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| Seasonal Planters |
Welcome to This Month in the Garden! While traditional garden beds offer a more permanent option, seasonal garden planters have become increasingly popular due to their versatility, mobility, and ability to be altered with different displays throughout the growing season. Based on the time of year, plant choices can be combined for an ever evolving display of color and foliage, from robust blooms in springtime, to colorful foliage and autumn-like colors to bring in fall, and perhaps evergreens to carry on through wintertime. Seasonal planters play an important role in the garden and provide additional interest even beyond landscaping.
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| Spring/Summer Planter Combination |
We often hear the terms, "thriller", "filler" and "spiller" used in container gardening. A "thriller" is defined as the main central focal point in your planter (usually taller), surrounded by the medium-sized "fillers", which take up the majority of space in the planter, to the "spillers', which can create a dramatic effect by trailing over the sides of the container for added interest. For starters, this spring/summer arrangement consists of the variegated foliage of Canna Lily Indica Tropicana 'Mactro Gold' as the center "thriller", or focal point, four assorted Coleus and four New Wave Petunia as a second layer, or "fillers" and four Sweet Potato Vine (Purple and Gold) with four Tradescanthia Pistachio White, as "spillers", which will cascade over the rim of the planter as the season progresses.
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| Summer Planter Combination |
Container options come in a variety of sizes, shapes and materials and can be aesthetically pleasing, adding interest to your arrangement. Several options are available, including cement, resin, ceramic, terracotta, or perhaps boxes or barrels constructed of wood. For areas of limited space and changing sunlight, portable planters give you the flexibility to rearrange your garden and create interest. When planning your arrangement, be sure to use a good lightweight all purpose potting soil mix containing a balanced blend of organic matter, such as compost, peat moss or coconut coir, drainage and aeration materials such as perlite or pumice, pH adjusters and a source of nutrients for healthy growth. A container with drainage holes is best, but if not possible, be sure to use a layer of a course material, such as gravel or pebbles in the bottom of the planter to allow excess water to drain away from the plant's roots. This cement urn is the ideal candidate for a combination of two varieties of flowering New Wave Petunia and Sweet Potato Vine for all-summer interest. River rocks were placed in the bottom (more narrow) section of the urn for drainage purposes.
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| Shade Foliage Planter Combination |
For a shady location, try a combination of miniature Hosta, variegated liriope and Black Mondo Grass for a striking display of foliage. This birdbath, turned planter, is tucked away in the garden as a hidden surprise. Helpful Tip: Be sure to choose plantings which share similar lighting and water requirements to ensure success!
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| Shade Patio Planter Combination |
Another shade combination for under a covered patio is a combination of Coleus and Sweet Potato Vine. Try combining Coleus varieties of different heights and colors to create a layered look and add the Sweet Potato Vine as a "spiller" to cascade over the edges of the planter. This is just one example and the possibilities are numerous. Maintenance Tip: Once the Coleus starts to flower, I keep the plant deadheaded to prevent it from going to seed, thus extending its season into fall.
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| Full Sun Succulent Planter |
For an area with full sun, you can get adventurous and choose a selection of succulents which appeal to the senses. I enjoy using the terracotta strawberry planters for aesthetics and use combinations of groundcover such as Sedum 'Blue Spruce' (blue-green), 'Angelina' (yellow), Sedum 'Tricolor' (green and pink), and 'Dragon's Blood' (deep purple). There is an endless supply of interesting succulents, so just have fun!
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| Full Sun Succulent Planter |
So what are you waiting for? Add some planters to your garden this season and enjoy exploring new selections, including annuals, tropical species, evergreens and succulents and create the perfect combination to suit your taste and style. Seasonal planters are the ideal addition to your space and bring charm, versatility, and adaptability to your garden throughout the seasons!
I hope you enjoyed This Month in the Garden for the month of July. Be sure to stop by on the 1st. and 15th. of each month as I continue to share gardening tips, information and horticultural adventures! Also, be sure to check out my author page and books for gardening information and helpful advice, all based on my 27 years of experience as a landscape designer and ongoing involvement in the horticultural field. Until we meet again...Happy Gardening!
Author: Lee @A Guide to Northeastern Gardening, © Copyright 2010-2023. All rights reserved.
