Containers for Gardens
Some people consider container gardening as an art, if this is the case then it’s not enough to gather a random selection of pots with a motley crew of conifers, perennials and leggy geraniums, lump them together in a corner of a patio and think it is a happy spontaneous and effective composition. It’s likely that we may have created quite simply a horrible mess.
Besides, why settle for something jumbled, jarring and lacking impact when for the same amount of effort and expense you can create an absolutely stunning focal point that is an asset to both house and garden as well as winning you gratifying compliments from everyone who sees it? Most certainly an informal and varied collection of pots and plants can look good, but only if – like the best apparently casual and haphazard room setting or hairstyle – they are carefully selected and composed so that the styles, colours and shapes all harmonize or contrast happily with each other and their surroundings and the set arrangement is well shaped and balanced, then after perhaps an hour of composition for it to look acceptable in a clever in an appealing way.
As with any artistic composition, it is possible to overdo it when displaying pots in a group and sometimes a single, well-shaped plant in a handsome container would actually be much better, making a dramatic point with a strong outline where both pot and plant can be fully appreciated. This can apply in an open area, such as on top of a low wall, at a corner of a patio or the foot of a set of steps – all these are points that warrant accentuation which is uncluttered.
Whether plants and pots are used collectively or individually – as a single feature that has the same impact as a piece of sculpture – both plants and pots will look far better if they are chosen to blend with their eventual setting, this includes the architectural style and period of the house or character of the garden and the style, colour and finish of the existing materials.
