Landscaping with potted plants

You may not have the space, soil, or patience to become a master gardener, but just about anyone can master container gardening. All you need is a container (there are so many options), potting soil, some plants, and you’ll be set. Container gardening ideas are limitless so your imagination can run wild. To get you started in the right direction, we've listed a few helpful pointers.

Working in Pairs
Potted plants are incredibly versatile. You can use them as props, helping to offset or highlight other focal points in your landscape. For instance, potted plants can be used in pairs to help frame things like a walkway, a set of stairs, or the entrance to a path. You can even use potted plants as the base for climbing roses or morning glory next to a pergola or trellis.

Sculpture or Focal Points
Try copying the Chinese and Japanese and use a few beautiful, shapely plants to create an eye-catching picture. You can do this easily with larger pots and interesting plants like Japanese Maple or other topiary plants. 

Rhythm and Order
Repeat planting—and that applies to both containers and plants—has many advantages. It creates a formal, organized look, especially with topiary cubes and balls, and lends itself to an overall sense of harmony. Repeat planting can also draw the eye in a certain direction, either drawing attention to a display like a water feature or diverting the focus away from eyesores.

Scale and Proportion
Placing potted plant combinations within a context can accentuate the overall look and feel of your space. For example, if you have a yellow wall, try creating a mix of yellow and white blooming plants. The green leaves will create contrast while the petals will create consistency.

Mix Hues
If you want to create a sense of drama, consider mixing hues. For instance, if you have a lot of green non-blooming plants and green lawn, create a splash with fiery red containers.

Vary Heights
When grouping potted plants, consider using like materials but of various heights. Groupings in odd numbers like 3 or 5 works best for this effect.

One of the other benefits of landscaping with potted plants is the flexibility you'll experience. You can move plants around until you have an arrangement you like, or you can regularly rearrange to create new spaces.

If you would like some help on how to get started, or if you'd like to work with one of our designers to create a  container landscape, please contact us. We work with homeowners and commercial properties throughout Eugene, Springfield, and communities in the Willamette Valley.