Various decorative containers are available for enhancing your gardens whether they are indoors or outdoors. Decorative containers or flower pots are used for growing vegetables, herbs, and flowers indoors or out. Since they can be used either place you need to select the right containers for that particular area.
To keep a container garden healthy you need to take a few things into consideration. Make sure there are proper drainage holes for the size of the container; your plants need to be able to survive when dry conditions arrive; and be sure the container is large enough so the root system of the plant has room to grow to maturity. Before purchasing the containers decide what you are going to plant and how large it is going to get when it is mature.
Are the decorative garden boxes going to be in sunlight all day or only part of the day? They should also be strong enough to handle heavy winds or strong breezes. You will need to remember one important thing, decorative garden containers dry out quicker than if you planted in the ground and are going to require water more often. If any of your containers are going to be sitting in full sun the best pots to purchase are ones that are non-porous. Since terracotta containers are porous they will work much better in shady areas or where they will receive only partial sun because the contents will dry out much quicker. Synthetic resin containers are much cooler to start out and will hold moisture much longer. Containers with drip trays or reservoirs are better to use for those of you unable to water during the day. You can fill a reservoir or tray with water before leaving home and the plant will absorb water when it is needed. If your plants struggle for water they may not recuperate.
A container garden that sits in an entertainment area should be in areas that will be out of the way of traffic or in decorative containers that are easily moved around. Mobile containers or containers on wheels are good for those that need to be moved around for any reason. The larger containers such as concrete urns need to be in areas where they will be permanent so the plants for these containers need adhere to the sunlight qualifications of the area.
Many decorative wood containers are excellent for retaining water. Hard woods hold up against rot, but some wood planters that have been treated with preservatives will also work. Since wood will expand and contract with moisture content make sure all joints are constructed properly and do not let the container sit directly on the ground. Decorative metal containers will help keep the stems of tall plants steady because the metal is heavy; the only problem is the container heats up and dries out faster so you need to be sure the roots have the right amount of water. Many fiberglass and resin containers will fool the eye and resemble a natural material especially as they age. These containers are light-weight, inexpensive, very durable, and most are resistant to frost. Plastic decorative containers will retain moisture and are also light-weight. Also available are semi-flexible pots that can be used as liners for other containers.
Making the right choices when purchasing your containers and plants such as location, growing conditions, and size will make a difference in the success of your container garden. The materials used now and how outdoor containers are constructed show they are less bulky, more light-weight and more resistant to extreme weather conditions. The containers can be found with more decorative colors, textures, and styles. They are also available as illuminated, self-watering, and extra large.
There are advantages to container gardening such as adding style, fragrance, and color to a balcony, patio, deck, entryway, or even the front yard landscape. A garden container planted with a flowering vine winding through a trellis is good for hiding any backyard eyesores. You can always re-plant a container when the old flowers fade away; this way your patio or deck always has decorative flowers all year long. You will also find less of a chance that the plants will be damaged by pests and you can take this garden with you when you move. You may find that some plants that had a difficult time growing in the ground will grow much better in planter boxes and decorative containers.