Do you want a green oasis, but unfortunately have a small garden or balcony? If space is limited, the container garden is a space-saving alternative to the flower bed. A container garden also gives you the opportunity to combine plants with different soil requirements or to effectively showcase houseplants in summer. In order for the end result to be positive, it must be carefully planned. We'll explain what you need to pay attention to if you want to design a container garden and give useful tips on how you can put together colorful ensembles.
Designing a pot garden: The location
If you want to create a container garden, then you have probably already chosen a corner or a free niche as a location. Here comes the first big challenge for you: you should assess the lighting conditions. There are enough perennials and flowers for sunny, shady, partially shaded and shady locations. In any case, it is very important that you correctly assess the incidence of light. MostHobby gardenerautomatically assume that the location is either in the sun or in the shade. And they are usually wrong in their assessments. Here are some tips that will help you with the task:
1. A sunny location is in the sun for more than 6 hours a day. Most container plants for sunny locations can easily thrive in strong sunlight for 6 hours a day. If the property is in the sun for more than 8 hours per day, you can create a desert garden or think about sun protection.
2. The term “sunlit location” refers to locations in the garden where no direct sunlight falls. Nevertheless, they are bright all day long - for example because the nearby garden pond, the white house facade or the glazed fronts of the living area reflect the light. The sunny location therefore receives a lot of sunlight, and even sun-loving plants and flowers can be planted there.
3. A location that is in partial shade receives direct sunlight four to five hours a day. Most of the time it is in the shade at midday and is shielded from the intense sunlight in the early afternoon.
4. Light-shaded locations are usually under a deciduous tree or under a planted pergola. Light and shadow change there several times a day.
5. If the location receives less than three hours of sunlight per day, then it is said to be a shady location.
Find the right buckets
If you want to create a container garden, then you should choose the right containers according to your own needs. You need to consider several criteria when purchasing if you want to create a low-maintenance garden:
1. The bucket size. The soil in a large pot dries much more slowly than that in a small flower pot. A large bucket also weighs more and is significantly more difficult to move. So think in advance whether the potted plants need to be overwintered or can be left outside in the winter months. For example, if you want to rearrange your garden again and again, then smaller flower pots are a good option. This way you remain flexible and can bring individual plants into the house if necessary.
2. The material. Ceramic or terracotta pots can absorb water and evaporate. So you don't have to worry about rot forming there. These pots are more suitable for shady, semi-shady or sunny locations. Plastic is an extremely durable material that can easily withstand heat and does not absorb water. Plastic pots are therefore ideal for use in sunny gardens.
Skillfully combine flowers, perennials and ornamental grasses
If you have already chosen the location and bought the pots, you can now think about which plants are suitable. Get advice about this from a tree nursery. There you can get useful advice on which plants get along and will thrive in the selected location. Beginners should arrange the flowers, perennials and ornamental grasses so that a taller plant or flower in a bright color attracts attention in the middle of the container garden. This perennial or perennial plant is then surrounded by several foliage shrubs or other flowers in contrasting colors. At the edge of the container garden there are several ornamental grasses that visually define the garden.
If you already have experience with a container garden, you can combine spring, summer and fall blooming flowers. This way, your outdoor area will always be full of flowers.
Design a container garden and buy potting soil
Depending on what demands your potted plants have on the soil, you have to buy the right substrate. The soil from your own garden is not suitable for a container garden. Better invest inconventional potting soil, it is sufficient for most native flowers, perennials and ornamental grasses. Certain plants require special nutrient-rich soil that promotes growth and flower formation. But you can also make this soil yourself if you add expanded clay, stone granules or quartz sand as needed.
Planting
Ask the tree nursery for advice on the best time to plant your flowers, perennials and ornamental grasses. Also find out whether the newly planted plants can remain in the garden or whether you have to leave them indoors for several days first. Find out whether you need to add liquid fertilizer to the potting soil or not. How often do you have to water the plants? You can also consider whether an irrigation system makes sense. It can supply the container garden with water while you are on vacation, for example, or when you travel a lot for work.
