Plants in containers have small footprints but make a big, beautiful impression. They’re a welcome sight at a front door, bring life to a back patio, and can even serve as a lush centerpiece on an outdoor table. Flora Grubb, owner of the eponymous nursery in San Francisco, shares her tips on creating and caring for potted displays, from choosing striking plant combinations to keeping them hydrated and happy.
THREE’S A CHARM
Chose a trio of plants that are interesting on their own or if the pot is large try 6 or 9 plants.
EASY EVERGREENS
Housed in an all-weather pot, these hardy dwarf conifers — stately Chamaecyparis obtusa ‘Habari’, yellow-green Chamaecyparis pisifera ‘Filifera Aurea’, and light-green Cryptomeria japonica ‘Little Diamond’ — can withstand even freezing temperatures.
A grouping of pots is a focal point — a part of the landscape that you want to look good all the time. Here’s how to create a dazzling display.
CHOOSE A VESSEL
Select your pot first. It’s your investment, and you’ll have it even as plants come and go. Don’t be afraid to go big. Large pots make a statement, and most plants are happier in them in the long run. Plus, a small container will need more frequent watering. Also consider color, shape, and material (most ceramics, for example, can’t handle frost). And make sure it has at least one good hole for drainage.
PICK PLANTS
Go for varieties that will work with your conditions. Flowers are fleeting. Nurseries are full of an amazing array of colors and textures, but show restraint, not everything is beautiful together. build the rest of the pot around its colors and textures. Also think about how the light will hit them at home: Plants can look different in sun or shade. If your pots will be under a porch, for instance, move your picks to a shady spot to see how they look before buying.
HELP THEM THRIVE
Use organic potting soil like Miracle-Gro when planting. Top-dress containers with compost or more soil at least annually, and water thoroughly. To promote deep root growth, place a hose on a very slow trickle in the pot, and let the water be slowly absorbed until it starts running out the bottom. For lush and robust plants, pinches back new growth frequently too keep them from getting leggy. Every year, clear the drainage hole by tipping back the planter and poking through it with a screwdriver.