimes found in the houseplant section) offer plenty of options for mixing and matching patterns and hues. An interesting way to plant a pair of closely related begonias together Shimmering color effect.


1. Southern tree fern (Thelypteris

normalis, zones 7–10).

2. 'Salsa' Rex Begonia (Begonia rex

'Salsa', Zones 10–12)

3. 'Batic' Rieger Begonia (Begonia ×

Himalis 'Batik', Zones 9–11)

4. 'Netja Dark' Rieger Begonia (Begonia ×

Hymalis 'Netja Dark', zones 9–11)

5. Kong™ Rose coleus (Plectranthus

scutellarioides 'Kakegawa CE14',

Zones 10–11)

6. 'White Cap' Caladium (Caladium

('White Cape', zones 8–12)


4. Dwarf evergreens have lasting appeal


Trees, both deciduous and evergreen, make great focal points. Many small cultivars can last in their containers for several seasons, along with a mix of perennials, annuals and ground covers that can be moved in and out as needed. In this group, the golden color of the dwarf conifers is picked up by some splashy ground cover, and some strong contrast is given by the dark-leaved heathers and silky black mondo grass. Decorative brasses are tucked in for some rich, unexpected seasonal color.



1. ‘Fernspray Gold’ Hinoki Cypress

(Chamecyparis obtusa 'Fernspray Gold',

Zones 4–8)

2. 'Ascot Rainbow' charm

3. The Creeping Jenny

4. Ornamental cabbage (Brassica oleracea cv.,

Zones 6–9)

5. ‘Vintage Gold’ Savara Cypress

(Chamecyparis pisifera 'Vintage Gold',

Zones 5–8)

6. Heechera 'Black Pearl' (Heechera 'Black Pearl',

Zones 4–9)

7. Black mondo grass (Ophiopogon planiscapus

'Nicresence', Zones 6–9)

8. 'Minimus aureus' sweet vine (Acorus

Grammius 'minimus aureus', Zones 5–7)

9. ‘Scarlet’ Kale (Brassica oleracea ‘Scarlet’,

two years)

10. Black Scallop Ajuca (Ajuca reptans 'Pinplaska',

Zones 4–9)


5. Bring a Houseplant to Start 



A Garden Party Summer is the perfect season to play with variety. Check out the houseplant aisle, where you'll find many plants that love to spend the summer outdoors. The picturesque green form of the 'Dineke' rubber plant inspired this delightful mix of perennials, succulents and annuals. The eye-catching foliage of Autumn Charm™ sedum will then be topped with flowers, and sprays of eucalyptus will add movement and attractive fragrance. There were annuals Some have all-season color; For example, heart leaf snow Red flowers spray from the center of the plant, covering the edge Until late summer.


1. 'Tinek' rubber plant (Ficus elastica

'Dineke', Mandals 10–11)

2. Hippo ® White Polka Dot Plant

(Hypoestes phyllostachya 'G15180',

Zones 10–11)

3. 'Pistachio White' Drescandia

(Tradescandia 'TPIWH01-0',

Zones 8–10)

4. Big® Pink Green Leaf Begonia

(Begonia × benariensis '1600-05T1',

year)

5. Autumn Charm™ Sedum

(Hylodelphium 'Lajos', Zones 3–9)

6. Mezoo™ Trailing Red Heartleaf

Snow plant (Aptenia cordifolia 'Mespigla',

Zones 10–11)

7. Silver Dollar Eucalyptus (Eucalyptus

cinerea, zones 9–11)


6. Perennials are the key to reliable autumn color



The key to reliable fall color is perennials.In this mix, the height and texture of colorful irises create a pleasing backdrop for a tapestry of hedgerows and ornamental grasses. Fall options like croton, ornamental cabbage and miniature mums are woven in for extra color, along with some faux berry sprigs from the flower section.


1. 'Variegata' Japanese Iris (Iris

Ensata 'Variegata', Zones 4–8)

2. 'Petra' Croton (Codium

variegatum 'Petra', zones 9–11)

3. Hechera 'Carnival Watermelon'

(Heuchera × villosa 'Carnival

Watermelon, zones 4–9)

4. 'Angelina' Sedum (Sedum

rubestre 'Angelina', zones 6–9)

5. Ornamental Cabbage

6. Bowles golden sedge (Carax

Elata 'Aria', Zones 5–9)

7. Forever® Purple heuchera

(Heuchera × 'TNHEUFP',

Zones 4–9)

8. Hechara 'Black Pearl'

(Heuchera 'Black Pearl',

Zones 4–9)

9. ‘Shining Dream’ concoction

(Echinacea 'Luminous Dream',

Zones 4–9)

10. Chrysanthemum

(Chrysanthemum cv., stanzas 7–9)

11. 'Evergold' sedge (Carax

oshimensis 'Evergold',

Zones 5–9)

12. 'Toffee Tart' Heechara

(Heuchera 'toffee tart',

Zones 4–9)

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