{"id":1587,"date":"2017-05-05T17:17:27","date_gmt":"2017-05-05T17:17:27","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/whiteflower1.wpengine.com\/?p=1587"},"modified":"2020-05-14T19:52:47","modified_gmt":"2020-05-14T19:52:47","slug":"create-beautiful-successful-patio-pots","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.whiteflowerfarm.com\/blog\/2017\/05\/05\/create-beautiful-successful-patio-pots\/","title":{"rendered":"Create Beautiful, Successful Patio Pots"},"content":{"rendered":"
\"annuals<\/a>
One of our greenhouses filled with annuals. Our staff members create new combinations each spring. Generally speaking, each combo should contain 3 plant varieties: a thriller (which will be the tallest plant in the pot), a spiller (to trail over the sides), and a filler (to fill in the middle space).<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Tips for Creating Beautiful, Successful Patio Pots<\/strong><\/p>\n

In our part of the country, the high and low temperatures of spring are beginning to even out, and the danger of frost will soon be past. That\u2019s when we pot up collections of annuals (and sometimes a few perennials) to decorate our porches and patios. Each spring, our staff members have fun creating new plant combinations. To help you create yours, here are a few tips:<\/p>\n

\"img_5121\"<\/a><\/p>\n

Selecting Container Pots<\/strong><\/p>\n

Start by selecting container pots. The variety is limitless, which is both a good and bad thing. The advantage is you have lots of choices \u2013 terra cotta, glazed, cast iron, plastic, footed, self-watering, etc. \u00ad\u2013 but choosing too many pots in too many colors or styles can create a look fails to unify and isn\u2019t very appealing. As a general rule, you\u2019ll create a sense of visual harmony by choosing a grouping of pots that goes well together even before you add the plants. Then, as you fill them with annuals and perennials, it may look best to pot the same or similar plants in a variety of pots, or pot a variety of plants in the same or similar pots. When in doubt, keep it simple. Less can be more.<\/p>\n

\"img_2718\"<\/a><\/p>\n

Remember to choose pots with at least one drainage hole, says our nursery manager Barb Pierson. If a pot has no drainage hole, drill one. If that\u2019s not possible, fill the bottom of the pot with gravel, river rocks, or Styrofoam peanuts to create a space for drainage.<\/p>\n

Choose the right size pot for your plantings: Barb\u2019s rule of thumb is that 3 plants generally need a 12\u201d opening, and 5 plants require a 16\u201318\u201d opening.<\/p>\n

\"img_5122\"<\/a>Know Your Site<\/strong><\/p>\n

Will your pots be in\u00a0blazing sun all day? No problem! Choose zinnias, lantanas, salvias, and other heat lovers. Part-shade is very forgiving for most varieties. Are you designing pots for shade? Look for\u00a0impatiens, fuchsias, caladiums, some varieties of coleus, and some types of begonias.<\/p>\n

\"13072\"<\/a>
Our Waikiki Annual Collection sunning itself poolside.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Play With Colors & Textures<\/strong><\/p>\n

To create a pleasing combination, play with plant groupings until you get something you like. Here at the farm, our staff members do this in the greenhouses where the annuals are grown. Customers are invited to \u201cplay with plants\u201d at our Annual Container Workshops<\/u><\/a>. Another way to experiment with various combos is to pull up images on your computer screen and create a collage. Or, collage the old-fashioned way by cutting out catalog photos and creating groupings of images until you\u2019re satisfied with what you see.<\/p>\n

\"247\"<\/a>
Our Pastel Patio collection was inspired by soft shades of pink and gray with an undertone of darker color from sweet-scented Heliotrope ‘Fragrant Delight.’<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

For best results, most patio pot combos should contain 3 types of plants: a thriller (which will be the tallest variety in the combo), a spiller (to cascade over the sides), and a filler (to fill in around the middle). Larger combos tend to have multiple spillers and fillers, but the thriller is generally a single, tall plant such as a grass, elephant\u2019s ears (colocascia), caladium, upright coleus, begonia or fuchsia, or a vine such as a low-growing clematis on a tuteur.<\/p>\n

As you\u2019re working, pay attention to colors and textures. Are you using hot colors (red, yellow, orange, and lime), cool ones (blues, lavenders, whites and grays), or pastels (soft pinks, soft yellows, and baby blues)? Do you have a range of blossom forms and foliage types?<\/p>\n

\"annual<\/a>
Play around with plant combinations to devise a combo you like. Here, on a tabletop, we grouped the bright red tubular flowers of Fuchsia ‘Gartenmeister Bonstedt’ (which hummingbirds adore) with a lime green Potato Vine, a colorful red-and-green Coleus, and the felted sage green leaves of trailing Helicrysum.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The Right Planting Mix<\/strong><\/p>\n

To begin your potting, fill your container with planting mix. Barb recommends a mix of \u00be high quality potting mix combined with \u00bc compost. (The mix is also great for raised beds.) Water the mixture thoroughly until it is evenly moist but not soaking.<\/p>\n

Now position your plants: Before you take them out of the pots they came in, set them atop the planting mix and arrange them in a way that will promote best growth and work best for your site. (If the pot is to be set against a wall or doorway, the \u201cthriller,\u201d or tall plant, is best positioned at the back-center area of the pot. If the pot will be viewed from all sides, the thriller belongs in the middle.) Once you\u2019ve settled on an arrangement, plant your annuals in the container pot. Be sure to fill in with soil around them. (You can use the tip of a trowel or even a large spoon to add more potting mix where it\u2019s needed.) Water again to dampen the soil that\u2019s been added, and let the combo settle.<\/p>\n

\"hummingbird<\/a>
Here’s the Hummingbird Collection, our No. 1 bestselling combo.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Feeding & Watering<\/strong><\/p>\n

Over the course of the season, check your pots for moisture daily and water as needed. Larger pots need less water. (In dry summers, container pots may need to be watered daily.) How do you know when your container pots need water? Look for the soil to shrink a bit from the sides of the pot, Barb says. When that happens, it\u2019s time to water. You can also test by sticking your finger in the soil mix. It it\u2019s dry an inch or so down, the plants need a drink.<\/p>\n

Feed your plants. Annuals give their all in a single season, and they appreciate a bit of food to keep their blossom and foliage shows going. Barb recommends using a blossom-boosting fertilizer such as our All-Bloom<\/u><\/a>. It makes all the difference, she says.<\/p>\n

As the plants grow, trim back varieties that are more aggressive than others. Some varieties of coleus, and trailing plants including ipomoea (potato vine) and helichrysum are vigorous growers. Don\u2019t be afraid to get out the scissors<\/u><\/a> for some judicious pruning. Pinching back plants including impatiens and coleus also helps encourage branching so you get bushier plants.<\/p>\n

\"Campania<\/a>
You can enliven shady spots in the garden with a colorful mix. This one features the boldly patterned leaves of a Rex Begonia, the deep pink blooms of Begonia Gumdrop ‘Coco Rose,’ and the lime green leaves and pink flowers of Begonia ‘Dragon Wing Pink.’<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"annual<\/a>
In the midst of a shady garden that’s predominantly green, a container full of pink and purple blossoms makes an attractive focal point. Elevating the pot on a pedestal adds to its presence.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Not Just for the Patio <\/strong><\/p>\n

Colorful container pots are a joy to behold all season long, and they\u2019re not just for the patio. Pots also can be sited in garden beds and mixed borders, and in front of hedges and walls. A container pot full of colorful blossoms makes a lovely focal point when silhouetted against a green hedge or sited at the end of a path.<\/p>\n

If we can help with your combinations, you know where to find us.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Tips for Creating Beautiful, Successful Patio Pots In our part of the country, the high and low temperatures of spring are beginning to even out, and the danger of frost will soon be past. That\u2019s when we pot up collections of annuals (and sometimes a few perennials) to decorate our porches and patios. Each spring, […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":1597,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":[],"categories":[7],"tags":[],"blocksy_meta":[],"yoast_head":"\nCreate Beautiful, Successful Patio Pots - White Flower Farm's blog<\/title>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/www.whiteflowerfarm.com\/blog\/2017\/05\/05\/create-beautiful-successful-patio-pots\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"Create Beautiful, Successful Patio Pots - White Flower Farm's blog\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"Tips for Creating Beautiful, Successful Patio Pots In our part of the country, the high and low temperatures of spring are beginning to even out, and the danger of frost will soon be past. 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