Cheap Gardening Pots And Containers

Container gardening is exactly as the name implies: planting in pots and containers. Suitable for all garden designs and shapes (whether a small garden, balcony or patio) and most garden plants, it's a great way to create beautiful outdoor displays for seasonal interest, whether you want to brighten up a corner of the garden or make the entrance of your home look welcoming.

Containers can restrict root growth so plants can't tap into moisture as easily as those in the ground, so choosing the right compost, maintaining an even water supply and ensuring good drainage to prevent waterlogging is essential for plants thrive.

It's also important to choose the right type of container. For example, for containers that need to be outside all year, you should choose frost-proof terracotta rather than those labelled frost-resistant, as these can still crack when temperatures fall for long periods, advises the RHS.

The Basics Of Container Planting

• Check that your container has drainage holes and, if not, add some. Next, put a good layer of drainage material, such as bits of broken pots, gravel, or pieces of polystyrene packaging, in the bottom before adding the soil.

• Container planting enables you to grow plants that prefer ericaceous compost, such as pieris and azaleas, but multi-purpose compost will work for most plants. If you're aiming to create more 'permanent' displays, such as shrubs or trees, it's a good idea to use actual soil or a soil-based compost to give them a secure hold and the right nutrients.

• Leave a gap of at least 5cm at the top of the container, so the compost doesn't overflow when you water the plant.

kcline Getty Images

• Use the correct feed for the type of plant you've chosen and ensure you apply it at least once a month during the growing season in spring and summer.

• Never let your pots dry out or become waterlogged, which is why drainage is key. You'll need to water them every day during the summer. Aim for the base of the plant rather than over flowers and foliage. Saucers under pots are useful for conserving water in summer, but should be removed come winter. To be extra safe, invest in some pot feet to lift planters off the ground, allowing for better drainage during the wetter months.

• Add a layer of mulch on top of the soil. Use either organic matter, such as bark or compost, or hard materials such as slate chips or gravel. Mulching a container will help retain moisture, as well as keep weeds at bay.

Materials: Container Types

The RHS advises the following:

CLAY OR TERRACOTTA

Looks attractive but tends to dry out more quickly than plastic, plus are prone to cracking caused by frost. Opt for frost-proof pots or stand pots on 'feet'.

PLASTIC

Plastic pots are lighter than clay and don't dry out as much as clay or terracotta.

METAL

Frost-proof and won't dry out like clay, however, they heat up quickly in summer and likewise, are very cold in winter. Another potential problem is corrosion.

WOOD

Wood is problematic in that it rots. You can extend the lifespan of a wooden container by lining it with plastic sheeting with holes in the bottom and painting the wood with a preserver.

OTHER MATERIALS

From old pots to jars and tins, repurposing and upcycling home items to use as quirky containers is a resourceful way to make container gardening a success.

What Plant For Which Container?

Claudia de Yong, landscape/garden designer, gives her expert advice:

HANGING BASKETS

• Either keep it simple and fill with only one variety, such as trailing verbena, petunias or fuchsias, or go for dramatic combinations – try deep purple Verbena 'Royale Plum Wine', blowsy Petunia 'Flamingo' and the dainty trailing white Bacopa 'Snowstorm'.

Purple Petunias

Eric Colling / EyeEm Getty Images

TROUGHS OR WINDOW BOXES

• Pair the tall fern-like scented Lavender 'Spanish Eyes' with another scented plant, such as Heliotrope 'Midnight Sky'. Add some Phlox '21st CenturyBlue' F1, which is great for attracting bees.

• For a bold display, try Dahlia 'Totally Tangerine' with purple Salvia 'Amistad' and an airy grass such as Panicum elegans 'Frosted Explosion'. Use Erigeron 'Karvinskianus' around the edges and add Heuchera 'Obsidian' for drama.

• Another option is to team chocolate-scented Cosmos atrosanguineus with Nicotiana alata 'Grandiflora', which has a wonderful night scent. Add the soft grey foliage of Artemisia 'Powis Castle' and the tall feathery bronze fennel, Foeniculum vulgare 'Purpureum'.

chocolate-scented Cosmos atrosanguineus

Janette Hall Getty Images

TALL POTS (AKA LONG TOMS)

• Verbena bonariensis is a great plant for tall pots, with long-lasting clusters of purple that look good alone or can be under-planted with delicate star-shaped Gaura lindheimeri 'Whirling Butterflies', adding dark purple Sedum telephium 'Purple Emperor' around the base.

Sedum telephium

Whiteway Getty Images

Container Gardening Ideas

Best Scent

Lavandula angustifolia

Known for its wonderful aroma, lavender is a great choice for a patio or balcony. It will thrive in pots in a sunny spot and is loved by bees. Combine different coloured varieties for a wonderful display.

Best Wall Idea

Set of three galvanised corner wall planters

Don't confine your container planting to pots. Wall planters or wall pockets are a great way to harness an additional planting area.

Best for Deep-Rooted Plants

Yorkshire terracotta long tom pot

waitrosegarden.com

£26.99

Suitable for deep-rooted plants, traditional long tom pots are taller and narrower than usual plant pots.

Green Wall Idea

Jara Terracotta Wall Hung Planter

Create a green wall by joining two or three structured wall planters together. You can fill it with herbs, trailing hanging plants, cacti or succulents.

Best For Climbing Plants

Four Sweet Pea Frames

For climbers such as sweet peas, choose frame-style planters to make training and containing your favourite plants easy.

Pretty Colour

Argyranthemum Plants - Pretty Daisies Collection

Plant the cheerful blooms of argyranthemum, which flower until autumn. Team with the fragrant lavender 'Hidcote Blue'.

Window Box

Vence Window Box

gardentrading.co.uk

£35.00

Fill a trough or window box with dainty flowers or fresh herbs to decorate the exterior of your house. Read more on planting up a window box.

Crate Appeal

Brown Wooden Apple Crates

Plant flowers in a vintage-style wooden crate, and mulch with gravel to retain moisture. Track down similar wooden boxes on eBay.

Metal Works

Zinc And Copper Patio Planter

London Garden Trading notonthehighstreet.com

£29.95

These zinc containers bring character to an outdoor area. Tie the display together by repeating some of the planting.

In need of some positivity or not able to make it to the shops? Subscribe to House Beautiful magazine today and get 6 issues for just £6, delivered directly to your door every month.

Like this article? Sign up to our newsletter to get more articles like this delivered straight to your inbox.

From: House Beautiful magazine. Subscribe here.

Olivia Heath Executive Digital Editor, House Beautiful UK Olivia Heath is the Executive Digital Editor at House Beautiful UK where she's busy uncovering tomorrow's biggest home trends, all whilst delivering stylish room inspiration, small space solutions, easy garden ideas and house tours of the hottest properties on the market.

This content is created and maintained by a third party, and imported onto this page to help users provide their email addresses. You may be able to find more information about this and similar content at piano.io