Containers offer a quick fix for outdoor decor emergencies

The Amazing Versatility Of Containers
Portable Solutions For Outdoor Living Challenges
by Shannon Langan, Style & Design Editor, and Stefan Fediuk, Chief Editorial Director

We are busy people. We don’t always have time to do the things that we need to and we certainly don’t always have time to do the things we like. So when we need a ‘quick fix’ for a yard party, an easy way to spruce up an outdoor space, or ambience for a candlelit dinner on the patio, it’s nice to know we can turn to our trusted friends - potted plants - for the solution.

Contrary to popular belief, container gardening isn’t just a great hobby. It is like having a rainy-day fund available for decor emergencies right in your own home (or yard). Depending on the size and type of containers you select and the types of plants you put in them, you can virtually guarantee a classy cover-up for those not-so-together days when you just haven’t had the time or budget to pull together your outdoor space. This can include any number of visitor emergencies, ranging from intimate patio dinners to staging your home for sale.

But what is a container garden and how can you use it to enhance the beauty of your home and landscape while still having the right ‘stand-by’ plants for those decor emergencies? Shannon Langan, Style & Design Editor and ISP certified staging professional, and Stefan Fediuk, Professional Landscape Architect and Horticulturalist who has trained numerous individuals on gardening with color and container plants, have teamed up to explore the needs and necessities behind the use of containers in your outdoor living spaces, leaving you with a list of must-have items and interesting ideas on how to use them.

Here's what the two master designers have to say...

Shannon Langan:

	Large pots add a definite ambience to an outdoor space

The items I would use the most? That totally depends on the size of the space in question – the key is to make sure all three height zones are covered (short, medium and tall), and that there is enough green to mask any problem areas or enhance any focal points as one so desires. The plants chosen should enhance a space on a day-to-day basis without turning the yard (or home) into a “no-reason repository”. I am also assuming here that the user wants to have plants that are mobile and which can serve a double-duty purpose.

So what would be on my list? Tall potted urn(s) of 4 feet plus in height when planted (they’re hard to move, but so useful and beautiful that they are well worth the effort), a series of grasses and simple greens, hanging baskets, and medium sized planted urns ranging in height from 2 to 4 feet. My specific choice of plants would depend on the space, zone, etc., and I would prefer to talk to a professional like Stefan before making any selections.

I like the tall urns because they look great at the base of a staircase or flanking a driveway, but can also turn a dark corner of your fence or deck into a beautiful focal point when paired with a few other well-placed plants or a drink station. They also add ambience to any dining occasion and bring intimacy to large spaces. Imagine two tall planted urns lit with white lights flanking the entrance to a dining tent under the stars... Mmmm!!

Grasses and simple greens go anywhere and can be arranged around food, in groupings over top of or in front of problem spots such as dead grass, stains, or peeling paint, and as fillers (stacked on a step ladder is always a hit) wherever you need to fill in space or block a bad view. Because they are neutral, they blend right into the decor and add a sense of lushness to the surroundings.

Hanging plants introduce color into difficult locations

Medium-sized containers are great for larger areas where you need to fill space without making the space look cluttered. They make a great virtual barrier when spread out along a property line (without looking unfriendly) and make magical aisle markers for backyard weddings. When not in decor mode, a medium-sized planted container can stand next to a door to make a front entrance more welcoming, flank a reading nook or add a touch of greenery and class to a patio.

Hanging plants are a must for any area where floor space is at a premium. Aside from adding ambience and intimacy, hanging plants can be used to add a punch of color and drama to an area, or can simply blend into the decor. They can be hung on the corners of a large dining tent, or used as a dramatic hanging centerpiece. When they are not being used to liven up a party zone, they look great hung on a porch or along a fence.

I think when it comes to mobile plants, the trick is to be selective with what you use and how you use it. Be sure to select plants that not only enhance your every-day landscape, but that can provide you with the right creative ‘filler’ when you need it. With a little bit of effort and planning you’ll be able to relax a bit better and breathe a bit easier, knowing that your rainy day decor is ready – even if you aren’t!

Stefan Fediuk:

When using portable containers it important to remember that there are various sizes of gatherings which you may be hosting. So many of us have a deck or patio that is very large and seems to dominate the yard when there are but a few people using it. In situations such as these, you would benefit from having a series of containers that can be moved from the outer edges of the space to a more central area, creating a more intimate setting.

	Use repetition and consistency of style for a powerful effect

Another important factor when selecting containers is to ensure that you follow through with a family of containers that share similar characteristics and design attributes, including color, style, material and sometimes shape. Using a menagerie of uncoordinated pots can create a visual distraction and destroy the ambience of a space.

As most mobile containers may occupy a variety of dissimilar spaces in the yard, it is important to use versatile plant materials that can tolerate a variety of atmospheric and climatic conditions. As such, you’ll want to include flexible plants which can handle both sunny or shady situations and still perform well. And since decorating emergencies do not always comply with the weather, plants that are not likely to close their flowers or those with colorful or silver leaves are ideal for all-weather mobile container concepts.

Here's a few plant suggestions for specific container applications:

Container Plants For Fabulous Foliage Colors:

	Create an entire balcony garden using container plants!

Container Plants For Double-Duty (Sun And Shade):

Top Trailing Plants For Containers:

Container Plants For All-Weather Performance:

	Decorative containers give life to a garden bench

Container Plants For Form And Texture:

Container Water Garden Plants: