CONTAINER FLOWER GARDENING FOR BEGINNERS: SELECTING PLANTS

Container flower gardening for beginners is step-by-step instructions on selecting plants to make a beautiful arrangement of plants and flowers in a pot. This is a sweet way to add a pot full of colorful flowers to your porch, deck, or any place that fancies you. 

I was inspired to write container flower gardening for beginners: selecting plants because when I started creating pots full of different plants I truly needed a container gardening basis book or something to help me. So I am giving back all the things I have learned over the l years and tips and tricks to making an amazing container garden.

You will find this is actually very easy if you know the right steps and tricks. I am excited you are here so let's get started.

This post contains affiliate links, which means I receive a commission if you make a purchase using the links below.  All opinions are all my own.

CONTAINER FLOWER GARDENING FOR BEGINNERS: SELECTING PLANTS

After creating ideas for my small front porch to share with all of you, I thought about sharing more details about each element of the porch.  For example, how I created the evergreen and annual container flower garden.

Let's assume you already have a pot and know where you want to display your flowers.

So what's the next step?

That is why I am here to help! Read on to learn what to do next.

SUN OR SHADE PLANTS

Next, ask yourself what the climate is like and where the pot will be sitting.

My pot is on my front porch, and it gets very hot there in the afternoon.  Lots of sun requires me to look for full sun plants and maybe even ones that don't mind being dry.

It is hard to keep the soil moist in this area because of the hot, Florida sun.

Now that I know that I need sun-loving plants that don't mind being a little dry it's time to head to the local nursery or anywhere that sells plants and flowers.

LOCAL GARDEN CENTER

I would encourage you to take your pot with you if it is easy to transport. If not, take a photo of it for your excursion.

It just helps to place the plants in the pot at the nursery so you don't end up over-purchasing plants or not having enough.

SELECTING PLANTS

Now the challenging part is selecting the right plant for your space.

But, this is why I suggest going to your local nursery.  They typically have signs that give you the good information you will need to select the right plant for the right climate, size, and color.

For example, I need sunny plants of varying sizes. I was able to find this beauty at my local nursery.

Note that this Diamond Frost Euphorbia likes full to part sun.  That means it can handle being in full to part sun during the day.

SIZE OF PLANTS

You will need to look for three different sizes of plants to create a container garden like mine. Tall, filler, and trailing are the three ones to remember.

TALL

There are many wonderful tall options, but my favorites are the evergreens. Those will not die during the winter months.

Liriope is also a great tall center plant that lasts all year long. For this pot, however, I decided I wanted something a little lighter in color.

Unfortunately, I was unable to get a photo of its information to share.  If you know what this plant is please comment below and I will add it.

So on to the next piece: the filler piece.

FILLER PLANTS

Petunias are a great filler plant when container flower gardening! My center plant can get much higher than 12 inches, so the petunias are a great step down.

TRAILING PLANTS

White Knight Aslyssum is such a beautiful trailing plant!

The delicate flowers are also a nice step down in size from the petunia flower.  And the white color is a way to freshen up all the colors. Not to mention it looks nice against my dark brick wall.

COLORS

Colors are important when selecting different plants. Think about the color of your house or the walls closest to the pot.

In my case, my home is a dark reddish colored brick, and my front door is Sherwin Williams SW 7006 Extra White and Benjamin Moore HC-143 Wythe Blue.  So I wanted to go with colors that look nice up again those house colors.

If you are looking for a good door color try out some of these Sherwin Williams popular colors.

So now that we have talked about the design elements of plants let's talk about what are easy flowers to grow.

WHAT ARE THE EASIEST FLOWERS TO GROW IN POTS?

Whether you are a beginner or seasoned planter it is much easier to maintain container gardens if you know which flower plants to purchase that are easy to grow in pots. Here are the best container flowers to grow in pots.

• Vinca
• Petunias
• Impatiens
• Geraniums
• Begonias
• Euphorbia
• Zahara Zinnia
• Marigold
• Pansies

Next let's talk about how to plants flowers and plants in containers starting with a good soil.

SOIL

Now that you have all the plants selected, it is time to select good soil or compost to put inside your pot and around your plants.

I like to add some small gravel in the bottom of the pot, but that is not required.

Ask the people at the nursery for recommendations on potting soil for the plants you have selected.

Again, they are typically very knowledgeable.

TOOLS

Last,  you will a need a few tools for your project.

Look for a small shovel, gardening gloves (if you feel you need them), a watering can, and a potting bench.  You don't necessarily need a potting bench, but for many years I would do my potting on the ground.

Now I use this bench we made on the back of our shed to save my back.

You can also use your water hose from the spigot, but if the project is small, then a watering can works nicely, too.

CONCLUSION

Well, to wrap up what you need to do and what you will need to gather to create your container flower garden,  here is a checklist of what you will need:

• Select a Pot and/or planter box for your container garden
• Determine climate of the area
• Shop for Tall, Filler, and Trailing plants in varying colors and flower petal sizes
• Find a good soil or compost
• Gather tools like a small shovel, gardening gloves, watering can or water hose, potting bench

Now that you have all the tools and plants, it is time to plant them in a pot! Here is where I show you how to plant plants in this container gardening 2 post. And if you love birds and butterflies then you will love this DIY glass bird bath.

Happy Decorating!

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