A few tips for combining plants in a container

Combining flowers and plants in one container is an easy and fun way to add variety to your potted plants. Here are a few tips to combining plants for amazing results:

A pot teeming with petunias or a basket bursting with verbena is beautiful in its own way, and many gardeners like the unified look that comes from using one type of plant, often in one colour, in a container. Combining different plant varieties in containers is easy and fun and never fails to satisfy the creative itch that all gardeners share.

• These days, container combinations, also called container bouquets, are very much in style, as you can see by visiting any botanical garden or garden center.
• Creating container bouquets is not at all difficult, because the design guidelines for success are simple to understand and put into action.
• You can place as many different plants together as you like, but it's usually best to begin by combining only two or three plant varieties.
• When only two plants are involved, the goal is to create a pleasing partnership of form, texture, and colour. This is easily accomplished by pairing a tall or upright plant with a smaller one that has a mounding or cascading growth habit, which creates a sense of balance and fullness.
• Another important consideration is that the two plants share similar preferences for sun and soil; this is essential to assure good health for both plants.
• Finally, plants that form the strongest duets must look good at more or less the same time. Long-blooming plants are better choices than those that bloom all at once and then must be replaced.

It's tempting to think of container gardening as instant gardening because the planting process is so fast and easy. This isn't always the case.

• Plants grown in containers do have several special needs, because the small space and volume of soil in which the roots grow limit the amount of nutrients and water available.
• To help your container plants grow their best, it is important to use high-quality potting soil that allows for vigorous root growth, appropriate fertilizer to encourage healthy foliage and abundant flowering, and proper watering techniques that never leave plants parched and dry or drown them.

It's that simple! Pick a few of your favourite plants that look good and grow well together and start your own container bouquet!