Van Dycks

Fragrant Double Tuberose Coral Drops (Bessera elegans) Non-Stop Begonia Mix Apple Blossom Begonia Begonia Champagne Picotee Begonia Mix Stars of India (Achimenes) Fragrant Double Freesia Mix Agapanthus Blue Crocosmia (Saffron Fire Flowers) Mexican Shell Flowers Four O'Clocks (Mirabilis jalapa) Magic Carpet Dahlias (Top Mix) Hanging Begonia Collection Camellia Begonia Collection Carnation Begonias

Container gardening is one of the fastest growing (pun intended) areas of gardening today. This is partly because while everyone (almost) loves flowers, not everyone has the time, money, expertise and space for a large in-ground garden. However, many people have a spot by the front door, a window that can be reached from the ground, a patio, or a terrace (high above the city in some cases). These spots simply cry out for the beauty of a contained garden.

Just about any plant can be grown in a container, though the bigger the plant, the bigger the container must be. Large trees and shrubs are probably best left to grow in the ground, though dwarf trees and many compact shrubs are right at home in containers. Most people opt for perennials or tropical plants that are practically guaranteed to provide summer-long color and drama, especially if you let your creative juices flow. It's really easy. There are just a few things to know.

First, you need to decide where you need to add color with contained gardens – you'll probably want more than one. Will they be in a shady area? Will they have sun all day? Are they under an eave or patio cover that will protect them from rain? Once you know the conditions your containers will be subjected to, it's time to choose them.

There are no hard and fast rules. Pick what you like. For best results, pick containers that will blend or contrast with the colors of their surroundings, i.e. the colors of your house, garage, porch, patio or terrace, and other nearby structural and decorative elements. Though the containers can be of any style in any material that you prefer, it is often best to choose a style and material that reflects the style of your home and materials used on your property. Just remember that a) all outside containers MUST have drainage holes in the bottom of the container, b) if you live in a cold winter climate, terra-cotta and ceramic planters must be emptied or moved into a frost-free area for the winter months, and c) use plastic or lightweight resin containers if you are gardening on a terrace or roof area where there are weight limitations. Of course, if you fall in love with a container that has no drainage, you may be able to create holes with the correct drill bit, care and a little luck. Make sure you raise the pot a inch or two off the ground so drainage can occur without obstruction. There are “plant feet” available in some garden centers or nurseries, or use wood blocks or bricks (be careful not to block the drainage holes)..

Use a soil-less premium or professional commercial potting soil for best results. It's lightweight and won't compact into a brick-like consistency if it dries out. Different companies mix ingredients in slightly different proportions, but the label should list most of the following ingredients: sphagnum peat moss, vermiculite, perlite, aged compost (best is forest products), sand, and lime. It may also include fertilizers. Moisten the potting soil well before you use it. Put it in a large container, (like a wheelbarrow, if you are planting several pots at once), and stir in enough water so that a handful of soil forms a loose ball when you squeeze it.

It's important to cover the drainage holes inside the pot so the soil doesn't drain out when you water the plants. You can use a few washed stones, pieces of broken terra-cotta, window screening cut to the shape or the pot, cheesecloth, used coffee filters, or even pantyhose. You may come up with a new way to do this – be creative! Some people put packing “peanuts” or other small Styrofoam pieces into the bottom of their pots. This serves two purposes: Styrofoam takes up room in the pot that would ordinarily be filled with potting soil (saving money) and it makes the total load lighter, which is important if you are gardening where weight is an issue and/or if you will be moving the pots around..

Since window boxes are usually attached to the house structure. they are containers that can't be moved. Therefore, it is very important to note whether your window boxes will be in sun or shade. Also, it is worth noting that most window boxes are not very deep – just deep enough for one season's growth. This is because deeper boxes weigh too much once they are planted, and who would want large plants blocking their windows anyway? So, think seasonal bulbs and tropical plants when you are deciding what to plant. Naturally, if your window boxes are on the north side of the house, they will get little direct sun. If they are on the south side, they'll get sun most of the day. East will get morning sun and west will get afternoon rays. Look for plants that can take those conditions and you will be successful. Also note whether your window boxes will be protected by overhanging house eaves. Even if you can count on rainwater to help, you will need to water faithfully – sometimes more than once a day in hot, dry weather -- because of the shallowness of the boxes.

Now, all you need are the plants! As stated before, almost any plant can be used in a container. Remember when I asked you to think about where you were going to put your containers? Unless you are able to move them around during the day (that will probably soon get to be old!) you will need to match their conditions (north, south, east & west) with the plants you want to use. It's best to combine plants that need the same conditions in the same pot, i.e. all sun-lovers, all shady plants, all heavy feeders, all lean feeders, etc..

A beautiful container planted with a pleasing combination of plants is a breathtaking sight. Some gardeners believe there is a hard and fast rule that the tallest plant must go in the middle (or middle back, if the container can't be seen from all sides), the middle sized plants around it and vining plants trailing over the edges to soften them. That is a perfectly balanced container and will probably look stunning. Don't forget, however, that rules are made to be broken, and there's no reason not to be creative. Consider adding a decorative object. After all, it's YOUR garden and you need not please anyone but yourself.

Sunny containers are naturals for bright colored flowers and foliage that can stand up to bright light without fading. In spring, tulips, daffodils, hyacinth and grape ivy are particularly lovely. The bulbs can be planted in layers in large containers that can be left outside during the winter. In severe climates, the pots should be protected with mulch and an insulating wrap. The seasonal bulbs last for a short time, and then it's time for late spring and summer bloomers to shine..

For all season color in shady containers, there are several good choices. One is coral drops, Bessera Elegans. It has rich, coral-red flowers with white striped inner petals accented with red mid-ribs. An heirloom summer-blooming bulb in cultivation since 1830, coral drops can grow 18 to 24 inches tall and produce up to 30 flowers in July. It's hardy in zones 8-11 and does well in indoor cultivation; bring it inside for the winter in colder zones.

Begonias were made for shady containers. The Non-Stop begonias, can take a little sun, so they are perfect for spots that get some early morning sun, and then mostly shade for the rest of the day. The 3-inch-wide double flowers are brightly colored in shades of copper, orange, white, pink, red and yellow. They begin to bloom in June and continue until frost, setting off luxurious dark green foliage. The plants are only 8 to 12 inches tall, so they are perfect for window boxes – as well as in garden beds and rock gardens. If you want color that just won't quit, these are the ones.

Other begonias that want mostly shade include double hanging basket begonias, in apricot, white, pink, yellow and scarlet that bloom from July to frost. They grow 12 to 15 inches tall. Apple blossom begonia, at 12 inches tall, is ideal for hanging baskets or trailing over the rim of standing containers and window boxes. Lovely in shades of apricot-pink, rose-pink and white, it has beautiful double flowers. Begonia 'Champagne' is similar, but with a unique “champagne” color and gorgeous green foliage with bronze markings. Picotee begonia blossoms come in white, yellow, red and pink, each with a contrasting color on the edges of the petals. Some begonias mimic the look of other flowers. Two begonias that do are the giant camellia begonias and the carnation begonias. Giant camellia begonia flowers have the distinctive petal shape and design of camellias with blooms up to 6 inches wide. Colors range from delicate pastel hues to deep, rich shades, set off by broad, attractive foliage. Carnation begonias come in similar shades and look just like carnations. All these begonias are hardy in zone 10. In colder zones, the tubers must be stored in a frost-free area over the winter. Start them indoors in February-April and move them back outside after the danger of frost is past.

A shady perennial bulb, hardy in zones 5-9, is Cyclamen hederifolium, known as the hardy cyclamen. It's lovely pink blossoms are held high above the beautiful, heart-shaped leaves in August-September. Once planted, don't disturb them and you will have lovely shady containers for years to come.

Another shade-lover, perfect for pots is stars of India, Achimenes. The bulbs grow to 12-24 inches tall and bloom in pink, white, red, blue and purple from July to frost. They have attractive green foliage and are hardy in zones 10-11. In colder zones, the bulbs must be stored in a frost-free area over the winter and started indoors again in spring.

For color without flowers, from July-frost, plant caladium bulbs. The fancy leaved ones grow to 12-18 inches tall and give you amazing pinks, reds, greens, whites and fanciful mixtures of those colors. The bulbs are hardy only in zones 10-11, so if you live in a colder zone, you will need to store them in a frost-free area over the winter. Start the bulbs indoors again next spring.

For sunny areas, the choices are broader. It's fun to try out different plants and combinations. For fragrance, plant the double tuberose, Polyanthus 'The Pearl'. The delicate, sweetly scented, creamy-white blossoms appear in July-August on plants that grow to 24-36 inches tall in zones 8-10. In colder zones, store the bulbs indoors and start them again in the spring..

Double freesia is another fragrant beauty in a rainbow of colors – red, yellow, orange, white and lavender -- from March-frost. The bell-shaped flowers appear on plants that grow 12-24 inches tall. Hardy in zones 8-10, in colder zones the bulbs must be stored in a frost-free area over the winter..

A classic potted summer flower is blue AgapanthusBeautiful in bud and breathtaking in flower, these plants, hardy in zones 6-10, bloom from August-November. They are traditionally used where the stunning 35-40 inches tall plants can be reflected in a pool or pond, but are welcome anywhere they are placed..

Crocosmia bulbs are hardy to zones 5-8 and will multiply – and you couldn't be happier about that because 12-30 brilliant orange-red florets appear on each 24-36 inches tall stem in July-August..

Mexican shell flowers, Tigridis, are triangular, for a change of pace. Hardy in zones 7-10, the 24 inches tall plants bloom in July-August and come in vivid shades of scarlet, yellow, pink, orange red and white. Their throats are uniquely spotted in red, purple or mahogany for an unusual display.

Four-o'clocks, Mirabilis jalapa, are named for their habit of opening late in the day – perfect for people who are able to enjoy their gardens only late in the day. Hardy in zones 9-10, they bloom in a brilliant array of colors in June-July. They grow 20-24 inches tall.

When you think of dahlias, you probably picture the huge dinner plate dahlias that are so gorgeous. There is a dwarf dahlia mix called 'Magic Carpet' that is perfect for sunny containers and window boxes. Growing only 16-18 inches tall, the perky, single flowers bloom in pink, yellow orange, red and deep red from July-frost. They are hardy only in zones 8-10, elsewhere the tubers can be stored in a frost-free area.