10 Simple Tips for Creating Beautiful Container Gardens

ByCindy Hattersley Hours Posted on Hours Updated on
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I originally penned this container garden post three years ago, and since then, my pots and planters have gone through quite the evolution! I’ve tweaked, swapped, and updated many of them as I’ve figured out what thrives and what wasn’t meant to be. That’s the beauty of container gardening—it’s flexible, forgiving, and creates visual interest whether working with a tiny balcony or a large outdoor space. In larger spaces, containers are a great way to add structure and bursts of color, while in a limited space, they’re the perfect way to bring a little garden magic to your front porch or perch. With proper care, you can create a beautiful container garden that you can enjoy all season and more, depending on your climate. Today, I am sharing some favorites from my Chualar home, the fixer-upper, and our current home. Let’s chat about 10 simple tips for creating beautiful container gardens.

10 Simple Tips for Creating Beautiful Container Gardens

Choose interesting Vessels

Make good choices when it comes to your outdoor planters.   You are going to be enjoying them for a long time. Whether you are choosing larger containers or small containers,  clay pots, don’t be afraid to think outside of the box, use an unusual container that maybe wasn’t originally meant to be a garden pot.

cindy hattersley's fountain backyard

Use the Right Plants for the Right Space

Consider the lighting conditions. Light levels rule. Don’t plant shade plants in full sun or shade plants in shade. If you live in hot climates where the sun is really intense, many sun-loving plants will enjoy partial shade.

courtyard planters in cindy hattersley's courtyard

The vintage trough in the background is now home to a jaqpanese maple and white verbena.  We had a beautiful espaliered apple tree that died last winter, hopefully this maple fares better in this spot.  In the foreground  simple white camelias (that provide winter flowers) in these great concrete pots from Lowes  .

Large pots filled with lantana and polka roses-cindy hattersley

Polka rose in large pot (from the pot stop) underplanted with yellow verbena (which tolerates the summer heat)

 Use the proper garden soil

The growing medium is essential and depends on the particular plants. I use is 3/4 good potting mix and 1/4 of my native soil.  I add the native soil for better water retention. I honestly think this one is important.  If you use all potting soil your plants dry out so quickly.

cuttng flower raised garden bed

Ensure that pots have proper drainage

Good drainage is paramount. Excess water is as big a problem as too little. If your container doesn’t have drainage holes, create some with your household drill.  I put a small layer of gravel in mine and then lined it with landscape cloth.

antique farm wagon with plants-10 simple ways to grow beautiful container gardens

Antique farm wagon at our former home filled with geraniums and ivy.

Use a Thriller, a Filler, and a Spiller

The experts rule.  The thriller is the focal point, a filler is just what it says, and the spiller plants (spill) over the sides of the container. I don’t always follow this rule.  Sometimes I prefer to keep my pots simple.

Cindy Hattersley's Salinas Front Porch

These pots were on the front porch of our fixer upper.

Combine plants of varying heights, colors, and textures

This one is pretty self-explanatory.

cindy hattersley christmas outdoor table

Tie in the architecture and or color of your home

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

succulents in rust bowl

Rusty bowl filled with succulents at our Chualar home.

Fertilize Often

Many of the experts suggest using a timed-release fertilizer.  I alternate using Miracle-Gro (the organic form and fish fertilizer on most of my pots. My citrus trees are fertilized with a citrus specific fertilizer.

Succulent Centerpiece Cindy Hattersley Design

 Water Wisely

Consider the water conditions.  Succulents do not need water as often as most container plants. Most container plants need to be watered often. Almost all of my pots are on drip irrigation now.    Our citrus trees in pots remain a challenge.

bay tree inside rose arbor

Simple pot with a single olive tree in my former Chualar garden.

Change out Plants Seasonally

Remove tired plants with seasonal favorites.

vintage galvanized planters with lemon trees and holiday greens

Where to Shop Online for Interesting Containers

Olive Ateliers has pricey but wonderful container options here.

Terrain

Pottery Barn

Frontgate

cindy hattersley's lake house lower patio and fountain

Favorite Local Haunts for Interesting Pots and Garden Art:

Botanik Summerland,  The Well Summerland (they now have a second location in Montecito as well),  Rogers Gardens Los Angeles, The Pot Stop Moss Landing, Patine Santa Cruz  Atelier de Campagne

Interesting Containers

LINKS ON HOW TO GROW BEAUTIFUL CONTAINER GARDENS

FOLLOW DEBRA PHILLIPS ON INSTAGRAM, or DEBRA PHILLIPS WEBSITE HERE.  Noone does better midwestern container gardens. She also carries interesting vessels in her shop Scentimental Gardens in Geneva.

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

Favorite Gardening posts you might enjoy:

Before and After Backyard Transformation as well here.

10 imaginative Ways to Maximize Space and Bring Life to a Small Garden

Creating beautiful container gardens doesn’t have to be complicated. Use your creativity and find what works in your space.  I find it always involves a little trial and error,.  Whether you’re dressing up a sunny patio, a shady porch, or just a small balcony, the right combination of plants and pots can bring so much life and charm to your outdoor areas.  Thank you for reading 10 simple tips for creating beautiful container gardens. I would love to hear about yours!

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55 Comments

  2. 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!!!

    1. 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. Hi Cindy!

      What gorgeous gardens you have! Years ago, I got lucky and found a porcelain bathtub and iron stand that was used in an orphanage in Romania. My husband drilled a few holes in the bottom for drainage. I fondly think of little ones splashing as I fill it with begonias each spring. Once established, they spill over the sides. It’s a conversation piece at many dinners on the deck. Unfortunately, the catalog company in which I found it went out of business several years ago.

      1. Hi Sandy

        How fun! I bet you could find another on Etsy if you are in the market!

    3. Mister Landscaper is the best drip irrigation system and so easy for beds and pots. With this and timers on your hose bib, you can be gone for months. I’ve used other brands and I can’t exactly see the difference but misterlandscaper.com is just always better. I’m the average homeowner, no expertise here, only experience.

      1. Hi Nancy

        Thanks for the tip! We have always bought ours commercially (since Steve is a contractor) and have been doing our own for years! Thanks so much for sharing that!

  3. 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.

    1. 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.

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

  5. 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.

  6. 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!

    1. 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.

  7. 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.

    1. 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.

  8. 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.

  9. 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.

    1. 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.

  10. 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!

    1. Hi Janet

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

  11. 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 🙂

  12. 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

  13. 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

    1. 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.

  14. 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

  16. 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.

  17. 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

    1. 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

      1. 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.

  18. 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

    1. 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.

  19. 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!

    1. 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!

  20. 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!

    1. 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!!

    1. 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!

  22. 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!

  23. 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

    1. 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!

  25. 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!

    1. 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!

  26. 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.

    1. 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!

        1. Hi Alice

          I am not an expert on irrigation but I will do my best to offer some tips!!

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