Creating stunning flowerpots for your patio or front yard takes three things: a thriller, a filler, and a spiller. A thriller is the tallest plant in the center of the pot with colorful foliage or flowers. The spiller is the plants around the outside that spill over the lip of the pot. The filler is the plant that fills in the pot, shorter than the thriller plant. If the container is viewed just on one side, the triller plant is placed on the backside of the pot.
As for the color palette, go bold with either leaf or flower color. You will want to contrast your colors from the triller plant to the spiller plants. Go with the reds, oranges, and yellows.
The main thing to keep in mind is if the pot will be in the shade or sun, so use the plants accordingly. Coleus, impatiens, begonias, and many vines will thrive in shade. Do not forget that ornamental grasses make a good pot choice.
You can use your imagination on what to use as a flowerpot from cattle tanks, and wooden crates, to an old fountain. Usually, the larger the pot the better, you will be watering it less. They are also heavy and not prone to the wind tipping them over. Just make sure they have drainage holes.
Place the pots at your front door which creates a sense of destination. Pots in flowerbeds give the dimension of height.