Do’s and Don’ts of Container Gardening
Are your annual planters lacking flare? Use these tips by Mori Gardens’ Creative Space to design a planter full of colour, texture, and interest.
Before you start, consider the container that will frame your arrangement.
- What is the desired effect you want to create, such as modern, rustic or Zen?
- Are you wanting to use shrubs, perennials, annuals or tropicals? Some plants will require larger pots for rooting space.
- How much space do you have? Pots should be proportional to your space.
- Will the pots be remaining outside for the winter? Porous pots such as terra cotta and concrete may crack if left out for the winter.
- What kind of drainage do I need? If pots are going to be sitting directly on a hard surface, they should be raised 1”-2” for proper drainage.

Now that you have the right container, ask yourself the following questions when selecting your plants.
- How much sun does the area receive and at what time of day?
- What are the wind conditions or any other environmental conditions?
- What is the desired effect – Tropical, English Cottage, and Formal etc?
- What mood would you like to create? Cool colours (white, purples, blues) are relaxing and tranquil, while warm colours (red, oranges, yellows) are vibrant and add excitement.
- Are my plants’ proportions matching my container? Plants should not be more than twice the height of the pot or more than 1 ½ times the width of the pot.
- Does my planter have interest and texture? Bold flowers and large leaves can be appreciated from a distance. To achieve a balanced look, make sure that there is a good mixture of bold and delicate flowers and foliage.

Other Helpful Hints
- Remember proper watering is key. Plants in containers will dry out quicker than they would in the ground and therefore needs to be watered more frequently.
- Water frequency depends on the size and type of pot, the type of soil used, the type of plants used and the location of the container. A small container in a hot, windy location will dry out quicker than a large pot in a cool shady area. So, you will have to look at each container separately to see when it needs to be watered.
- Don’t forget to Fertilize – Since you are watering containers more often, they also need to be fertilized more often (fertilizer is leaching through the pots quicker). A good, slow-releasing natural fertilizer, such as A heavy blooming plant will require more fertilizer. Acti-sol Hen Manure is recommended.
- Try deadheading – By removing spent blooms you will increase the number of new blooms.
- Remove unsightly, diseased or insect-infested foliage as soon as it appears to stop the spread of insects or diseases. Isolate any infected containers until the problem has been taken care of.
- If plants are becoming too leggy, pinch back stems hard to create a more compact plant.
Mori Gardens’ Creative Space is available to assist with your custom container planters for all 4 season, with plants, hands-on assistance and private workshops for home and business.
Create a beautiful custom container
for any spot, you want to enhance with colour, interest, and life.

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