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By Isabella Haywood
Many preconceived notions exist about how container gardens should look and behave. Traditional advice dictates that container gardens should contain a thriller, a spiller, and a filler, but, as we learned from Fran Scully, special projects manager and historian at Ladew Topiary Gardens, there are many exciting ways to break the rules. In designing her dramatic container gardens, Scully is playful and daring, choosing bold ferns that play the roles of both thrillers and spillers and planting even water plants like Papyrus in containers.
Here are her top tips for creating lush and lasting container gardens:
Think Texture!
When designing your container garden, Scully advises that you think “in shapes and forms,” play with contrasts, and choose plants that “play well together.” She admires the bold leaves of Hosta and how they can serve as a backdrop to accentuate the small flowers of Heuchera, as well as accenting with wispy plants such as Carex or Hakonechloa.
Focus on Foliage
Foliage will keep your pots looking lush throughout the seasons and can add serious drama, whereas flowers only last for a short time. The dimensions of the leaves add interest: triangular leaves can layer with ruffled ones whiles thinner lances and fountain shapes shoot out behind them. Arching forms such as Salvia, Soloman’s Seal intersect with the others creating dazzling patterns.
Perennials are Your Friends
Perennials are dependable, fun to watch evolve over the years, and do not need as much care. Annuals can be used as seasonal fillers to spice things up. Scully recommends fertilizing your pots every two weeks if they contain mainly annuals and every month if they contain mostly perennials.
Keep Upkeep Simple
Stick with reliable plants that do not require too much care and group plants that like the same soil conditions and the same amount of sun together. However, do not be afraid to experiment! Scully highlights that container gardens expand what is typically possible; shade plants can sometimes tolerate a sunny spot if they are in containers with other sun plants.
Let it Drain!
The first step to set yourself up for successful watering is to choose the right pot. Scully recommends clay or ceramic pots that have great holes for drainage. Picking a soil mix that corresponds to your plants plays an important role as well: succulents should be potted using a mix containing sand, and larger shrubs should be potted in heavier soil. Also, be sure to water regularly. Most plants like to dry out between watering, but it is important to not let them dry out too much and enter a state of “permanent wilt”.
Ladew Topiary Gardens, ladewgardens.com
Annapolis Home Magazine
Vol. 10, No. 3 2019