Photos from Gardens ALIVE Design
We have all seen beautiful containers flanking each side of the front door that grandly welcome guests. Patio containers are wonderful because they soften the hard flat surface and act as a bridge to the boundary beyond. Containers used for edibles in urban spaces make lots of sense on a condo deck. But what about container IN the landscape – meaning placed IN the bed? Why not! With some know-how you can really liven up the space with a container properly placed amongst ground covers, perennials and shrubs! First the know-how . . .
Don’t just plop that heavy ceramic container in the bed without first preparing the area to hold the container. There is nothing worse than seeing a container slowly tipping over as the soil shifts under it. Make a stout pad for your container to sit on by packing 8-10” of 5/8”- gravel to a perimeter that is 4” larger than the base of your container and then place a paver that is 2” larger than the base of your container on top of the packed gravel. Don’t stop there . . . get out your handy level and shimmy the paver right and left until that bubble is centered between the lines as you ensure it is level in all directions. Next place your pot feet – YES you need them! – on the paver before adding your container. Pot feet are not only needed to ensure drainage but also decorate the base of the container and keep it from looking plopped down (think of a mid-century modern sofa vs the 1980’s sofa). Then once again use that trusty level to, again, ensure that the top rim is level. Adjust the pot feet in or out to find the exact level for your container and give yourself a high 5! Then sweep a bit of your fertile mulch over the paver to disguise it but allow the pot feet to show. Voila ready for planting!
Now you are asking ‘where should I put the container IN my landscape’? Great question! As a landscape designer I would be asking you questions like;
Where do you want to have your eye drawn to? Or better yet, where do you want your eye drawn away from? A container placed IN the landscape will capture your attention as you look out your kitchen window and help you to hum a tune as you load the dishwasher but you will also have your attention drawn away from the neighbors ugly XYZ (you fill in the blank). Where do you have a large number of deciduous shrubs? This area of your landscape looks like a stick forest in the winter – add a container (and some boulders while you are at it!) to add winter and year-round interest. The same application can apply for an area of your landscape that has mostly perennials that die back to soil in the winter – a container or a collection of containers (and some boulders) go a long way to creating year round interest. And another situation that can assist when a container is added is to direct traffic. Do first time guests to your home get confused and wonder which path leads to the front door? Placing a container or containers along the direction that you want them to travel sends a message that they are going the correct way.
Who knew properly placed containers could do all of this and so much more? Should you want assistance with this process – ahem – I’m here to help!
