Garden Tips: Plant Perfect Containers

Master the art of container gardening in five easy steps

By Ann Thelen

Container gardening is a simple way to make a dramatic statement with flowers and plants. Remarkably flexible and fun, it’s perfect for boosting a home’s curb appeal or adding a punch of color to decks and patios.

Mary Decker, store manager for Earl May Nursery & Garden Center in West Des Moines, shares five tips for creating stunning container gardens.

Pick the Proper Soil.

Select soil that is a container mix, which is designed for plants in aboveground containers and hanging baskets. The container mix helps regulate moisture by shedding water from the roots in wet conditions and holding water in dry conditions. A container mix with timed released plant food will ensure the proper amounts of nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium, the macronutrients plants need.

Factor in Sun and Shade.

Choose plants that will thrive in the light where your container will be throughout the day. Carefully check the plants’ tags to know if they are sun- or shade-loving. During Iowa’s summer heat, flowers that need shade will not survive the impacts of sitting in the sun for hours.

Select the Right Container.

Choose the right container for the space allotted and ensure it is large enough to hold the desired plants. Put in enough plants so that the dirt isn’t visible when planting is complete. Almost any container will work if it provides good drainage, so check for a hole at the bottom.

Choose a Thriller, a Filler and a Spiller.

The thriller is usually one featured, vertical plant that brings a different look to the container garden, such as tall grasses, tropical plants or other striking foliage. For the filler, select a mounding plant with flower power and fill in the blank spaces between the vertical and trailing plants. Spillers are the trailing plants used to round out the container garden while creating flow and a finishing touch.

Tickle the Roots.

When planting, take the plant out of the pot that it came in and loosen up or “tickle” the roots, so they almost look like little feathers. Doing so will allow the plant’s roots to get established in the soil and the plant to flourish.

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