Organic Gardening Tips and Methods Container Gardening (Pot Gardening) Part Three Section One Hanging Containers A variety of manufactured and improvised containers can be suspnded or mounted to create a planted environment above ground level, they are particularly useful where space is limited, but even in conventional gardens there are many opportunities to use aerial displays of plants. They are invaluable for softening architectural environments; helping to lift the eye above other planting, and can be integrated into ambitious schemes in which plants are arranged on several levels. Hanging Baskets; The traditional hanging basket is a simple suspended container consisting of a wire frame in which a liner holds sufficient growing mix/compost to sustain one or more, usually several plants. A number of other suspended containers, either ready-made or improvised serve the same purpose and are planted and displayed in a similar way to hanging baskets. Wire-framed baskets and other suspended containers are best planted so that the container itself is concealed by full and trailing growth, this may be achieved with a single vigorous trailer such as; Tradescatia zebrina, a popular house or conservatory plant that can also be moved outdoors in summer. In general, however, it is easier to create a floating cloud of foliage and flowers with a mixture of several different, less tender plants. The aim is to achieve a loosely rounded shape, using plants of different habit, so that growth hides the container, one approach is to use upright and rounded plants to form a crown above an irregular, hanging fringe of trailing or spreading plants. This could be achieved by including erect cultivars of pelargoniums and Verbena x hybrida, flanked by trailing fuchsias, lobelias, and petunias. Another option is to use containers that are ornamental within themselves, so that, even when the display is at its peak, some of the container is visible. Hanging baskets are often hung as isolated features, perhaps to take advantage of an existing support, this might be an arch or the cross piece of a pergola, for example. Another approach is to fit specially made supports for single or multiple hanging baskets, brackets can be simple and inconspicuous, or ornamental and in a style that suits the surroundings. A hanging basket can make a dramatic focal point to enliven/liven-up a blank wall, especially if it can be seen from a window or door, they can also be eye-catching when suspended from the corner of a building, but for safety reasons, they must be well above the height of passers-by. The most obvious of multiple arrangements are pairs of baskets mounted for example; either side of a door combined with other containers, a nice design can be created by using a large container, such as an urn, at ground level against a wall, with hanging baskets mounted above on either side. The plants in the hanging baskets may match or contrast with those in the large containers, for a more ambitious scheme, hanging baskets can be hung in rows, for example; on a series of arches, or on brackets along a wall. Carefully coordinated or contrasting plantings can be dramatically staged by using a cast of smaller baskets either side of a larger one, or by introducing variations in the height at which the containers are suspended. Using the cross-pieces of a pergola, a sequence of paired hanging baskets either side of a path makes an impressive avenue, although it is worth bearing in mind that such features will be time-consuming to water. Windowboxes; These containers are available in a wide range of materials including; wood, terracotta, concrete, and plastic. They are sometimes designed to be ornamental on their own account, with painted or relief decoration. Plain wooden window-boxes can be painted to match architectural details, but for more adventurous effects consider painting widowboxes on the front of a building in a bold colour to make them stand out. The planting style and content of a windowbox depends to some extent on the position from which it is viewed, for some apartment dwellers, for example, their whole garden may amount to one or two windowboxes, so the view from inside maters more than from ground level. The greatest pleasure may be had from choosing plants of refined beauty, good scent, or aromatic foliage, if windowboxes form an integral part of the decoration of a house front, on the other hand, the view from outside is what really counts. The most valuable plants in this sort of display will be those that perform reliably over a long season and might include evergreens such as box (Buxus sempervirens) or hebes. If windowboxes are in windy, exposed positions, they may not be suitable for tall plants, which will be battered by the wind, they may also block out the light, but to avoid a dull, uniformly low display, position compact but rounded plants such as pelargoniums, in the centre, with lower plants on either side and trailing plants cascading over the front (and sides). There are many variations to play with on this theme, using a wide range of plants, including evergreens for winter or year-round effect. Wall-Mounted Containers; The types of containers that can be wall-mounted include semi-circular wire or strip-metal baskets, metal-frame mangers, and plastic or terracotta half-pots. Brackets can also be fixed to walls to hold standard pots of small or medium size, and more solid brackets can be used to support troughs, but be sure that they are fixed securely. Wall mounted containers filled with plants are invaluable in breaking up the blankness of bare walls, whether used on their own or in conjunction with other planting, they are also useful where windows open outwards or lack of a windowsill. The best alternative to a windowbox can be mounted on brackets below the window, wall-mounted containers are perhaps of greatest value in narrow spaces, or where a courtyard or passage is partly shaded, in a raised position, plants have greater access to light, and will often thrive better when elevated than they would at ground level. In general, stone or brick walls make a very attractive backdrop to plantings, but, to take full advantage of their possibilities, it is important to choose containers that tone or contrast with the background colour. Full planting and generous use of trailing plants is generally the best option but, if the container itself is decorative, it should obviously be visible, the sitting of wall-mounted containers is also important. Too many indiscriminately arranged, will create a messy and rather fussy effects. A few large containers create more of an impact than many small ones, and in addition will be easier to maintain, especially when watering. Nevertheless, with careful placement, either in a symmetrical or asymmetrical pattern, pretty displays can be made with individual pots of flowers. For winter and spring colour, try double primrose, such as the rich violet Primula vulgaris Miss Indigo or soft yellow Double Sulphur, or daisies, such as Bellis perennis Pomponette Series. For summer, there is a huge range of vibrant pelargoniums that flower for several months, and often into autumn. Note; All information given, coincides and complies with the guidelines of The Royal Horticultural Society (RHS)...
Posted on: Sun, 14 Sep 2014 12:49:38 +0000
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