Get a timeless look with traditional treasures

The cast-iron urn sets the stage and helps the beautiful primary colors in this container pop. Its blackness recedes to the background, which allows you to focus on the vibrant glow from the array of traditional spring plants. Red, blue, and yellow are mirrored throughout in the blossoms and foliage, thus creating unity. The painted pussy-willow stems (which are created using a yellow exterior paint) not only echo the deeper tones of the miniature daffodils but also add needed height, because many early-spring plants are moderate in stature. You can count on family and friends questioning you on your new variety of “‘Fluorescent’ pussy willow.”

1. ‘Oscar’ tulip (Tulipa ‘Oscar’, USDA Hardiness Zones 4–8)
2. ‘Fantasy Blue’ fairy lights (Linaria maroccana ‘Fantasy Blue’, annual)
3. Spring Magic^® Blue and White columbine (Aquilegia ‘Spring Magic Blue and White’, Zones 3–8)
4. ‘Tête-à-Tête’ daffodil (Narcissus ‘Tête-à-Tête’, Zones 3–9)
5. ‘Goldilocks’ creeping Jenny (Lysimachia nummularia ‘Goldilocks’, Zones 4–8)
6. Common primrose (Primula vulgaris cv., Zones 4–8)
7. Matrix™ Morpheus pansy (Viola × wittrockiana ‘Matrix Morpheus’, annual)

Pastel perennials provide rustic panache

The casual simplicity of this grouping makes it incredibly versatile. This combo could reside happily in front of an English cottage or a sub­urban ranch home. We used asparagus as the focal point due to the daily changing interest as it grows—from spears, to lacelike stems, to ferny fronds. Its mature height later in spring not only will provide a nice foil for its pot mates but also balance the weight of the cast-stone pot. We used these particular perennials because their soft-colored blooms are long lasting. The real star of the bunch is Ivory Prince™ hellebore because of its form, flower shape and color, and ability to blend in easily with the tulips and Persian buttercup.

1. Asparagus (Asparagus officinalis, Zones 4–8)
2. Tulip (Tulipa cv., Zones 4–8)
3. ‘Origami Yellow’ columbine (Aquilegia ‘Origami Yellow’, Zones 3–8)
4. ‘Etain’ violet (Viola ‘Etain’, Zones 4–8)
5. Persian buttercup (Ranunculus asiaticus cv., Zones 7–11)
6. ‘Beacon Silver’ lamium (Lamium maculatum ‘Beacon Silver’, Zones 4–8)
7. Ivory Prince™ hellebore (Helleborus ‘Walhelivor’, Zones 3–8)
8. ‘Sherwood Purple’ creeping phlox (Phlox stolonifera ‘Sherwood Purple’, Zones 4–8)

Stick to blues and whites for a shoreline style

The power of white—especially when rep­resented by a bold flower, like that of this hydrangea—combined with the washed blue of this glazed pot is a show-stopper, up close or from a distance. The slender but interesting curly-willow stems relieve the density of the hydrangea and keep the blooms from looking like bloblike snowballs. The silver-hued licorice plant and lamium act as cool neutrals, which give the eye a place to rest, while the trailing lobelia flows over the edge, marry­ing the plants to their beautiful container.

1. Bigleaf hydrangea (Hydrangea macrophylla cv., Zones 5–9)
2. Lobelia (Lobelia erinus cv., annual)
3. ‘Icicles’ licorice plant (Helichrysum thianschanicum ‘Icicles’, Zones 10–11)
4. ‘Pink Pewter’ lamium (Lamium maculatum ‘Pink Pewter’, Zones 4–8)

This design proves that anything is a candidate for a fun container. Lettuce comes in a wide range of colors and textures, but to add even more interest, we interspersed nearly identical colored pansies and Johnny jump-ups to complete this edible arrangement. The coarse texture of the greens contrasts well with the delicate blooms of the flowering annuals. Lettuce can be seeded directly into the vessel, or you can use transplants from the nursery. And you never have to worry about good drainage with this container. This planting should spark interesting conversations at outdoor meals.

1. ‘Allstar Gourmet Mix’ lettuce (Lactuca sativa ‘Allstar Gourmet Mix’, annual)
2. ‘Whiskers Purple and White’ pansy (Viola × wittrockiana ‘Whiskers Purple and White’, annual)
3. Johnny jump-up (Viola tricolor, Zones 3–9)

Start strong and keep it going