Surrounding Yourself With Natural Beauty With Container Gardens

Study after study shows the benefits of surrounding ourselves with nature. There is a livening of the senses as we immerse ourselves in the sights, smells and sounds of the outdoors. Even for those who can’t visit a national, state or local park, there are still benefits received when we enjoy our own gardens. One way we can easily bring the outdoors more up close and personal is by use of container gardens on our porches and patios.

So planting a container of flowers sounds like a good idea, but what are the tricks to making them beautiful?

Keep a few simple rules in mind, and beyond that, experiment away! First, the plants you choose must be compatible with amount of light and moisture they prefer. Planting cactus with cattails won’t work! Second, the attractiveness of the foliage is as important as the blooms. Third, a variety of heights are more pleasing than everything at the same height, and last, choose flowers with long lasting blooms.

I asked Rebecca Milaeger of Milaegers Garden Center to suggest a favorite combination of flowers. Not only did she suggest them but she planted the combination in a container for us! She combined caladium, yellow tuberous begonia, pink dragon wing begonia, red dragon wing begonia, a fern, a dark pink impatien, and for trailers she used ivy and goldilocks creeping jenny. It’s beautiful and except for watering, it’s maintenance free!

Another way to utilize these beautiful arrangements is to move them around your garden to those “bare spots” left over when the perennials stop blooming.

Everyone admires those stunning pots of season long color and by following these simple steps, you’re well on your way to creating your own delightful garden-in-a-container to enhance the beauty of your yard, porch or patio.