Going to Pot!

Herb planter

                                       "Just living in not enough....

                                              One must have sunshine,

                                                      freedom and a little FLOWER. "

                                                                                 - Hans Christian Anderson

                                                           

Back fence basket

       Be it big or small, there is always room in a garden for a potted plant. Even if your space is so tiny that you can't put in a garden there is usually room by your front door for a pot or urn.

Front entry Urn

 You can hang them, attach them to your fence or window sill and if your lucky enough to have a deck, sit one on the deck.
   Planters are like a very small garden and allow you to experiment a little more than you might in a larger garden.  It is a fun and easy way to get creative.    

 There are so many different options out there today so if you are thinking of adding planters to your garden find something that reflects your style and the style of your garden.
 As I mentioned before it is like decorating your living room, let it accent and highlight what you have. Think about where it will be, will it be in sun or shade, then buy the appropriate plants for that area.

 Unlike in the garden where you might try a plant in an area that it is not really meant for, with pots it's best to get it right the first time round. Pots have much less space than the garden, therefore  drying out much faster. So being in the right spot is important otherwise it could become frustrating and expensive.

 For years I was trying to grow flowers in planters on my deck with very little success. I have very little shade and none in the deck area.
 Last year I went to Centro garden in Burlington for a 'Planters' class and discovered Succulents. I never would have thought of them for my garden but given the heat on the deck it makes perfect sense. I did up three pots of different sizes. I wasn't really sure of what I was buying except that I knew I wanted different textures and colors and I wanted some trailers.

Succulents on the deck

Succulents on the deck

  I was pleasantly surprised by the number of different colors they came in and even more surprised when some of them  bloomed. I am amazed at how beautiful they really are and the number of varieties to choose from.
 They require little water and lots of sun so keep them in mind for any hot spot in your garden.
 They are also great for small planters like the shoes in my picture below because they do not require a lot of room for roots.

Succulent potted shoes

Just remember when putting together your planter to add some height as well as a trailer. Trailers are especially important for wall/fence planters and for urns. Unless your planter is a work of art it is not what you want to be the focal point.

Side fence basket

Potted head

 Think of your space and what you are trying to achieve with your planter. Are you trying to add texture or character to an otherwise dull area, or are you trying to cover up or detract from something.
  Do you want a great burst of color or just something soft. You can go with one color and one style of plant like the one on my fence, or go with one color but several plants in that tone.

 You can fill a planter with herbs if you are looking to plants herbs but don't have much room in the garden. Some people like to plant their herbs in a planter close to the kitchen so they can just clip and cook without going to far.


 Whatever it is you decide just try and make it flow with the rest of the garden so it is a welcome addition, not something that stands out like a sore thumb.
  Just remember, it's your garden so have fun and be creative. Enjoy the process.

Happy Gardening!