Pot Culture: Potted Gardening Basics
Create a striking 'instant garden' with the right plant, in the right pot, in the right position
With an increase in smaller gardens and apartment living, pots are a key way to inject greenery and personality into our outdoor living spaces. This week, I created a beautiful garden on the third-floor terrace of an inner-city residential apartment by only using pots (and plants, of course)! The pots have completely transformed the space. Their versatile nature and creative potential make them an indispensable tool for gardeners and designers. If you are saying to yourself, ‘I’ll have one of those insta gardens, please’, but you are not sure where to start, here are a few tips and tricks to help you work a little pot magic into your garden.
Consider the style of the pot
Pots need to reflect the architecture of your home as well as your personal taste. Pots with strong, clean lines and planted with severe masculine plants or succulents in dish-style planters will shine when paired with contemporary architecture; while terracotta and sandstone pots lend themselves to traditional homes and gardens. Choose pots that complement their surroundings to ensure they fit well into their environment.
Pots need to reflect the architecture of your home as well as your personal taste. Pots with strong, clean lines and planted with severe masculine plants or succulents in dish-style planters will shine when paired with contemporary architecture; while terracotta and sandstone pots lend themselves to traditional homes and gardens. Choose pots that complement their surroundings to ensure they fit well into their environment.
Think in numbers
Rules are sometimes meant to be broken, but my general formula when choosing pots is as follows. One large pot as a focal point is enough. Two large pots (or multiples of two) add formality when used symmetrically. When grouping pots, choose three in the same material and of varying sizes. When grouping five pots, choose three of the same material of varying sizes, which will add continuity to the collection, and add two complementary wild cards for interest. Steer clear of lots of small, insignificant pots as the impact can be easily lost and the result often underwhelming. Instead, buy big and buy what really speaks to you.
Rules are sometimes meant to be broken, but my general formula when choosing pots is as follows. One large pot as a focal point is enough. Two large pots (or multiples of two) add formality when used symmetrically. When grouping pots, choose three in the same material and of varying sizes. When grouping five pots, choose three of the same material of varying sizes, which will add continuity to the collection, and add two complementary wild cards for interest. Steer clear of lots of small, insignificant pots as the impact can be easily lost and the result often underwhelming. Instead, buy big and buy what really speaks to you.
Employ the KISS principle
That is, Keep It Simple Stupid, which goes hand in hand with my personal design mantra, ‘less is almost always more!’ When choosing pots as design elements, try not to mix styles. Pots don’t need to be identical but they do need to relate to one another either in style, colour or material. The above garden is brilliant in its simplicity. It is a wonderful example of how a dash of colour – in this case, the pot – can work with texture and repetition to create interest in a garden. Your eye is drawn to the pots and not the fence behind.
That is, Keep It Simple Stupid, which goes hand in hand with my personal design mantra, ‘less is almost always more!’ When choosing pots as design elements, try not to mix styles. Pots don’t need to be identical but they do need to relate to one another either in style, colour or material. The above garden is brilliant in its simplicity. It is a wonderful example of how a dash of colour – in this case, the pot – can work with texture and repetition to create interest in a garden. Your eye is drawn to the pots and not the fence behind.
Don’t fret over drainage
There are many beautiful pots and hanging planters available that do not have drainage holes. There are obvious benefits for indoor use but when everything you read says drainage, drainage, drainage, how do you use these with success? The most obvious solution is to slip a free-draining pot into a larger cachepot, which works well when the inner pot is not visible. If you are feeling brave, try planting directly into the container. This may seem counterintuitive (I can already hear the horticulturists yelling “Nooo!"), but I have had much success with planting directly into all types of closed containers, especially using succulents. Water sparingly and add a bit of charcoal to the soil to keep it sweet.
Let your imagination run wild –plants can grow in any container as long as they receive the correct amount of water, food, light and, of course, love.
There are many beautiful pots and hanging planters available that do not have drainage holes. There are obvious benefits for indoor use but when everything you read says drainage, drainage, drainage, how do you use these with success? The most obvious solution is to slip a free-draining pot into a larger cachepot, which works well when the inner pot is not visible. If you are feeling brave, try planting directly into the container. This may seem counterintuitive (I can already hear the horticulturists yelling “Nooo!"), but I have had much success with planting directly into all types of closed containers, especially using succulents. Water sparingly and add a bit of charcoal to the soil to keep it sweet.
Let your imagination run wild –plants can grow in any container as long as they receive the correct amount of water, food, light and, of course, love.
Choose the right plant for the right pot
Scale, balance, colour and texture come into play when choosing the best plants for your pots. The style and number of pots that you are planting will effect your choice, too – for instance, if you have one feature pot that you want to focus on, use plants that have bright flowers or foliage to draw the eye. If you have a group of pots, planting a variety of textural plants in each pot will create an interesting mosaic. Keep in mind their relationship and balance – for example, soft juxtaposed with sculptural.
Grouping plants with the same growing requirements in the same pot can be very powerful, too. When planting multiple plants into one pot, think ‘spiller, filler and thriller’ and you will be rewarded with full, interesting planting collection.
Scale, balance, colour and texture come into play when choosing the best plants for your pots. The style and number of pots that you are planting will effect your choice, too – for instance, if you have one feature pot that you want to focus on, use plants that have bright flowers or foliage to draw the eye. If you have a group of pots, planting a variety of textural plants in each pot will create an interesting mosaic. Keep in mind their relationship and balance – for example, soft juxtaposed with sculptural.
Grouping plants with the same growing requirements in the same pot can be very powerful, too. When planting multiple plants into one pot, think ‘spiller, filler and thriller’ and you will be rewarded with full, interesting planting collection.
Position wisely
Environmental factors will dictate which plants you choose, but you have more flexibility when using pots because you have increased control over water, sunlight and soil conditions. Pots allow you to explore possibilities; you can experiment with planting before committing it to your garden (if you can’t grow it in a pot, it has no place in your garden).
Environmental factors will dictate which plants you choose, but you have more flexibility when using pots because you have increased control over water, sunlight and soil conditions. Pots allow you to explore possibilities; you can experiment with planting before committing it to your garden (if you can’t grow it in a pot, it has no place in your garden).
Know your soil
To keep your plants healthy, always use potting mix that carries the Australian Standards tick of approval. Repot plants into fresh potting mix every few years; they will usually require a new pot one size larger. Adding water-retaining crystals when planting helps to reduce the need to water, and this is especially helpful for pots in hot spots. Mulch also helps to retain moisture and provides a finished look. Top dress around plant stems with gravel, crushed shells, attractive pebbles or organic mulch.
To keep your plants healthy, always use potting mix that carries the Australian Standards tick of approval. Repot plants into fresh potting mix every few years; they will usually require a new pot one size larger. Adding water-retaining crystals when planting helps to reduce the need to water, and this is especially helpful for pots in hot spots. Mulch also helps to retain moisture and provides a finished look. Top dress around plant stems with gravel, crushed shells, attractive pebbles or organic mulch.
Care for your plants
You have carefully chosen your pots and plants and position but how do you keep them looking fantastic? Water regularly, which will vary with plant type and conditions. Feed during the growing season using a slow-release fertiliser or my favourite, a liquid plant food containing seaweed and fish emulsion. Dead head flowers, trim dead leaves and don’t be afraid to edit ruthlessly. Your pots are not a hospital for sick and failing plants, they should bring much joy and happiness!
TELL US
Do you dabble in potted gardening? Upload a picture of your collection in the Comments, and share your advice and experiences.
MORE ON POTTED GARDENS
8 Ways to Use Pot Plants to Your Advantage
10 Easy Edibles to Put Into Pots
DIY: Treat Your Backyard Fence to Hanging Pot Shelves
You have carefully chosen your pots and plants and position but how do you keep them looking fantastic? Water regularly, which will vary with plant type and conditions. Feed during the growing season using a slow-release fertiliser or my favourite, a liquid plant food containing seaweed and fish emulsion. Dead head flowers, trim dead leaves and don’t be afraid to edit ruthlessly. Your pots are not a hospital for sick and failing plants, they should bring much joy and happiness!
TELL US
Do you dabble in potted gardening? Upload a picture of your collection in the Comments, and share your advice and experiences.
MORE ON POTTED GARDENS
8 Ways to Use Pot Plants to Your Advantage
10 Easy Edibles to Put Into Pots
DIY: Treat Your Backyard Fence to Hanging Pot Shelves
Pots can add interest, polish and glamour to your outdoor spaces. Before heading out on a shopping trip, define your desired outcome; do you want to make a statement, create a welcoming entrance or fill a shady corner on the balcony? Once the purpose is defined, you are ready to choose the style right for you.