Blossoming Hues for Your Summer Pots
In the heart of summer, maintaining a colourful garden can be a challenge. However, with the right choice of plants and containers, you can keep your garden looking fresh and vibrant all season long.
For those seeking perfect purples, a 30cm terracotta pot is suggested, filled with three Verbena 'Magelana Midnight Blue' and three x Ipomoea batatas 'Bright Ideas Black'. Alternatively, you could opt for a 30cm white-glazed pot and plant two x Purple Surfinia Petunias and two white Diascia for a striking contrast.
If you're aiming for bright whites, consider a 45cm terracotta pot for 'Cosmos' 'Sonata White', two x white Diascia, and two x 'Helichrysum' 'Silver Mist'. For a touch of gold, plant two x Lantana 'Lucky Pure Gold' and four x Zinnia marylandica 'Zahara Yellow' or four x yellow Tagetes in a 30cm or 45cm pot.
Experimenting with colours and textures is encouraged, and bedding plants offer a great opportunity to do so. For example, Petunia, Calibrachoa, and Bacopa provide abundant trailing blooms in various colours, creating a classic, long-flowering hanging-basket trio. In shady areas, Sunpatiens, Coleus, and a compact fern soften the mix and add texture.
Maintaining your containers is essential for a long-lasting display. Use pots at least 12" wide for better moisture retention, and opt for a moisture-retentive potting mix. Group plants by their light and water needs to avoid conflict, and add mulch to reduce evaporation. Regular watering is recommended, with thorough soaking and drying of the top layer of compost.
Don't forget to deadhead your plants to encourage more blooms, and protect your containers from late frosts or winds by covering them in fleece or placing them under cover. When your plants are finished, pull them out and put them on the compost heap to prepare for a winter display.
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To get 4–6 specific plant picks and a planting layout tailored to your situation, please share your light conditions (full sun, part shade, or shade), container size, and region/USDA zone. Happy gardening!
Home-and-garden enthusiasts can experiment with different colours and textures in their lifestyle by incorporating various plants in their garden containers. For instance, a 30cm terracotta pot filled with 'Verbena' 'Magelana Midnight Blue' and 'Ipomoea batatas' 'Bright Ideas Black' can create a stunning purple display. Alternatively, a 30cm white-glazed pot with Purple Surfinia Petunias and white Diascia offers a striking contrast.
