Container gardening offers the perfect marriage of horticultural tradition and modern design flexibility. Planters have served as both practical solutions and aesthetic statements in outdoor design since the ancient wonder of the world, the Hanging Gardens of Babylon. Today, these versatile structures allow you to bring magnificent blooms to patios, porches, and balconies with precision and elegance.
Regardless of the container you choose, here are some simple tips to ensure your container garden reaches its full potential:
Utilize professional-grade potting medium for optimal drainage
Maintain consistent moisture, particularly during extreme heat
Apply balanced fertilizer every 2–3 weeks during the growing season
Rotate containers periodically for even growth
Provide proper spacing for adequate air circulation
Now that you understand the basics of container gardening, let's explore how the right selection of summer flowers transforms ordinary containers into extraordinary design elements. Each flower selection below honors classical garden traditions while meeting contemporary needs for low-maintenance beauty.
Petunia
Petunia hybrids offer continuous color in virtually every palette. For containers, trailing varieties like Supertunias or Wave Petunias create elegant dimension as they cascade over edges. Regular feeding with balanced fertilizer every two weeks ensures optimal performance.
Historical Note: While petunias seem quintessentially American, they trace their heritage to South America, first documented by European botanists in the 18th century. Their popularity surged during the Victorian era when container gardening became a hallmark of refined estates and formal garden designs throughout Europe and North America.
Geranium
Zonal geraniums (Pelargonium × hortorum) demonstrate exceptional reliability. Their upright habit, vibrant flower clusters, and drought-resistant foliage make them ideal for hot, exposed locations. These magnificent plants can be planted in smaller containers, like the Square Rockport Planter, then overwintered indoors, providing year-after-year continuity in your garden design.
Calibrachoa
Calibrachoa, often called "million bells," offers a petunia-like impact with reduced maintenance. These prolific bloomers excel in hanging baskets where their trailing habit creates sophisticated color statements in rich hues from deep purple to vibrant yellow. Proper drainage is essential – they require well-aerated root zones.
Lantana
Lantana camara represents the perfect synthesis of durability and design impact. Its multi-colored flower clusters attract pollinators while providing uninterrupted color throughout the season. Compact varieties deliver a controlled yet vibrant display for containers like the Wimberley Rectangular Planter from early summer until frost.
Begonia
Begonia cultivars bring structural foliage and elegant blooms to shadier locations. Varieties such as 'Dragon Wing' or tuberous begonias (Begonia × tuberhybrida) perform exceptionally well in containers. Use a classic box like the Orangerie Planter for your Begonia for a sophisticated, elegant look. Allow the top inch of soil to dry between waterings, as these plants prefer consistent but not excessive moisture.
Verbena
Verbena hybrids deliver superior performance with extended bloom and exceptional heat tolerance. These graceful trailing plants excel in mixed planters and hanging baskets. Their sun-loving nature and drought tolerance make them ideal for locations receiving limited maintenance attention.
Salvia
Salvia species introduce vital vertical structure and pollinator appeal to summer planters. Most varieties feature elegant upright spires of purple, blue, or red flowers that bloom consistently from early summer through autumn. Beyond ornamental qualities, they attract hummingbirds and beneficial insects.
Heritage Connection: Salvias have been cultivated since ancient times, and their documented medicinal and culinary uses date back to Roman times. The genus name derives from the Latin ‘salvere’, meaning ‘to feel well and healthy,’ reflecting its historical significance in early medicine and its enduring place in traditional herb gardens for nearly two millennia.
Zinnia
Zinnia elegans balances bold visual impact with cultivation simplicity. Compact cultivars adapt beautifully to container environments, with structured, daisy-like flowers in vibrant colors that attract butterflies. Moderate watering and regular deadheading encourage continuous blooming throughout summer.
Coleus
Plectranthus scutellarioides provides exceptional foliage interest with leaves in stunning lime, burgundy, pink, and green combinations. These plants add depth to any container composition and perform beautifully in partial shade. Modern breeding has expanded its versatility with sun-tolerant varieties for contemporary container design.
Scaevola
Scaevola aemula, or fan flower, excels in challenging summer conditions. Its distinctive blue-purple fan-shaped flowers bloom continuously without deadheading, demonstrating exceptional tolerance for drought, heat, and poor soil conditions. This superior trailing specimen is perfect for elevated containers like the Tapered Rockport Planter with minimal maintenance.
Discover Outdoor Planters from Walpole Outdoors
The foundation of any successful container garden lies in quality planters. Walpole Outdoors offers handcrafted outdoor planters built to exacting standards and designed to elevate any architectural setting. Our premium solid cellular vinyl planters provide exceptional durability, inherent rot resistance, zero painting requirements, and superior all-weather performance.
Which planter style would best complement your home's architectural character? Talk to one of Walpole Outdoors' design consultants to determine the perfect container solution for your property. Their expertise can guide you in selecting the proper size, style, and placement to seamlessly connect your home's aesthetic and garden vision.
References:
Iowa State University Extension and Outreach. https://yardandgarden.extension.iastate.edu/how-to/all-about-container-gardening
North Carolina State University Extension. NC State Extension Plants. https://plants.ces.ncsu.edu/
U.S. Department of Agriculture, Natural Resources Conservation Service. Petunia Juss. USDA PLANTS Database. https://plants.usda.gov/plant-profile/PETUN