Growing Potted Flowers

There are many advantages to growing flowers in pots. Most important, you’re able to place the pots right up front, such as on porches and patios, where they have the greatest visibility and impact. Growing in containers also lets you easily move things around so the best looking plants are always center stage. Of course, if you don’t have any open soil to grow in, containers are often the only way to enjoy garden flowers.

Getting the most beautiful results from potted flowers takes a little bit of artistry and some simple gardening know-how. First, think carefully about how you mix and match plants:

Establish a color theme. This is good advice for any type of flower gardening. Try different flowers in shades of one color or blend complementary colors such as red and violet. For an even stronger impact, mix contrasting colors like yellow and blue or yellow and red.

Mix plant forms. Use taller, more upright plants like snapdragons, salvia or geraniums in the middle of the pot, and then step down in size as you move towards the edges. Plant cascading flowers like sweet alyssum, violas and lobelia right near the outside of the pot so they’ll spill over the sides.

Plant closely. You’ll get the best show if you pack plants in closer than you would in the open ground.

Use a touch of white. White flowers make everything else look better, so add a few if you need an extra punch.

Throw in some bold foliage. Strong foliage plants, like purple fountain grass, variegated English ivy, or dusty Miller contribute texture and make your flower pots even more striking.

Group different size pots. The varied heights add structure and organization to your display.

Use all kinds of flowers. Nurseries and garden centers are full of flowering annuals and perennials. But there are also flowering shrubs like roses and gardenias. Many bulbs, including daffodils, tulips, and iris also grow well in pots. Expand the possibilities.

Make replacements as needed. If one plant or pot is through blooming, replace it with something that looks better. Make the most of seasonal changes.

Put a special plant in a special pot. If you have a favorite flowering plant, like a variegated daphne, a fragrant rose or an especially stunning camellia, show it off in a handsome container. Nurseries and garden centers offer multitudes to choose from. And both the plant and pot will look better.

Be a Savvy Container Gardener

Gardening in pots is different from growing plants in the ground. Potted plants need more care. You have to start with a quality potting soil, one that is well aerated but holds adequate moisture and nutrients. And because the pots are exposed to drying on all sides, you need to water more often, sometimes once a day in hot weather. More frequent watering leaches nutrients through the soil, so you also have to fertilize more often to keep plants blooming. Lastly, when plants are grouped closely in pots, insect problems can quickly get out of hand, so you have to be observant and be ready with control measures.

One way to greatly simplify gardening in containers is to use Bayer Advanced™ Multi-Purpose Potting Mix Potting Mix (product discontinued) and Bayer Advanced™ All-In-One Potting Mix for Roses & Flowers Potting Mix (product discontinued). They are the only potting soils that combine a high quality growing medium with three added benefits:

• Slow release fertilizer, which starts feeding quickly and keeps on feeding plants up to 9 months.
• Moisture control, polymers to help prevent plants from drying out or becoming over-watered.
• Insect protection, which kills plant-damaging insects for up to four months.

These combined benefits will help you grow bigger, better, more beautiful plants guaranteed!

The Last Word on Fire Ants

Fire ant season is beginning again in the southern United States. And these nasty, stinging pests can even nest in your containers. To control them in your yard, use Bayer Advanced™ Fire Ant Killer Dust. The easy to apply dust kills the mound and the queen FAST without the unpleasant odor of leading competitive products.

Products Mentioned In This Article

Fire Ant Killer Dust