DIY CONTAINER DESIGN
Creating a beautiful planter is not as hard as you might think. Take a look below for tips & inspiration, then come on in to Sky to make your very own, no matter the season!
How do I keep my container happy & healthy?
It may not be the most exciting thing to read about, but consider these few details before launching into the design process, and you'll have healthier, longer lasting and easier to care for containers.
SUN OR SHADE?
This is the most important choice to make when choosing plants for your container. Many plants can be tolerant of part sun environments, but if you are dealing with a full shade space with no direct sunlight, you'll want to stick to the shade annual tables at Sky. Don't worry, there are many plants that love shade!
HOW BIG IS YOUR CONTAINER?
The width and depth of your planter will dictate what size and how many plants you can fit in there. A shallow container (10" or less), for example, can hold lots of smaller annuals with small root systems, but not a larger shrub that wants to grow deep roots.
You can use the height of the plant as a good estimate of the future root system: A 2' tall plant will likely want to grow roots to around the same depth.
WATERING
Watering needs are based on the amount of light/heat the container gets. Some plants need more regular drinks of water than others, especially during PNW summer drought.
Zonal geraniums, for example, are drought tolerant and forgiving of a few missed waterings, but petunias may wilt if you miss a day!
FERTILIZING
It is essential to feed annual containers, which are all about non-stop blooming! Choose a water-soluble bloom fertilizer, which will work well for both grounded containers and hanging baskets.
DEADHEADING
Many modern container accents are 'self-deadheading,' meaning that they re-bloom all on their own and even slough off old flowers as they dry up. But there are many that still benefit from a regular watchful eye to prune away dead stalks with sharp pruners or a quick pinch of the fingers.
A NOTE ON SOIL
Flower containers (especially hanging baskets) require water-retentive, well-draining 'potting' soil as opposed to an in-ground soil. Take a look at our bagged soil options here! We recommend always using pots with drainage holes.
How do I create something beautiful?
To make it as easy as possible for you to find plants you love, our annuals/container accent section in the greenhouse is divided into 'thriller,' 'filler,' and 'spiller' categories, with separate tables for shade plants.
THRILLERS
Add height, drama & structure. These are often grasses, shrubs, tall flowers, or small evergreens.
FILLERS
Add fullness, blooms, & texture. These are mounding or upright plants that compliment thrillers.
SPILLERS
Add trailing interest to enhance the overall form. These are foliage or flowering plants that cascade over the container edge.
START WITH ONE PLANT
A great and simple way to create a well designed planter is to choose one plant that you love, and use the colors and textures of that plant to choose complimentary ones.
For example, if you fall in love with a bright orange gerbera daisy, you can use the shades in that flower to select an orange toned geum, golden trailing petunias, and a contrasting Japanese maples and creeping jenny with lots of textured foliage.
SWAP OUT SEASONAL COLOR
A cost-effective, simple way to enjoy year-round containers is to choose evergreen plants that combine nicely together, and add in a few annuals for the season. This way, you don't have to re-plant your entire container every few months.
For example, the pot above has evergreen vinca, heuchera and heather, with a maidenhair fern that will come back year after year. The pop of color comes from cool season annual violas, which can be swapped out for geraniums, calibrachoa etc. in the spring/summer to create a totally different mood.
DO WHAT YOU LIKE!
It truly does not take a degree in design or landscaping to create something you can be proud of. Rather than following specific rules that might not even fit your own tastes, we wholeheartedly recommend going with your gut and having a little fun! Just keep the basics of container care in mind, and you're likely to end up with a unique and unexpected design you love!
MARCH - AUGUST
Spring & Summer Containers
THRILLERS
- Martha Washington Geranium (Spring)
- Cordyline
- Cosmos
- Dahlia
- Euonymous
- Ferns
- Lemon Cypress
- Zonal Geranium
- Phormium
- Salvia
- Snapdragon
- Thuja
FILLERS
- (Early Spring) Primrose
- Ageratum
- Angelonia
- Argyranthemum
- Brachysome
- Bracteantha
- Dwarf Dahlias
- Dianthus
- Diascia
- Euphorbia (Annual)
- Gerbera Daisy
- Heuchera
- Lantana
- Upright Lobelia
- Nemesia
- Osteospermum
- Upright Petunia
- Phlox
SPILLERS
- Bacopa
- Bidens
- Callibrachoa
- Creeping Jenny
- Dichondra
- Potato Vine
- Trailing Lobelia
- Lobularia
- Lotus Vine
- Trailing Petunias
- Portulaca
- Sanvitalia
- Scaevola
- Verbena
- Glechoma
- Hedera
- Lamium
- Lysimachia
- Muhlenbeckia
- Vinca
SHADE CONTAINER ACCENTS
Thrillers
- Begonia
- Cordyline/Dracaena
- Gartenmeister Fuchsia
- Heliotrope
Fillers
- Begonia
- Coleus
- Diascia
- Euphorbia
- Heuchera
- New Guinea Impatiens
- Upright Lobelia
- Strobilanthes
Spillers
- Trailing Begonia
- Creeping Jenny
- Trailing Fuchsia
- Potato Vine
- Trailing Lobelia
- Torenia
SEPTEMBER, OCTOBER, NOVEMBER
Fall Containers
FALL THRILLERS
- Chrysanthemum
- Cordyline/Dracaena
- Euonymous
- Heather (for smaller containers)
- Lemon Cypress
- Ornamental Kale
- Ornamental Swiss Chard
- Thuja
FALL FILLERS
- Aster
- Cabbage (ornamental)
- Chrysanthemum (compact)
- Dusty Miller
- Euphorbia
- Heuchera
- Pansy & Viola
FALL SPILLERS
- Cool Wave Pansies
- Glechoma
- Hedera
- Lysimachia
- Muhlenbeckia
- Vinca
DECEMBER, JANUARY, FEBRUARY
Winter Containers
WINTER THRILLERS
- Cupressus
- Cordyline/Dracaena
- Euonymous
- Hellebore
- Lemon Cypress
- Ornamental Kale
- Thuja
Late Winter
- Pericallis
- Pre-Rooted Bulbs:
Daffodils, tulips, hyacinth etc.
WINTER FILLERS
- Cyclamen
- Decorative Cut Branches
- Ferns
- Heuchera
- Ornamental Kale & Cabbage
- Paperwhites
- Wintergreen
Late Winter
- Anemone
- Ranunculus
- Pericallis
- Pre-Rooted Bulbs:
Daffodils, tulips, hyacinth etc.
WINTER SPILLERS
- Ajuga
- Glechoma
- Hedera
- Muhlenbeckia
- Vinca
HOLIDAY CONTAINERS
Ring in the holidays with bows, baubles, faux birds, berries and more. Add a few simple details to your existing containers for a little extra special holiday cheer.
Indoor Containers
DESIGNING INDOOR CONTAINERS
The process for indoor containers is quite similar to outdoor ones, with a few exceptions. Try to match the growth rate of the plants you choose, their desired light levels and their other care needs for best success. i.e., create a succulent or carnivorous plant arrangement, or a tropical 'high light' container.
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