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How to Grow Beautiful Container Gardens

A few years ago we did a group post on container gardens.  Now that I have moved twice in one year, I thought it was time to share my new container gardens.  Let’s take a look at How to Grow Beautiful Container Gardens in 2022.

Containers are great for people without much outdoor space.  When we lived in our rental in Salinas we planted nearly everything in containers so we could move our garden with us when we moved. They can also add structure and color to gardens with more space.  I have had some that have done well, and some that have struggled.  If you plant companionable plants, give them plenty of water and fertilizer for the most part they will thrive.

HOW TO GROW BEAUTIFUL CONTAINER GARDENS

 

Here are my eight tips for growing beautiful container gardens.

#1 Use the proper soil

I use 3/4 good potting soil and 1/4 of my own native soil.  I add the native soil for better water retention.

#2 Ensure that pots have proper drainage

If your container doesn’t have holes drill some.  I put a couple of cups of gravel in mine and then line them with landscape cloth.

#3 Use a Thriller a Filler and a Spiller

The experts rule.  The thriller is the focus plant, a filler is just what it says and the spiller does just that.

#4 Combine plants of varying heights, colors and textures

This one is pretty self-explanatory.

#5 Tie in the architecture and or color of your home

Your containers should echo the style and colors of your home.

#6 Choose interesting pots

Think outside of the box

 #7 Fertilize Often

Many of the experts suggest using a timed-release fertilizer.  I use good old-fashioned miracle gro about every three weeks. I have switched to the organic version (drives the animals crazy).

#8 Water often

Almost all of my pots are on drip irrigation now.  One of the main reasons they are thriving

As I said when we lived in our former (soon to be a rental again) in Salinas, we planted the back garden area with pots that we could take with us.  This big fountain surrounding by pots of iceberg roses and white lantana was the centerpiece of the back garden. You can read about my plan for that backyard transformation here in my post Backyard Town Garden Design.  You can also read the full post Before and After Backyard Transformation as well here.

cindy hattersley's fountain area in Salinas

On the front porch of that same house, I filled dark brown pots with potato vine in chartreuse and deep red, begonias, and lobelia.

Cindy Hattersley's Salinas Front Porch

The table in the courtyard in Salinas had an aged Target planter filled with geraniums, verbena, yellow lantana, alyssum, ivy and I forget what the white plant is.

salinas-courtyard-planter

On the table at our former lake home I filled an old galvanized trough with succulents.

cindy hattersley's lake house lower patio and fountain

When we moved to Salinas I filled the same planter with adjuga, verbena and ivy.

cindy hattersley's table-with-galvanized-trough-and-olives

cindy hattersley's galvanized planter

In our new home, I have once again filled the planter with succulents and remnants of the ivy that I couldn’t bear to tear out.

galvanized-succulent-planter

Another favorite planter that we brought from Salinas is this old galvanized bathtub (from Patine)  filled with an espalliered apple and underplanted with herbs.  The herbs struggled in Salinas. They did great here before it got too hot in our courtyard garden.  I have just recently cut them back and may have to transplant out with the tomatoes where there is more of a breeze.

espalliered-apple- in galvanize bathtub

galvanized-pot-with-herbs

Also in the courtyard are two espalierrred Meyer lemon’s that our son found at Costco. We placed them in pots that the former owners had roses planted in on the back patio.

meyer-lemon-espalier

Also in the courtyard in vintage galvanized planters from Atelier Campagne are limes planted simply.

large vintage galvanized pot with dwarf lime

Also in the courtyard are old portugese baskets, also from Atelier de Campagne planted with Asparagus ferns.

vintage portugese baskets filled with asparagus ferns

In the back all of the pots are newly planted. In the center are polka roses which will eventually climb up the posts.  They are surrounded by petunias, coleus and yellow lantana.

back patio pots-cindy hattersley

Also on the back patio are large containers that we brought from Salinas filled with Standard Olives, underplanted with convulvus, ivy, red potato vine and lobelia. They don’t look like much yet as they are newly planted.

olive underplanted with lobelia, ivy, potato vine and convulvus

The former owners had three raised beds in the front of the grapes that they had planted with various vegetables and flowers.  We transplanted their dahlias into a bed with hollyhocks (they look awful does anyone have luck with them?) and delphinium.  We may adjust that one next year.  One of the other beds is planted with cutting flowers.  One of the spires that our friend Jim made is in the center.

cuttng flower raised garden bed

The other is planted with tomatoes (I may add herbs) which are growing like crazy. The tomatoes will climb up tripods made from 100+-year-old fence boards from my brother-in-law’s property in Chualar.

tomato-container-garde

BOOKS AND TOOLS FOR SUCCESSFUL CONTAINER GARDENING

 

LINKS ON HOW TO GROW BEAUTIFUL CONTAINER GARDENS

 

FOLLOW DEBRA PHILLIPS ON INSTAGRAM, or DEBRA PHILLIPS WEBSITE HERE.  I DON’T KNOW ANYONE WHO DOES MORE INTERESTING CONTAINER GARDENS IN THE MIDWEST

Growing Citrus in Pots

Southern Living Our Best Container Garden Ideas

BHG How to Grow a Container Garden in Six Easy Steps

Good Housekeeping Everything you Need to Know about Container Gardening

Garden Therapy-All About Container Gardening

How to Create Beautiful Container Gardens with Martha Stewart

How to Install Drip Irrigation

PLACES IN CALIFORNIA TO BUY INTERESTING AND VINTAGE POTS

THE POT Stop MOSS LANDING

PATINE

ATELIER DE CHAMPAGNE

BIG DADDYS SANTA BARBARA

BONTANIK SANTA BARBARA

I hope this post has provided some inspiration and insight on How to Grow Beautiful Container Gardens.   You can read more about my former garden here. Remember, you don’t need a lot of space to garden in containers, just a little creativity, and patience. Do you enjoy container gardening? I would love to hear about it.

 

 

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Nan, Odessa, DE says

    Tell me how to use the drip hose, please.
    Is it buried in the soil before planting? Do you leave the door drip on all the time? How do you connect it when running a hose from water source?
    I am green on gardening help!!!

    • Cindy Hattersley says

      Hi Nan

      I am no expert. My advice to you would be go to Home Depot, Lowes or any garden center and they will tell you exactly what to do. I will try to do a post on it soon as well, but though I understand it, I have a husband who does it!

  2. Judy says

    Cindy all of your gardens and planters are gorgeous!
    I love plants and herbs but over the years, I have less. We use the drip system when we leave the house for vacation, but our longer trips of a few months means someone needs to check things from time to time. And you need the faucet hook up which means moving some planters.
    And one other issue in our backyard is constant leaves and flowers in the pool.
    And sweeping….so I’ve gone with less the past few years. Looking at yours makes me want to try harder.

    • Cindy Hattersley says

      Hi Judy

      I know what you mean about leaves and sweeping. It is endless, but the beauty outweighs the work! I am looking forward to my husband’s retirement so he can help with all that. He likes to keep busy.

  3. Barb L says

    What a treat to scroll thru and find so much inspiration! Love your gorgeous containers. Landscape lining – great tip!

  4. Julie stewart says

    I think the small white flowers in the table centerpiece container look like Bacopa. I have had good luck with them in containers here in very hot and dry North Central Texas. I’ve enjoyed your blog since I ran across it during Covid.

  5. Wren Mead says

    Hi Cindy, This may be a duplicate but I don’t see my first message.
    This is so timely for me since I am going to replace flagstone with saltillo tile in my courtyard. I’m a bit nervous about that since I don’t want the color to look too orange and hope it works with my Spanish architecture. The man doing the install wants me to look for big containers rather than in-ground planters. I wasn’t sure where to find such but with your links, I may find some good ideas. I’m sure they don’t come cheap!

    • Cindy Hattersley says

      Hi Wren

      We had saltillos everywhere inside and out in our old home. They are back in style once again, if anyone cares! This house has concrete with stone and saltillos incorporated. I think it looks great. I don’t think you will regret it.

  6. holly says

    Each image Picture Perfect! I think I will have to get the drip system. Just don’t like to hand water that much. Love the plant choices and hope to include them in some of my containers. It’s just so random now at the garden centers here.

    • Cindy Hattersley says

      Hi Holly

      I am hand watering now because Steve does not have all the planters dripped yet. They will be soon. You are right about garden centers. They often carry plants that don’t even do well in our areas. I found a great small local nursery here Bay Laurel in Atascadero. They are very knowledgeable.

  7. Wren says

    Cindy, This is so timely! I am having flagstone removed and replaced with Saltillo tiles in my courtyard. I’m hesitant about how they will look since I don’t want them to be too orange but with my Spanish house, they seem like the best choice. The man helping me wants me to look for containers but I’m at a bit of a loss for what will look good on the Saltillo. With all of your source recommendations, I hope to find some good options. I have a feeling they will increase the cost of the project by quite a bit.

  8. Karen B. says

    Cindy,
    The petunias in the container look black and white. Are they? Or are they purple and white? Your containers are stunning, and the plants are always such a fantastic addition to an outdoor space, no matter whether they are in the ground or in a container.
    Karen B.

    • Cindy Hattersley says

      Hi Karen

      I have avoided petunias since living in CA because growing up in Indiana they lined every sidewalk. There are so many pretty ones now. These are actually purple lined in yellow. I am not sure if they like the heat. The jury is out.

  9. Janet Arden says

    This is wonderful — all I have this year are a few containers and a yard that is still rocks and clay — not even leveled yet. At this point I’m just stockpiling ideas for later and hoping to acquire a few more interesting pots. I did just order the organic fertilizer spikes to beef up what I do have growing. Thanks for the tip! Keeping my fingers crossed!

    • Cindy Hattersley says

      Hi Janet

      I am using the organic spikes as well. I have never grown citrus in pots. Fingers crossed!

  10. Barbara Chapman says

    Hello Cindy, your garden is lovely and I think your succulents look great in their tin home! I miss my California garden and am re-learning how to garden here in Texas. Our new home’s garden is coming along. This year we have voles in the grass (ugh!) and lots and lots of rain ~ so odd after 42 years in California! I’m used to 5 months of none. 😉 And yes, I am adding lots of rocks in the bottom of my pots for drainage!

    Happy summer and happy gardening to you,
    Barb 🙂

  11. Calypso in the Country says

    Great tips and gorgeous photos, Cindy! I don’t exactly have a green thumb so your post really caught my eye. Also, I included you in my features of the week at Best of the Weekend! Thanks for joining us and have a wonderful weekend!
    Shelley

  12. Juliet says

    Stunning containers and garden! Drip irrigation is the secret to a thriving garden – in my opinion. I either over or underwater. What is that gorgeous paint color on your front door and shutters? xo

    • Cindy Hattersley says

      Hi Juliet
      So many people ask. We have had that color on our home for over 30 years. I have no idea what it was it was so many years ago. We have just had it color matched.

  13. Karren Haller says

    Hi Cindy, this is my first time to your blog and I am loving what I see and will spend some time to browse but especially your container garden it is beautiful. You must live in an area that is conducive to growing lovely plants. I do containers also but I live in the desert and we struggle to keep them going.
    Now I would love to have you drop by and share your blog with us on Friday Features Party. I will be finding you on social media as well.
    Hope you have a lovely weekend!
    Karren
    Oh My Heartsie Girl

  14. Cindy Hattersley says

    Oh my I wish I were that talented! The wagon is over 20 years old. Steve had to completely rebuild it a few years back. My garden isn’t like yours (pretty all the time). Mine is kind of uninteresting in the winter.

  15. LA CONTESSA says

    WHAT CAN YOU NOT DO?????????
    THIS was a DREAM to scroll through!!!!!!
    I donot recall the old wagon cart when I was there two or three years ago???
    GREAT TIPS………….
    Now all I NEED to DO is get out of my OFFICE and into THE GARDEN!ITs been SO COLD lately!
    OFF TO READ THE OTHERS!!!!
    XX

    • Kathy says

      Cindy, everything looks beautiful. I love your pots. Will have to look harder here in NC. Thank you for your help with all my questions about planting Polka roses. I finally have had them planted for a few weeks and they are growing!!! I get so excited. You have brought me much joy. Kathy

      • Cindy Hattersley says

        Hi Kathy

        I am so glad. My polka’s are thriving as well. I don’t mind buying them smaller. They tend to thrive more easily. I rarely buy anything in big pots.

  16. 1010ParkPlace says

    Gorgeous! Everything looks beautiful and I love your choice of containers. In the last year I’ve gone mad for topiaries. They were full and beautiful before winter. There was no way I could bring them inside but I covered them with plant blankets, but don’t think that was enough. XOXOX, B

    • Cindy Hattersley says

      I didn’t realize it got that cold there Brenda. Some years I lose a plant or two but we rarely get frosts. Our climate doesn’t vary much from summer to winter. I bet your topiaries will come back if you give them a chance.

  17. Ruth says

    I am very much enjoying all your beautiful garden and interior decorating posts. You have a wonderful eye! By chance do you know the name of the color you used on the french doors, shutters and front door in this post? Thank you!

    • Cindy Hattersley says

      Hi Ruth
      So many people have asked about the color. I no longer have a clue unfortunately as we have had it matched so many times over the years. We have lived in our home over 30 years. I would be so happy to share if I only knew!

  18. Sheila-Merle Johnson says

    Beautiful containers! I love the varied colors and textures. You may inspire me to actually get up and redo mine. My front entry is a disaster!

    • Cindy Hattersley says

      Thank you so much Sheila-Merle. Nothing like a blog post to get me inspired. I am only showing some of mine because a few of mine do not look very pretty either!!

    • Cindy Hattersley says

      I am glad you enjoyed it Karen…we had a couple of pros weighing in and you know who they are!! Mine are awfully slow going this year due to so much rain!

  19. Janine says

    Cindy,
    Your home and garden are fabulous and stunning! Your garden is so European, and I love all your containers! Btw, I was blown away by your beautiful flowers! Thanks for including me on this blog hop!

  20. Debra @ 5th and state says

    Cindy Hattersley, you are an expert/genius!! that wheelbarrow under the window is so original.

    I am green with envy, olive, & bay, that are not annuals. girlfriend you are one gifted lady!!!

    thank you for including me in your series
    xx
    Debra

    • Cindy Hattersley says

      I was a little nervous posting with you and Kelley! Mine are really not very pretty yet. I can’t wait to see more of yours on Instagram!

  21. Sandra Sallin - Apart From My Art From My Art says

    Gorgeous! I love it all. I want to add an herb container. My only concern is do squirrels eat herbs? Any hints about creating an herb container? You’ve inspired me to replant my succulent pot. It’s really disgusting. Didn’t know how beautiful it could be. Great job!

    • Cindy Hattersley says

      Hi Sandra
      Mine get a liitle wonky looking as well. I have thyme, mint, basil, chives, and sage at the lake and they didn’t eat them in years past. They sure love my fruit trees!

  22. Mary Ann Pickett says

    ABSOLUTELY GORGEOUS! You really are an expert, Cindy. So many pretty focal points. I really want to see this in person…and just wander around with Beau and Chief. Bet it smells great, too.
    GREAT job.

    • Cindy Hattersley says

      Hi Lynn
      You can get the supplies at Home Depot or any other garden store. You can link from a faucet with a timer. Maybe I should do a post on how to do drip irrigation. You have inspired me! I added a link to the bottom of the post that might be helpful!

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