Movable feast of flowers

Add a few containers to your gardening effort to create movable plants. Then you can put color where you want it and use your plants for any occasion. The options are limitless.

There are several advantages to adding containerized plants to your collection. When entertaining, move them to where they will help dress up your event. When certain areas of your regular plant beds are difficult to dig or plant in, simply place a few containers on bases in those areas to add color without the hassle of dealing with rocky or hard soil. When fall comes move the plants to safer areas or inside to keep them healthy for the next season.

News and Observer
June 23, 2007
Lifestyles

Portable Plantings
Container gardens put instant color anywhere

Container gardening is hot. That's no surprise because it's fun, it's easy and, in a pursuit where patience is often required, it is the ultimate in instant gratification.

There are other reasons to garden in containers. Container gardens can be grown where there is limited space or no soil, such as an apartment balcony or patio. Colorful flowers in pots dress up entryways, providing beauty and a bright welcome to guests (not to mention a nice homecoming to the resident). Container gardens are movable, allowing you to create instant accents in the garden, especially if you select containers that stand out.

A plant that might have added pleasant interest to a garden design can often provide a focal point if it is put in a colorful or interesting container and nestled into the garden bed. In areas where the soil is poor or difficult to work, containers remove the headache and expense of soil preparation.

Occasionally, container gardens can camouflage unsightly septic tank covers or well covers. If you're creative, you can make it look like you intended to have concrete platforms in that spot.

If you haven't tried container gardening, we've got tips to help you get started. And if you've already caught on, maybe you'll be inspired to try a new pot or some interesting plant combinations. Original article...