Spring Container Design

Pale purple blooms tower over a sweet and simple spring display

Not all containers with trees and shrubs need to be large. The lavender spring flowers of this dwarf rhodie play off of the purple-black sheen of black mondo grass. A bright yellow-green sweetgrass adds color contrast and visual balance to the other side of the container. ‘Cameo’ rue anemone is one of my personal spring favorites with its dainty blue-green foliage and double pinkish white flowers. Toward the back of the container, a heuchera and ‘Winter Glow’ bergenia add height. Bergenia’s shiny, leathery leaves provide an evergreen contrast to finer textures in the composition.

Back to collection

Summer Container Update

Bright pink contrasts with soothing greens

As summer arrived, ‘Cameo’ rue anemone was swapped out for aquamarine. The circular, pale green leaves cascade over the side of the container and echo its pock-marked texture that looks a bit like water rushing over stones. A mini hosta in full bloom peeks out from underneath a bold ‘Plum Crazy’ wood sorrel, which becomes the instant focal point of the container with its pink leaves and little yellow flowers. The greens and pinks contrast well with the turquoise and brown container.

Fall Container Updates

Changing foliage colors add new interest

Fall brings the addition of an autumn fern, which turns red late in the season and maintains semi-evergreen foliage over winter. A variegated October daphne sports yellow, pink, and green foliage along with dainty pink flowers. It complements the still-burgundy wood sorrel well. ‘Winter Glow’ bergenia is starting to turn red, and ‘Ogon’ sweet flag is fading to white, adding renewed interest from the plants that remained from past seasons.

Winter

For festive flair, add birds and berries

With its brilliant red berries, English holly brings holiday cheer. Japanese cedar and paper birch branches add height and fill in gaps from the faded perennials that were taken out. To add extra interest, a pair of decorative chickadees and a small nest were added. Throughout the four seasons, ‘Purple Gem’ rhododendron, black mondo grass, and ‘Winter Glow’ bergenia have grown and played different supporting roles while maintaining interesting foliage and structure.

Back to collection

*Invasive Alert:

English holly (Ilex aquifolium)

This plant is considered invasive in AK, CA, and OR.

Please visit invasiveplantatlas.org for more information.

Fine Gardening Recommended Products

The New Organic Grower, 3rd Edition: A Master's Manual of Tools and Techniques for the Home and Market Gardener, 30th Anniversary Edition

Fine Gardening receives a commission for items purchased through links on this site, including Amazon Associates and other affiliate advertising programs.

Since its original publication in 1989, The New Organic Grower has been one of the most important farming books available, with pioneer Eliot Coleman leading the charge in the organic movement in the United States. Now fully illustrated and updated, this 30th Anniversary Edition is a must-have for any agricultural library.

Buy at Amazon

Gardener's Log Book from NYBG

Fine Gardening receives a commission for items purchased through links on this site, including Amazon Associates and other affiliate advertising programs.

This weatherproof five-year log book includes the following features: · Sturdy waterproof cover to protect pages from rain and muddy soil · Lined pages and gridded paper for plotting beds · Five years of 12-month bloom and harvest grids for recording what you planted and when · Authoritative appendices on composting, pruning, pest and disease control, and container gardening · Useful reminders by season on fertilizing, mulching, and transplanting · Space for listing your favorite sources and suppliers.

Buy at Amazon