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Tricks
to Growing Mixed Containers
by
Laurelynn
and Byron Martin
Create a dramatic focal point or plant a pair of
containers and create a spectacular entryway with some simple tricks for
getting started.
First, decide what kind of look you’re trying to
create. Do you want a weeping,
flowing cascading look or do you want a stalwart, stand tall majestic pot?
Maybe you want a little bit of both which is what we’ve created
with our Guardian
Gate Collection. The
centerpiece is an upright Cyperus
Papyrus while the red ‘Christmas
Candy’ Begonia has a branching habit and the blue Scaevola has a weeping, cascading habit.
The combination of color and form bring whimsy and strength in an
eclectic collection.
Second, choose similar growth rates.
Of all the decisions in putting a mixed container together, this is
the most important. Make sure if one plant has a vigorous growth habit
that your other varieties can grow at the same rate or at least hold their
own. Otherwise, one variety may
overtake the other. For example
our ipomeas
or “sweet potato vines” make an excellent addition to a mixed container
for their fast growth and creeping habit but if they’re put in the same
pot with a Rex begonia, the begonia has little chance to grow into its full
glory.
Some
fast growing varieties that compliment each other are ipomoeas,
heliotropiums,
colocasias,
angelonias,
cyperus
(both
the papyrus and the dwarf variety),
impatiens
repens,
plumbagos,
and the helichrysum
petiolare
Two begonias that we like to use in mixed
containers are begonia ‘Christmas
Candy’ and an outstanding flowering begonia
called ‘Charm.’ Its variegated leaves and light pink flowers make
this a prime choice when selecting plants.
Most of the Angel
wings, Rexes and Rhizomatous begonias need to be grown as a 4-5” pot before they are
ready for a mixed container. They
can also be planted with slower growing plants. These plants will take a few
more weeks to bring them into their fullness but still in the northern
growing season a mid-to-late summer mixed containers can take up the slack
with waning perennials or failing annuals.
Some plants that are slower growing but longer lasting than typical
annuals or perennials are Bouvardia
ternifoila, all varieties of justicias, Scutellaria costaricana, Hedera helix “Ivy” or the Ivy and
Fancy-Leaved geraniums.
Third, choose complementary colors.
Like any artist we would not just paint with one tone of yellow, we
might add a splash of pink or dusty rose.
Often the greater the contrast in color tones, the more stunning the
statement. Our summer
breeze collection has pink open-faced blooms with our Abutilon
‘Kristen’s Pink,’ set against Heliotrope
‘Iowa’ which boasts purple flowers and the innocence of a
summer day is found in the pure white flowers of Angelonia
‘Alba.’
Fourth,
height creates drama.
Cascading plants create whimsy and softness.
We recommend a focal point with height and cascading or weeping
plants to compliment the centerpiece.
Of course, the Guardian
Gate Collection
does this without question but another plant collection that we adore is the
Hummingbird
Collection.
Agastache
“Tutti Fruiti”
has tall spires of magenta flowers while the base glows with a chartreuse
green Helichrysum
‘Limelight.’
Add to this hovering hummingbirds and you have truly created a unique
display of nature.
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