Designing a container garden can be as simple as adding a grouping of terra cotta pots planted with a colorful array of annual flowers, to carrying the concept to the max by planting almost everything in your garden in wonderfully arranged containers for a bold design statement.

One of the hottest gardening trends the past few years is the concept of container gardening, which certainly can give any "needy" spot in your outdoor living space more pizzazz. This trend is obvious in that more and more stores are now offering very beautiful pots and planters, some running into $$-hundreds of dollars.

 

Container gardening is popular, and it's here to stay! :-)

Some great ideas to help give you inspiration are:

• decorative containers with colorful plantings shown nestled within a garden-bed planting scheme

• a group of planted containers as a major eye-catching focal point on a deck

• massive containers planted with tall tropicals

• colorful hand-painted pots accenting the garden here-and-there

• planted containers mounted as accents on previously bland garden walls

The list can go on and on.

Years ago, “container gardening” merely seemed to be a solution for those wishing to have gardens but were restricted due to very limited backyard space or because they were an apartment dweller, for instance. In these situations, a visually well placed and easily accessible container or two of annual plants were normally recommended.

Designing a container garden to enhance your outdoor environment is not difficult and can add so much eye-appeal. Plus, you can really put your personal stamp on your garden’s design theme. Whether a grouping of a few pots accenting a special place in your garden, or an incredible installation of decorated and embellished pots thoughtfully and strategically placed throughout your garden ... only your imagination is the limit.

Use One Of My ‘Faux-Chic’ Techniques To Paint
or Embellish A Plain Looking Pot

I’m sure you’re quite aware of available container choices: terra cotta, plastic, fiberglass, polyurethane, wood, hypertufa and concrete. Plain pots certainly serve a purpose depending on the specific location and design theme you are trying to achieve, however if you desire a more dramatic and decorative container to accent your garden, you’ll more than likely have to spend a bit more money (most times a lot).

And often, if you’re like me, you really can’t find the style and coloration of container that you’ve got in your mind’s eye! So, this is how I solved my “pot finding” dilemma ...

You Don't Have To Be A Fabulous Artist ...
Unique Garden Art Projects Are Just A Click Away

I knew what I wanted my various containers to look like and I'm pretty good at visualizing things with a creative mind that wants to figure out how I can DIY (do-it-yourself).

With a little experimentation, I came up with what I believe are some real winning ideas utilizing easily / readily available (and affordable) products that can be found in craft stores, big-box stores, or even online.

I have spent a lot of time trying out simple faux finishing techniques on all sorts of garden pottery to try and add my personal touch to my backyard environment. Painting pots and planters is a great way to turn a "plain Jane" into something that can really stand out.

Here's a link to all my different hand painted techniques I have to share with you: Easy Decorative Painting Techniques

So, with a little bit of time, and not too much effort ... you can use the ‘faux-chic’ techniques I share to paint or embellish affordable plain pots into personalized works-of-art, made by YOU! Let your garden really reflect your unique personal style!

Click on the various projects listed on the navagation links on the left-hand side of this page and investigate! I'm sure you'll find an idea or technique that is exactly what you’ve been looking for. Or maybe something you never even thought of creating.

I’ve got to stress to you that almost anyone can do
what I share on these how-to pages.
My personal motto is "KEEP IT SIMPLE!"
And if I can do it ... so can YOU :-)

• Specific Concepts for Designing a Container Garden
• Winter Container Gardens: Survival Guidelines
• Wintertime Container & Planter Maintenance
• Potting Soil Requirements for Container Gardens
• Potting Soil Recipes for Healthy Container Plants
• Growing Moss: How to Age & Enhance Garden Pottery
• Repair Techniques for Cracked Garden Pottery