5 Tips for Beautiful Summer Flower Containers

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (May 3, 2023) – Portable flower containers are an easy and quick way to brighten up any outdoor area with spring and summer blooms. With these helpful tips from Westlake Ace Hardware, bringing colorful accents to any yard, patio, balcony, or deck is a breeze. Additionally, if homeowners are putting their houses on the market, portable flower containers can add an instant boost of “curb appeal.”

1. Choose the right container. The available space for the containers – such as steps, a front porch, a deck, or a patio – will help determine the size of the container needed. Combining containers of different sizes and heights adds interest to a display and using different pots and planters allows gardeners to grow a variety of plants with different soil and sunlight needs.

For most plants, it is preferable to use larger containers because they have a higher soil capacity, keeping the plant cool and moist in the summer heat. Smaller containers require more frequent watering as they tend to dry out more quickly. Clay pots tend to dry out faster than plastic or glazed pottery because water evaporates through the clay’s sides.  In addition, using lighter-colored pots will help keep plants’ roots cooler in the summer since they absorb less heat.

It’s important to remember that plants grown in containers require more watering and fertilizing, but they are less prone to diseases and insects compared to plants in a garden. Most importantly, make sure any container has drainage holes or you run the risk of a plant dying of root rot.

The trending 2023 container color is Terra Cotta. Whether the home gardener opts for natural or synthetic terra cotta containers, the warm and earthy tone can enhance many home, condo, or apartment styles – from traditional to contemporary. For a more thrifty approach, a quick coat of spray paint can breathe new life into old containers and create a fresh update.

2. Select “thrillers, fillers, and spillers.” Following this gardening concept helps you establish a framework for the container and create an attractive display. The goal is to create a lush look immediately and to provide enough room for the plants to thrive during the season.

• Thrillers are larger plants that add height, drama, and a vertical element to the container, such as cannas or fountain grass.
• Fillers are mounded plants or flowers, and their role is to make the container look full. Great filler plant choices include Wave petunias, impatiens, or zinnias.
• Spillers are placed close to the edges of the pot and cascade over the sides. Sweet potato vine and verbena are showy and fast-growing spillers that are sure to make an impact.

Determining a color scheme for a container garden depends on the mood the gardener wants to achieve. Vibrant hues like reds, oranges, and yellows can create an energetic ambiance, while purples and whites create a more peaceful vibe. Mixing in bright colors that complement each other, such as pairing yellow and purple, green and red, or orange and blue, generates a pop of color to create interest and can make the pot appear larger.

If planting herbs, choose herbs that grow best together, like rosemary, sage, and thyme. These herbs prefer dry soil and the same growing conditions. Cilantro, parsley, and basil grow well together because they like damp soil. Some herbs should not be planted with other herbs, like mint and horseradish, because they spread very aggressively and can overtake your other plants. Mixing herbs and annuals creates a whimsical, beautiful, and functional container.

3. Think about the growing conditions. Sun or shade? Wet or dry? Before selecting plants, consider the location of the container and what conditions the plants will need to thrive. Check labels and choose plants with similar sunlight, moisture, and nutrition needs.

4. Pick the right soil and fertilizer. Give your blooms a good start by using high-quality potting soil that contains slow-release fertilizer and, possibly, additives to help it retain moisture such as Miracle-Gro.

Though many potting mixes include slow-release fertilizer, an extra feeding every two weeks during the season helps plants thrive. There are many application options for fertilizers that are very easy to apply, such as Miracle-Gro Shake ‘n Feed Granules.

5. Keep the blooms blooming. To keep beautiful blooms in your container garden, water sun-loving plants every two to three days in the spring and twice a week for shade-loving plants. In the summer, or when it’s hot and dry, daily watering may be necessary. As the plants grow, they will require more water to maintain shape, blooms, and overall appearance.

To promote continuous blooming, remove blooms once they wilt and shrivel by pinching or clipping off the faded blooms. This practice, called “deadheading,” will help keep flowers looking beautiful through the summer.