When choosing a colour scheme for a patio container you could do worse than pick yellow foliage plants that will provide a ray of sunshine on even the dullest day. The following planting design contains plants that require minimal care and attention are evergreen and will provide you with a stunningly bright colour scheme.
For this particular container display I have chosen an old terracotta trough as the slightly faded warm tones of old terracotta compliment the gold colours of the foliage perfectly. However, for slightly more impact, you could use an old lead trough or similar in fibre glass which would provide contrasting tones.
The plants
For this display I used just four plants. Each plant is evergreen and has been chosen to add height, structure and most of colour to the display. All the plants are easy to maintain and look after. Libertia ixioides 'Goldfinger' is an evergreen perennial which looks a little like a flax. It has variegated sword-like leaves which will add striking height to the display. Euonymus Fertunei 'Blondy' is a small slow growing evergreen shrub with green leaves and a yellow golden centre. Vinca minor 'Illumination' or periwinkle, is a tough ground-cover plant but is also great for containers. The hallmark of this plant is its bright gold leaves that are edged with a border of irregular green. It also has blue flowers that appear in spring. Carex brunnea 'Jenneke' is a small compact-growing grass with clumps of narrow, creamy yellow and green variegated foliage that will stand up through the display without swamping the other plants.
Make sure the container has adequate drainage holes and add some broken crocks to the bottom to aid drainage further. Fill the planter with a layer of good multipurpose compost such as John Innes or New Horizon Organic and Peat and mix in a slow release fertiliser, this will provide the plants with food for the first few months after planting. Before planting stand each plant in a container of water for at least an hour so that the roots can take up a good drink of water. Carefully remove each plant from its container and tease out a few roots to help them establish in their new environment. Infill between the plants with more compost and water the container well. Place on its own or among other garden planters and this display will give you a sunny display of yellows and gold all year round. Once the plants have outgrown the container they can either be planted out into the garden or transferred to another larger pot.
Jo Poultney is one of two people behind Garden Planters. I have an RHS general certificate in horticulture. Garden Planters source unusual outdoor and indoor planters, and other garden related gifts - whatever your taste, be it traditional, modern or just a bit quirky, we will have something for you. I believe garden planters are an integral part of any garden - they enhance the overall design and say a little something about the person to whom the garden belongs. If you would like to know more about Garden Planters, visit our website at http://www.gardenplantersshop.co.uk
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Jo_Poultney
No comments:
Post a Comment