Container Creations – inspiration for Spring!

The nurseries are filling with the colors and scents of spring, the birds are singing and I find every excuse to be outside working in my garden rather than sitting at a computer. It's a time of anticipation – what 2015 new releases will growers ask me to trial this season? What color combinations shall I try in my containers this year?

Containers are such an easy way to experiment. If something works especially well perhaps I'll use those colors/plants in my landscape? If I decide to have a more refined color palette in 2014 I don't have to redesign my entire garden, just a pot or two. So it's a good time to review my containers from the last couple of years and take note of what I liked and what was a disaster  – and yes there are always a few that I don't share!

Color Schemes – some like it HOT

Sizzle Factor!

This orange pot has become one of my favorites. It is unapologetically bold and as such calls out for juicy foliage and fiery colors. The combo above was from 2012 and I love the way the dahlia and canna compete for 'thriller' status with those Mango Popsicle dwarf red hot pokers exploding like fireworks from a variegated abelia.

Version 2 introduced succulents

Same pot, different look – this was 2012. I liked the contrast with the succulent and conifer, both sharing the soft blue-green tones but overall this wasn't as balanced as the original design. No matter how I tried it seemed top heavy on the right side.

– some like it cool

I just love these two cube containers and their fun colors. In 2012 I planted them as a pair and kept to the colors of lime, black and white – very simple yet effective.

For our daughters wedding last year I did something a bit different and added coral tones as this was part of her color scheme.

We used the pair to flank the entrance to the vegetable garden; well we had to dress it up somehow!!

A tropical punch

The best part about waiting until early June to plant my containers is that I can raid the indoor plant section at my favorite nursery and include great tropical foliage such as this wildly variegated croton . As you'd expect I love the focus on foliage with the couple of wild splashes of color from the flowers.

Get creative and make the most of brightly colored foliage

In super shady places I can rely on the tropicals to give me the most color – Kong coleus and bromeliads look fabulous.

A softer look

Maybe you're more of a pink person? Here's a way to update the look – add black and white for a dramatic punch. Notice the feathery Ghost Japanese painted fern that is adding  height to the combination – an unexpected addition to the  plant selection.

And finally….

Fun – succulents planted in fire pit

When you run out of containers try this! Our succulent fire pit was a big hit in 2013 so I plan on doing something similar this year although I've moved it to a different location.

The succulent hanging basket was a last minute addition when my traditional basket failed! I'm definitely going to do this again and love the combination of fleshy succulents with feathery lotus vine. All drought tolerant and low maintenance too. Plus the deer couldn't reach them!

If you live in the Seattle area why don't you join me for one of my Spring Container Workshops next month? They are always lots of fun but there are only a few spots left so don't delay!

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