It doesn’t take long for a fun adventure at the local garden center or greenhouse to become an overwhelming, hair-pulling experience. With the bazillion plant and pot choices available, it can be difficult to pick just the right elements for the perfect container planting. Oceans of begonias, impatiens, coleus, petunias, salvias, and Cape daisies can leave anyone dumbfounded. Then there are the rows of colorful terra-cotta, fiberglass, glazed, metal, and plastic pots to contend with. It’s not easy when faced with so many options, but don’t let that intimidate you. Rather than wince, embrace the variety and have fun. As with finding the perfect clothes, shoes, and accessories for a special occasion, you have to try a few things on in the store before you find the right outfit. The best way to assemble a winning container combination is not to be shy about mixing and matching plant and container options at the garden center. You’ll soon find a composition that strikes your fancy. Here’s how I go about finding mine.

Go for foliage, not flowers

When putting together a container, I zero in on leaves first. Flowers are nice, but they come and go. If you can assemble a con­tainer combination that looks good with the foliage alone, then flowers are a bonus. Plants with interesting foliage can bring structure, texture, or color to the design; the best foliage plants have all three qualities. I like to let the first plant that catches my eye take the lead. I then seek out foliage and flower companions by walking around the greenhouse and holding my prime contender up to other plants. Much like shopping for fabric or matching a shirt and tie, I look for color compatibility.

1. Silver foliage catches the eye

The striking begonia leaves will last longer than any blooms, so they are perfect for building a combination around. The caladium’s foliage complements the begonia’s, and its bold form can dominate the container.

I have studied color theory and design, but I find it easier to just play and wait for a reaction. When you put plants together, they seem to say, “I want to be with that one” or “yuck, no way.” The combinations we generally like have a pleasing harmony or contrast. Pay attention to intensity, avoiding the combination of too many different pale pastels and saturated pure hues, which can make a combination look chaotic. Likewise, don’t mix together too many different warm and cool colors. Stick with two or three—maybe four—agreeable colors.

2. Add some supporting players

Don’t forget to pick up some smaller plants that create a mix of shapes and textures that help bring the combination together.

When mixing and matching plants, also keep their textures in mind. Choosing a blend of glossy, matte, or fuzzy leaves adds another level of interest, as does combining fine, broad, rounded, or jagged foliage. I like to use contrasting texture to create dramatic container plantings. The hefty, bold leaves of elephant’s ear (Colocasia spp. and cvs., USDA Hardiness Zones 8–11) paired with lacy fern foliage are dynamite together, as are the distinguished leaves of rex begonias (Begonia Rex Cultorum group, not hardy below Zone 11) with slender fiber-optic grass (Isolepis cernua, Zones 8–10). The key is to choose a variety of textures. Too much of one texture, such as large, chunky leaves, is like colorful pieces of a jigsaw puzzle that don’t quite go together until you find the connecting pieces in the form of fine-textured plants.

3. The payoff is worth the planning

Instead of a chaotic container with a mishmash of plants you liked individually, your pot will spill over with an exciting yet harmonious combination.

1. ‘Excalibur’ caladium (Caladium bicolor ‘Excalibur’, USDA Hardiness Zones 10–11)
2. ‘Fairy’ rex begonia (Begonia ‘Fairy’, not hardy below Zone 11)
3. ‘Mint Frost’ heuchera (Heuchera ‘Mint Frost’, Zones 4–9)
4. Creeping wire vine (Muehlenbeckia axillaris, Zones 8–10)

Take a cue from texture

1. Frilly foliage comes first

The airy form of a golden elderberry can inspire countless combinations, especially with plants that echo its yellowish tones.

2. Keep colors simple

To avoid looking too busy, this color palette doesn’t go further than chartreuse and some hints of red. The variety of textures and habits livens everything up.

1. ‘Sutherland Gold’ elderberry (Sambucus racemosa ‘Sutherland Gold’, Zones 3–7)
2. ‘Caramel’ heuchera (Heuchera ‘Caramel’, Zones 4–9)
3. Bowles’ golden sedge (Carex elata ‘Aurea’, Zones 5–9)
4. ‘Gold Tips’ spikemoss (Selaginella kraussiana ‘Gold Tips’, Zones 6–10)
5. Fiber-optic grass (Isolepis cernua, Zones 8–10)

Fine Gardening Recommended Products

A.M. Leonard Deluxe Soil Knife & Leather Sheath Combo

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

MULTITASKING DUAL EDGES: a deep serrated edge and a tapered slicing edge ideal for tough or delicate cuts. DURABLE 6-inch stainless steel blade withstands 300 lbs of pressure. TWINE CUTTING NOTCH, DEPTH GAUGE MARKINGS & spear point - no need to switch tools when using this garden knife. LEATHER SHEATH: heavy duty, protective, clip on sheath to keep your knife convenient and secure. LIFETIME WARRANTY.

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

Spearhead Shade Gardening Shovel with Steel-Reinforced Fiberglass Handle

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

Reduce Digging Effort - The Spear Head Spade is the first hybrid shovel/spade, guaranteed to make your toughest digging up to 80% easier than regular shovels and spades, even in the toughest soil conditions. Ideal for landscaping and gardening. Multi-Purpose Shovel - Spear Head Spade is a versatile tool that can be used for digging, planting, weeding, cutting, and edging. It is designed to handle tough soil and clay conditions, and can cut through roots and tough vegetation with ease. Innovative Design - Has a unique blade design that makes it more efficient and easier to use than traditional spades. The blade is shaped like a spearhead, with a pointed tip and a curved edge that allows it to penetrate the soil more easily. Ergonomic D-Handle - The large, cushioned D-grip offers comfort and better leverage for gloved and ungloved hands alike, reducing strain on the hands and wrists. Lightweight & Strong - Durable handle is made of special steel-reinforced, pultruded fiberglass to withstand heavy use. 60% stronger than EN-3388 shovel/spade standards, 33% thicker and 25% harder than normal shovels. Sharpened from tip to tail at a 35 degree angle for an effective and durable edge.

Buy at Amazon