Posted by admin | Posted in Plants | Posted on 03-03-2010
i have 2 large pots full of dirt in the front of my house and i need to plant them with something!! only i have no idea what i am doing. i want to plant them with a mixture of plants but don’t know which plants to use. i went to the nursery and my head exploded. thanks for the help.
Yes, Jennifer, choosing plants should not be random, if you want them to survive, and yes, there are many factors to consider, as stated in the other answers. To easily help you sort all this out , take a picture of your planters showing the front of your house as well, and go talk to a professional at a reputable garden centre, not a big box store. They will be able to answer all your questions and help you pick out the appropriate plant material.
Make sure they sell you some new potting soil and fertilizer, to replace the current stuff, to help keep the plants healthy and happy. Don’t be shy about asking for watering tips too, as this is crucial to the survival of your plants , which have different care requirements from plants in the ground.
If it were me, I would include a tall , slender , slow-growing evergreen shrub or topiary in the centre of each pot, so that even if your flowers die off in the winter, you still have something green growing all year in the pot, and at Christmas time, you can wrap the shrubs with lights .
Wherever you live, your local nursery will always carry plants that are appropriate for your climate.Get familiar with your "growing zone" and you’ll be able to make informed plant choices.
Have fun and good luck 
First off, how big are your pots? Do you want sun plants or shade plants? Where do you live (so we can tell what zone you are in)?
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Well, what is your local climate like? What zone are you in? Do you want a lot of color? or do you want it to be more functional as in growing herbs or small veggies? Do you want the plants there permanently or do you want to change them every season? How big a space is available? Can you put a small tree in the pots? Do you want to spend time pruning and fertilizing or just plant it and leave it? Does it get full sun, part sun, shade?
Before you pick your plants you should know the answer to most of these questions. Have guidelines so you at least have a starting point, then go to a nursery (a real one, not like home depot) and ask them what they could recommend for you. Or look at plants in your area and take pictures of the ones you like and ask a professional about them.
Or if you have time (and money) just pick out a few plants that look nice to you and experiment with them. If you end up not liking them, take them out and try something different. Don’t forget to read and keep the little information card that should come with each plant.
That’s about as good an answer as I can give. I really hope this helps you. good luck!
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I making containers, it is very important that you pick plants with similar requirements in 1) light 2) water 3) soil.
In regards to design, do what appeals to you. It’s your garden! For sunny locations, I typically combine colorful annuals (geraniums, petunia, and lobelia), with ivys, grasses and sedges to give a different texture. For shady locations, I’ll go to impatiens, begonias, and coleus.
If you live in North America, your choices are somewhat limited this time of year. You might try pansies, mums, and petunias as they generally take colder temperatures well. None of these varieties will survive a hard frost. You can however take the container inside to extend the life of your plants.
Hope this helps and good luck!
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Master gardener
Yes, Jennifer, choosing plants should not be random, if you want them to survive, and yes, there are many factors to consider, as stated in the other answers. To easily help you sort all this out , take a picture of your planters showing the front of your house as well, and go talk to a professional at a reputable garden centre, not a big box store. They will be able to answer all your questions and help you pick out the appropriate plant material.
Make sure they sell you some new potting soil and fertilizer, to replace the current stuff, to help keep the plants healthy and happy. Don’t be shy about asking for watering tips too, as this is crucial to the survival of your plants , which have different care requirements from plants in the ground.
If it were me, I would include a tall , slender , slow-growing evergreen shrub or topiary in the centre of each pot, so that even if your flowers die off in the winter, you still have something green growing all year in the pot, and at Christmas time, you can wrap the shrubs with lights .
Wherever you live, your local nursery will always carry plants that are appropriate for your climate.Get familiar with your "growing zone" and you’ll be able to make informed plant choices.
Have fun and good luck
References :