We all know that–for most people–it’s less stressful if you plan your container garden in advance. But what if you’re drawing a blank when it comes to plants that might look good together? Below I’ve tried to put together a bunch of ideas to help get your creative gardening juices flowing.
Red Hot Hummingbird Magnet:
This is great for a long planter in front of a lattice (and thus makes it great for providing privacy!). Sow two scarlet runner beans each in three holes evenly spaced along the back of the planter, near the lattice. When the runner beans have sprouted and established themselves, plant one pineapple sage plant on each side of the planter. Plant several monarda (the exact number will depend on the size of your planter) in front of the scarlet runner beans. If you still aren’t attracting hummingbirds (which seems highly unlikely!) try hanging a hummingbird feeder in the planter.
Sweet and Juicy Apple Orchard:
To make sure your apple trees bear fruit, be sure to plant two of these containers (apples need another tree near by to cross-pollinate with). In the back of a large half-barrel-sized pot, plant a Sentinel Apple(sometimes also called a columnar apple). Around the apple, plant three chive plants. The chives are really important, as they help prevent apple scab (which is bad news for your tree). Around the chives, plant a dwarf variety of basil. Finally, in between the basil plants, tuck in tagetes marigolds. If you have the room, two of these pots would look great flanking your front or back door.
Super Easy, Super Beautiful, Super Classy:
This planting is really easy, but will look as beautiful as a more difficult to achieve container. Start off with a medium-sized square container and a pyramid or cone shaped decorative trellis. Fill the pot with dirt and then place the trellis firmly in place in the center of the pot. Plant several Hyacinth Bean Vine seeds just inside the trellis so that the plants will be able to grow up the trellis. Around the outside of the trellis, near the edge of the pot, sow Jewel Nasturtium Mix seeds. When the plants are mature, you’ll have a beautiful tower of purple flowers and beans with happy little nasturtiums in many jewel-tones around the base.
Drought Tolerant, But Still Good Looking:
Choose a brightly colored glazed pot. Blue would look great! In the center of the pot, plant one large Variegated American Agave smack dab in the center of the pot. Around the edge, plant six small ice plants, evenly spaced. The ice plants will spill over the edge and make the leaves of the agave look like flames from a fire.
