Garden Designers Roundtable: What is it about that container?
May 25, 2010
There are two types of container gardeners in this world, those that like the containers, those that like the plants in the containers and those that like the way the containers are arranged…THREE!, there are three types of people in this world; those that like the containers, those that like the plants in the containers, those that like the way the containers are arranged and those that like the style of the arrangement… FOUR! There are four… well you get the idea, there is a lot to talk about when it comes to container gardening, and sorry for the Monty Python humor.
What is it about gardening in pots that we love so much, is the pot the showpiece, or is it the plant. I must admit, that I slide between both camps with relative ease depending on the arrangement. A quick internet search for container gardening reveals a vast array of styles and plants. Take a look!
These bold red planters from Living Etc., add life and a vertical element to the garden.
Bold and simple from www.LivingEtc.com
Simple and elegant these white vase shapes from RealSimple.com planted with grasses provide a clean look and add movement to the patio garden.
Simple and Elegant
Over at GroovyGreen.com wading pools are the perfect spot to grow veggies, just remember to drill holes in the bottom for drainage!
Functional yet playful Veggie gardens
How about a fun way to promote your cause, like this Auto-pot on Containergarden.info
Fun!
Have small backyard? Find usable space for the veggie garden, as seen here from Treehugger.com
Veggie gardening in tight spaces
Like seafood? From ubercool container gardener Kerry Michaels at About.com
Seafood anyone?
And here’s our little corner of the world, and our version of vertical container gardening.
Our little container garden!
So in the end, what is the secret to container gardening? Style? Substance? Effect? Fun? In a word… Yes! Now don’t forget to visit my fellow bloggers sites, for more inspirational ideas about containers!
This month’s bloggers!
Christina Salwitz : Personal Garden Coach : Renton, WA
Debbie Roberts : A Garden of Possibilities : Stamford, CT
Jenny Petersen: J Petersen Garden Design : Austin TX
Jocelyn Chilvers : The Art Garden : Denver, CO
Laura Livengood Schaub : Interleafings : San Jose, CA
Rebecca Sweet : Gossip In the Garden : Los Altos, CA
Rochelle Greayer : Studio “G” : Boston, MA
Lesley Hegarty & Robert Webber : Hegarty Webber Partnership : Bristol, UK
Scott Hokunson : Blue Heron Landscapes : Granby, CT
Shirley Bovshow : Eden Makers : Los Angeles, CA
Tara Dillard : TaraDillard.com : Atlanta, GA
Please share some of the containers you like to use in your garden, and until next time, May all your containers be overflowing with wonder!
Scott
www.blueheronlandscapes.com
May 25, 2010 at 8:18 am
Hey Scott – I love your vertical garden – haven’t seen that idea before. And thanks for calling me ubercool! It made my day (ok, honestly, my month).
May 25, 2010 at 1:09 pm
Thanks Kerry, And you deserve the title ubercool! We love seeing the container ideas you come up with.
May 25, 2010 at 12:31 pm
I like the fact that all of these ideas are simple, yet have a big visual impact. LOVE the red containers!
May 25, 2010 at 1:10 pm
Well you know Jocelyn, Simple minds, simple containers!
May 25, 2010 at 12:32 pm
Hi, Scott — What visually exciting ideas. Great collection. Love the repetition of the red pots, and the way they’re displayed vertically on a wall. And the wading pool veggie gardens are so clever. Not sure what I think about the auto pot, but it certainly is eye-catching!
May 25, 2010 at 1:11 pm
Thanks Debra! I’m not sure about the auto-pot either, but it is interesting to look at.
May 25, 2010 at 12:36 pm
Some great funky ideas there.
Thanks for the cool organisation of this month’s blogfest!
Best
Robert
May 25, 2010 at 1:11 pm
Thanks Robert and Your welcome!
May 25, 2010 at 12:40 pm
I enjoyed your post. I could sense your enthusiasm for containers all the way over here in Western CT!
May 25, 2010 at 1:11 pm
My vibes are spreading out across the state! LOL
May 25, 2010 at 12:47 pm
LOL I think we have TEN different types of people talking about containers today, what nice variety and different approaches! I love your examples; those grasses in the white pots, those are giving me ideas! Thanks for heading things up today, nice job…
May 25, 2010 at 1:12 pm
Can’t wait to see your ideas, Laura! Thanks for stopping by!
May 25, 2010 at 12:54 pm
I really can’t decide which ones are my faves. LOVE the clam photo. I could do that here.
The red containers are so striking, too.
I have a neighbor that uses the pool trick.
And, I’d just LOVE to plant a garden in my husband’s car. There’s enough soil in it, for sure.
May 25, 2010 at 1:14 pm
I really love the clam containers also, Katie. Kerry is a genius! And as to your husband’s car… well, post a pic if you plant it!
May 25, 2010 at 2:46 pm
I love the clam shell succulent container, but would you drill a hole in the bottom? I would think so. What a great idea though.
May 26, 2010 at 5:50 am
That one really caught my eye also Pam. Really ties to our New England coastline. I’ll send a note to Kerry about drainage issues with the clam shells. Thanks for the comments!
May 25, 2010 at 2:57 pm
Scott,
What a varied and inspiring compilation of containers ideas! I love the idea of using gutters for growing flowers and veggies. Little containers for succulents certainly are popular these days, aren’t they?
May 26, 2010 at 5:51 am
Debbie, the gutter is interesting isn’t it? And yes, succulents have exploded, and for good reason!
May 25, 2010 at 3:31 pm
I really loved your article on containers. It was very interesting and it give me, some ideas for the decoration of my garden. Thank you.
May 26, 2010 at 5:52 am
Thank you Ellada, I hope you post some photos of your containers!
May 25, 2010 at 3:47 pm
The Monty Python bit made my day!!! Loved your take on why we enjoy containers so much. I’m planning on making the post style container display in my own garden soon. – Thanks Scott!
May 26, 2010 at 5:55 am
Thanks Christina, I don’t seem to make it through a day without a Python bit coming to mind! The posts on our deck have been a hit since we put them up a couple of years ago, and we change the arrangements each year. One day we’ll get it just right!
May 25, 2010 at 6:13 pm
Great container examples (and great humor, as well!). I think I love the abalone shells the best, and am wondering why I never thought of that! No…I love the wading pools the best….wait, maybe it’s the car. Yes, that’s it – the car’s the winner!
May 26, 2010 at 5:57 am
I had to include the car photo Rebecca, after the posting from Flora-Grubb. I had no idea there was even a car planting (on purpose) let alone two! Glad you enjoyed the post.
May 25, 2010 at 7:33 pm
Wow, Scott. I never would have pegged you for a contemporary stylist. You go!
May 26, 2010 at 5:58 am
I guess I have been hanging out with the right GDRT peeps lately, and paying attention!
May 25, 2010 at 10:01 pm
I LOVE the grasses in the white pots! And the red pots on the wall. Sometimes it’s the simplest ideas that can be the most graphic and memorable. Well done!
May 26, 2010 at 5:59 am
Thanks Jenny! I love those grasses as well, and have tried a few in containers here. Just haven’t found the right containers for the effect.
May 26, 2010 at 1:00 am
Hey Scott,
Thanks again on your leadership with GDRT. I enjoyed your presentation on the many looks and functions of container gardens.
shirley
May 26, 2010 at 6:00 am
Your welcome Shirley, and thanks for all you bring to the Roundtable! And thanks for stopping by and commenting.
May 26, 2010 at 9:29 pm
I have decided to do a vertical gutter garden! Just this minute! I saw it via Jayme Jenkins, and now HERE … Done!
Wow – now I have at least 7 different container projects I want to do! The Roundtable should sponsor a grant so that those of us who are financially challenged can make some of these wonderful ideas happen!
Thanks for the great post, Scott…
May 26, 2010 at 10:25 pm
Ivette, had I the resources, I would fund any project you wished! Unfortunately, I am challenged also. Thanks for the comments!
May 26, 2010 at 10:02 pm
Generally, I stay away from container pots and annuals because they require specific attention, but the simplicity of the grasses in the white pots, might just be worth it. Also the baby pool, raised bed idea would be a great inexpensive way for people with really poor soil, or no soil at all to have a garden.
May 26, 2010 at 10:28 pm
Great points Kari! We always start out with grand plans for the containers, but I do love the simple look of the grasses. A couple of years ago we had one Achillea ‘Coronation Gold’ in each of two elegant planters, and one Pennisetum ‘Rubrum’ in each of two others. Both were so simple, but very elegant. I think we will revisit that this year!
May 27, 2010 at 6:01 pm
All your examples are lovely, but I admit to being most strong to the bold, clean contemporary images at the beginning of the post. I find my eye lingers much longer when a container design uses a few architectural elements to make a strong statement.
Once again, we share similar tastes!
May 29, 2010 at 6:09 am
Great post, Scott, with many unusual and interesting containers.
Love the veggie garden in tight spaces. I grow most of my veggies in containers as I have limited space and while they are extra work to water I find it very rewarding.
Container gardening has become so popular that the garden center where I work has one department dedicated to customers that need help in selecting and planting them.
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