| There are many reasons for growing plants in | | | | smaller pots, and gradually increases the size as |
| garden containers, flower pots and planters. An | | | | they grow. Bulbs can be grown in planters, about |
| obvious one is if you are growing exotic plants | | | | two to three bulb widths apart, though the fall |
| that can be placed outdoors in summer in a | | | | bulbs will need some exposure to the frost since |
| location that suits each plant, and then taken | | | | they need a low temperature for a strong root |
| indoors or into a more shaded spot in the fall and | | | | growth. |
| winter. They are also very convenient for people | | | | Annuals are ideal for color, especially if you get a |
| who live in mobile homes. | | | | lot of frost in the winter, and they can be |
| People who rent their homes and tend to move | | | | replaced each year. If you plant them fairly close |
| around with their job can grow their own plants | | | | together in garden containers or planters, you can |
| that can move with them. Plants grown in garden | | | | design a lovely looking garden, or a fine display for |
| containers are portable, and to many people this | | | | a patio. Planters are available in a wide range of |
| is big advantage. Not only that, but you arrange | | | | colors and shapes, and can be made of concrete |
| your garden as you please rather than the plants | | | | cast into a variety of shapes or stained or painted |
| being in fixed positions. Using containers and | | | | wood to suit their surroundings. |
| flower pots it is possible to plant a whole garden | | | | Hardwood planters fitted with a trellis are ideal for |
| that can be rearranged to suit the flowering | | | | climbers, and can be free standing units suitable |
| patterns of the plants. | | | | for outdoor use, or even for hallways, vestibules |
| No more bare patches in spring due to some | | | | and conservatories. Cedar is popular, but so also |
| plants flowering late, or in summer when the | | | | are cypress, oak and cherry. They are suitable |
| short-lived flowers die off quicker than their longer | | | | for a number of climbing plants from sweet peas |
| lasting or hardier cousins. You can fill in the bare | | | | to cyclamen to passion fruit. |
| patches with new pots or planters, and arrange | | | | Most annuals are suitable for garden containers, |
| the colors to suit your preference. You can | | | | pots and planters, some particularly attractive |
| decorate your veranda or patio with the flowers | | | | choices being petunia, tobacco plant (nicotiana) |
| that are in season, and are not restricted to the | | | | with its wonderful smell, and begonias. The latter |
| same ones all year round. | | | | two are particularly suitable for growing in shaded |
| While this all sounds like a very good reason for | | | | areas, as is impatiens or Busy Lizzie. Other |
| using nothing but pots and planters, there are | | | | flowers suitable for containers are lavandula, gaura |
| certain aspects using them that have to be | | | | and salvia which provide colorful opportunities for |
| considered. Potted plants are totally depended on | | | | any type of garden design. Cigar Plants (cuphea) |
| you for their water and nutrition. Their root | | | | love lots of sun and have unusual flowers. These |
| growth is restricted and you have to know which | | | | shrubs are ideal for tubs in sunny climates. |
| plants are suitable for this type of environment. | | | | Many people use containers for window ledges |
| You should also consider the overall look of your | | | | and balconies, and if you have decking, then deck |
| garden and the shape and color of your pots and | | | | rail planters are an attractive means of hanging |
| planters. | | | | plants from the handrails. Many people prefer the |
| First the plants. Pots are restrictive and the size | | | | look of natural terracotta, but keep in mind that |
| will depend on the requirements of the plants. | | | | earthenware pots and planters dry out very |
| Ferns, for example, grow better when the root | | | | quickly, and so need a lot of watering. The plastic |
| system is crowded whereas roses prefer a bit | | | | equivalents are much more practical, if not as |
| more space in which to grow, especially climbing | | | | attractive. |
| varieties. Cyclamens too prefer more space, and | | | | Garden containers, flower pots and planters are |
| so would be more suited to large pots or planters. | | | | an attractive and very practical way of decorating |
| Trees prefer large pots, and the larger garden | | | | your garden, patio or conservatory, and a little bit |
| tubs would be more appropriate for the larger | | | | of imagination can work wonders. They also |
| varieties. | | | | provide a very practical means of planting for |
| The same is true of shrubs and larger perennials | | | | those that like to frequently rearrange their |
| such as hydrangeas. You can start these off in | | | | garden, or are often on the move. |